VKIC : Annual Report - April 2010

Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT
April 2009 to March 2010

1. Research Centre Recognition

The Dibrugarh University has granted recognition as a Research Centre to Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture with effect from 24th September 2009.

The notification by Dibrugarh University explicitly states the purpose as “The Institute [VKIC] has constantly striven to examine and validate the systems from our point of view so that culture becomes the foundation of development. It is an endeavour that all seminars and field investigations the basis of which is research is conducted not to replicate west centric scholarship but to present matters befitting the magnitude of our traditions”.

2. VKIC Foundation Day

The Foundation Day of Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, Guwahati observed on 31st January 2010 (Sunday) at 5:30 pm in the Williamson Magor Auditorium of the institute. In the welcome address, Sri Dipok Kr Barthakur, Chairman, VKIC, spoke on the objectives and role of VKIC in the present scenario. The Chief Guest of the meeting was renowned columnist and social activist Rajkumar Ajit Narayan Singha, the descendant of the last Ahom king of Assam. In his speech Sri Singha opined that the ethnic peoples of Assam today faced land related problems due to the influx of the foreigners across the international border. And the threat can only be countered by awareness of the local people as well as by identifying the common anti- Indian elements. He also appealed to the gathering to stand together for the welfare of the ethnic people of Assam.

Sri Chaoba Kamson, Manipur, receiving the VKIC Sanmaan Award 2010

VKIC, Cultural function performed by Sisang Club at Foundation Day 2010

Speaking about the current trend of our society the Chief Guest said that in the name of globalization today, our communities are facing trouble; as a result secessionist tendencies are growing amongst them. The Chief Guest conferred the VKIC SANMAN 2010 on Sri Chaoba Kamson, a Social Activist, from Manipur. As the General Secretary of the Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak Phome, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, Sri Kamson has helped establish and nurture several temples dedicated to the deity Tingkao Ragwang to preserve the traditional faith and culture. In his lecture Sri Chaoba Kamson revealed the importance of preserving the traditional heritage of India especially of Manipur. The traditional heritage and culture of India is the Sanatan culture, he said. The Sanman awardee also sang a traditional song at the end of his deliberation. The programme concluded with a colourful cultural presentation by the artistes of the Sisang Club of the Mising community, Guwahati.

3. Documentation the Traditional Culture of the Rabhas of Assam

The second phase of the Rabha Documentation Project was conducted from the 6th March to 2nd April 2010 in the Rabha inhabited areas of Goalpara district of Assam. Different types of traditional crafts, handloom products, rites and rituals, hymns, ballads, festivals were documented and recorded textually as well as through audio-video coverage and photography.

VKIC documentation of Priest performing the Baykho puja in the forest



VKIC, Cultural Troupe at Baykho Puja (Rabha Project)

During the period two major events were covered viz. the Sarbojanin Baikho festival at Nadiapara related to harvesting and Farkanti, at Dorni, pertaining to the funeral ceremony of the deceased. As a part of the project an awareness programme was organized covering the Peerahasu Puja, a festival related to post harvesting season and is celebrated for the welfare of the domestic cattle. During this phase the survey team also visited the Rindu hill near Matia which is believed as sacred by the Rabhas and the Holokanda hill, known for some archaeological remains of 17th century. The hymns of Bakai Puja which is prevalent amongst the Rabhas of Assam-Meghalaya border area of Krishnai circle of Goalpara district was also documented at the Hastinapur village of Dariyun during the second phase of the project.
Base work for Seminar amongst the Bodos:
Kum. N. Sujatha, Secretary, VKIC toured various Bodo-inhabited areas of Assam including the Bodo Territorial Administrative Districts [BTAD] between July 2009 and March 2010 as part of the base work for the seminar on Traditional Systems of the Bodos – Change and Continuity. Based on the inputs received from Bodo intellectuals, a co-ordination meeting has been fixed for 6 May 2010 in Guwahati.

4. VKIC Arunachal Pradesh Chapter

a) Documentary film on Tawang Monastery
The preliminary work for the making of a documentary film on the Buddhist Monasteries in Tawang District was undertaken by VKIC-Arunachal Pradesh in May 2009.

