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Welcome to the Vivekananda Cultural Centre, located at Quinton Road, a wing of the Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong. This esteemed center holds historical significance as it stands at the very spot where Swami Vivekananda delivered his last public lecture in April 1901. Established in 1993, the center's services have continuously expanded, and it now offers a wide range of programs and activities.

One of the center's key offerings is computer training, which has been immensely popular. Since its inception, the center has successfully trained over 65,000 young individuals in computer software, hardware, and soft skills. The courses are structured as modular two-month programs, with the option to receive certificates upon completion of multiple modules. Additionally, to enhance employability, courses in Spoken English have been offered since September 2014, and Hindi and Khasi language classes were introduced in 2016.

The center's adaptability was evident during the challenging times of 2020-2021, as it quickly developed an online learning platform to continue offering computer and Spoken English classes. In 2022, the focus shifted to resuming offline learning effectively.

The training programs offered at the Vivekananda Cultural Centre encompass various fields:

(a) Computer Training: The center boasts a state-of-the-art Computer Training Centre with 340 computers, 12 laboratories, 7 classrooms, and 46 experienced faculties. During 2022-23, it successfully trained 5,322 youths in various courses. Refer to Courses tab for various course offerings.

(b) Art Training: Drawing and Painting Training sessions are conducted for children aged 7 to 15 every Saturday. In 2022-23, the center welcomed 322 young trainees to these art classes.

(c) Brahmananda Library: This public library located in the campus provides access to approximately 13,459 books, 4 daily newspapers, and 10 periodicals each month. 

(d) Sanskriti (Training Programme on Values & Indian Culture): This program aims to relieve children of academic pressure and monotony, fostering values and Indian culture in a playful manner. Activities like Yoga, Meditation, Recitation, Storytelling, Games, Chanting, and Singing of Devotional/Patriotic Songs are included. Open to all children aged 7-12, it welcomed 84 children in 2022-23.

(e) Language & Communication: English language sessions are conducted in multiple batches at two different levels.

(f) Lend Thy Hand: A group of volunteers takes part in commendable initiatives, such as organizing Medical camps, distributing blankets to the needy during winter, conducting Cleaning drives, assisting students in paying their school fees, providing rations to families in need, and aiding disadvantaged individuals in accessing different Government schemes.

(g) Ka Jingshai - The Light: This trilingual (Khasi, English, and Hindi) e-zine was inaugurated on 27th April 2020 by Most Revered Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj, President, Ramakrishna Math, and Ramakrishna Mission. It serves as a platform for intellectual and cultural exchange, and two issues were published during 2022-23.

 

The Vivekananda Cultural Centre also celebrates several significant events throughout the year:

(a) National Youth Day: On 12th January, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, the center observes the National Youth Day, focusing on youth development and offering opportunities for discussions and facing present challenges.

(b) Foundation Day: 27th April is celebrated as the Foundation Day, commemorating the day Swami Vivekananda inaugurated the Quinton Hall in 1901 at the same location where the Institute stands today. This day is celebrated with cultural shows, discussions, feasting, and formal welcoming and farewell events for Sanskriti and Drawing and Painting students.

(c) Cultural Competition: The center organizes various competitions like drawing and painting, recitation in multiple languages, debate, essay, quiz, etc., for students from nursery to college level. These competitions take place during Saturdays and Sundays in July and August, attracting around 3,000 participants every year.

(d) Teachers' Day: On 5th September, the students themselves honor and appreciate their teachers, and the Institute provides infrastructural support for the celebrations.

(e) Children's Day: Observed on the nearest Sunday and Saturday of 14th November, Children's Day is a special occasion for all Sanskriti and Drawing and Painting students. The day is filled with fun, songs, and games, and students take a pledge to become better individuals in the days to come.

The Vivekananda Cultural Centre, with its rich history, diverse offerings, and cultural celebrations, continues to be a beacon of learning, growth, and values in Shillong.

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A tri-lingual e-zine of Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong

portraying the culture and spirituality of Meghalaya in a universal context through art, poetry, literature and humour.