VIVEKANANDA STUDY CIRCLE

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY - MADRAS

Annual report for the academic year 1998-1999

Revered Swami Veetabhayanandaji, Swami Brahmeshanandaji, respected Prof.N.V.C. Swami, members of the faculty, distinguished invitees in the audience and my dear friends,

Let me begin this annual report with something very interesting that Swami Vivekananda said, "My object in reminding you about the glories of the past is simply this. Many times have I been told that looking into the past only degenerates and leads to nothing, and that we should look to the future. That is true. But out of the past is built the future. Look back, therefore, as far as you can, drink deep of the eternal fountains that are behind, and after that look forward, march forward!". This report we hope, will not only give you a sweeping view of our objectives and activities, but also serve as a source of fresh insight for us into our past achievements to strengthen our future activities.

The odd semester (July November 98)

We had the good fortune of inaugurating our activities last year with the blessings of Swami Gautamanandaji, President, Ramakrishna Math, Chennai and with the encouragement and support of our director Prof. R.Natarajan. As many of you might be already knowing, this organization had its inception in September 97. The scope of this study circle has witnessed a steady expansion over the last two years. A strong dislike towards a stagnant life, a deep hunger for knowledge, an adventurous spirit ready to explore newer avenues of experience, is what sustained and nourished this study circle all through.

Our weekly Sunday meetings consisted of meditation, reading from the works of swami Vivekananda followed by the main lecture for the day and a discussion over the subject matter. Beginning at 9:30 a.m. this schedule stretched over a period of one and half hours gave us the much needed intellectual, moral and spiritual awareness, which is conspicuous by its absence in usual educational curriculum.

The introductory lectures delivered at the beginning of the odd semester July-November '98 helped the new comers to get familiarized with the ideas that are usually dealt with. These lectures especially, Swami Vivekananda's life and message which throws a new light on every aspect of our personal and national life, increased our eagerness to make an impartial study of principle underlying our national culture. The regular practice of meditation on the other hand helped us to understand the nature of different mental forces that are working within us how these can be controlled and redirected to aid the development of a strong and a healthy personality.

Usually the Sunday meetings had continuity and a central theme. For the odd semester of July-November'98 we took up the study of character development. Enlightening lectures on "manifestation of the divinity within us", mental strength, character building through service, aparigraha, ahimsa, truthfulness were given by Swami Brahmeshanandaji which have helped us shake off the widely prevalent notions that these are not practical or relevant to the modern society. Even with the little knowledge that we have gained of these concepts, we can confidently say that they are a potent force, which can be utilized for human growth and development.

We also started a tuition center for school children in Velachery. Two or three of our volunteers go there everyday and help them in their studies. Swami Vivekananda considered the education of the underprivileged people as a panacea for many of our social problems. This tuition center, providing intellectual, emotional and moral support possible to these children has also given us an opportunity to practice Swami Vivekananda's ideal of social upliftment.

The Even Semester (January May 1999)

The Bhagavad Gita was the subject of our discussion in the even semester, Jan May 1999. We could appreciate why the Gita has such an irresistible appeal to one and all. As Swami Brahmeshanandaji continued with his chapter wise discourses, the lofty philosophy contained there in became more and more clear and practical to us. More over Swami Bodhamayanandaji from Ramakrishna Ashram, T.Nagar gave an interesting lecture on "Bhagavad Gita and positive mental attitude", elucidating how people in every walk of life, even student can enrich themselves through a study of the Gita. Apart from these regular lectures we had four special lectures.

1. The role of Indian Culture in fostering our Democratic Spirit- by Prof. Ananthan, Vivekananda College, Chennai. This lecture was an eye opener for us for we came to know that the concept of democracy is not something alien to the Indian mind.

2. Exploring New Horizons -by Swami Bodhamayananda, which has had itts central theme, the dictum, as long as I live, so long do I learn.

3. Integrity of personality and inner poise- by Swami Jagdeeshwarananda Saraswati a direct disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswati. He spoke of what personality actually means its various dimensions and how all these different aspects can be integrated. Using some real life incidents as examples he explained how by following simple principles like being true to oneself all strife and disharmony be avoided.

4. Youth in a global society- by Swami Brahmeshnandaji. This lecture dealt with the role youth can play in a hi-tech global society, the importance of every individual's contribution to the whole, the currents and cross currents that effect the youth in these fast changing circumstances etc.

We also organized debate competition open to all students, as part of our National Youth day celebration, inviting Prof. Subramanyam, Principal, Vivekananda College, Madurai, for the sum up address.

The response to the lectures was very encouraging. Subsequently the increasing awareness among the faculty and the students off the need for a balanced and holistic approach to life with proper emphasis on higher values is also indicated by the wider circulation of our study circle library books and cassettes.

Earlier education itself was considered as a value. Today people are talking about "value oriented education". There is a wide spread concern over the erosion of values in society. Organizations like Vivekananda Study Circle, we are convinced, can play a very useful role in increasing the much required nationalistic and humanistic impulse among the students. Swami Ranganathanandaji, president of Ramakrishna order in one of his lectures compares India in her present degenerated state today, to a lepers body oozing out puss and blood. But she still survives because of her few regenerating cells here and there. We can be one of these regenerating cells and help in revitalizing and energizing the whole nation. He goes on to say that as an answer to the bomb culture widely prevalent today, we shall also throw bombs, but these will be Vedantic thought bombs, releasing tremendous energy directed towards human welfare. I bring this to a close with an appeal to all of you to be helpers in this noble cause.

Thank you.