The projects taken up for Value Education programs fall under three prakalpas:

• Vivek Vikas Prakalpa - spreading value based education to women and youth to awaken women power and develop a harmonious and integrated personality through youth retreats, camps, seminars, classes and computer literacy programmes for students of local schools and colleges and adult women.
  
  
• Vivek Jagriti Prakalpa - provides holistic education to women and children, particularly focusing on under-privileged urban slums and rural communities by through outreach programs, distribution of booklets, youth programs and through empowerment of rural women,
  
  
• Swamiji’s Bharat Prakalpa- aims is to help our children and youth absorb the rich values of our culture and derive inspiration from Swami Vivekananda’s ideal message through cultural exchange programs, camps and conventions to raise a feeling of national unity and integration. 

An exhibition tracing Swamiji’s influence on various subjects, listed below, was conducted at Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Headquarters in Dakshineswar, Kolkata from 3rd to 5th February, 2013.  The objective of this exhibition was to expose people, specially youth to Swami Vivekananda’s ideas of:

1. Nationalism
2. Women’s Empowerment
3. Man-making – holistic growth
4. Indian History and culture

Also Swamiji’s tour of the two hemispheres of the globe was traced with an attractive picture gallery.
A pandal, in the shape of a six petalled lotus, was constructed on the eastern side of the Math.  Each petal was a display hall for 18 – 22 posters-exhibits on one of the six themes.

1. Indian Culture
2. The Upanishads
3. Women’s Empowerment
4. Swamiji’s Ideals for Youth
5. Vedanta, Science and Swamiji
6. Swamiji and India’s Freedom Movement.

Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Sister Nivedita Girls’ School contributed charts to ‘Swamiji and India’s Freedom Movement’ exhibit.  The students had created charts detailing the life and contribution of Indian freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sister Nivedita, Bal Gangadhar Tillak, Shubhas Chandra Bose, Khudiram, Bhaga Jatin and others and the influence Swamiji had on them. There were displays on freedom fighters Swamiji admired such as Jhansi Rani Laxmi Bai.

‘Swamiji’s Ideals for Youth’ was created by Dr. T.G.K. Murty, a renowned scientist, the ex-director of ISRO, specially for this exhibition.  This display showcased Swamiji’s idea of holistic growth of Youth.  The display focused on character building for Youth and the need to grow physically, intellectually and spiritually.  Dr. Murty stressed the need of youth to learn scientific reasoning and the ability to question and think for themselves as the keys to building a strong character.  He highlighted Swamiji as the role model for them.

‘Indian Culture’ display traced Indian culture from recent findings on the Saraswati Civilization to modern times.  The display focused on the highly advanced culture of ancient India. The features included the accuracy of the knowledge of our ancestors on subjects such as mathematics, astronomy, medicine, military science, literature, arts, architecture, metallurgy, agriculture and classification of flora and fauna. Our ancestors made detailed astronomical calculations made without the aid of telescopes and computers that have only now been verified in the last 100 years by modern science.  The display also showed recent findings that show that events of the Ramayan and Mahabharat really occurred such as the discovery of Rama Setu, the bridge linking Sri Lanka and India and the discovery of Sri Krishna’s city of Dwarka.  Ancient India’s advanced knowledge of military science (Tipu’s rocket & atomic technology ie.. Agni Astra), medical science (plastic surgery, eyeball transplant, holistic treatments, usage of herbs), mathematics, and other sciences such as geology (where and how to identify water tables), design and identification of many different types of vehicles (aerial, amphibian etc..).  Modern India showcased the many illustrious Indian scientists, India’s advanced postal and rail systems etc..

‘Women’s Empowerment’ display traced the history of Indian women from its Golden Age in the Vedic period to present day.  It showed women in the Vedic age, Puranic age, at the time of Buddha, and Mahavir (Jain), and the dark age that followed to present day.  The display showcased Swamiji’s bold ideas of complete freedom for women as the only condition of growth, women’s education and his strong belief in the inner strength of women. 

