Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary year from January 12

Bhopal: Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary year will be observed in the state from January 2013 to January 12, 2014. Academic and sports activities focusing on Swami Vivekananda’s life and ideology will be held throughout the year. Surya Namaskar and various other cultural programmes will be held on Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary on January 12.
Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed to establish Vivekananda Youth Centres at district and development block levels. He said that Vivekananda Youth Centres will become venues for educational, sports and youth welfare activities and dissemination of Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy and teachings of moral values. Shri Chouhan was addressing a meeting of Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary year committee at Mantralaya here today.
Shri Chouhan said that Swami Vivekananda’s ideology has become even more relevant in the present-day context. It is necessary to acquaint the young generation with Swami Vivekananda’s ideology. For this, initiative will also be taken to include courses on Swami Vivekananda and his ideology in school syllabus. Shri Chouhan directed the committee to organise programmes and activities for common people. He said that outlines of creative activities can be chalked out by establishing link with Ramkrishna Mission.
The Chief Minister informed members of the committee that Nari Samman Raksha March will be held at district and development block levels on January 18. It will be participated by all sections of society, who will also take a pledge to safeguard women’s modesty. This march will be taken out at 5 pm at district headquarters and 12 noon at development block level. The main function will be held at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal. Directives to this effect will be sent to all districts.
Swami Vivekananda International Award will be instituted for outstanding work in the sectors of world religious harmony, social service, moral education and world peace. Yuva Bharat Fellowship will be given for dissemination of Swami Vivekananda’s ideology. From ensuing Republic Day upto February first week, special meetings of Gram Sabhas will be held where discussions will be held on Swami Vivekananda’s ideology and life and Gram Sabha members will take a pledge for nation-building.
Swami Vivekananda Mega Sports Festival will also be held. As reward, winners of these competitions will be taken by the State Government to the visit of Vellur Mutt and Swami Vivekananda Rock in Kanyakumari. The Chief Minister said that a library will be established in each Gram Panchayat building where literature of Swami Vivekananda will be made available. State-level Swami Vivekananda Prasang will be held to understand Swami Vivekananda’s ideology in modern context. Members of the festival committee put forth important suggestions regarding the proposed event mainly holding of international Dharma Sansad, declaring current year as Youth Power Year, setting up of moral education training centres, take out Vivekananda Prerna Yatra or Vivek Jyoti Yatra, hold Vivekananda Quiz in schools and distribution of Vivekananda literature among youths.
On the occasion, Shri Chouhan also released a CD of the radio programme on Swami Vivekananda telecast in 104 episodes. The CD has been prepared by Swaraj Sansthan Sanchalanalay.
Former Chief Minister Shri Kailash Joshi, Finance Minister Shri Raghavji, Law Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra, Home Minister Shri Umashankar Gupta, Culture Minister Shri Laxmikant Sharma, Urban Administration Minister Shri Babulal Gaur, Chief Secretary Shri R. Parasuram and members of the festival committee attended the meeting.