Vivekananda Study Circle

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• Vivekananda Study Circle
• IIT - Madras

An Overview of its Activities
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• Vivekananda Study Circle (VSC)is dedicated to

v Character Building among the youth v
Awakening the young minds to the glory
that is India v Inner development through
self-culture
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The Backdrop
v Youth is the time for amazing possibilities. v
Youth is a time which makes or mars ones
whole life. v Youth also epitomizes human
possibilities for good as well as for
bad.
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Unfortunately, however, we now live in a complex
world of speed, technology and increasing cruelty
and dishonesty in various spheres of life. This
leaves most youth confused and troubled about
certain basic issues of life.
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Youth worship idols. Youth is a born
idealistseeking 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 the life, or try
to live their life according to these
media-icons, they are often found awfully
lacking.
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No wonder, we have rising cases of depression and
violence among the youth. As someone has rightly
put it The paradox of our time in history is
that we have taller buildings but shorter
tempers, wider roads, but narrower viewpoints. We
have more conveniences, but less time. We have
more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but
less judgment, more experts, yet more problems,
more medicine, but less wellness.
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Is there a way out of this mess? Any lasting
solution? Yes! And the solution lies not in
meaningless slogan shouting or careless criticism
or in thoughtless violence. It rather lies in
under-standing and practicing higher values, in
building ones personality on solid ground of
honesty, hard work, discipline and genuine love.
As Swami Vivekananda 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.
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But is it possible to practise these values in
todays complex world? Are they still relevant
today, in a world of speed, competition and
success at any cost? Can one find lasting,
reliable guidance in actualizing this idea of
personal development?
?
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With this in mind, the Vivekananda Study Circle
(VSC) was started in 1997 by a group of highly
motivated and committed students of IIT Madras.
The VSC celebrated its 10th year anniversary in
2006.   The VSC tries to focus on how to build
our inner personality through a earnest study of
Swami Vivekanandas life and teachings.   Our
activities are
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• Our Activities at a Glance

1. SUNDAY CLASSES These are held on most Sundays
from 930 to 1100 A.M, in a room in the
Humanities and Sciences Block (HSB). The Sunday
classes consist of a Vedic Prayers a Group
Meditation a Reading from Swami Vivekanandas
teachings a A 30 to 40 minutes talk on an aspect
of self-development/ Indian culture in a
contemporary context. a Question-Answers    
These sessions are conducted by a monk from the
Ramakrishna Math.
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Information posters are put up in all hostels in
advance, announcing the topic of discussion for
the Sunday class
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Some of our last years topics of discussion were
v Mind and its control v The Art of Meditation v
Time Management v The Secret of Right Activity v
The Importance of Good Company v Every Action
Matters
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• 2. Friday Discussions

Besides this Sunday class, we hold a students
discussion on every Friday evening. As part of it
we read from Swami Vivekanandas books and
discuss them from various angles. These
discussions are held in a room in Brahmaputra
hostel.
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• 3. Organizing Special Lectures/ Workshop

Occasionally we also organize special lectures on
the themes relevant to the youth. Eminent persons
are invited for delivering these lectures.
Some of the past lectures Modern Management
Lessons from Bhagavad Gita by Dr. Mahadevan of
IIM Bangalore Swami Vivekananda --- The Awakener
of Modern India By Dr.N.V.C.Swamy, former
Director of the IIT, Madras. Workshop on
Positive Thinking for Effective Leadership By
Swami Bodhamayanandaji, a monk of Sri Ramakrishna
Order.
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• 4. VSC Library

We have a collection of over 600 books, 100
audiocassettes and 50 CDs, on spiritual, cultural
and national aspects. These are maintained in a
room in the Brahmaputra hostel (below room
no.148). These can be borrowed free of cost for
a period of two weeks.
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• 5. National Youth Day Celebrations

Swami Vivekanandas birthday which is on 12th
January, is celebrated as National Youth Day
every year. As part of the celebrations, we
organize a special lecture, an exhibition on
Swamijis teachings and sale of books on
personality development, concentration,
meditation, and other related subjects. On this
occasion, a visit to Vivekananda Illam at the
Marina Beach is also organized.  
Appreciation or no appreciation, I am born to
organize these young men nay, hundreds more in
every city are ready to join me Swami
Vivekananda
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6. We also organize spoken Sanskrit camp
periodically.
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• 7. Service to the poor

We have been conducting coaching classes for the
poor students at Velachery and Taramani, located
close to IIT gate. Volunteers from NSS also help
us in conducting these classes.
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We publish a Vivekananda Calendar every
yearwhich is given free to all interested.
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• Website and E-Group

Our website, www.vsc.iitm.ac.in contains all the
information about the upcoming activities of VSC.
You can also download some of our previous
lectures from our website. We also maintain an
e-group that promotes in-depth discussion on
issues of philosophical and national importance.
Visit http//groups.yahoo.com/group/vsc_iit_m/
to join the group. For further queries, mail us
at vsc_at_smail.iitm.ac.in
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All are welcome to join our activities.
There is no fee charged and nor is any
membership required to attend our events and
activities.
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• Swami Vivekanandas Inspiring Words

The remedy for weakness is not brooding over
weakness, but thinking of strength. Teach men of
the strength that is already within them. What is
education? Is it book learning? No. Is it
diverse knowledge? Not even that. The training
by which the current and expression of will are
brought under control and become fruitful is
called education. This world is a great gymnasium
where we come to make ourselves strong.
 . . .Thanks . . .