A Brief Report on

TEJASVI BHARAT

25 Years Celebration of
Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture

Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture

M. G. Road, Riverside, Uzan Bazar, Guwahati- 781001 (Assam)
E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.vkic.org
Phone : +91 70860 44656, +91 86385 29645
 TEJASVI BHARAT : A Brief Report

Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture (VKIC) celebrated its successful and purposeful
completion of 25 years of service to the North East Bharat with a three day programme on 29th, 30th April
and 1st May 2022 titled Tejasvi Bharat held at the Gauhati University, the WM Auditorium, VKIC,
Uzanbazar and the Pragjyoti ITA Centre at Machkhowa, Guwahati.
The marg darshan on this occasion, spread over a total of six sessions on these three days was
addressed by Pujya Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, Founder of Geeta Pariwar, Maharshi Vedvyas
Pratisthan and Treasurer Trustee of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust (Ram Mandir at
Ayodhya).

SESSION VENUE DATE & TIME

Tejasvi Bharat - A Motivational Talk GU IST 29 April, 2022 - 11:00 am.

https://youtu.be/VRE2J0Uf1uk Gauhati University

Tejasvi Bharat - Interaction with W M Auditorim 29 April, 2022 - 4:30 pm.

Karyakartas of VKK, Assam Prant VKIC, Uzanbazar
Part-I
https://youtu.be/5MpMt--stIA

Tejasvi Bharat - Interaction with W M Auditorim 30 April, 2022 - 10:30 am.

Karyakartas of VKK, Assam Prant VKIC, Uzanbazar
Part-II
https://youtu.be/1ySbJa_eqys

Tejasvi Bharat - Inaugural Session Pragjyoti ITA Centre, 30 April, 2022 - 5:30 pm
and Conferring of VKIC Sanmaan Machkhowa

Tejasvi Bharat - I Pragjyoti ITA Centre, 30 April, 2022 - 6:45 pm

https://youtu.be/E4WnPyMxvFE Machkhowa

Tejasvi Bharat - II Pragjyoti ITA Centre, 01 May, 2022 - 10:00 am

https://youtu.be/8MlxsMSOYG0 Machkhowa

Tejasvi Bharat - Cultural Pragjyoti ITA Centre, 01 May, 2022 - 2:00 pm

Programme Machkhowa

Tejasvi Bharat - III Pragjyoti ITA Centre, 01 May, 2022 - 3:00 pm

https://youtu.be/jhIkEDLVegs Machkhowa

Listen to Pujya Govinda Dev Giri Ji Maharaj on the various sessions of

Tejasvi Bharat through the Youtube links embedded above.

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 Pujya Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj arrived early morning on 29th April, 2022 at the LGBI
Airport, Guwahati. He was welcomed by the Karyakartas of Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, and
the members of the Steering Committee of Tejasvi Bharat.

Ma. Bhanudas Dhakras Ji, General Secretary of Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari along with
other karyakartas receiving Pujya Maharaj Ji at the LGBI Airport.

Tejasvi Bharat - Motivational Talk at GU

Date : 29 April, 2022, Time : 11:00 am.
The first session of Pujya Swami Govind Dev
Giri Ji Maharaj was a motivational talk on Tejasvi
Bharat, organized by the Department of Business
Administration & Directorate of Students’ Welfare,
Gauhati University in association with
Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture (VKIC)
from 11 am at the GUIST Seminar Hall.

