VIVEKANANDA STUDY CIRCLE

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY - MADRAS

Annual Report for the academic year 1999-2000
(presented on August 1st 2000)

Respected Dr Lakshmi Kumariji, Prof M S Ananth, Revered Swami Brahmeshanandaji, members of the faculty, distinguished invitees in the audience and my dear friends,

Let me begin by quoting from a letter, which Swami Vivekananda wrote to sister Nivedita in August 1900 - "Well, now great things have to be done - who cares for great things? Why not do small things as well. One is as good as the other. The greatness of little things, that is what the Gita teaches. Each one has his own part to play". A hundred years after that, today, to all those who have assembled here, may I, on behalf of Vivekananda Study Circle dedicate this annual report. We hope that this report will help you get a better picture of the role played by the study circle.

The Scope of VSC

Many a great thinker have predicted that the next few decades are going to usher in great changes in various fields all over the world - especially in the human attitude to life. Whether to remain passive onlookers or to contribute constructively to this great march ahead is for us to decide. Vivekananda Study Circle aims to strengthen individuals, especially the youth of India intellectually, moral and spiritually. The scope of study circle in the campus has been widening ever since its inception in Sep 1997.

Inauguration 1999:

We had the great fortune of having our activities inaugurated last year with the blessings of Swami Veethabhayanandaji, Secretary, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Students Home, Mylapore. Prof. NVC Swamy, former Director IIT-Madras gave an inspiring talk on "Science and Religion", where he tried to remove a common misconception that religion is not in consonance with the scientific methodology of the modern era. He briefly described the scientific approach to religion and emphasized on the need for development on both fronts. A copy of the book "My India, the India Eternal", was distributed after the function.

Regular Sunday Meetings:

The weekly Sunday classes gave us the much needed guidance in life, which was in all ways complementary to the state of the art technology and science taught here. These classes consisted of meditation, reading from the works of Swami Vivekananda, a talk on a particular topic and a discussion. As an introduction to those who were new to these ideas, we had a talk by Swami Bodhamayanandaji, Ramakrishna Ashrama T-Nagar on "Vivekananda and the making of new India".

In the beginning of the last academic year, Swami Brahmeshanandaji gave talks on the "Theory of Meditation" and the "Steps of Meditation" and we arranged a Guided Meditation session on a Sunday following them. The systematic method followed by Swami Brahmeshanandaji, who being an M.D. in medicine could also explain to us the Scientific background of each step, helped us practice a simple, yet effective meditation technique. He also gave lectures on "Stress Management through Yoga", "Worship of God as Mother", Brahmacharya - the key to higher Life" and "Time Management".

We had taken up two series of lectures last year. In the series titled "What a student needs to know about Religion?" he took up interesting and informative discussions on "Definition of God and Religion", "Mysticism the soul of Religion", "Disciplines of Yoga - the basis of Religion" and "practice of Religion". This comprehensive series enabled us to understand that religion lay more in practice than merely in theories and dogmas. Brahmeshanandaji gave interesting accounts of the Life and Teachings of "Gautama Buddha", "Jesus Christ" and "Mahavira" as part of the series on the "Life and Teachings of Great Saints". In this regard we had a guest lecture by Dr D K Oza on "The Relevance of Gandhian Thought to the Youth" wherein he opined that putting into practice Gandhiji's ideas will help to solve many of the problems the world faces today. The joy one can experience by self-enquiry was the central theme of the Guest Lecture on Sri Ramana Maharshi given by Sri Ram Mohan, financial advisor, Southern Railway.

Guest lectures also included talks on "Life after Death" and "Free Will and Destiny" by Swami Jagadeeswarananda Saraswathi, who also takes Gita home study classes in the campus and is a direct disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, On "Way to Human Excellence" by Swami Jagadatmananda of RK Math Singapore, "Reason and Spiritually" by Prof.NVC Swamy, "The Joy of True Living" by Swami Atmapriyananda of Belur Math and "Spiritual Life" by Swami Satyapriyananda, Rector, Vivekananda College, Mylapore.