‘The Upanishads’ display hall showcased slokas and ideas of strength and universality of the atman in the Upanishads.  Some of the ideas displayed were that when we say namaskar with folded hands, we acknowledge the divine being in not only the person we are greeting but also the one inside of us.  The sound AUM is the universal sound that existed before all and the ideas of universality and liberalism that had no barriers in the form of caste, gender or race. Swamiji was fond of one particular idea of the Upanishad - ‘Abhi! Abhi!’, ‘Be Fearless!’.

‘Vedanta, Science and Swamiji’, focused on the ideas of evolution that Swamiji spoke of more than 100 years ago.  Swamiji had close interaction with many of the famous contemporary scientists such as Merwin Snell, Lord Kelvin, Helm Holtz, Nikolas Tesla, Edison, J.C. Bose and industrialists such as Hiram Maxim, Jamsetji Tata and others. Swamiji gave them certain conclusions with pure reasonings of Vedanta which are verifiable by Modern science. It is interesting to note that these ideas – such as energy mass equivalence, evolution theory as per Vedanta, vedantic cosmology are coming close to the results of modern science. Latest theory of ‘Self Organising universe is remarkably close to Vedantic conclusions.
In addition to these displays inside the lotus petaled display halls, a side display traced Swamiji’s journey through India, America and Europe.  Swamiji’s journey through the West was made up of pictures of places he visited in the West along with important sayings and thoughts he had at each location.  The trip through the West was in one pandal on the left hand side of the exhibition entrance and the Eastern trip was displayed in a hall on the right-hand side of the exhibition entrance.  The drawings of the Eastern trip were line drawings of places visited by Swamiji by the Sri Ratin Maitra, who lent them to Sri Sarada Math for the purpose of the exhibition.

Over 3600 visitors attended the exhibition including 2200 students.  Many visitors made repeat visits, and brought note pads to take notes on the second visit.  The original exhibition was scheduled for the 3rd and 4th of February, but was extended by one day to the 5th at the request of schools and visitors who either could not attend the first 2 days or wished to have more time to study the exhibits.

All the students who attended or volunteered were given a book, an orange, a cake and some chocolates to take home.

Exhibition Banners:

Sri Sarada Math, Thrissur, organized in its own premises, a three - day National Youth Convention from 12th to 14th October, 2012. The theme of the convention was “Swamiji’s contribution to National Integrity”. 350 delegates from all over India attended this event.

Pravrajika Vimalaprana, a senior sannyasini, inaugurated the convention by lighting of lamp on 12th October, 2012. Pravrajika Ajayaprana, President of Sri Sarada Math Thrissur, gave the inaugural address. Dr. Umadevi and Smt. P. Parvathy gave Felicitation speeches. A cultural programme featuring a Bharatanatyam dance by Kumari Anjana Mahesh concluded the first day’s events.

A handicraft exhibition featuring handicrafts created by women’s self-empowerment groups was inaugurated on 13th October, 2012 by Pravrajika Ajayaprana. The exhibition featured a figure of Swamiji sitting in meditation on the Rock in Kanyakumari. 

Saturday, October 13th 2012:

The topic of the first session on 13th October, 2012 was “Role of Women in Social Set-up”. Pravrajika Ajayaprana gave the opening speech. Ajayapranaji spoke about learning to face difficulties as they come because we all have the power of Swamiji with us.  Swamiji defined life as the unfoldment and development of a being under circumstances that tend to crush it down. Never complain about difficulties-use your intelligence, think effectively and act. Success is sure and certain.
This was followed by speeches by delegates from different Centres on related topics. After the speeches there was a lively question- answer session.

The second session of the day started with a speech on “Ethics and Morality- The Real basis of an Ideal Life” by Pravrajika Prabuddhaprana. She spoke about creating an ideal situation for your action. Good thoughts and actions within and by you attract more good thoughts and actions. According to Swamiji, to live an ideal life (1) One must have faith in the unity of existence which is the basis of morals and ethics (2) Learn morals from mythology and practise it in one’s  dealings with people (3) Practise Self Control-the science of yoga. Your life is in your hands, no matter what has happened or what will happen.  

