150th year celebrations of Swami Vivekananda across Tamilnadu

Swami Vivekananda's 150th Birth Anniversary was celebrated in Tamilnadu in a grand manner. 

659483 persons participated in the celebrations at 47396 places across Tamilnadu. Various Schools, Colleges, Companies, traders and persons from all walks of the life were part of the celebrations.

ERODE VIBHAG

Blood Donation Campaign was organised at Kokarayanpettai, Near Erode. Sri Ganeshamurthi, MP (Erode Constituency) participated in the function along with Swami Vivekananda 150 year Celebrations committee state secretary Sri N.. Rajan,  BJP State General Secretary Sri V. Ramesh.

EX DMK MLA Sri Ramaswamy, present Chairman of Muthayammal Engineering College presided over the function organized by his own inspired college girl student. To organize this celebration she waited for a long time for permission before the Chairman’s room and motivated him to celebrate it.  While addressing the students the Chairman said, “This girl stood firm so that the message of Swami Vivekananda reaches me. Just like this girl, if every one of you takes it strongly and work for it, definitely Swami Ji’s message will reach even the remotest village which will pave the way for transformation of the youth...”

In Manathi, Namakkal District, Tamilnadu the shaka tolly decided that the surrounding houses and family should participated/be made aware of Swamiji.  They went to each house with Swamiji’s photo and shared sweets in the locality. They felt happy as Swami Ji’s birthday was celebrated by each and everyone in their locality totalling 132 houses.  300 person’s participated in shaka function including 25 women.

In Tiruchengode, local ward council took initiative along with karyakarthas in inviting elite people wherein 85 participated.  Ekal Vidyalaya conducted Deepa Puja to celebrate Swami Ji’s birthday in 48 villages.  

PONDY VIBHAG

In Pondicherry, the Chief Minister Sri N Rangaswamy along with Minister Rajavelu and Minister Sri Thiyagarajan flagged off the Rath Yatra. Over 3000 people and 12 schools participated in the function.  Arasu Korada Nehru flagged off the Jyoti rally organized by ABVP. NRCongress MLA Sri Tamilselvan presided over in another function organized in the town. Joint Speaker of the Legislative assembly of Pondicherry Sri Selvam participated in the pushpanjali function organized at Thirukanoor.

In Cuddalore district 7422 persons offered pushpanjali in 124 places.  More than 5000 photos of Swami Vivekananda with messages were distributed. Panruti Municipal Chairman Sri Paneerselvam participated in the local event. The programme was organized in 5 Schools and 11 colleges. In Kallakurichi, Sri Mohan Minister for Tamilnadu Rural Industries Department participated in the pushpanjali function.  Local MLA Azhaguvel Babu, Local Town Panchayat Chairman Sri Balakrishnan, Union Chairman A S A Rajasekar, Kongu Munettra Kazhagam Mr. Murthy, Ex MLA Sri Komuki Manian presided over the function organized at the Panchayat office wherein 500 people participated.

Life-convict celebrates Swami Vivekananda’s 150^th Birth Year

          Swami Vivekananda’s 150^th Birthday Celebrations Committee of Cuddalore Jilla carried an advertisement in ‘Dinamalar’ (a prominent Tamil daily) for two days with an appeal to the people to celebrate Swami Vivekananda’s 150^th Birthday on 12^th January  by offering floral tributes to him in their places.  They gave two contact numbers to know about further details.  The two persons received many enquiries.  One enquiry came from an unexpected quarter.  The call was from one Sri Sivakumar, a prisoner in Central Jail undergoing life-sentence informing that he is interested in celebrating the 150^th Year in his home town in Chidambaram.  He further informed that he will be coming on parole for five days and will be in Chidambaram and asked about how he can celebrate the function. The karyakartha told about the details and informed Sri Sivakumar that they will also join the celebrations.  As promised, Sri Sivakumar came out on parole to his home town in Chidambaram and arranged a function on 12^th January which was attended by a good number of people and he even spoke about Swami Vivekananda’s life, which he read in Central Jail.

VELLORE VIBHAG

The residents of Vellore District witnessed a saffron day participating in the functions organized at various places.  In Vellore District 17893 functions were organized wherein 123099 persons including men and women participated.  A Committee was formed in Vellore District involving all traders, merchants from different walks of life.  This could be achieved because nearly 100 meetings were held in this connection.  The logo of Swami Vivekananda was set on all the private buses plying through the routes in Vellore District. Through the Committee formed in the district, in around 517 villages’ 7000 sub-committees were formed.  Various posters were displayed throughout the town.  17893  houses offered pushpanjali.  In all the 60 wards Swamiji’s programmes were held successfully.  Swami Vivekananda’s photo was displayed and pushpanjali was offered in all the bus-stops within the district.  More than 300 VIPs including all councillors, residing in the district/town participated.  The programmes were neatly organized in such a manner that the pushpanjali function at local levels should be completed before 8.30 and all the local leaders should assemble at the main function organized in the town within one hour.  It is interesting to note that all the VIPs after participating in the local event immediately rushed to the main function.  At the main function, PMK MLA Ma.Kalaiarasu of Anaikattu garlanded  Dr.Ambedkar’s Statue.  Sri G Viswanathan, Chairman, VIT and State President of 150^th year Celebrations of Swami Vivekananda addressed the gathering.  Pledge to serve the nation and spread the message of Swami Vivekananda was taken in all the functions organized.  1000 flex banners were displayed carrying Swami ji’s message. 

