CONTENTS

1. Activites ....................................................................................... 1

2. Regular Activities ....................................................................... 4

3. Across North East ....................................................................... 4

4. Upcoming Publications .............................................................. 5

5. Study Corner ................................................................................ 5

6. Kendra News Corner ................................................................. 6

7. Photographs of Cultural Significance ...................................... 7

 June, 2021
ACTIVITIES Antarashtriya Yoga Divas
Antarashtriya Yoga Divas was celebrated by Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Assam Prant Kamrup
Vibhag of in a very elaborate way on 21st June, 2021. VKIC was invited by twenty organizations within and
outside Guwahati to be a part of Antarashtriya Yoga Divas celebration, 2021. In most of the organizations
the event was organised in the online mode.

The organizations included educational institutions like

u Lumding College,
u Biswanath Chariali College,
u B Barooah College,
u Arya Vidyapeeth College,
u District Institute of Education and Training (DIET)
Mirza and Goalpara,
u Kid Veda- Mirza Centre, Nagaon Centre and Hatigarh
Centre.
Universities & Departments like :
u Student Welfare Department

of Gauhati University and

u Home Science Department of

Dibrugarh University
And many other organizations
like :
u Character Building and
Personality Development (CB
& PD) Chapter of Shiksha
Sanskriti Utthan Nyas (SSUN),
Assam
u Institute of Advanced
Management, Regional
Science Centre,
u Bharat Vikas Parishad

u Indian Philosophical Society- Jorhat Chapter,

u Shree Sadan

u Police Reserve, Guwahati

organised the International Yoga Day in association with Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, Assam Prant.

The yoga trainers of SSUN were some of the Karyakartas of

Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture.
There were yoga experts who enlightened the participants on the
following topics :
u "Effects of yoga in human life - Neti Yoga and human body"
Speaker : Narayan Khatiwara, Trustee, Hamro Swabhiman Trust,
A unit of Patanjali Yogpeeth Haridwar and Secretary, Health and
wellness of Hamro Swabhiman Central Executive Committee. Police Reserve, Guwahati
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 June, 2021
Date: 20 June
u "Sankardev, Mati Akhara and Yoga"

Speaker: Dr. Alakhya Barua, Vice Chairman, Assam State

Film( Finance & Development) Corporation Ltd.
Date: 19th June
u "Yoga, Pranayam, Music and Spirituality"

Speaker: Dr. Ruplekha Borbora Das, Honorary Sattriya

Teacher, Chaulkhowa Music College, Dibrugarh
Date: 20th June
u "Yoga, Culture and We"

Speaker: Manish Manjul, Founder & General Secretary SSUN Programme

of SAMARTH Trust.
u "The beginning of Yoga nectar, the honey of yoga practice "

Speaker: Dr. Ujjwal Arun Maskey, Joint Secretary, Indian Yoga Association, Assam State Chapter Committee
Date: 19th June
u "India, Indians and Yoga”

Speaker: Riju Pathak Mahanta, President, Srimanta Shankardev Yuva Manch

Date: 21th June.
A whole of 1700 people have registered online for the proramme and the
participants were provided certificate.
In some organizations Kendra Karyakartas were engaged as demonstrators
and instructors where in others they were invited as speakers and panel
experts to speak on various aspects of Yoga. Karyakartas represented Kendra
on local TV channel- 'Health Plus' and highlighted the essence of Yoga and
how it impacts our lives. A noted Jivanvrati Karyakarta of Vivekananda Kendra
Kanyakumari, Assam Prant, was the Chief Guest in the celebration of Gauhati
University.
Besides that, Antarashtriya Yoga Divas was celebrated in the online mode by all Yoga Vargas of Kamrup
Vibhag lead by the Varga Pramukhs and Nagar Pramukhs.
Over fifty Karyakartas of Kamrup Vibhag were involved in the planning, organizing and execution of the
programme this year and over 3000 people participated virtually in different programs. Preparations began
a year back where Karyakaras were trained through various initiatives of the Kendra like the Yoga Vimarsh
Program, Yoga Vargas, and special training program for Antarashtriya Yoga Divas.

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 June, 2021
Hindu Temples in Global Context: Ancient and Recent
Shri Subrata Das, M.Tech in LeatherTechnology and a researcher of Hindu Temples all over the
world shared his experience of research work on the Hindu temples in the neighbouring countries of
India- Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
He explained the emotional hindrance being
faced by the people since the post colonial
demarcation in the Asian countries with regard to the
accessibility of places of religious faith, with examples
of Hinglaj Mata Mandir in Pakistan being one of the
Shakti Peeth as explained in Hindu Scriptures. He
explained the existence of 18 holy places of Buddhist
and Hindus in Sri Lanka, the famous Shiva Temple in
Nepal and many more.
His talk was a small part of his research on Hindu
temples abroad.