Afterwards there were speeches by delegates on related topics. An interesting Quiz programme followed, in which all the delegates participated. The session came to an end with an interesting cultural programme presented by the delegates from the other States.

Sunday, October 14th 2012

The third day, 14th October, 2012 began with a speech by Dr. Lakshmy on “Education- The Remedy for Social Evils” Some of the delegates spoke on related topics. Swamiji said education was the key to root and  branch reform. By education he meant a process of developing the inner possibilities and powers of an individual so that he could serve society usefully and profitably. 

After the question- answer session and Bhajans by delegates the morning session came to a close.

In the afternoon Pravrajika Satchitprana spoke on “Swami Vivekananda- His Vision of Future India’’.


Swamiji dreamt about the regeneration of India. He thought of the reasons for the degeneration of our Country and understood that our degeneration depended mainly on the attitude of the people. Swamiji said, “Man making is my vision”. India had to come up to the satwic stage and be active.  Awakening the spiritual power inside each human being was his vision. Religion is the backbone, the life line and the key note of a human being’s progress. Science must go hand in hand with religion. Otherwise our country will fall into stark materialism.

This was followed by speeches by delegates on related topics. Afterwards there was a very interesting Quiz Programme. In the Valedictory session Pravrajika Ajayaprana spoke which was appreciated by the whole audience. The last item was a cultural programme. There was a dance -typical to Kerala - Mohiniyattom - by Kumari Karthika Krishnakumar. The concluding item was a group dance - Vande Matharam- by the Thrissur Group of delegates, depicting India’s Unity in Diversity, which was highly appreciated by all.

SYMPOSIUM
 ‘Swami Vivekananda’s Contributions to Humanity’
Organised by Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, Guntur
Date: 30.09.2012 - 02.10.2012

Introduction:

The Ramakrishna Sarada Mission in Guntur organized a 3 day National level Symposium from 30.9.2012 to 02.10.2012. The subject of the Symposium was ‘Swami Vivekananda’s Contributions to Humanity’. Under this theme the entire Symposium was divided into 3 main topics highlighting the great contributions of Swamiji at the international, national and individual levels.

600 women delegates from different centres of Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission from all over India and important institutes from Andhra Pradesh participated. Among them 400 were students.

The main objective of the symposium was to make women of our country aware of the various constructive contributions made by Swami Vivekananda. 

At the international level, he convinced the elite western audience about the catholicity and rationality of Vedantic ideas.  This was the subject matter of the first day. The second day was devoted to discuss the contributions made by Swamiji for the evolution of an individual.  The main contribution of Swamiji at the national level was he awakened his countrymen to the spiritual roots of India’s glorious culture.  The third day was dedicated for this.

The first session started with a procession led by band by school children to the venue, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Auditorium followed by national, state and local delegates. 

The symposium started with Most Revered Amalaprana Mataji, General Secretary of Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission lighting the lamp amidst Vedic chanting by the novices of Sri Sarada Math, Guntur followed by an opening song by Smt Sandhya Murthy, President, Nrutya Kala Nilayam, Anantapur. Pravrajika Bhavaniprana Mataji, Secretary, Ramakrishna Sarada Mission welcomed the speakers, dignitaries and delegates.  The following eight speakers were felicitated before the session started.  The speeches were interspersed with skits on relevant subjects intended to impress the idea on the audience.

  
1) Pravrajika Amalaprana Mataji opened the session with her inaugural address on the subject ‘The unifying trend in Indian mind echoes in Swami Vivekananda.’

2) Pravrajika Satchitprana Mataj’i of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata spoke on the subject ‘The concept of universal religion-Swami Vivekananda’s precious gift to humanity.’
DANCE  PERFORMANCE  ‘Echoes of unity in Indian mind’

3) Pravrajika Atandraprana Mataji, Assistant Secretary of Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, Dakshineswar, Kolkata spoke on the subject ‘The convergence of scientific research towards unity—Swami Vivekananda’s predictions coming true’ with a powerpoint  presentation.

