Swami Vivekananda Chair

Preamble: Swami Vivekananda Chair was initially announced in the 12th Plan (2012-2017 extended 6 months i.e. up to September 2017). Union HRD Minister had appealed to Vice Chancellors of all universities on September 13 (the day Swami Vivekananda delivered a speech at the World's Parliament of Religions in 1893) to come forward and setup a Chair in his name. It has received 52 proposals — 36 from state universities, 11 from central universities and 05 from deemed universities — for the establishment of the Swami Vivekananda Chair. The University Grants Commission has chosen five universities to set up a Chair in the name of Swami Vivekananda for conducting research on his life, teachings and philosophy; specifically in the areas of National and Social Awakening, Philosophy and Youth development and Leadership. The chosen universities are:

1. Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai),
2. Central University of Jammu and Kashmir,
3. Sri Sankaracharya Sanskrit University (Kerala),
4. Ramkrishna Mission University (West Bengal) and
5. Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University (Chhattisgarh).

It has been great pleasure and proud for us that the UGC has chosen Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University for the establishment of 'Swami Vivekanand Chair'. The university received the approval of Chair in June 2015 (vide UGC Letter No.F.No.74-1/2015(SU-II) dated 5th June, 2015) and as per the UGC norms the first 'Swami Vivekananda Chair Professor' Dr. Om Prakash Verma was appointed (vide University Order No.4520/Estb./Gen.Adm./2016 Raipur dated 28.11.2016) on 03.12.2016 and worked till 26.5.2019 (completion of his 70 years of age as per the UGC guide line). Dr. Mitashree Mitra was appointed as a Swami Vivekananda Chair Professor vide University Order No. 1289/Estb./Gen.Adm./2022 Raipur dated 29.3.2022 and joined on 29.03.2022.

Swami Vivekananda was an Indian, a Hindu, a Vedantist, a leading light of the Ramakrishna Mission, a social reformer, an activist who passionately wished to transform the Indian social reality in all its dimensions. He was born as Narendranath Dutta into an affluent Bengali family in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on January 12, 1863, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Narendranath was one of the eight children of Vishwanath Dutta and Bhuvaneshwari Devi. His father Vishwanath was a successful attorney with considerable influence in the society. His mother was a woman endowed with a strong, God-fearing mind and had a great impact on her son. Swami Vivekananda grew up as the symbol of youth power, who hoisted the flag of Indian culture overseas. "Vivekananda was the first to point out the harm that has been done to the spiritual and moral personality of our people by economic backwardness and social division. Involuntary poverty, to him, is unspiritual and immoral" (Swami Ranganathananda). "The inner core of Vivekananda's message to our country was unambiguous: India needs development and social cohesion. The two complement each other. The absence of one is inherently disruptive of the other. The attainment of both paves the way for that higher humanity which is the essence of all religions". His entire life was an immense source of inspiration. He fostered new enthusiasm for progress among the youth, so much so that the whole country celebrates his birth anniversary as 'National Youth Day' (12th January). Every year since 1985, the Government of India observes 12thJanuary, the Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda as National Youth Day. To quote from the Government of India's Communication, “it was felt that the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth.” Swami Vivekananda once said, “Whatever you think, that you will be. If you think yourselves weak, weak you will be; if you think yourselves strong, strong you will be.” He also said, “See for the highest, aim at that highest, and you shall reach the highest.” His message was simple yet powerful. What he said captures the great importance of his ideas and ideals among the youth in our country today. He personified the eternal energy of the youth and their restless quest for truth. But how to make youth realise the relevance of Swami Vivekananda in these exciting and challenging times, when on the one hand people and nations are engaged in the noble task of developing the personality and leadership qualities of the youth by involving them in various nation-building activities, while on the other hand there are challenges of hunger, poverty, unemployment, corruption and terrorism. Among the various ways which Swami Vivekananda suggested to rebuild the Indian society, Education was the primary means for empowering the people. He once said, “The education which does not help the common mass of people to equip themselves for the struggle for life, which does not bring out strength of character, a spirit of philanthropy, and the courage of a lion - is it worth the name? Real education is that which enables one to stand on one's own legs.” For him, education meant secular learning that built character and instilled human values in students. Swami Vivekananda believed that the service to mankind should be selfless as service to mankind was service to God. He worked tirelessly towards betterment of the society, in servitude of the poor and the needy, dedicating his all for his country.