Felicitation of Pujya Maharaj Ji and Prof. Pratap J Handique,

Vice Chancellor, GU by students of MBA Department

The motivational talk was graced by the Vice

Chancellor of Gauhati University, Prof. Pratap
Jyoti Handique. Besides the Director of Students
Welfare of Gauhati University, other faculty
members & student community of the University,
VKIC associates and karyakartas of Vivekananda
Kendra also attended the talk.
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 Pujya Maharaj Ji addressed the youth on Bharatiya Samskriti. He said that Bharat as a country
stands to be a nation with immense knowledge and potential. The word Bharat has two syllable ‘Bha’
which means ‘Gyan Ki Abha or Prakash’ and ‘rata’ means to ‘immerse oneself’. Therefore Bharat is all
about a knowledge society and being immersed in it for the good of the world. This is the work which
Bharat has been doing, is still doing and will do in the future too. But, he said, for that, one has to build
one’s capacity, be confident of one’s own potential and the divinity within, which will make it happen.
Quoting Swami Vivekananda during his address, he said that Swami Vivekananda had faith in the
youth of the country which will build the Bharat our ancestors had dreamt of. He said that Bharat is
united amongst diversity and today’s youth needs to rediscover that Bharat in India by knowing and
understanding her untold history. Referring to ‘Swatantrata ka Amrut Mahotsav’, Maharaj Ji said that
it is time to recognize the ‘Tejas’ of this country and be inspired from it to serve the motherland and
realize Swami Vivekananda’s dream of India becoming the Jagatguru.

Pujya Maharaj Ji delivering his motivational talk

Tejasvi Bharat - Interaction with Karyakartas of VKK, Assam Prant - Part-I

Date : 29 April, 2022, Time : 4:30 pm.
Maharaj Ji had the first interactive session with all the Karyakartas of Vivekananda Kendra
Kanyakumari (VKK), Assam Prant at the WM Auditorium in the VKIC premises. A majority of the
participants were the alpakalin sevavrati karyakartas who shall be committing their time in the service of
VKK, Assam Prant. Besides them other senior karyakartas and members of the Tejasvi Bharat Steering
Committee were also present in the interactive session.
Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj was felicitated with Gamusa and Xorai by Dr. Parimal Ch.
Bhattacharjee, Director of VKIC and Shreefal by Shri Viswas Lapalkar, Prant Sangathak, VKK, Bengal Prant.

Maharaj Ji being felicitated with Gamusa and Xorai by Dr. Offering of Shreefal by Shri Biswas Lapalkar, Prant
Parimal Ch. Bhattacharjee, Director of VKIC Sangathak, VKK, Bengal Prant.
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 Addressing the karyakartas, Maharaj Ji said that one should recognize the Shivatva within oneself,
the way Swami Vivekananada realised the Shivatva within himself. He said that we should all carry
forward the message of Swami Ji, if we are to build a Bharat which is Tejas in all aspects.
Maharaj Ji interacting with the alpakalin karyakartas said that this time he will dissuade from
delivering a talk which he felt will not serve the purpose and would rather like to hear from the alpakalin
karyakartas about any questions and doubts they had in their minds about Bharat, her issues and
spirituality. Continuing in a lighter note, Maharaj Ji said that in case they do not have any questions to
ask he will start asking them questions. As the interaction started, a question from one of the karyakartas
as to why is it necessary for students like them to commit time to Vivekananda Kendra or for their
motherland, gradually opened up the interaction. Maharaj Ji explaining how from ones birth each
individual is being nurtured in their growth by their parents, their families, the surroundings, the
society and if any of these collectives fails, an individual would not have grown. Hence, he said it is
very important that one should give back to one’s family, the neighbourhood, the society, the state, the
country and then the creation at large. Explaining the dharmachakra, Maharaj Ji explained the importance
of developing this attitude to serve our motherland by learning to give back to the society. The way we
are indebted to our parents, we are indebted to our society and to the nation as well.
This interactive session which went on for around two hours ended with the offering of gratitude
by Su. Dhira Deka, VKK, Samparka Pramukh, Assam Prant.

Pujya Maharaj Ji interacting with the students

Tejasvi Bharat - Interaction with Karyakartas of VKK, Assam Prant - Part-II

Date : 30 April, 2022, Time : 10:30 pm.
The session started with felicitation of Maharaj Ji with Gosain Gamusa by Sri Ajay Agarwal,
Vyvastha Pramukh, VKK, Kamrup Vibhag. Maharaj Ji continuing the interactive session with the
Alpakalin Karyakartas and also other Karyakartas of VKK, Assam Prant, by saying ‘Ram ho hum’,
emphasizing on ‘Knowing Thyself’. He said we should discover more of our ‘Self’ and referred to
the motto of Ramkrishna Mission ‘Atmano Mokshartham Jagat Hitayachah’. How a disciplined life can
be achieved by picking up certain practices to avoid falling into depression and negativity, he said
that we should learn from the life of Rishis and our ancestors. Sharing stories from Ramayana and
Mahabharat, he went on to explain concepts of atmatripti, sneha, titiksha, prem, moha, and a lot more to
drive home the qualities today’s youth need to acquire to be a better human being and move towards
perfection. He said we should be willing to learn from the prakriti (nature) around us - prithivi, jal,
agni, vayu, akash – and built the ‘Self’.

