Youth Forum (ವಿವೇಕಾನಂದ ಯುವಕ ಸಂಘ)
India, our motherland, has been a constant source of influence on world thought through ages. Be it religion, science, arts, other aspects of culture or even the more recent aspects of democracy, economy etc she has assimilated and innovated. One of India’s greatest strengths as a civilization has been her openness to embrace change. Her ability to hold on to ideas which are eternal, to re-orient old ideas to the current context and to assimilate ideas which are new has given her a unique character. At the core of this openness of the Indian civilization is her all embracing religion/spirituality. Though mis-understood by most youth today, it is this aspect that has ensured that India continues to stay relevant when her other contemporaries i.e. ancient
Greece, Rome and Egypt have just been relegated to text books. One of the reason for the misunderstanding among youth is the lack of platforms for reasonable study and discussion of Indian spirituality in a context that is suitable to present day. With this in mind Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru, is starting “Swami Vivekananda Yuvaka Sangha.”
The Sunday sessions will involve study/talks/discussions centered around Indian Spirituality, their relevance to modern day and as to how to assimilate and make it practical in our day to day activities.
Currently the Youth Forum will attend a session on every Sunday at 10:30AM. The activities in the schedule include Vedic Chanting, Bhajans, and Meditation. This is followed by the Reading of Swami Vivekananda’s teachings and interaction with senior monks of Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysore. The session will conclude at around 11:30AM. The students are also been encouraged to actively engage themselves in social service activities. Currently about 25 Youth take part in this program.
- Cultural and Recreational Centres for Youths in age of 16-30 years
- Conducting religious classes, games, yogasanas, tuition for local impoverished children.
- VYS members regularly visit the Government Hospital, Royapettah and serve the needy patients. The members serve the cancer patients undergoing chemo and radiotherapy and also leprosy afflicted persons and T.B. patients in isolation wards.
- VYS members give counseling to instill faith in life and God at the time of suffering and also discuss personal hygiene issues and make the patients aware of their ailments and treatment.
- VYS members distribute books and magazines to help patients spend time in a prayerful way. They also dispel unnecessary fears of the rural people regarding the diseases.
- Cleaning the Temple and the Math premises.
- Conducting Exhibition and competition on Swami Vivekananda’s Life in Schools.