CONTENTS

1. Activites ....................................................................................... 1

2. Regular Activities ....................................................................... 3

3. Across North East ....................................................................... 4

4. Upcoming Publications .............................................................. 5

5. Study Corner ................................................................................ 5

6. Kendra News Corner ................................................................. 6

 May, 2021
ACTIVITIES
Sanskriti Anveshak
As mentioned earlier, on VKIC’s completion of 25 years a series on Sanskriti Anveshak with the theme
of ‘Development through Culture: nature-culture-wellbeing fostering sustainable development’ has been
planned, the curtain raising programme was held on 6th February 2021 where Dr R M Pant, Director of NIRD
& PR (NERC) spoke on the theme as the Guest of Honor. This programme was addressed by Mananeeya
Nivedita Bhide, Vice President, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari.
The philosophy and perspective of this Sanskriti Anveshak is briefly outlined below.
Development
Throughout the recorded history of mankind, the ideals of ‘Development’ have been mostly materialistic
and objective. Economic criteria such as GDP, per-capita consumption, average income, life expectancy and
general health, food available and consumed, educational facilities available and availed, other amenities
and utilities have been the parameters for measuring ‘Development’. Enterprising individuals, responsible
governments and enlightened communities have been thought of as the instruments of development. They
have combined together in various proportions to bring about ‘Development’. Still mankind is groping in
the dark for the ideal set-up for the same.
Eastern wisdom inspired by Sanatana Dharma has a deeper and broader definition of ‘Development’.
The physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth of man in consonance with his family, community,
patriotic and global identities and relations, helping him live in harmony with Nature and to live without
impoverishing or endangering future generations, is what is generally accepted as Development. The process
of development has to undergo a paradigm shift with spiritual dimensions in order to sustain development.
Development through Culture – the integrated solution
Human endeavour of developing a cultural landscape on a natural landscape forms interface, and
symbiosis between culture and nature which are interlinked to wellbeing of nature and humanity. The
interface of human and nature develops the cultural ethos and ethics which consequently framed the values
and norms of a cultural group which in the progression process evolved the wisdom and world views of the
communities or ethnic groups living in a particular geo-ecological context. Therefore, culture is the outcome
of human observation and learning from the nature around them to design their way of life. The day-to-day
practices of the communities excel through the Traditional Knowledge system, which basically provides
them the framework for analysis and decision making at local context. In a cultural system through traditional
knowledge based practices many communities manage and use natural resources in a wiser way catering
and restoring the natural capital and ecological services, which in return provides ecological security and
ensure wellbeing of the people.
In the context of contemporary environmental challenges which are manifest with crisis of natural
resources, climate change, natural disasters, threats of diseases including zoonotic diseases etc. There is a
growing observation that there are some alternative ways still persisting among the traditional knowledge
practitioners. There are many examples where traditional knowledge based practitioners face such challenges
in a wiser way with appropriate approach of adaptation, resilience development and risk reduction. Therefore,
there is an evolving demand and need to understand and learn about this culturally entwined traditional
knowledge based practices and its interface with nature, for developing alternative strategies to face
contemporary challenges.
Northeast India – the sustainable way
North east India is the cradle of biodiversity and ethnic diversity which portrays diverse traditional
knowledge based practices rooted in cultural system. These cultural practices in the backdrop of geo-

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 May, 2021
ecological diversity leverages natural capital with design framework of social capital vividly show case some
path for living with nature. There are many examples of traditional ecological and technical knowledge base
practices in the region, which portray examples of sustainable living.
Therefore, VKIC proposing a new series of Sanskriti Anveshak – discussion on Development through
Culture: nature-culture-wellbeing fostering sustainability with special reference to North East India. The
proposed initiative primarily focuses on the broader perspectives to know about diverse cultural and
traditional knowledge base practices of different communities of North East India. Concurrently, it will also
focus on finding out ways and approaches for the development of North East India based on its natural
capital, cultural assets and social capital of different communities.
In the above background, a series of interactive session is being planned starting from March. The
schedule till July 2021 has been drawn up as given below and will cover broadly the natural, cultural and
economic history of Northeast India.

Till date we have covered the first five topics as

scheduled above with one special session on the
occasion of World Heritage Day.
Northeast Calling
Through the emphasis of Sanskriti Anveshak on various aspects of culture and tradition of communities,
it will also endeavour to find out ways and approaches for development of Northeast India based on its
natural capital, cultural assets and social capital of different communities.
Hence, with such a broad perspective, a circumscribed yet innovative research program to gather
information from grass-root level has been formulated with the noble intention of involving the youth of
Northeast India. Under this a research programme with the theme “Explore your Neighbourhood:
Understanding the traditional and natural resources based on way of living” has been put forward.

