A week-long celebration was held at the Swami Rudrananda Auditorium in Fiji from August 12th to 16th, 2024, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda College, Fiji.
The festivities kicked off with a honoring ceremony on Monday, where past and present students, staff, and well-wishers were recognized. The Assistant Minister for Education, Hon. Iliesa Vanawalu, graced the occasion as the chief guest, highlighting the college’s journey from 1949 to 2024.
Tuesday witnessed inter-school oratory competitions centered around the theme of “Celebrating 75 years of Youth Empowerment & Nation Building.” On Wednesday, an inter-college symposium was held, focusing on pressing issues such as drugs and substance abuse, and the influence of social media on youth.
The main celebration took place on Thursday, with Swami Tadananda, Minister in Charge of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, as the guest of honor. The Hon. Deputy Prime Minister, Prof. Biman Prasad, was the chief guest. A significant event during the celebration was the launch of the Fijian translation of Swami Vivekananda’s iconic “Chicago Address.” Additionally, a time capsule containing important documents and records was buried near Swami Vivekananda’s statue, serving as a reference for future centenary celebrations.
The Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged the guiding principles that have shaped the college’s journey, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to spirituality and character building. He congratulated the college on reaching this milestone and wished them continued success in their educational endeavors.
The celebration concluded with a cultural night on Friday, themed “Unity in Diversity.” The event was well-attended by students, parents, well-wishers, monks, members of the board of management, and devotees of the Ramakrishna Mission Fiji.