In Ambur the Municipality Chairman Sangita Balasubramanian wrote letter to all the wards under her control and herself participated in 55 meetings.  She herself enthusiastically organized and celebrated in all her wards. In Ambur town, every house celebrated Swami Ji’s birthday. 

In Arcot, bus stickers were pasted in 40 private buses, 35 autos.  Cycle rally was organized in streets. In Kankeyanallur, decorations of Swami Vivekananda involving 100 youths were organized.  In Nattrampalli village, (the first place from where a letter was written to Swami Vivekananda saluting his Chicago speech) pushpanjali was organized at 75 places.

CHENNAI VIBHAG

Mayor of Chennai Corporation Sri Saidai Duraiswamy lit the lamp and inaugurated the yatra marking the 150^th year Celebrations of Swami Vivekananda organized in SKNS PMC Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Perambur.  He also unveiled the logo of Swamiji. Alumni, parents and students of Montford School, Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School and Chennai Boys Hr. Sec. School took part in the yatra wherein 1000 students participated.  Sri Saidai Duraisamy stressed the importance of culture to be followed by the youth.  Sri M Veerabahu Editor of Vijayabharatham threw light on the life of Swami Vivekananda. Sri T G Venkatesh Babu  District Secretary, Sri L Ramamoorthy, Joint Secretary of VES, Sri S Ramachandran, Correspondent, Sri K E Srinivasan Assistant Correspondent, Sri M Veerachamy, Education Officer of VES, Smt Rajasri Vetrivenden Councilor participated in the function.  A mobile van of book stall consisting of Swami Ji’s life was also inaugurated by the Mayor.  The mobile van will go throughout Tamilnadu and spread the message of Swami Ji through various books. Smt Usharani Principal, welcomed the gathering and Smt Padmini Sridharan proposed the vote of thanks. 

'Viveka Ratham’ of Tamil Weekly Vijayabharatham takes Swami Ji’s message to villages

A mobile van named ‘Viveka Ratham’ and designed to stock, display and sell spiritual books and magazines was flagged off by the Mayor of Chennai Corporation Sri Saidai Duraiswamy during the 150^th year celebrations of Swami Vivekananda at SKMNS PMC Vivekanananda Vidyalaya Junior College, Perambur.  The van was the idea of Tamil Nationalist weekly ‘Vijayabharatham’ to spread Swami Vivekananda’s message upto the door steps of the remotest village in Tamilnadu.  It have been built at the cost of 10 lakhs and it is planned to tour all the districts during the Jayanthi year.  The Mayor in his inaugural address appreciated the students who remembered more than 20 quotable quotes of Swami Ji. Editor of the weekly, Sri Veerabaghu was present on the occasion.

An exhibition depicting the life of Swami Vivekananda was arranged at Telecom Staff Quarters, Taylors Road, Chennai to celebrate Swami ji’s 150^th Birth Anniversary. Sri K K Vel, Senior GM (Finance) inaugurated the function.  Speaking on the occasion, he expressed his happiness over the initiative to celebrate the 150^th Birthday of Swami Ji at a time when the trend is to celebrate the Anniversaries of political leaders without much attempt to celebrate the anniversaries of spiritual persons.  The Secretary and the Vice President of RWA promised that efforts will be taken to celebrate the 150^th year in a bigger way by involving the youth. 

In a provisions stores,  in Taylors Road where the Swami Ji’s photo was placed, the employee of the shop was so inspired that he asked whether he can get a photo of Swami ji for his own.  Another worker who was inspired requested for a book on Swami Ji to know about his life.

A programme was organized in an IT Company wherein 100 IT professionals both men and women attended the function and offered floral tributes to Swami Ji.  The HR Incharge of the company, who served as a Major in the Army was overwhelmed on hearing the reference to the Battle of Saragarhi, which took place in September 1897, in the Boudhik delivered by Prantha Boudhik Pramuk Sri Ramakrishna Prasad.

In around 500 places pushpanjali to Swami Ji was organized. In one shaka surrounding 40 streets pushpanjali was organized. In Manali and Madhavaram Bagh Rangoli competitions were held at 27 streets and 20 street meetings were held.  Eye camp was organized wherein 10 free optical glasses and free surgery for 3 persons were held. Shaka Swayamsevaks rally was organized at Manali.

In Ambattur, Chennai two motivated students themselves organized  Swami Ji’s birthday celebrations at a school.  These students approached the councilor of that area for presiding and the Councilor was emotionally overwhelmed by the young students’ call.

