Yuva Bharati - August 2007 - Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan

25 YEARS OF VK RDPThe Vivekananda Kendra RuralDevelopment Programme – VKRDP wasstarted in 1980 with 9 Balwadis, a mobiledispensary and a project of offering milk toyoung children. This was formalized in 1982as VKRDP. In the last 25 years the VKRDPhas grown like a banyan tree in the fiveSouthern districts of Tamil Nadu. Workingin the fields of Man Making and NationBuilding, the VKRDP has been, engaged inspiritual, economic, service and awarenessactivities. The completion of 25 years of thiswork was celebrated at the Campus,Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari on04.07.07. From 29.06.07 to 03.07.07 theBalwadi Teachers had their refresher course.On 02.07.07, more than 100 Kendra wellwishersand local workers from the fivedistricts reached Vivekanandapuram. TheVice Presidents of the Kendra Ma.A. Balakrishnanji and Ma. B. Niveditaaddressed these voluntary workers. Shri.N.Krishnamoortiji also spoke to them. Allthe well-wishers visited the Rock Memorialto draw inspiration from SwamiVivekananda. On 03.07.07 they witnessed thecultural programmes of the Balwaditeachers.The fourth July is the day of MahaSamadhi of Swami Vivekananda. Every year,VKRDP observes the day as worker’s day andAnna Pooja day, worshipping Mother Annapoorna in the form of a heap of rice, collectedfrom thousands of well-wishers.This year, the workers gathered in theVivekanandapuram Sabha Griham, tastefullydecorated for the occasion. A huge heap ofrice, contributed by a large number of peoplewas topped with a mask of Annapoorna. TheKendra Vice President Ma. B. Nivedita lit thesacred lamp and inaugurated the function.Life Worker trainees chanted the invocation.The Secretary of VKRDP Shri S. Ayyappandescribed the kind of support extended bythe entire society for the activities of VKRDP.He welcomed the special invitees.Sister Priyamvada then led the groupchanting Annapoorna Stotram,Vishwaroopadarsanam of the Bhagavad Gitain Tamil and in Sanskrit. Naivedhyam andAarati were offered. Smt. Janaki Pushpamchanted the Shanti Mantra. Smt. Tamilarasiand Smt. Panneer Selvam Kendra wellwishersperformed the Deeparadhana. Thenthe Thothukudi Nagara Sanchalika Smt.Subhadra Vetrivel offered a symbolic bagfulof rice to the General SecretaryMa. D. Bhanudasji. The assembled peoplechanted a prayer saying, service of man isservice of God, we shall pray and work forthe well-being of our Nation, the39 YUVA BHARATI - August 2007