* To facilitate and encourage inter-institution, inter-department and inter-disciplinary research culture and discussions for reviving visions Swami Vivekananda, and create awareness on life and work of him.
* To promote inter-disciplinary research work for advancement and dissemination of knowledge.
* To impart leadership and empowering attributes among the youths through various academic and extra- curricular activities.
* To organize academic workshops, seminars and webinars, orientation programme, refresher course, winter school on Value education / Indian culture/cultural heritage/ National & Social awakening etc.
* To take up research projects on contemporary Local, National and International issues, particularly empowering the Tribal Youths that may have policy implications.
* To popularize the works of Swami Vivekananda and also to instill moral and ethical values in the students, faculty and society through academic and extracurricular activities and publications.
* To design and execute short-term capacity building programmes focused on Philosophy and values of Swami Vivekananda.

* Our motto is to spread teachings of Youth Icon- Swami Vivekananda, and drive to work for the society through integrated approach for Sustainable Nation Building.

Swami Vevekananda Chair has been established by University Grants Commission at the Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh for conducting research on his life, teaching and philosophy; specifically in the areas of National and Social Awakening, Philosophy and Youth development and Leadership. The activities of Swami Vivekananda Chair are to focus on Swami Vivekananda, through lectures, seminars and suitable related academic activities on Indian Culture and Indian Studies. It will help spread the message of harmony of religions understanding and the spiritual oneness of humanity, which Swami Vivekananda worked for, and motivate and drive the youths to lead work for the society and Sustainable Nation Building.

* Creation of Swami Vivekananda Study Circle among the youth
* Life Lessons from Swami Vivekananda
* Character building of youth through the messages of Swami Vivekananda
* Involving Youth in Nation building activities
* Value education through various activities
* Capacity building in Leadership
* Transformation of society
* Cultivation of awareness regarding Swami Vivekananda vision
* Knowledge generation in social, cultural and scientific dimensions
* Participatory learning with underprivileged
* Lectures by eminent scholars
* Cultural activities
* Seminar/Symposia/Workshop/Summer school/Winter School/ /Refresher course/Orientation programme on value education/Indian culture and Human Excellence
* To design and execute research project and participate in such activities organized by other Universities/Research Institutes/Chairs throughout the country
* Publish articles/research papers/reports/books/monographs
* Ancient Remedies of Modern Problems
* Quiz Competition
* Debate Competition
* Essay competition
* Pledging to follow the ideals of Swami Vivekananda

Some of the activities have been successfully done during April 2022 to March 2023, which are depicted in photo gallery of programmes organized by Swami Vivekananda Chair.

1. To organize National Seminar on: “Swami Vivekananda: The Inspiration for Indian Nationalism and the National Movement” Swami Vivekananda may be called as the Father of Modern Indian Nationalism. Swami Vivekananda was in true sense nationalist. His nationalism is associated with Hinduism and in its core spiritualism. Through his lectures and writings on ancient Indian Religion, Philosophy and Traditions he awakened a deep sense of pride and cultural confidence which leads to nationalistic feelings in Indian Youths who were inspired by him. Not only this, he was a great influence on Nationalist leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Rabindra Nath Tagore and a number of Indian revolutionists. His influence on the Indian Nationalism is an immense force that has been recognised the world over.
SUB-THEMES Influence of Swami Vivekananda on —
* Subhash Chandra Bose
* Mahatma Ghandhi
* Ravindra Nath Tagore
* Indian Revolutionaries
* Nationalist Patriotic Writings
* Rise of Hinduism and Nationalism -Indian Masses

2. To organize National Seminar on ‘Mindset Mapping of Youth in Swami Vivekananda Philosophy for Human Development and Sustainable Nation-Building’ The objective of the seminar is to discuss the ideology of Swami Vivekananda, especially for youth in sustainable nation building.
SUB-THEMES
* Swami Vivekananda: A Magnetic Personality
* Swami Vivekananda: Man making and character building
* Ravindra Nath Tagore
* Swami Vivekananda: Education for Self reliance and Self respect
* Philosophy of Swami Vivekananda: Key to National Integration
* Swami Vivekananda: The Torchbearer of Nation building