Newsletters : Sattra Darshan

News letter : November 2006 - April 2007
A quarterly publication of VKIC, Guwahati.
From the Director's Desk...

Namskar....
The last two quaters have been an important period for Vivekanada Kendra Institute of Culture(VKIC).

November 2006 saw Sattra Darshan Celebrating the Sattra Institution of Assam.The 2-days programme in New Delhi was a culmination of a 3-year VKIC effort to promote better understanding of the Sattras, the multi-faceted spiritual institution of Assam initiated by the vision of the great Mahapurush Sreemanta Sankaradeva[1449-1569]. Sattra Darshan also marks an important turning point as VKIC strives to see how the Mahapurushiya vision holds the key to peace initiative, conflict resolution and development in the India's NorthEast.

Continuting its series of Seminars on Traditional System VKIC's arunachal pradesh chapter in co-ordination a highly successful seminar on traditional Faith and culture of the Nyishis Change and Continuity.The seminar brought together meaningfully interpret the wisdom of our ancestors. Paper presentation, vibrant discussion and participation of a large section of youth were indicative of renewed interest in culture and cultural forms.

December2006 and January 2007 also saw the celebration Samartha Bharat Parva [25 December 12 January] a 19-day programme to mark Swami Vivekananda's historic meditation on the rock and his birthday; Gita Jayanti understanding the relevance of Incia's national scripture in our daily lives.

January is also the time fo VKIC Foundation Day. Two meaningful programmes marked the occasion. One, an interaction between H.E. Lt General [Retd] S.K. Sinha, PVSM, Governor, Jammu and Kasmir and 13 Sattradhikars, as also Members of VKIC Executive and Research Councils; two, the awarding of VKIC Sanmaan-2007 posthumously to Golgi Bote Talom Rukbo, the great Rishi of Arunachal Pradesh who inspired spirituo-religious movements amongst several communities to effectively sustain indigenous faithe and culture.

On the documentation front the work on the Buddhist monasteries of Northeast India continues. A survey of 102 Thravadi Buddhist monasteries located in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh was published and released.

All these efforts are in tune with VKIC's motto: culture nurtures unity. We look forward to continues and resourceful support from our esteemed well wishers.