Deepavali (also known as Diwali) is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Indians. It is celebrated all over India with great zeal and vigour. The spirit of this festival shatters all religious and cultural barriers. According to Hindu calendar, it is celebrated in the Krishna paksha of the kartika month. It is celebrated all over the world. Even the present American President, Barack Obama has understood the importance of this day and celebrates Diwali with Great Spirit in the White House.
So, understanding the importance of this Festival, Vivekananda Kendra, Delhi Vibhag organised a Diwali Milan Karyakram for the youth. Forty two Students from various colleges of Delhi University, Indraprastha University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi participated with great enthusiasm. This karyakram was held on the eve of Diwali at Vivekananda International Foundation, Chanakyapuri from 10 am to 2 pm. This was Milan karyakram was organised for those students who lived far from their homes and could not celebrate the festival with their family. The other objective was to exhibit the work of Vivekananda Kendra (its progress and its development in different parts of India) and to create awareness among the students about Vijay-hi-Vijay youth campaign and its progress.
The whole function was conducted by the students. In the beginning, all the students introduced themselves to others by telling their name, college, native place, etc one by one. Then, an open-to-all cultural program was organised for the youth. The participants were those students from the audience who wished to disclose their talent in front of others. Many students from Algeria, Afghanistan and Bangladesh were the witness of this cultural event. This auspicious occasion was charmed by the video presentation showing the systematic functioning of Vivekananda Kendra Vidhyalaya (school) at Tafrogam. The video presentation also included the Vijay-hi-Vijay Mahashivir which took place in Assam.
After the ceremonial closing of the function, all the students headed towards the dining room for the lunch. This was also in total Indian style. All the students were made to sit on the mattresses. The foreign students felt little uncomfortable early on but enjoyed the togetherness with which we ate our lunch.
After the lunch, the students stay back to discuss on various issue in group, buying thought provoking book of Swami Vivekananda from newly opened bookstall.
Manoj Das
Nagar Sangathak
Vivekananda Kendra, Delhi Vibhag
Please send email at delhi [a] vkendra.org to know more about activites running at Delhi.