Vishesh Swadhyaya
The Vishesh Swadhyaya programme has been an initiative under Yuva Vibhag of the Vivekananda Kendra,
Kanyakumari, Assam Prant. This has been intended to encourage studies on Swami Vivekananda and arouse
quest to aquire knowledge on his teachings. Thereby, an initiative has been started since June 5, 2021 at
various centers in Kamrup Vibhag. VKIC presented the lecture on June7, 2021 and the final competition was
held on June 27, 2021. The presentation matter was fixed on Swami Vivekananda’s lectures from the book
“Lectures from Colombo to Almora”.
Five chosen lectures from this book had to be studied by presenters and they had to speak on what
they have understood from the below mentioned lectures of Swamiji.
The VKIC speakers were scheduled as-
• My Plan of Campaign- by Dipankar Mahanta
• The Sages of India- by Shri Madhurjya Bardoloi
• The Work before Us- by Kum Sayanti
• The Future of India- by Shri Somnath Sharma
• Common Bases of Hinduism- by Shrimati Anannya Das Paul
Selection of speakers from various branches was carried out and it was a month-long procedure. A few
of those who were chosen had to perform on the final day of the competition that was held on June 27,
2021. The Samapan Karyakram of ongoing Vishesh Swadhyayawas graced by the Guest Speaker, Sri Ravi
Naidu, Prant Sangathak, VK Odisha.

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 June, 2021
Sanskriti Anveshak
In continuation to the observance of VKIC’s completion of 25 years, a year long series of Sanskriti
Anveshak with the theme ‘Development through Culture: nature-culture-wellbeing fostering sustainable
development’ is in progress. The curtain raising programme of the series was held on 6thFebruary 2021,
where Dr R M Pant, Director of NIRD & PR (NERC) was the Guest of Honor and was addressed by Ma. Nivedita
Bhide, Vice President, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari.
Till today we had 6 sessions with one special session
on the occasion of World heritage Day.
In the month of June, two lectures were conducted
on the Cultural History of North East India, one being
“Rethinking History, in the context of landscape changes,
migration & Resettlement in Assam” by Dr. Chandan Kr.
Sarma, Associate Professor and Head, Dept. of History,
Dibrugarh University. He explained how the economic
scenario & the cultural changes took place during the
British regime and subsequent recovery.
The second lecture on 26 th June, 2021 was
delivered by Dr. Rajib Handique, Dept. of History,
Gauhati University on “Forest and Culture”, where he
discussed the historical developments of the nature
culture symbiosis, with examples of how the
community dependence on forest later developed to
difference in concepts of “Grama” and “Aranya” and
how people chose to differentiate their area of
settlements. His lecture also showcased a glance of
how the British imperialism lead to change of forest
culture by forest commodification and commercialization.
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REGULAR ACTIVITIES
BHAJAN SANDHYA
Music in its Spiritual form, as said to be a way of establishing connection & Harmony with the almighty
and such effort is taken by VKIC in the form of Bhajan Sandhya. This programme is organized every Thursday
evening in VKIC. However, owing to the current COVID 19 situation, Bhajan Sandhya is organized in the
virtual platform, every Thursday at 6 PM with usual attendance over seventy associates. Participants, in
this programme sing bhajans, enhancing the inner spirituality.
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ACROSS NORTH EAST:

The spiritual practice of loving devotion towards own faith is the primary essence of Bhakti Yoga. The
Coronavirus pandemic, though restricted physical movements of people but spirituality, which lies in the
base of Indian Culture keeps people embodied in devotion through community rituals.
The Reang Community of Tripura practices their faith as existentialists. They believe in a number of
Gods and Goddesses worshipped for peace, prosperity and cure of illness. Among the malevolent deities
Buraha (presiding deity of forests), Thunairas matai (a male god of death) etc. are well known.
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 June, 2021
The most notable benevolent deities are Sibrai
(a male god), Mai nukma (goddess of paddy) Sungma
(goddess of peace, prosperity) etc.
The Reang laid importance more on devotion
(Bhakti) than on sacrifice (bali). They have a great
respect for truth. Humility and hospitality of the Reang
are proverbial. Stealing was unknown to them. The
simple and culturally developed Reang are now rapidly
alienating themselves from their traditional cultural
heritage and the mainstream of Indian nation due to
the fast expanding disbelief in ethnicity. (Extract from the Book 'Traditional Customs and Ritual of Northeast
India' Vol-2, a Publication of Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture).
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Upcoming Publications:
* Quest Commemorative Volume.
* Articles of Shri B. B. Kumar, Ex. Chairman of Indian Council of Social Science Research
(ICSSR), Ex Editor of Quest Journal of VKIC.
* Traditional Systems of Mising Community: Change and Continuity.
* VKIC Sanmanee Records.
* VKIC Lecture Diaries
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STUDY CORNER
Following books are new addition to the Library:
Know your Country. Series-12, A Pravrajika Amlaprana Publication of Ramakrishna
Sarada Mission, Dakshineshwar, Kolkata is a series of booklets depicting the colorful
culture of all the states of India, through the lens of Swami Vivekananda.

