Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Dakshin Prant, Karnataka Vibhag, Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Kallubalu conducted a Personality Development Workshop at JSS Gayatri Vidya Mandir, Malur, Kolar District, on 21st September 2024 (Saturday) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A total of 178 people participated in the workshop, including 108 JSS School students, 6 JSS School teachers, 31 organizing team members, 12 VKV Kallubalu students, 3 VKV Kallubalu alumni, 3 VKV Kallubalu teachers, 5 karyakarthas from VK RT Nagar, 5 karyakarthas from VK Kolar, and 3 karyakarthas from VK Karnataka Vibhag.
The workshop began at 10 a.m. with an inaugural ceremony that included Deepa Prajwalan (lighting of the ceremonial lamp). Following the ceremony, the students from JSS School were organized into three Maṇdalas named Gaṅgā, Yamunā, and Saraswatī, each further organized into four sub-teams or Gaṇas, named based on the Dwādaśa Ādityas.
After brief introductions by the respective Gaṇa Pramukhs, the Maṇdalas proceeded to their assigned locations for the day’s activities. The program started with a yoga session that included loosening exercises, a few āsanas, and Sūrya Namaskāra. The students participated actively and enthusiastically.
Following the yoga session, engaging value games were conducted, which the students thoroughly enjoyed. After a short 10-minute break, the groups reconvened for patriotic songs and bhajans, filling the atmosphere with devotion and energy.
Next, the students in their respective Gaṇas began rehearsals for their storytelling and drama performances. Each group beautifully depicted stories from the life of Swami Vivekananda through their dramatic presentations, showcasing creativity and spirit. After the performances, all the groups reassembled in the auditorium.
Smt. Veena Didi then delivered an inspiring talk on the life and message of Swami Vivekananda, emphasizing the mission and vision of Vivekananda Kendra. Afterward, a few students from JSS School, along with the principal and teachers, shared their reflections and experiences from the Personality Development Camp.
The event concluded with the distribution of prizes to all the students and the recitation of the Śānti Maṇtra. The staff of JSS School expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Vivekananda Kendra team for hosting the camp and expressed interest in organizing another session in the future.
After a wholesome lunch prasādam, the team from VKV proceeded to Sri Chik Tirupati Temple for darśana of Śrī Bālāji. Following the darśana, the team returned to school at 6 p.m., concluding a day filled with learning, fun, and spiritual growth.
