Swami Vivekananda’s 150th Birth Anniversary Year (2013-14)
India is beginning to realize that the path laid down by Swami Vivekananda is the only way for her true progress following the path shown by her ancestors.
This is illustrated by the fact that celebrations to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is planned in a big way to usher in a resurgent India by not only the institutions that function under the name of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda, but also by many institutions that render selfless yeomen service to humanity.
Additionally, the interest shown by Central and State Governments to this celebration has provided brightness to our country’s path to welcome a new dawn.
Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, is celebrating Swami Vivekananda’s 150th Birth Anniversary Year (January 2013 – January 2014) in a grand manner. A celebration committee comprising prominent persons from Tamil Nadu has been formed by the Math.
We lovingly welcome one and all – Swamiji’s admirers, students and ex-students of Ramakrishna Mission Schools and Colleges, Devotees and Public – to use this opportunity to participate in the service activities connected with the celebrations and be blessed.
The important Projects planned by our Math during the Yearlong Celebrations are:
- 1. Starting a new Vivekananda Cultural Centre – devoted exclusively to the development of human excellence.
- 2. Introducing Multifaceted Exhibition on Swami Vivekananda in Vivekananda House (Vivekanandar Illam).
- 3. Develop Meyyur village in Tiruvallur District, near Chennai, into a model village according to the ideas of Swami Vivekananda.
- 4. Publish & distribute highly subsidized books worth nearly 2 crore (20 million) rupees on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
- 5. Keep the books of Swami Vivekananda in all the Government run Libraries in Tamilnadu state.
- 6. Hold Special Camps for Teachers, Students, Doctors, and Auto Drivers and spread the message of Swami Vivekananda among these groups.
- 7. Conduct weekly/fortnightly/monthly Satsangs including competitions, speeches, exhibitions and cultural programmes about Swami Vivekananda in several places in Tamil Nadu.
- 8. Institute `Vivekananda Achievement Award’ of ` 10,000/- each to a Teacher, Student, Police, Doctor, Social Worker etc. who excel in their service to humanity.
- 9. Arrange a special meeting of Service Organizations in Tamil Nadu other than those under the name of Holy Trio to enable idea exchanges.
- 10. Extend the existing Rehabilitation of Leprosy Afflicted Persons Program.
- 11. Math is already carrying out some important Rural development Programmes given below. These activities are to be further expanded.
- (i) Tuition Centres and Computer Training Centres for poor students
- (ii) Nursing Assistant Training Course for poor village girls
- (iii) ‘Viveka Murasu’ that spreads Swami Vivekananda’s message to every village.
The estimated cost for the above yearlong celebrations is about 5 crore rupees (around US $ 1 million) and Vivekananda House repair and Exhibition is 15 crore rupees (around US $ 3 million).
Math earnestly appeals to all Devotees, Admirers of Swamiji, ex-students of Ramakrishna Mission Schools & Colleges and Public to liberally contribute to these Activities, thus spread Swamiji’s Message and thus serve God in Man.
How you can contribute:
- 1. Serve as a volunteer during this Yearlong Activities & Celebrations
- 2. Donate liberally
- 3. Also encourage others to donate and take part
Click Here to Donate online.
While donating online please select Campaign: ‘Experience Vivekananda – 150th Birth Anniversary‘.
Donations may be made by Cheque/DD in favour of “Sri Ramakrishna Math – SV 150” and sent to Sri Ramakrishna Math at the address given below.
Foreign donations are welcome.
Donations are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80(G) of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961.
For further details, please call 99401 92401, 9841096886 or contact us at the following address:
Sri Ramakrishna Math,
Mylapore, Chennai – 600004, ph: +91-44-2462 1110; mail _aT_ chennaimath.org
Swami Vivekananda’s 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations – 2013-14
A Unique Opportunity To Pay Tribute On Swamiji’s 150th Birth Anniversary
Starting Vivekananda Cultural Centre
We propose to start a unique Cultural Centre in the name of Swami Vivekananda who is the icon of youth. The Centre will be devoted exclusively to the development of human excellence. It would be spread over about 10,000 square feet in area adjacent to the Vivekanandar Illam (Vivekananda House).
Some of the proposed activities in the Cultural Centre are:
- 1. Courses in Meditation and Yoga.
- 2. Courses on Vedanta, Hinduism and Swami Vivekananda.