Books and cassettes of VSC library were displayed at the end of every Sunday Class. Books and Cassettes donated by various people have helped us to around 200 books and 50 audio cassettes and to cover wider topics.

Special Lectures:

The following are Special Lectures that VSC organised last year.

·               Talk cum slide show on "Indus Saraswathi Civilization and its bearing on the Aryan Invasion Question" at CLT by Sri Michael Danino, a French Scholar who for the past 27 years is staying at Mira Aditi Centre, Nilgiris as a follower of Sri Aurobindo. An author of several famous books he showed that contrary to popular belief, India of the past was not just spiritually strong but materially prosperous as well. He questioned the myth of the Aryan Invasion of India and presented relevant material to show that the oldest of civilizations must have originated on the banks of the Saraswathi River. A large section of the audience insisting that we continue with the slide show till as late as 11:30 in the night will remain one of the sweet memories for all of us. We are happy to announce that this lecture has become part of a book entitled - "The Indian thought, then and now".

·               DrMSrinivasan, Retd Scientist of BARC, gave a talk at CLT on "Mind Matter Interaction - Princeton University Findings", - a topic which is perhaps slowly gaining noticing in the west. He explained the various facets of what is called the "Global Consciousness Project".

·               Can Physics and other pure sciences solve the ultimate mystery of man to know who he is , was the question Swami Jitatmananda of Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama Rajkot tried to answer when he spoke extensively on "Modern Science and Vedanta". He explained how and why many modern physicists are turning to Vedanta for answers.

·               Dr David Frawley, Director, American Institute of Vedic Studies, Santa Fe, New Mexico and author of many books on Vedic Philosophy, Astrology, Ayurveda, history etc. spoke on "India in the 21st century". He stressed the importance of Indians rediscovering the great aspects of her tradition. He pointed out that while the west in many cases is looking towards India for spiritual guidance, we Indians neglect this great wealth and blindly seek Western Materialism. We arranged a book sales by Motilal Banarasidass and Jayalakshmi Book House after the lecture.

·               In connection with the National Youth Day Sri Prabhu Ramakrishnan of Vivekananda Kendra dealt with Swamiji?s message to the Youth interested in National Service in his talk on "The Work before us". He indicated that spreading education,reviving the great aspects of our culture, especially Sanskrit, spreading Swami Vivekananda's works among the masses are some of the sure means by which India can progress.

The Tuition Center at Velachery

Swami Vivekananda often used to say that man-making education - spiritual and secular alone will solve India's problems. This is the motive behind the teaching center at Velachery. Last year we had the help of the NSS first year students together with VSC volunteers to take classes. Saturdays were kept aside to narrate to them moral stories and for extra curricula. We also distributed sweets and books to the students on important occasions like Independence Day and spend time
with them explaining the significance of the event.

During Bharat Utsav 99 the study circle helped in arranging a book sales and a painting exhibition. On the occasion of National Youth Day we had organised a trip to Vivekanandar Illam, Triplicate. On the eve of Sri Ram Navami we arranged a Ram Nam Sankirtanam with the help of Dr Varagunan a devotee associated with Ramakrishna Math.

The study circle wishes to thank all those who have been helpful and seen it through to its present status. In retrospect we feel that the response from faculty and students has been good and encouraging and with some enthusiasm from the part of all, VSC will be able to do better in future.

In conclusion let me highlight two important aspects of Swamiji's message.
First, about India's Rebirth when he says - "India will rise by the power of the spirit, the flag of peace and love and will be rejuvenated, will be more glorious than she was".
Second about realizing the real nature of living beings when he says - "All living beings are moving towards a common goal. Let us call it perfection. Many a good thing in life can speed up this journey".

In these two great visions of Swamiji, if VSC can play a part, at least like the squirrel in Lord Rama's building the bridge, we shall feel blessed.