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 May, 2021
Various educational institutions have been informed in order to accrue enthusiastic participants across
Northeast who would endeavour to undertake research projects on topics, significant to sustain their culture
as well as bring development. Hence, sub-themes have been kept as such:
• Exploration of Natural Capital
• Understanding Agricultural Practices and Farm-based Activities of the Neighbourhood
• Human Capital/ skills at Neighbourhood
• Explore the Traditional Knowledge and Practices of your Neighbourhood
To our maiden initiative to bring
‘Development through Culture’, 19
abstracts on the suggested themes have
been submitted by students from colleges
across North-eastern states. Thereafter,
on March 27-29, 2021 three consecutive
Orientation Programmes were taken by
our Mentor ’s Team, involving their
participation online (due to Covid-19
protocols). At the end of which, students
were asked to submit Research Questions based on their abstracts.
By mid- May, we have received research Questions from 18 of them. In our next step, observations
were made and discussed among our revered and experienced mentors and they decided to undertake
separate Orientation Programmes for separate group of students as categorized by Mentors themselves.
Students have been categorized under five heads based on the topics they have chosen to do research
upon. Thereafter, a month-long schedule has been prescribed where mentors can guide the budding
researchers. After the completion of this one-to-one orientation, students have to submit their Work Plan
as how they have thought to proceed for the field work/collect primary/secondary data, etc.
It has been a year-long initiative under the Sanskriti Anveshak Forum conducted by the Vivekananda
Kendra Institute of Culture, Guwahati.
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REGULAR ACTIVITIES
YOGA
Online Yoga classes were taken since May 23, 2021 with the intention
to continue Yoga all the year round. Starting with some loosening
exercises, Pranayama and Asanas were done along with Surya Namaskar.
This has been a joint initiative taken by our enthusiastic and devoted
Karyakartas whose sole endeavour is to bring or evolve out a healthy
society. Every week alternately, each of our Karyakartas perform their
ascertained tasks regarding conduction of the Varga successfully. It is time-
bound, regular and stead-fast in its efforts.

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 May, 2021
Kendra Varga:
Kendra Varga is held online on every Sunday
morning and is scheduled to be conducted for one
hour. It starts with Shanti Path, followed by a
patriotic song. Some activities like- discussion on
topics that affect human life in common, for e.g.
lives of great men, cultural continuance of certain
issues and sometimes quiz or games etc. are
conducted. Our Swadhyaya (self-study/analysis)
activity is also undertaken within this- for it
enhances and broadens one’s view towards life
where we come to know about the inner
consciousness of people around us. New attendees
are introduced with the regular attendees so that a
connection of affection towards all is built up.
Finally, the varga concludes with Kendra Prarthana.
Bhajan Sandhya:
Music in its Spiritual form, as said to be a way
of establishing connection with the almighty and
such effort is taken by VKIC in the form of Bhajan
Sandhya. This programme is organized every
Thursday in VKIC. Though, owing to the current
COVID 19 situation, Bhajan Sandhyas are organized
in the virtual platform, with attendance over thirty
persons. Participants, in this programme sing
bhajans, depicting our culture. The programme ends
with Shanti Mantra.
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ACROSS NORTH EAST:

The main strength of Indian Culture is in her diversity, examples of which can be the seen in the traditional
customs in every corner of the country, all the year round. These traditions, in a way keep up the positivity
in these tough times, where people though restricted in following up the normal activities, still observe the
traditional rituals with the intimacy of family members.
Such example can be seen in Manipur, where Cheiraoba festival is celebrated every year.
Cheiraoba or literally understood as the new year of Manipur is celebrated in the month of April by the
Meiteis and Meitei Pangal (Mohammadan). Those Meiteis who are followers of Vaishnavism celebrate it
every year on 14th April and those followers of Sanamahi on Sajibu Nongma Panba every year.
Sajibu means the first month of the year, Nongma means the first date of a month, and Panba means
to be. Together they mean- to be on the first day of the first Meitei lunar month.

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 May, 2021
On the day of the Cheiraoba festival, traditional
cuisines are prepared. The raw vegetables and other
items that are to be used in cooking are first offered
to household God Lainingthou Sanamahi and
Goddess Laimaren Shidabi and afterwards the
cooked food is then offered to the household deities
and local deities at their homes’ entrance/gate and
then shared fire with family members, relatives and
friends.
The festival is celebrated to strengthen the
relations or bonds of love and brotherhood among
families, relatives, and neighbours.
After enjoying the meal, people with their
guests climb to the top of a nearby hill to offer A man performing Pooja on the occasion
prayers. They believe climbing the hill elevates them of Cheraioba Celebration

to great heights in their lives.

The Cheiraoba festival is also celebrated by performing ‘Thabal Chongba,’ the locals’ traditional folk
dance.
This year Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba and Vaishnavite Cheiraoba fell on 13 & 14 April respectively
and due to the pandemic of Covid-19 both the Cheiraobas were celebrated within their families only .
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Upcoming Publications:
* Quest Commemorative Volume.
* Articles of Shri B. B. Kumar, Ex. Chairman of Indian Council of Social Science Research
(ICSSR), Ex Editor of Quest Journal of VKIC.
* Traditional Systems of Mising Community: Change and Continuity.
* VKIC Sanmanee Records.
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STUDY CORNER
New additions in our Reference Library:

Tribal Religion: Change And Continuity, a book by M.C Behera and

Commonwealth Publication, New Delhi. The book is a study on religious
syncretism in cultural context. As tribal religions have been exposed to forces
of change through superposition and acculturation to greater extent, the
question remains-”Is there any continuity of features of their earlier religion-
contradicting to the practices of the dominant religion or otherwise?”