- 3. School of languages where youth can take up courses on spoken English, Tamil and Sanskrit in order to enrich themselves and to have better career options.
- 4. Soft skill workshops for students and employed youth.
- 5. Classes for learning Vedic Chanting and Bhajan.
- 6. Free Tuition Centre and Computer Courses exclusively for the under-privileged youth.
- 7. A 4D Theatre to screen short inspirational video clips for the youth and animation movies on Swami Vivekananda to have a realistic experience of Swami Vivekananda’s life and message.
Proposed Vivekananda Cultural Centre
Vivekananda House Renovation and Introducing Exhibition on Swami Vivekananda
Vivekanandar Illam (Vivekananda House), the existing historic monument where Swami Vivekananda stayed for nine days from 6 to 14 February 1897, will function as earlier with enhanced facilities.
During his stay here, Swami Vivekananda delivered several electrifying lectures on his plan to restore India to her pristine glory with the ideal of service and renunciation. The monument is a place of inspiration and holy memories.
One can experience Vivekananda’s personality and message through paintings and state-of-the-art multimedia galleries located in the Illam.
Main facets of this magnificent endeavor “Experience Vivekananda”
- 1. Indian Culture Art Gallery: Depicts Indian Culture through the eyes of Swami Vivekananda using contemporary technology.
- 2. Making of Vivekananda: A multimedia art gallery on how young Narendranath became the world famous Swami Vivekananda.
- 3. Vivekananda, the Man and His message: An arcade in the form of high-tech multimedia gallery consisting several photographs and short video clippings.
- 4. Vivekananda, the World Mover: A multimedia art gallery on the contemporary relevance of Swami Vivekananda’s message
Above all, feel the Presence of Swami Vivekananda in the Meditation Room, the room where Vivekananda stayed for nine days.
To experience this, the monument spread over about 30,000 sft. in a structure that is more than 170 years old, there is an urgent need to totally refurbish the whole set up, without affecting its architectural status.While it is easy to complete the task with contemporary know-how in technology, this splendid mission, is not possible without the active support of generous minded public.
Have the privilege of being part of this marvelous twin projects to enliven the youth and the citizens of the world-society.
The total estimated cost of the twin projects is about 20 crore rupees.
You can be an integral part of this noble mission, by volunteering your contribution in the form of Rs.5000/- per square foot for both external and internal equipment cum architectural designs.
Those who volunteer themselves with 20 sft. or more will have the privilege of their name inscribed suitably in the Cultural Centre.
Please join us in offering tributes to the Prophet of modern India and the modern world. Your contributions will help in spreading the message and realizing Swami Vivekananda’s dream of a glorious India.
Donations may be made by Cheque/DD in favour of “Sri Ramakrishna Math – SV 150” and sent to Sri Ramakrishna Math at the address given below. Donations can also be made online on Math website by selecting the category “Experience Vivekananda – 150th Birth Anniversary”
Donations can be made here: http://www.chennaimath.org/istore/category/donations/
For a direct transfer to Bank, please contact us for IFSC/Swift code details by email.
Foreign donations are welcome. Donations are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80(G) of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961.
The year January 2013 to January 2014 is a historic year as the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda falls during the period.
All the Ramakrishna Math and Mission Centers in India and abroad and many other philanthropic organizations and Governments are geared up to celebrate the event in a befitting manner which is sure to bring great change in future. Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai, will also be celebrating the event in a grand manner.
So, we invite admirers of Swami Vivekananda, alumni of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission Schools and general public to join us in the year-long celebrations in contributing to the various projects planned.
Some of the activities taken up by our Math on the occasion are:
Execution of the planned projects & the Celebrations needs a huge fund and is possible only through the liberal donations from well wishers, ex-students and general public. We appeal to to you to contribute to this historic event and help take the awakening, man-making & character building message of Swamiji to more and more people.
Donations can be sent to our Math by Cheque/D.D./M.O. or you can make donation online through Internet on our Math’s Website.
Donations are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80 (G) of the Indian Income Tax Act.
http://www.chennaimath.org/istore/category/donations/
Inauguration of the Statewide Yearlong Celebrations
(Jan 2013 – Jan 2014) of
Swami Vivekananda’s 150th Birth Anniversary
The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Selvi J. Jayalalithaa, inaugurated the year-long celebration of Swami Vivekananda’s 150th Birth Anniversary, organized by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai. A large number of monks, devotees and admirers of Swamiji attended the hour-long function, held at Vivekananda Illam, on 27 February 2013. A host of ministers, members of Tamilnadu legislative assembly and officials was also present.
