RKVM: Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission has long been serving the society through various Social, Philanthropic and Welfare activities with the ideals of Swami Vivekananda by running educational institutions from primary to higher studies, medical services, orphanage home & education for special child, worship & spiritual discourses, old-age home, spread of value education, rehabilitation & rural development, vocational skill-oriented training etc. through various centres of Mission all over India.
A Dream of Swami Nityananda: Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission was established on 1 November, 1976, as new organization with 20 distressed tribal boys. The fundamental objectives of the Mission was to undertake social, cultural, educational, medical, spiritual and welfare activities for the masses particularly for the benefit of poor, orphans, destitute, disabled and backward classes irrespective of caste, creed, religions and regions as propagated by Swami Vivekananda.
Background
Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission, a voluntary organization located at 7, River Side Road, P.O. Barrackpore, District North 24-Parganas, West Bengal and registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1961 of the Government of West Bengal, has long been trying to serve the society through various philanthropic activities like managing orphanages, hospitals, schools, training-cum-job centres, to meet the requirements of the destitute and persons in distress with the objective of making them self reliant. There are 36 activity centers spread over West Bengal, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chattishgarh and Odisha. Rev Swami Nityanandaji Maharaj worked hard for long 20 years to setup a University, so it has become Mission’s responsibility to fulfill his dream.
Accordingly, keeping in mind the vision of Swami Nityanandaji, the Mission has decided to extend its area of activities to University Education by setting up a new private University in West Bengal through State Legislature to be named after ‘Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa’. It is understood that as of now there is no such University in India in the name of ‘Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa’.
Objectives
Broadly speaking, as visualized so far, the proposed University will primarily impart attitude of tolerance to all religions of the world through education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased and the intellect is expanded. The idea is to impart education to the students in a manner which will make them gradually attain higher level of humanism which in turn will help them to play constructive role in building and developing institutions of importance and excellence to the Country and thus help in nation building as envisaged by Swami Vivekananda. To begin with, it will be a State level University; however, efforts will be made for its development in such a manner that its branches can be established in other States also. Eventually, the proposed University should also attain national and international recognition by attaining excellence in all spheres of its aimed activities.
Need for a New University
At present, there are more than 1000 Universities in India compared to only 7 at the time of independence. However, there is a consensus that this quantitative growth of higher education has not led to equivalent qualitative advancement. Moreover, today’s higher education in India has not generated in the mind of the young students tolerance and respect for all religious as preached and practiced by Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa, the needs of moral and spiritual development, love and concern for other, and spirit of dedication to the cause of the nation. Higher education is no longer seen in most institutions as an instrument of Social Change in tune with the spiritual harmony and tradition of the Country. Basic tenets of all religions of the world are same as stated in our Rik Veda “একং সদ্ বিপ্রাঃ বহুধা বদন্তি”- One Truth expressed differently by the Learned.
Consequently, the noble sentiments expressed in the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution, which is often seen as a charter of social change in the country, have remained unimplemented to a large extent. The contemporary education is typically based on text book knowledge and information within a value-free framework.
The proposed University will, therefore, attempt to fill up this vacuum to impart education on the ideals of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa in so far as its basic purpose would be to disseminate knowledge and ideas that would help a student to achieve, to quote Sri Ramakrishna, “the manifestation of Shiva in Jiva” through the guidelines of National Education Policy 2020.
Special Characteristics of the Proposed University
Having in view these ideals, the University would have six main streams, namely, Humanities, Theoretical and Applied Science, Business Management, Engineering, Rural Development and Agriculture. Although the process of teaching will be through the formal methods of lectures, demonstrations, research projects, pilot projects, thesis preparation, tutorials, etc., attempt will be made to ensure that the students are made aware of the fundamental duties of the citizens as listed in Article 51A of Indian Constitution, which are, “preserving the rich heritage of our composite culture, developing scientific temper, humanism, spirit of enquiry, promoting harmony and common brotherhood among all the people, transcending religious, regional and linguistic disparities. Knowledge about the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa will be made mandatory for both the Teachers and the Taught of this University.
The Jurisdiction
Initially the University will start functioning at 3, B.T. Road, Agarpara, Kolkata- 700058 West Bengal with a vision to open branches in all the states of India both in rural and urban Sectors/areas.
Location
The Proposed University will have two wings – rural and urban. As such, a big plot of land has been purchased at Joyrambati, Bankura to setup an Institution of Rural Technology and Management which will form the nucleus of the University in rural sector. This rural wing being located in this less developed part of the state of West Bengal will cater to the needs of the students of Hooghly, Birbhum, Bankura, East and West Midnapur and Purulia districts. The urban wing will come up at Mission Campus 3, B.T. Road, Agarpara, Kolkata- 700058 located at the northern outskirts of Kolkata where Spirituality, Indian Culture, Arts, Law, Music, Science, Technology and Management courses will be introduced to provide higher education & training for coming from the various sectors and strata of the society.
Depending on the availability of suitable sites, the planning of the University infrastructure and its functions will have to be suitably tailored to the ground realities.
Funding of the Project
It goes without saying is obvious that quite a substantial amount of funding will be required for the proposed University. The Mission expects that funds will not be lacking for a noble cause like this.
Accordingly, it is expected that generous contributions from the citizens of this country, as also the Non-Resident Indians and last but not the least, the ex-students of the Mission will inspire substantial mobilization of funds over a period. To start with, the Mission will need seed money for this purpose, however, small it may be. Donors will get exemption under 80G of I.T. Act on their contribution. Rev. Swami Nityanandaji Maharaj tried his level best to raise some funds for this project which is now lying with the Mission and will be judiciously utilized to start the new venture.
Academic Programme
At the beginning the following courses compatible to National Education Policy 2020 will be offered by the University to the students at a low cost:- PG- MBA, MCA, M.Sc., (Food & Nutrition) and MSW, English; UG- BCA, BBA, B.Sc.(Food & Nutrition), BSW, Psychology, English, Sanskrit, Bengali. Emphasis will be given on modern Law, Science and Technology to attract students not only from all parts of India but from other countries as well. Later on more employment oriented courses will come up in a phased manner.
Appeal
We do hereby appeal to all students, alumni, staff, teachers, members, well wishers and followers of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa to join hands with us to materialize this noble project in whatever means possible for them. Please take this responsibility as your worship of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa for spreading his name and message in and through this University for a better world established in harmony.
Circulated by Swami Nityarupananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission, Barrackpore, West Bengal, India.