Interview with Lama at Taksang Gompa
The Documentation team covered 4 major gompas, namely Gelden Namgyal Gompa (Tawang Gompa), Dhukhang Jangchup Choling Gompa (Ani Gompa [Nunnery]), Taksnag Gompa and Ugyenling Gompa (Birthplace of H.H. 6th Dalai Lama). The video-shoot and interview were taken by a team from Gujarat.

b) VKIC–APC Indigenous Study Circle
VKIC–APC arranged an Indigenous Study Circle meet on 29th May 2009. The topic for the presentation was “Indian Classical Dances and Arunachalee Dances - the Common Features”. Smt. Likhamoni Mein, Principal, Kalakshetra, Itanagar presented the topic. She demonstrated many common mudras in the folk dances of Arunachal and Bharatnatyam. To establish her point she has enlisted as many as 74 common mudras. She also illustrated some of the mudras and their meanings in Aruanchalee dances. During the discussions it was suggested that names should be given to the mudras and also public performances of the classical dances should be started to promote awareness.

Shri Rekhi Tana Taraji describing Nyele and its importance
Shri Jomnya Siram, Dy. Director, Art and Culture, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh chaired session. In his remarks he emphasized the need to take such efforts forward. He also stressed the need to make our folk dances more attractive by giving it a classical base.

The tenth sitting of Indigenous Study Circle was organised on 27th August 2009. This time VKIC- APC organised a Panel Discussion on Nyele- The Self Governing Institution of the Nyishi. Six Panel Members from all the Five Nyishi inhabiting districts participated in the discussion. Shri. Vijoy Sonam conducted the panel discussion.

Nyele is one of the very important Self Governing Institution in Arunachal Pradesh. As the Nyishi area is large and very sparsely populated the names may be little different but the concept is the same. The discussion was about the role of Nyubu (Priest) and Nyegam Panam (Expert in History and traditional knowledge) was also discussed. The members of the Nyele many times are not chosen but they volunteer themselves for the betterment of the society. Nyele is for settlement, it functions in such a way that the rivalry of the two parties should come to an end after the compromise. So it takes society from Yalung (Dispute) to Tagung (Peace). Many vital points like, role of Supreme Being in resolving the dispute, role of women, jurisdiction, types of Nyele were discussed in the sitting.

Dr. Ligu Tacho, the Chairperson for the sitting expressed that Lok-Adalat is nothing but the new form of Nyele. An in depth research should be done on these institutions to preserve them. Shri. Bharat Megu ji, State co-ordinator VKIC-APC concluded with Nyele are one of the most important institutions and we should see that with some changes necessary according to time it should be carried forward.

Base work for Seminar amongst the Monpa:
Kum. Y. Pranjali, Prakalpa Sanghatak, VKIC-APC and Shri M. Rupesh, Prant Sanghatak, VK Arunachal Pradesh have regularly been visiting Tawang, Bomdila, Dirang and Kalaktang as part of the base work Monpa Seminar. VKV Alumni are also taking initiative to organize the same in which knowledge elders, educated elites and youth will participate. Papers include, Traditional Self Governing Institutions, Customary Laws, Importance of Bhoti Script, Death Ceremony, Marriage System, Role of Women and Fa Laa Festival.

5. VKIC Delhi Chapter

The fourth sitting of the study group of VKIC, Delhi, took place on the 17th of July, 2009. It as chaired by Sri I.P Gupta, former Lt Governor, Andaman and Nicobar. After the Mangalacharan, the members introduced themselves and proceeded to finalize the schedule of meetings and activities to be organized during the calendar year of 2009. Mananeeya Shri Praveen Dabholkar, Joint General Secretary, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, welcomed the new members and gave a brief on the objectives of the VKIC.

In the second half of the meeting, the Group took up the “Common Bases of Hinduism” of Swami Vivekananda. The lively discussion included the current socio-cultural situation prevalent in the society in the context of spirituality.

