Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Dakshin Prant, Tamil Nadu Vibhag, Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Vallioor celebrated Universal Brotherhood Day on 11th September 2024 in the school’s Yoga Hall. A total of 950 people, including 850 students and 50 parents, participated in the event.
Universal Brotherhood Day, observed annually on 11th September, commemorates Swami Vivekananda’s profound message of universal brotherhood, delivered at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago on 11th September 1893. It is one of the five Utsavas celebrated by Vivekananda Kendra across all its branches and prakalphas in Bharat.
The esteemed guests for the occasion were Sri Hariharan Ji, M.A., M.Ed., Retired Headmaster and President of Sri Ramakrishna Saradha Seva Samiti, Mavelikara; Sri Azhagiya Nambi ji, Businessman, Trivandrum; and Sri Mandhiram Pillai ji, Correspondent of Vidya Mandir Girls Matriculation School, Vallioor.
The program commenced with a prayer song invoking the blessings of Lord Vinayaka, sung by the students. This was followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp (Deepa Prajwalan) by the honoured guests, the Correspondent, and the Principal of the school. Kum. Madhusri, a student, delivered the welcome address, followed by a traditional Bharatanatyam dance performance by the students.
Next, the students performed a drama portraying two significant incidents from Swami Vivekananda's life. The first part conveyed the message to be good and honest rather than deceitful, and the second part emphasized the idea of “not judging a book by its cover.” This was followed by a conversation between two students, explaining the importance of celebrating Universal Brotherhood Day and recounting the story behind the construction of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari. A group of girls then performed a captivating dance to a patriotic song, which enthralled the audience.
The Tamil translation of the Universal Brotherhood Day message, written by Mananeeya Nivedita Didi, All-India Vice President of VRM & VK, was read by Smt. V. Thilaga, a teacher. Kum. Sree Madhu, a student, delivered a Tamil speech on Swamiji's famous lecture in Chicago. The Chief Guest, Sri Hariharan Ji, addressed the gathering with an insightful and inspiring speech. Another vibrant cultural dance was performed by the students to a Kendra song.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by a student, followed by the Kendra Prarthana.