4) Pravrajika Divyanandaprana Mataji of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata spoke on the subject ‘Science and Religion, two paths in search of unity—Swami Vivekananda’s pioneering thought’ with a powerpoint presentation.
SKIT ENACTMENT  ‘Ten years after Einstein’s discovery of E=mc2’

5) Dr Kamala S. Jaya Rao the Ex-Deputy Director of National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad spoke on the subject ‘East and West, take the best—Swami Vivekananda’s dream of human perfection.’

6) Dr Sumita Roy is Head of the Department of English, Osmania University, Hyderabad spoke on the subject ‘The emergence of global concepts in the modern era—Swami Vivekananda’s visions realized’ with a powerpoint presentation.

7) Dr K.B.R.S. Visarada is the principal scientist in Indian Council for Agricultural Research, spoke on the subject ‘Can one be scientific, yet spiritual

8) Pravrajika Bhavanipranaji gave the concluding speech of this session on the subject ‘Advaita Vedanta unites all human pursuits.’
CULTURAL PROGRAMMES by Smt Sandhya Murthy and party

The first performance of her group was ‘Mahishasuramardini. The second performance was a dance depiction on Bhagavadgita. The third a dance on the theme ‘Swamiji is our leader’

The session started with Vedic chanting followed by an opening song.  Smt Sarada Dhanwada of Hyderabad introduced the speakers. Later the guest speakers were felicitated.  This session was conducted in Telugu.

1) Pravrajika Tyaganishthaprana Mataji of Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, Guntur gave the inaugural address in this session on the subject ‘Trace back the vital source and rebuild the national edifice’

2) Smt Surya Mani, a retired lecturer, spoke on the subject ‘Swami Vivekananda—the founder of common basis of different sects in Hinduism.’

3) Smt N. Vasundhara, retired principal of Govt. Women’s College, Guntur, spoke on the subject ‘Swami Vivekananda and the revival of social values’
SKIT  ENACTMENT:  ‘Ideal  Indian Woman’
In this skit, the condition of Indian woman in different periods of time from vedic age down to the present age and in different social situations was depicted and incorporated with Swami Vivekananda’s ideas associated with each character.  The program was well appreciated. 

4) Smt Vijaya Neelagrivam, retired lecturer, spoke on the subject ‘Swami Vivekananda on the ideal womanhood’.
Later the delegates presented their impressions written on a paper to Pravrajika Bhavaniprana Mataji and it was a joyous occasion of mutual share.  Mataji also expressed her delight for seeing many young minds from different parts of the country.
Burrakatha— folk art ‘Ideal education’
This folk art is unique to Andhra Pradesh.  The fifth class students of Ramakrishna Sarada Vidyalaya enacted the play.  The present corporate and commercialized education system was pointed out with humor and Swamiji’s life-giving ideas on education were highlighted. The talents of the school children was highly appreciated.

5) Pravrajika Bodhamayaprana Mataji, headmistress of the school ‘Ramakrishna Sarada Vidyalaya’ run by the Mission Guntur, spoke on ‘Swami Vivekananda’s concept of education.’
Dance Depiction—‘Siva jnane Jiva seva’

6) Pravrajika Dharmatmaprana Mataji of Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, Guntur, spoke on the subject ‘Swami Vivekananda - the comrade of the masses’

7) Dr Kamala S. Jaya Rao, Ex-Deputy Director of National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, gave the concluding speech on ‘Practical Vedanta is the panacea for national problems.’

SIVATANDAVAM – Kuchipudi Dance by Smt Sandhya Murthy and party

Later Smt Sandhya Murthy and party were felicitated by Pravrajika Bhavaniprana Mataji.  Mataji thanked the whole group for their brilliant performances on all the three days.

The three day program ended with the closing song by Pravrajika Tadgataprana Mataji of Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, Gangarampur, West Bengal followed by a vote of thanks.