6. Vijay Hi Vijay (VHV)

In order to strengthen college to community programme, build confident and positive-minded teams of youths, inculcate national awareness and integration, youth empowerment and overall personality development, Vivekananda Kendra Assam Prant organized the Vijay Hi Vijay programme. In the course of the programme, youth were equipped with four perspectives a) looking at our history from our perspective b) draw inspiration from our great and courageous personalities c) to make India great once again – need is for collective, organised work d) attitude of : Come what may – Building the will to win.

Nivasi Baithak for Vijay Hi Vijay organised by VKIC-2

VKIC VHV 1-day leadership camp

VKIC VHV Ganapramukh Sibir, Devibhumi Vibhag
The VHV included different phases such as- one day residential camp (Nivasi Baithak), one day Personality Development Camps, a book based examination, Ganapramukh Prashikshan Shibir and lastly the state-level Mahashibir at VKV Tinsukia. During the course of the programme VKIC organized 8 numbers of Personality Development Camps in which a total of 205 students took part. For the programme VKIC contacted a total of 26 colleges of which, students from 14 colleges participated in the examination in 10 college venues. The numbers of students registered for the examination were 874 of which 504 appeared.

7. Yoga-based Programmes:

A] Swananda
Two 2-day Stress and Health Management Workshop for the supervisors and workmen of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL) in Misa, Nagaon district of Assam was conducted by VKIC Guwahati on 29th and 30th June and from 23-24 November, 2010 respectively. Designed for 18 participants in the age group of 40-55 the course included yogabhyasa, games, conceptual sessions through power point presentations.

VKIC, Swananda, PGCIL, Valedictory Session

VKIC organised Swananda for Northeast employees of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd

Sri K Bhuyan, the DGM said that he was pleasantly surprised to know that the Kendra conducts such programmes and looked forward to a long term association. The participants were each handed a copy of Kendra's publication on Yoga. 2 PHOTOS IN WINZIP FILE VKIC 4

B] Yoga Sattra for Assam Institute of Management
A weekly Yoga Abhyas course was conducted for the 70 students of each of the two semesters of Assam Institute of Management (AIM) from 19th October to 1st November at the premises of VKIC, Guwahati. The course aimed at teaching various aspects of yoga and its advantages when practiced on a daily basis. On the concluding day the students shared their experiences acknowledging the impact that the short duration course had left on their mind and body.

VKIC, Yoga for AIM

VKIC-Students of Assam Institute of Management appearing for exam after an introductory course on Yoga and Management
The Director of the Institute, Dr. Shantikam Hazarika said that from its inception the institute wanted to integrate the course which is now being materialized through the Vivekananda Kendra. He stressed that the qualities of discipline and will power which is so important for a management student could be mastered through the art of yoga. He also said that the core basis of our foundation should be our Indian cultural heritage which encapsulates the very essence of life and work. Sensing the enthusiasm among the students he assured that the frequency of the course would be increased for their benefit.

C] Yoga Module for Students: VKIC-Arunachal Pradesh Chapter conducted “Pariksha De Hasate Hasate” in VKV Itanagar for Class X students, wherein 35 students participated.

D] Yoga Sattra
VKIC conducted 11 Yoga Sattra at its premises and a total of 302 participants were trained with yoga modules.

8. Publication
During the financial year 2009-2010 two issues of Quest, the half yearly research journal of VKIC were published. The theme of the first one was community festival and the traditional marriage systems of northeast India for the second. Recently the journal registered for and was assigned the International Standard Serial Number [ISSN] 0976 – 0040.

9. VKIC Reference Library
The main focus of the VKIC Reference Library is on cultural heritage especially of northeast India. VKIC Reference Library provides access to works on history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, archaeology, literature, northeast India’s art and culture etc. It is gently evolving into a hub for research-work. The library subscribes a total of 27 numbers of magazines and research journals of which 8 are of national and international level. The new addition of books of the library for the financial year 2009-10 are 414 and the total number raised up to 5024. The total no. of members are 225.

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VKIC Website : http://www.vkic.org [1]