‘One’- An International Youth Camp, Celebrating 150th Year of Swami Vivekananda
Date: Tue Sep 17, 2013 - Sat Sep 21, 2013
Location: Sri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture, Shillong , Hosts: Asian Confluence
Location: Sri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture, Shillong , Hosts: Asian Confluence
In collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Nehru Yuva Kendra, Asian Confluence organised a five-day International Youth Camp named ‘One’, to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The event was held at the campus of Sri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture, which successfully brought in youth delegations from across India, especially from the north-eastern region, and Southeast Asian countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. The purpose was to foster people-to-people interaction across borders; to discuss and deliberate on key contemporary issues, and promote the indigenous cultures of India through various panel discussions, keynote lectures, and cultural programmes. It was envisaged that all these efforts would encourage the youth to take up developmental initiatives in the region, in sync with India’s Look East Policy.
DAY 1 - 17th September 2013:
The camp was inaugurated by Dr. K. K. Paul, Governor of Meghalaya, upon which he delivered a keynote address of the inaugural panel discussion ‘Setting the tone’. The panel discussion was chaired by R. G. Lyngdoh, Vice-Chancellor, Martin Luther Christian University and former Home Minister of Meghalaya.
Dr Paul touched on the predicament that most of the young population caught up in when pursuing their careers “due to their secret fear to face the unknown, struggle, competition, frustration and failure”. Paul also spoke at length on various issues facing by the present generation. In his closing remarks, he emphasised on having a trade and investment protocol, and bilateral relationship through tourism, culture, research etc., which he deemed absolute necessary and the need of the hour.
Chairman of the State Planning Board and former Chief Minister, S. C. Marak, said that the nation is going through a difficult phase. Recollecting Swami Vivekanand’s belief on the youth and their ability to shape the future of a country, Mr Marak emphasised on its relevance in this day and age. He also insisted on having an education system which integrates both spiritual tradition and latest advancement in science and technology.
Dr B. B. Dutta, former Shillong parliamentarian, in speaking about the various civilisations that co-exist in the Northeastern region stated that “there is a need to support and strengthen this confluence of the current and cross-current controls”. He added that the Youth Camp is thus an initiative to “bring forth the strength and power of the Indian Civilization to the present generation.”
P. P. Shrivastav, former member of the North Eastern Council, pointed that materialism progress without spirituality, will lead India on the path of destruction like the West. He said that the “youth have to understand the past and look at the future and plan for the future.” He warned that if India does not imbibe spirituality in its basic construct, then it will surely become like the countries in the West that have already reached the apex and experiencing economic sluggishness.
Keynote lectures were delivered by Dr Bala Subramanium, founder, Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement, and Professor, Cornell University, USA and Adjunct Professor, University of Iowa, USA; Dr Gora Datta, group chairman, Cal2Cal Corporation and World Bank ICT Expert; Fr. VM Thomas, Director, Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati; Dr Karan Singh, Chairman, ICCR and Rajya Sabha Member and Dr Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya in the span of five days. The entire event was a great mix of panel discussions and cultural programmes, held together by the mastery of Sadhna Shrivastav, noted filmmaker from New Delhi.
Later in the evening, the audience was treated with a cultural evening of various indigenous dance forms of Meghalaya in its full glory. The stage was also set for a dance recital by the Hojagiri dance troupe from Tripura, who enthralled the audience with a scintillating performance.
Lou Majaw, Meghalaya’s own legend, a musician of distinction, song writer and winner of several awards, received a standing ovation from the audience for his fun-filled musical performance. Majaw brought the audience together with his music as they continued singing together.
DAY 2 - 18th September 2013:
The event continued on the following day with a second panel discussion on ‘Tracing a common history’ which was delivered by Dr Gora Datta, who is the group chairman of Cal2Cal Corporation, and World Bank ICT Expert. He touched upon the historical links at a social, political, and anthropological level that tied the north-eastern region and neighbouring Southeast Asian countries together. The eventful day ended with a musical performance by Summersalt band, a folk band from Shillong.
DAY 3 - 19th September 2013:
On the third day of the event, Dr. Karan Singh Rajya Sabha, M.P. addressed the youth which he gave fourfold tips on Sadhana. He also lamented that Indian education does not lay emphasis upon Indian spiritual scriptures. He said that it is strange to notice that right from KG to PhD there is no reference to Indian philosophical thought.
DAY 4 - 20th September 2013:
Geeta Mahalik, renowned Odissi exponent, enthralled the audience with her spellbinding performance on the fourth day of the youth camp. The lively performance received much appreciation from the audience as Geeta donned the traditional garb and showcased the Indian classical dance form along with her entire troupe.
DAY 5 - 21st September 2013:
On the final day, Dr. Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, spoke with conviction as he addressed the young audience and later in the evening, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj, renowned classical vocalist, along with local musicians like Pynter Orchestra, and Kerios Wahlang Nongtathiang, exhibited an enthralling performance. The event also showcased simultaneous live paintings by two renowned artist of the region, Rafael Warjri and Benedict Hynniewta. The fascinating performances were the perfect way to bid adieu to the Youth Camp which proved to be an excellent platform to showcase local talent and foster cultural exchange in the last five days.
