Youth is the time for amazing possibilities, the time when one is filled with zeal and energy to achieve great heights, it is the time which makes or mars one’s whole life. Unfortunately, we live complex world of speed, technology, and increasing cruelty in various spheres of life. This leaves most youth confused and troubled about certain basic issues of life. Youth is a born idealist-seeking to express the best that is in him, in his own possibilities and in the world in which he lives. Young people admire the popular youth icons but when they face life, or try to live their life according to these media icons, they are found awfully lacking. No wonder, we have rising cases of depression and violence among the youth.
Is there a way out of this mess? Any lasting solution?
YES! And the solution lies not in meaningless slogan shouting, careless criticism or in thoughtless violence.It rather lies in understanding and practicing higher values, in building one’s own personality on solid grounds of hard work, honesty, discipline and genuine love. As Swami Vivekananda rightly observed :
It is the patient up-building of character, the intense struggle to realize the truth which alone will tell in the future of humanity”
With this in mind, the Vivekananda Study Circle was started in 1997 by a group of highly motivated and committed students of IIT Madras. The VSC tries to focus on how to build our inner personality, through a earnest study of Swami Vivekananda’s life and teachings.
Our Main Activities are :
1. Weekly Classes on Sunday - Conducted by a monk from Ramakrishna Math, open for all
2. Friday Discussions – Swamiji’s Books are read, thoughts and ideas are shared and discussed.
3. Special lectures – Once or twice in a semester, by eminent persons, on topics related to youth.
4. VSC library – Every Sunday, after the class, books can be issued for a period of two weeks.
5. National Youth Day – Swamiji’s Birthday, 12th January is celebrated as National Youth Day. Special Lecture, a book exhibition and trip to Vivekananda Illam is organised.
More details about our activities can be viewed on our website -.
A good summary of VSC activities. But I am also looking forward to some of the writings and responses from others volunteers. Small paras about how VSC volunteers came to VSC and how they struggled, fumbled and tumbled and finally became steady in their thoughts and efforts will be truly inspiring and revealing. A lighted lamp lights up the others lamps! Let us light up more lamps.
I really feel inspired by this webiste and blog that a number of IITans are channelling their constructive ideas to build a royal road to success – spiritually, materially and socially.
My salutations to those who are a part of this dynamic movement.