On the holy occasion of Tamil New Year (Thursday, 14 April, 2022) Revered Swami Gautamanananda ji Maharaj inaugurated “Vivekananda Institute of Human Excellence” at Swami Brahmananda Hall in Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. Revered Maharaj also inaugurated “Vivekananda Free Tuition and Computer centre” at Ramakrishnapuram in Mylapore.
The programme started at 4.30 p.m. with Veda Parayanam and Arati to Holy Trio, followed by an opening song by Swami Sankaratmananda and team.
Swami Dharmishthananda, Manager, welcomed the Chief Guest, other Swamis and the gathering in the Brahmananda Hall.
Swami Raghunayakananda, Director, Vivekananda Cultural Centre, in his introductory talk, said that two important feathers had been added to the crown of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai during its 125th year celebration: One is the inauguration of Vivekananda Free Tuition and Computer Centre at Ramakrishnapuram and another Vivekananda Institute of Human Excellence at Chennai Math. The objective of this unit of the Math is to help the youth manifest excellence in academics, career, and also as a human being.
Swami Sukhadevananda, Secretary, Vivekananda College, reminded the audience that education according Vivekananda was not just a gathering of information but building of character. The UGC too now highlights this point. He said that Swami Vivekananda nothing was negative; everything was positive and the Institute of Human Excellence started in his name will impart such a positive education.
Sri Malan V.Narayanan, Senior Journalist, delivered a Special Address in which he said, “Education should increase mental strength and reduce weakness and enable one to live in harmony with diversity.” He opined that it is not the society, but the sannyasis who have sacrificed family who can bring about changes in the society. Ramakrishna Math is creating good citizens for India through its selfless service.
Sri. L.S. Sathiyamurthy, District Judge, Chennai said, an institute to promote Human excellence was started by Swami Ranganathanandaji and actualized in Hyderabad very successfully. It’s very happy to know that a similar institute is coming up in Chennai and it will benefit all the youth of Chennai.
Srimat Swami Gautamanandaji, Vice President, Ramakrishna Math and Mission, and Adyaksha, Chennai Math, said in his benedictory address, that now there are many educated people who have acquired excellence in the field of science and technology, but still the evils in society are not eradicated. This is because along with education, character building as emphasised by Swami Vivekananda is not being taught. He said, that it is essential to practice five values in life: 1) Speaking truth, 2) Having faith in God, 3) Purity in life, 4) Unselfishness, and 5) Selfless service. These five qualities can develop human excellence in every individual. Referring to the idea that the practice of values can be separated from religion, he referred to Swami Vivekananda’s statement that an Indian can never be an atheist. So, human excellence should be built on the foundation of faith in God.
The programme concluded with Vote of Thanks by Swami Suprajnananda.