"Gan-Ngai" is a poetic compilation on the Kabui Festival of Manipur, compiled and

published by D.L Kabui, Imphal, East Manipur.

"The World I want to see" is an Assamese poetry Collection composed

by Devajit Bhuyan and published by Pratishruti Publication. The book
contains verses in humorously lucid manner picturing issues faced by
people in everyday life.

'Vayam Rashtrangabhuta' a coffee table book by Rashtriya Sewa Bharati is

published by Prabhat Prakashan Pvt Ltd. The compilation is a dazzling display
of dutifulness, generosity, diligence, courage, cooperation and ingenuity of the
swayamsevaks.
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 June, 2021
KENDRA NEWS CORNER
u Kendra Varga is conducted online on every Sunday morning for an hour. It starts with Shanti Path and
Aikya Mantra, followed by a patriotic song. Some activities like- discussion on topics that affect human life
in common, for e.g. lives of great men, cultural continuance through certain issues and sometimes quiz or
games etc. are also conducted. Our Swadhyaya activity is for enhancing and broadening one's view towards
life where we come to know about the inner consciousness of people around us. New participants are
introduced with the regular ones so that affection towards all is built up. Finally, the Varga concludes with
Kendra Prarthana.
u Inspired by the aims, objective and activities of Swami Vivekananda, a budding group of social activists
has been trying to bloom and come of help to people around. Headed by two young ladies Miss. Nabanita
Das & Ms. Chandani Das, an online talk programon
"Aim, perfection & Progress" was organized under the
banner of "Brishti-Srishti Vikash" on June 30, 2021.
The resource person was Respected Sri Diganta Biswa
Sarma, a thinker, writer, reputed Orator as well as
Translator of works of Swami Vivekananda and Rishi
Aurobindo. And Patron of this maiden noble mission
was Dr. Purnendu Shekhar Das, Retd. Principal of
Tinsukia Commerce College and an educationist. The
program was initiated and introductory address was
delivered by Dr. P. S. Das and Mr. Sarma delivered a
long talk on the topic, which was inspiring, informative
and thought-provoking.
A number of karyakartas of Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari participated in the virtual programme.
u A podcast was organised by V ivekananda
International Foundation regarding the Policy Issues
of the Indian Shipping Sector, which is an important
component of security in nation's trade interests. The
guest speaker was Mr. Anil Devli, CEO, Indian National
Shippowners Association.
For more information, log on to www.vifindia.org
u V ivekananda Kendra Natural resources
Developmental Project (VK Nardep) announces the
launch of 'Green Pilgrimage to Rameshwaram' project
which aims to create a clean green Rameshwaram
offering a holistic pilgrimage experience and make them
participatory eco-pilgrims. This is the logical extension
of the teertham renovation project they have been taking up from last year onward to commemorate the
150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
For more information log on to www.vknardep.org

6
 June, 2021
PHOTOGRAPHS OF CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

1. Traditional Adi Village, Arunachal Pradesh.

2. Connected Roots- Arunachal Pradesh

7
 June, 2021
3. The Zeme Naga Community,
Dima Hasao, Assam piled up a
stone slab known as Hekua by the
family members of the community,
either of the deceased or for their
heroic deed. Though nothing was
written until recently on Hekua,
but the pictures like spears and
shield were embedded in it if was
about bravery on the battlefield or
pictures of animal if it was for
hunting.
The hekua is named after that
person in whose name this slab has
been raised and people begin to
address this particular place after
that person and this become history
for the generations to come.

4. Fishing Culture in Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Courtesy
1. P. C Bhattacharjee, Director, VKIC.
2. Dr Prabal Sarkar, Associate Professor,
University of Science & Technology
Meghalaya, Guwahati, Assam.
5. The person dons traditional Idu- Mishmi attire at Reh
3. P. Newme, R&D Department, VKIC.
Festival, a community fest, celebrated by the whole
4. Udayan Borthakur, Member, Aaranyak.
community together.
5. Niladri Sekhar Paul, Project Manager, Richard
Three weapons which they normally carry with them Design Services India Pvt. Ltd.
while hunting