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 Further, sharing about concepts like dharma, the youth energy and how it is being drained off
through the social media, the virtual world and disruptive technologies, Maharaj Ji emphasized on the
positive dimensions of mind and its latent power waiting to be developed in the youths. The session
ended with offering of gratitude by Smt. Minati Deb, Ugratara Nagar Pramukh, VKK, Assam Prant.
Tejasvi Bharat - Inaugural Session and Conferring VKIC Sanmaan
Date : 30 April, 2022, Time : 5:30 pm.
On the 30th evening, the inaugural function was
commenced from 5:30 pm at Pragjyoti ITA Cultural
Centre, Machkhowa, Guwahati, Assam where
Hon’ble Governor of Assam Prof. Jagdish Mukhi
graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The other
dignitaries sharing the dias with him were - Swami
Govind Dev Giriji Maharaj, Shri Hanumantha Rao,
Vice President, Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari,
Dr. Joram Begi, Chairman of VKIC, Sri Namgyal
Lepcha, VKIC Sanmaanee from Sikkim, Sri Rothell
Khongsit, VKIC Sanmaanee from Meghalaya and
Dr. Joram Begi, Chairman VKIC
Shri R.S Joshi, Working Chairman, Steering delivering the Welcome Address.
Committee, Tejasvi Bharat.
Dr. Joram Begi delivering his welcome address also spoke briefly about VKIC.

The Hon’ble Governor of Assam Prof. Jagdish Mukhi Ji Pujya Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj being
being felicitated by Dr. Joram Begi, Chairman VKIC. felicitated by Sri R. S. Joshi, Working Chairman,
Steering Committee, Tejasvi Bharat.

After the formal introduction and felicitation programme of the Guests on the dias, the Hon’ble
Governor, conferred the VKIC Sanmaan 2022 to Sri Namgyal Lepcha, from Sikkim and Sri Rothell
Khongsit, from Meghalaya. They were honoured with a Seleng Chador, a memento, a citation, a set of
VKIC published books and a cheque of INR 50, 000.00 (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only).

Hon’ble Govenor of Assam, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi conferring on the VKIC Sanmaan 2022 to
Sri Namgyal Lepcha (L) & Sri Rothell Khongsit (R)
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 It was also announced in the programme that the VKIC Sanmaan 2022 was sponsored by Sri
Kailash Ji Lohia and his group of companies and that he has committed to sponsor the same in the
subsequent years.
Sanmanee Sri Namgyal Lepcha, Tradition and
Cultural Conservationist, on receiving the Sanmaan
thanked VKIC for the Sanmaan conferred on him
and giving recognition to his work. He said that
this is a great honour for him to receive the award
coming a long way from the Land of Kanchenjunga
to the land of Mighty Brahmaputra. He shared his
experience of protecting, preserving and promoting
the traditional culture of the Lepcha community in
Sikkim.
On receiving the VKIC Sanmaan 2022, Sri
Rothell Khongsit, Social Entrepreneur & Cultural Sri Namgyal Lepcha, VKIC Sanmanee 2022
Communicator acknowledged in his speech how from Sikkim addressing the gathering
privileged he was to receive the VKIC Sanmaan.
He shared his experience about his work for
promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Khasi
community, even in hostile situations. An ardent
follower of the ‘Seng Khasi Movement’, which
promotes and protects the indigenous Khasi faith,
he also told the august presence that this
recognition inspired him to work more with
dedication towards the society.
Governor of Assam, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, in
his deliberation, shared his experience of being
associated with Vivekananda Kendra,
Kanyakumari since its inception, and that he was Sri Rothell Khongsit VKIC Sanmanee 2022 from
Meghalaya addressing the gathering
also associated in the donation drive across the
country for the construction of Vivekananda
Kendra Rock Memorial at the call of Mananeeya
Eknath Ji Ranade. Lauding the efforts of VKIC in
its service to the motherland in this part of the
nation, he emphasized the need for cultural
regeneration of Maa Bharati and that VKIC’s
work will remain an example for the rest of the
nation to follow. He hailed the efforts of the VKIC
for working towards strengthening the spiritual
and cultural edifice of the country and putting
them on a higher pedestal. He said the younger
generation across the globe should be acquainted
with the ideals and philosophy of Swami
The Hon’ble Governor of Assam Prof. Jagdish Mukhi Ji, Vivekananda in order to enable themselves to
Chief Guest of the programme delivering his address. shape a strong character and inculcate love for
the nation.
This inaugural session ended with vote of thanks offered by Sri R.S. Joshi Ji, Chairman of Steering
Committee, Tejasvi Bharat.

