A one day international seminar on 30th September 2023on the topic- “Inclusion of Swami Vivekananda’s Ideas in the India’s National Education Policy – 2020” was organised by Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora in association with the Education Department of Soban Singh Jeena University, Almora as a part of the on-going celebrations to mark the 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s arrival in Almora on his return from the West after the Chicago Parliament of Religions (1897) and the foundation of Ramakrishna Mission.
Inaugural Session
Venue: Auditorium, Soban Singh Jeena University
The seminar was inaugurated by the dignitaries by the lighting the lamp amidst Vedic Chanting by the Monks & Brahmacharins of Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora. The welcome song was performed by the students of the Music Department of the university.
Addresses were delivered by the following speakers during the inaugural session:
· Chief Guest: Swami Shuddhidananda, Adhyaksha, Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati
· Welcome Address: Swami Dhruveshananda, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora
· Presidential Address: Prof. (Dr.) Satpal Singh Bisht, Vice-Chancellor, Soban Singh Jeena University, Almora
· Key-note address: Swami Vedanisthananda, Belur Math (video address)
· Special Guests:
o Prof. Jagat Singh Bisht, Ex-Vice Chancellor, SSJ University, Almora
o Prof. Milton Dev, Dhaka University (virtual presence)
o Ashutosh Urs Strobel, Anāmay Vedic Āshram, Kausani
o Mrs. Marina (native of Croatia), Expert in Primary Education, Sarada Public School, Almora
o Dr. Shailesh Upreti, Binghamtom University, New York, USA (virtual presence)
· Convener: Prof. Bheema Manral, Dean, Education Department, SSJ University, Almora
· University Campus Director: Prof. Pravin Singh Bisht
· Organising Secretary: Dr. Chandra Prakash Fuloriya
An announcement was made by the Vice-Chancellor during his address to include ‘Vivekananda Studies’ in the compulsory curriculum for the graduate & post-graduate studies at the Soban Singh Jeena Univeristy.
Two books in Hindi language, titled ‘Corona Kaal Me Shiksha Samagra Adhyayan’ and ‘National Education Policy – 2020 (Possibilities & Challenges)’ published by the professors of Soban Singh Jeena University- Dr. Rizwana Siddique, Dr. Okendra, Dr. Subhash Chandra Mourya, Dr. Balak Ram Bhadri were released during this occasion.
A Souvenir, published jointly by the Education department of SSJ University & Ramakrishna Kutir was also released on the occasion containing the abstracts of all the papers received from the delegates presented during the technical session of the seminar.
Technical Session
Venue: Education Department, Soban Singh Jeena University
During the technical session, 85 papers were presented by the delegates. 82 papers were presented physically, whereas 3 of them were presented virtually.
The session was presided over by Dr. Girish Chandra Joshi, an eminent educationist.
Some of the topics presented were- ‘Vyaktitva vikas ke sandarbh me Swami Vivekananda ke vichaar, Swami Vivekananda ki vichar dhara se NEP-2020 me anushasan ki pradhanta’, ‘Swami Vivekananda ki manaviya shiksha NEP- 2020 ke paripekshya me’, ‘Swami Vivekananda’s vision & the NEP- 2020” a confluence of educational ideas’, ‘Swami Vivekananda: A way of living vedanta’ and so on.
Valedictory Session
Venue: Education Department, Soban Singh Jeena University
Addresses were delivered by the following speakers during the valedictory session:
· Chief Guest: Swami Atmashraddhananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Kanpur (virtual presence)
· Special Guests:
o Mohit Prodhan, PhD Researcher, Stephen F. Austin State University (UT System), Texas, USA (virtual presence)
o Dr. Girish Joshi, Educationist
o Dr. Harish Chandra Joshi, Principal, DIET, Bageshwar
o Swami Devyananda, Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora
o Br. Arpan, Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora
· Presidential Address: Prof. Sekhar Chandra Joshi, Dean, Department of Visual Arts , SSJ University, Almora
- Inauguration of Vivekananda Spiritual Circuit Study Centre (Kumaon)
The Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Circuit Study Centre was inaugurated in the administrative building of Soban Singh Jeena University by Swami Dhruveshananda & Prof. Satpal Singh Bisht, Vice-Chancellor, SSJ University, Almora on 30th September 2023.
The study centre has been developed by the Departmental Museum, History, SSJ University, Almora in collaboration with Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora. It is an initiative to increase public awareness, especially amongst the students & the youth about the places visited by Swami Vivekananda in the Kuamon region during his four visits in 1890, 1897, 1898 and 1900.
The circuit includes Kathgodam, Nainital, Kakrighat, Vivekananda Shila- Karbala, Lala Badri Shah’s House, Kasar Devi, Dewaldhar, Binsar Dak Bungalow, Oakley House (Sister Nivedita Cottage), Thompson House, Syahi Devi, Dhari Dak Bungalow, Pahar Pani, Mornaulla, Dhunaghat, Mayavati and Khatima.
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The seminar was attended by 327 registered delegates. Breakfast, Lunch & Tea with Snacks were served to all the dignitaries & delegates, numbering more than 500 in total. Dockets containing a writing pad, pen and a book- ‘Swami Vivekananda ki Almora ki Teen Yatraien’ were also distributed to all attendees.