The Chief Minister unveiled the stone-plaque marking the laying of foundation for Vivekananda Cultural Centre. The proposed Cultural building has been planned to mark the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and to exhibit Swamiji’s Message & Indian Culture.
Amidst Jai Swamiji’s ki Jai, the Chief Minister lighted the Viveka Jyoti, an electrically operated lamp, which will be kept lighted for a year, in front of the Vivekanandar Illam, to mark the year-long celebrations. The Chief Minister released Tamil version of Photographs of Swami Vivekananda, and presented the first copy of revered Swami Gautamanandaji.
While delivering his benedictory address, revered Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj recalled the events related to Swami Vivekananda’s visit to Chennai in February 1897 after his arrival from the Parliament of Religion and the electrifying lectures he delivered during his nine days stay at Vivekanandar Illam. He thanked the Chief Minister for extending Vivekanandar Illam lease and allotting the adjacent vacant land, both on 99 years lease.
The Chief Minister’s address, given in Tamil, focused Swamiji’s message to the modern world and its contemporary relevance. She said, in parts,
‘I feel deeply honoured to inaugurate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda from this historically important Illam. I feel I am fortunate to inaugurate this function. I thank the President of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, and other Swamis for having given me this great opportunity.’
‘Swami Vivekananda lived for others and not for the self. Right from my childhood I have a great regard for the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and his Guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. I have a good collection of books on Swami Vivekananda and Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa in my personal library. I read them quite often. As for as I am concerned, it is Swami Vivekananda who inspired me to enter politics. In 1982, when I entered politics, I had mentioned about Swami Vivekananda in an interview. …’
‘Even after 100 years, the Mission instituted by Swami Vivekananda is still continuing its service to the people adhering to its principles. This deserves appreciation. It will not be an exaggeration to say that only such institutions serve as role model for youngsters. I request the Ramakrishna Math authorities to plan projects for involving the youngsters in selfless service and to serve with dedication and to execute them with determination….’
My greetings to everyone.’
After her address, the Chief Minister gave away prizes to 10 winners of the 11th Youth Day Competition held by Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam. Moved by a visually challenged boy and a physically handicapped girl, coming to receive the prize, the Chief Minister kissed and blessed them.
Complete Report of the Inaugural Function: Right click and “Save link as” to Download the PDF file:
The Video of Highlights of the above function is published below.
Duration: 56 min.
Dear Devotees and Friends,
We invite all of you for Swami Vivekananda’s 150th Birth Anniversary Inaugural function by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Feb 27 2013 Wednesday at 11 AM.
Yours in the Lord,
Swami Gautamananda
Dear Devotees and Friends,
We invite all of you for Swami Vivekananda’s 150th Birth Anniversary Inaugural function by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Feb 27 2013 Wednesday at 11 AM.
Yours in the Lord,
Swami Gautamananda
Adhyaksha, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai
The 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is being celebrated in all parts of India and abroad and an awareness of his singular contribution to Indian resurgence is being felt anew. Chennai is blessed as it played host to this great beacon of light for nine days when he stayed in Vivekanandar Illam (then known as Ice House) from 6th to 14th February 1897. These nine days are celebrated as ‘Vivekananda Navaratri’ and the following are lectures related to this program.
The program commenced with the readings from the teachings of Swami VIvekananda and the bhajans by students of Balamandir of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. We were then treated to a talk by Swami Buddhidananda, who expounded on why Swami Vivekananda is considered an Acharya in the lineage of the highest Acharyas Hinduism has witnessed. An acharya is one who shows the way out of samsara and salvation of the world, said Swami Buddhidananda.
A Shiva-Parvati dance performance was then staged by the Vipanchi Group. Swami Asutoshananda, Manager, Sri Ramakirshna Math, Chennai, brought the nine day celebrations to a close by thanking all concerned and mentioned how Swami Vivekananda has been adopted by all sections and worshippers in the fold of Hinduism. Swami Asutoshananda reminded us, in his closing remarks this is an annual event and it will only get bigger and brighter with every passing year. Just as this year was far more organized and event-filled than last year, he said he was sure that the next year’s celebrations will be even grander.