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Tejasvi Bharat - I
Date : 30 April, 2022, Time : 6:45 pm.
The marg darshan on Tejasvi Bharat-I commence from 6.45 pm., after a brief introduction of Swami
Govind Dev Giri ji Maharaj by Ad. Surendra Hinge Ji, Vanaprastha Karyakarta, VKIC. This was followed
by offering of Samvardhana to Pujya Maharaj Ji by Sri Ajoy Dutta Dangoria, Sri Kailash Ch. Ji Lohia, Sri
Sarat Kr Ji Jain, Sri Ramavatar Ji Bhartia & Sri Jyoti
Ji Agarwal.
Pujya Maharaj Ji started the discourse on
Tejasvi Bharat where he emphasized the concept of
Tejasvi, where the ancient Indian texts signify the
strength (Tej) and unity of Bharat. He paid tribute
to the saints of mother Bharat from the sacrifice of
Rishi Dadhichi to Srimanta Sankaradeva whose
immense contribution led mother Bharat be, Tejasvi,
as she is today.
Tejasvi Bharat - II
Date : 01 May, 2022, Time : 10: am.
The session started with the offering of Samvardhana to Pujya Maharaj Ji by Sri Prafulla Ch. Goswami
Dangoria and Sri Ajit Ji Jena
This was followed by the release of five VKIC publications which was blessed by Pujya Maharaj Ji.
The five publications were -
v Samskriti Aikyam Pushnati: Culture Nurtures Unity (Souvenir)
v Quest Commemorative Volume, January-2022
v The Quest for Self Renewal: Unsung Spiritual Gems of the North East
v The Notion of Governance in our Itihasa-Purana Tradition [ the deliberation of the 12th Vedanta Vachaspati
Radha Nath Phukan Biennial Memorial Lecture by Dr. Bibek Debroy]
v Traditional Systems of the Aka (Hrusso) Community: Change and Continuity

The book release session was facilitated by (from L to R) Dr Sonam Lepcha from Sikkim, Dr Joram
Begi, Chairman, VKIC, Sri Namgyal Lepcha, VKIC Sanmaanee, 2022 from Sikkim and Prof. Parimal Ch.
Bhattacharjee, Director, VKIC.
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 The book release function was followed by reciting of ‘Bharat Bhu Prashanksha’, a compilation of
verses on the praises and glory of Bharat Varsha from the writings of Srimanata Sankaradeva.
It was presented by Sri Dhiren Saikia, a
teacher from Vivekanada Kendra Vidyalaya,
Dibrugarh.
Pujya Maharaj Ji started the discourse citing
examples of Mahabharata. He said, India has been
an Aradhya for Rishis and Saints. Priyam Bharata
Bharatam has been India’s philosophy since Vedic
times, that is, the nation stands to be the favourite
of everyone. No one knows since when this
Nirantar Yatra of Bharata started and that it is all
about Adhyatma Vidya. Pujya Maharaj Ji
mentioning about Swami Vivekananda’s journey to Chicago and coming back to India reiterating the
fact that India is a spiritual country and no other country is as spiritual and enlightened as that of India.
Maharaj Ji cited the example of Gandhar (now Afghanistan parts of Nepal and Tibet) earlier a part of
Bharat and how Bharat has now been fragmented and divided. To save from further fragmentation, the
youth of India should pursue Vedic studies so that there is continuation of Bhartiya Samskriti.
Pujya Maharaj Ji said that the ‘Tej’ is there in
our Vedas, our tradition. Negating the theory of
‘Aryan Invasion’, he said that we have been
wrongly told about the same and that Aryan
actually means ‘noble’, it is all about gunas
(qualities). The people of Bharata had always
looked after themselves and have been samruddha
(prosperous) and srijanshil (creative). He said that
there are 26 sadgunas mentioned in the 16 Chapter
of Srimad Bhagwad Gita and all these are the
essentials for quality living and a part of dharma.
He emphasized that srijansil hi Bharat hai, dharma
hai and all these are the ‘Tej’ of Bharat. Citing the story of Nachiketa he said that we should draw
inspiration from his life to acquire ‘Tej’. He further said that while pursuing our purushartha we should
not forget that I as an individual (vyasti) is connected to the society (samasti), then with the nature
(prakriti) and the creation (paramatma).

