Swami Vivekananda Values’ Education Project

Government of India had earlier decided to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda in a befitting manner. A National Committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

The National Implementation Committee in today’s meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has approved in principle Swami Vivekananda Values Education Project at the cost of Rs.100 crore with the following objectives:

· To emphasize upon inculcation of Swami Vivekanada’s values among the students of different schools and colleges all over the country who are busy in highly competitive environment at the cost of other aspects of life.
· Involving the youth through competitions, essays, discussions and study circles.

· Publishing Swami Vivekananda’s complete work in different languages.

· Emphasis on Swami’s ideals in colleges and universities as well as setting up of Swami Vivekananda’s ‘Chairs’ in different universities and Centers.

· International programmes including conferences, seminars and lectures abroad in overseas universities.
· Focusing on Vivekananda’s teachings on Yoga to develop its proper understanding and establish standard for it.

· Utilizing the electronic media for prorogating of Swami’s message through All India Radio, Television, CDs, DVDs, Internet, Website and Films on Vivekananda.

· Encouraging research on religion and harmony, interfaith dialogue and bringing Swami’s ideals into current scope.

· Commemorating his CHICAGO Address about Indian culture through an Endowment for an Annual Lecture.

· Involving States and different organizations in commemorating CHICAGO travels throughout India and to preserve some important heritage sites.

· Creating a campaign through catch word or phrase or logo and involving fresh ideas through press and competitions.

· Under the ‘Print Media’ programmes various publication activities will be taken up including distribution of complete work of Swamiji’s to the libraries of 311 Indian universities , 465 government approved libraries and 100 Indian Embassies in different countries.

Under ‘Electronic Media’ programme, two feature films on Swami Vivekananda’s life & activities and Swami Vivekanands’s Call to the Nation, two animated films for children, TV programme entilted “Swami Vivekananda’s Answers” will be produced and made available at subsidized rates, besides producing 3-4 audio-DVDs on selected works of Swami Vivekananda.

Under the ‘Youth Programme’, Vivekananda Centre for Youth Counselling will be set up in 9 major cities for counseling to groups and invidividuals, two National Youth Conventions with the themes ‘National Growth/Development’ and ‘Religious Harmony’, five Regional Youth camps and a number of youth camps at State level will be held.

Under the “Special Service Activities”, a project titled “Gadadhar Abhyudaya Prakalpa” named after the child Ramakrishna will be taken up for development of neglected children by providing food, dress, basic education and health care at 150 places.

Under the Cultural Programmes, two International Seminars on India’s role in building terror-free society and Swmai Vivekananda’s vision of the future of Mankind, 10 National Seminars on Swami Vivekananda’s relevance in 21st Century, 16 State level seminars on Indian culture beside an exhibition on national integration will be organized.

Besides above, the National Implementation Committee also approved the following proposals in principle:

The Committee approved to assist Kolkata Municipal Corporation in converting Sister Nivedita’s residence in Baghbazar into a befitting memorial. Archeological Survey of India (ASI) would undertake work for restoration of aforesaid building while Ministry of Culture, Government of India would support to set up a Museum as part of Vivekananda Memorial Celebrations.

The Committee also approved in principle to extend necessary support to Ramakrishna Mission, Barrackpore, West Bengal which is involved in propagating and disseminating the ideals and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
The Committee approved commemoration of CHICAGO Address of Swamiji’s in 1893 through a memorable programme and an Endowment for an Annual Lecture among others.

Besides above, the Committee also agreed in principle to design Logo and issue commemorate Coins on the occasion of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

Union Minister for Health and Family & Family Welfare suggested to name District Wellness Centres for propagating Yoga to be renamed as Swami Vivekananda District Wellness Centre to mark the occasion. He suggested that 150 such District Wellness Centres will be set up in the first year followed by 75 such centers each in next two years. Thereby, the total 300 such centers will be setup in the country in next three years.