Many streets of Poonamallee locality wore a festive mood with lot of decorations carried out by the local residents enthusiastically.

SALEM VIBHAG

5753 persons both men and women participated in pushpanjali celebrations of Swami Vivekananda in 238 places of Athur District, Salem. Tribal’s organized in 25 villages and offered pushpanjali to Swami Ji.

Political leaders of nine parties participated in the pushpanjali function organized before the Corporation of Salem.  In 60 divisions of Salem town, pushpanjali function was organized.

In yet another function organized in the town, Sri Nanjil Sampath (AIADMK joint Secretary) and Sri M K Selvaraj (MLA) took part in the celebrations and offered pushpanjali. 

Former President Sri APJ Abdul Kalam participated in the ‘National Youth Day’ celebrations organized through Ramakrishna Mission. Bharatiya Sewa Samiti organized a Blood Donation Camp wherein 42 persons donated blood.

In 40 villages of Yercaud, pushpanjali function was organized wherein the leader of Communist Party Sri Krishnamurthy participated and addressed in three programmes.

In Dharmapuri, DMDK MLA Baskar and 7 councillors of different parties participated in the pushpanjali function organized.

In Hosur 11 Schools, 21 basthis, photo displays at 49 places, 7 banners and 2000 cards were distributed. Bike rally with 103 persons were organized in Krishnagiri District. Sri Thyagarajananda Swami of Ramakrishna Mutt, Natrampalli addressed the gathering. In 159 places 7374 persons participated in the functions. 

Samskar Bharathi organized a pushpanjali programme at Chromepet wherein 100 persons participated and offered pushpanjali.

On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's 150th Janmadhinotsav on 12/01/13, the sevikas of Rashtra Sevika Samiti performed Akhanda Surya Namskar Yajna from sunrise to sunset. The inauguration was at the beach opposite to Vivekandar Illam in which 186 sevikas( 50 - ganavesh) participated and performed surya namskar for 15 min. This was followed by a Boudhik on Swami Vivekananda's message to the Hindus given by Man.K..Seetha, Kshetra Pracharika.

Similar types of programmes were conducted throughout Tamil Nadu at 36 places in various jillas. The programme ended at Kanyakumari Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

Swadeshi Jagran Manch has organized a programme at a HR consultancy firm in Mahalingapuram, Chennai. The owner of the company expressed that they have celebrated many religious functions in their company, but this is the first time a celebration of this kind has taken place in the company and moved by this celebration.

Justice Raghupathy, President of Tamilnadu State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Honourable Judges of the Commission, Advocates, Staff participated in the function organized at Tamilnadu State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission by Akila Bhartiya Grahak Panchayat.  Pushpanjali was offered. In another function organized at Zoho Corporation (IT firm), 200 participated and offered pushpanjali.  At another 7 places organized by ABGP nearly 500 persons participated comprising of people from all walks of life.

In Tiruppur, Rath Yatra was organized.  District Collector Sri Govindaraj flagged off the yatra.  Sri Sivalingeswara Swami of Kamatchipuram Aadheenam inaugurated the function. 700 children dressed up like Swami Vivekananda participated in the function.  Sri Krishna Jaganathan Ji addressed the gathering.  Sri Shanmuganathan Ji presided over the function along with Sri Elchan K Ramasamy Ji, Professor Kanakasabapathi.

Swami Vivekananda’s 150^th Jayanti’s yearlong celebrations began on 12^th January 2013 at Kanyakumari with a Grand “Shobhayatra”. It was inaugurated by Swami Chaitanyanandaji Maharaj of Hindu Dharma Vidhya Peetham at 8:30 morning at the feet of Swami Vivekananda’s statue at Vivekanandapuram. The “Shobhayatra” was led by a group of 150 students dressed as Swami Vivekananda and one of them was mounted on an Elephant. A magnificent ‘Ratham’ – Chariot, students’ band with march-past, Tamilnadu’s folk dancers, folk artists and musicians along with over 3000 students, teachers and common people actively participated in the one-and-half-kilometer long “Shobhayatra”. The students were from schools and colleges of Kanyakumari and they were carrying slogans and sayings of Swami Vivekananda, and urging all with “Wake Up Bharat, Enlighten the World” – which is the purpose of the yearlong Celebrations.   As the “Shobhayatra” passed through the main roads and the byroads of the town, thousands of the public and tourists feasted on the Grand display of the festive admiration of Swami Vivekananda. After four hours and crossing over 6 Kilometers, the “Shobhayatra” concluded at the feet of Swami Vivekananda’s Statue at Vivekananda Mandapam, Vivekanandapuram. All 3000 participants of the “Shobhayatra” took prasadam. Thus marked the beginning of Swami Vivekananda’s 150 year Celebrations – Sardh Shati Samaroh -  at Kanyakumari, the land’s end of India.

For the photos kindly go thru the link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sf5bkdwdz0uoweo/gxTCODCDPw