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Tejasvi Bharat - Cultural Programme
Date : 01 May, 2022, Time : 2:00 pm.
After lunch break there was a cultural presentation organised by the Soorar Deul, VKK, Assam
Prant. The following were the performances -

Khol performance by Shri Biren Kalita and his troupe Sattriya Nitya by Shrimati Anjanamoyee Saikia & troupe

Ganesh Stuti- a Kathak dance performance Folk dance of Hajong community of Assam performed by
by Smt. Upalakshya Shivam. Luit Sapori Troupe.

Folk dance of Bodo community of Assam performed Folk dance of Rabha community of Assam performed
by Luit Sapori Troupe. by Luit Sapori Troupe.

Accompanist Artists of Luit Sapori Troupe. Folk dance of Deori community of Assam performed
10 by Luit Sapori Troupe.
Tejasvi Bharat - III
Date : 01 May, 2022, Time : 3:00 pm.
Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj started the last discourse by thanking Vivekananda Kendra
Institute of Culture for inviting him where he could share his thoughts on Tejasvi Bharat. He mentioned
about the atrocities confronted by Bharat from various foreign invaders like destruction of temples,
universities and Vedic texts. Swamiji highlighted why Indian civilization still stands strong against
these atrocities while many other civilizations like Roman, Greek, Persian, etc. were demolished. India
stands with head high of her oneness and unity and no other religion prays for greater good than
Bharat.
Pujya Maharaj Ji said that Bharat has always
lived for others and has the knowledge and
wherewithal to make the whole of mankind happy.
He said that Bharat has the daiva sampada alankrita,
jaha sehensheelata aur pratihar mein Tejas hai.
Referring to Swami Vivekananda’s lecture on
‘Is Vedanta the Future Religion’ in America,
Maharaj Ji said that it is time to acquire all the
‘Tejas’ in order to contribute to this motherland of
ours in its march to its destined goal of being the
Jagatguru amongst nations.
Pujya Maharaj Ji recalling the martyrs of the freedom struggle said that it is time to remember their
sacrifice and work towards the regeneration of the nation to her lost glories and taking her forward to
her destined goal of becoming the Jagatguru.

The Tejasvi Bharat sessions in the Pragjyoti ITA Centre was attended by more then a thousand participants
in each of the two days. Pujya Maharaj Ji’s marg darshan on Tejasvi Bharat has left a distinct impression on the
minds of the particpants and was obvious from the enthusiasm showed by the particpants all along. This was also
a time for the karyakartas and well wishers of Vivekananda Kendra to reiterate their commintment towards nation
building through the organised work of Vivekananda Kendra in this Northeast part of the nation.

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 A few moments of Tejasvi Bharat

The Stage of Tejasvi Bharat (L) and Dr. Jyotirupa Sarma anchoring the programme (R)

Audience standing up for the National Anthem (L) and section of the audience (R)

Exhibition cum sale of VKIC & VKK, Assam Prant Publications and products from Rural Development Project, Khatkhati

Fellowship during Tejasvi Bharat

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