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 May, 2021
A Biography Dipok Kumar Barthakur: Right Turn In Assam, a book by Wasbir
Hussain.Shri Dipok Kumar Barthakur has been a person of eminence, worked
selflessly for the welfare of the society without the strapping of power.
VKIC is fortunate to have Mananiya Dipok Kumar Barthakur as Chairman.

“Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita” a book on the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna

Paramahansadev, by M (Mahendranath Gupta), a son of the Lord and Disciple.
This edition is a translation by Dharam Pal Gupta, and is a Sri Ma Trust Publication,
Chandigarh.

“Death: An Inside Story: A Book for All Those Who Shall Die”, a Penguin India
Publication. The writer, Sadhguru, a yogi, mystic and visionary, the founder of
Isha Foundation, dwells extensively upon his inner experience as he expounds
the more profound aspects of death that are rarely spoken about.

“Prabandha Bitan”, by Shrimati Rekha Phukan, a series of essays on divine

personalities of Nationalism and Indian Culture.

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KENDRA NEWS CORNER

* On the request of Shri A. Balakrishnan, President, Vivekananda
Kendra Kanyakumari, for sending Oxygen Concentrators to
Vivekananda Kendra as donation, an organization called YPO
(Young President Organization), a group of young entrepreneurs
who wanted to direct the aid to Tier 2 & 3 cities or rural centres,
intermediated in the course of action, as it was a time when
thousands of people suffering from Covid-19 were in requirement
of oxygen and the supply was too low to address the demand.

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 May, 2021
The donor is Shri Vinod Varapravan, on behalf of Sewa International, an organization based in Canada,
arranged for 10 Oxygen concentrators to be sent at Vivekananda Kendra. While five were earmarked for
Madhya Pradesh, five were meant for Assam. Vivekananda Kendra, Assam Prant, decided to send these five
Oxygen concentrators to hospital of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) and
Nursing schools at Numaligarh and Tinsukia.
* “ Vivekananda in COVID Times”———Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director, Vivekananda
International Foundation, published this motivational article with powerful
insights of Swami Vivekananda in this Pandemic situation, where balance of
mental and physical health deserves utmost importance.
For more information, log on to www.vifindia.org
* “DIALOGUE” : The UGC recognized Journal which is published
quarterly by Astha Bharati, covers diverse topics filled with nationalist ideals ranging from
ancient to modern.
Shri B.B Kumar, Ex. Chairman of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Ex
Editor of Quest Journal of VKIC was also the editor of this journal,.
For more information log on to www.asthabharati.org

* COURSE ON FOUNDATION OF INDIAN CULTURE

On the occasion of the completion of the 150th birth anniversary of Sri
Aurobindo, an initiative for reawakening the youth towards India’s cultural
ideas and ideals has been taken by the Centre for Human Development and
Studies (CHDS), Assam University, Silchar since last December 2020.
It is a first of its kind in the history of the formal educational system in our
country where a yearlong one hundred and fifty hours lecture series on
the foundational principles and the profound concept of Indian culture
based on Sri Aurobindo’s book ‘The Foundations of Indian Culture’ is being
organised. It is a certificate course on an online (virtual) mode where one had
to register to attend this course. Being held twice a week of one and half hour
duration sessions, it has till now completed forty-six such sessions. Further,
every month since January 2021, the centre has also been inviting eminent
speakers of national repute to speak as Guest Speakers on various topics
concerning Indian Culture, the invitation of which has been extended to all.
The principle resource person for this lecture series is Shri Diganta Biswa
Sarma. Shri Sarma is the son of poet, lyricist, translator, and litterateur late
Kailash Nath Sarma. Shri Sarma completing his masters in commerce and law
joined the government service as a District Transport Officer after having
passed the combined competitive examination conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission, but
resigned subsequently as he had an inner calling to pursue a different life. An ardent devotee of Sri Ramakrishna,
Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo, he has been translating their works into Assamese. Shri Sarma has
translated and published The Foundations of Indian Culture, The Ideal of Karmayogin, The Renaissance in
India, Karakahini, Gitar Bhumika originally authored by Sri Aurobindo and Sri Monoj Dasgupta’s Shyama Prasad
Mukherji, a Pure and Manly life into Assamese. At present, his areas of studies include spirituality, yoga,
Indian culture, nationalism, Indian pedagogy, etc.
Along with many interested persons across the country, many of the karyakartas of Vivekananda Kendra
has being attending and availing a new learning experience.