Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Dakshin Prant, Tamilnadu Vibhag, VK Rural Development Programme, organized the VACS (Vivekananda Academy of Cultural Studies) Cultural Camp for college students. The camp took place at the Training Center in Vivekanandapuram, Kanyakumari, from January 25 to January 28, 2024. A total of 140 students and 7 professors from 19 colleges participated in this enriching experience.
The camp commenced with its inauguration on January 25, 2024, Thursday. Smt. Kalpana Mehta, All-India IT Sah Sangathak and Jeevan Vrati Karyakarta, inaugurated the camp by lighting the lamp and offering Asyurai. Participants engaged in Asana and pranayama sessions, followed by Shramdaan. Sri. N. Krishnamoorthi Ji, Senior Jeevan Vrati Karyakarta and Editor Incharge of Vivekavani, delivered an insightful talk on Swami Vivekananda and his message.
Throughout the camp, participants enjoyed various activities including visiting the Ramayana darshanam, Bharatmata Sadanam, Vivekananda Pictorial Exhibition, and Gangotri inside the Vivekanandapuram campus. In the nights, all enjoyed engaging in games during the Prerana Se Punaruddhan sessions.
On the second day, Smt. Janaki Pushpam Akka, Tirunelveli district in-charge of VKRDP, conducted an insightful session on the subject ‘Greatness of Motherhood,’ along with a group discussion. A presentation on Samartha Bharat Parva was also done, followed by the Thiruvilakku Puja (Deepa Puja) in the evening.
The third day featured Sri. Krishnamoorthi Annaji’s question and answer session, followed by an enlightening session conducted by Smt. Nivedita, a doctor from Coimbatore, on the topic “Naam Narputhalvar Bharathathey Naam Adiyavargal Esanukke” (We are good children of Bharath and we are servants of Ishwara). Participants also had the opportunity to visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Bhagwati Amman temple later in the day.
The concluding ceremony took place on January 28th, graced by Thoothukudi Nagar Sah Sanchalak Smt. Gowri Rajasekar Akka, Members of Imayam Sevalayam, Kumari. Saraswati Akka, and Kumari Ponrathi Akka, along with Members of the VK-RDP Committee, who have been supporting Kendra's work for the past 35 years. Sri. Krishna Jagannathan Ji attended as a special guest and offered his blessings. During the ceremony, students and professors shared their experiences in the camp, and Sri. Ayyappan Anna, Secretary of VK RDP, addressed the participants, followed by prize distribution. The camp concluded with Kendra Prarthana.
It is hoped that this experience has left a positive impact on the lives of all the participants, inspiring them to continue on the path of self-discovery and service.
