Centre at Lucknow

A large section of Indian youth is not only unemployed but unemployable. The unemployment of youth is the biggest problem faced by the country today, with far-reaching and negative implications. All this has a psychological effect on the youth, which leads them to question their self-confidence and express bitterness about their future. Therefore, this segment of our population would require multi-dimensional interventions and programmes to enable them realize their multi-faceted innate potential. Ramakrishna Math, Lucknow will not only engages itself in individual counseling to the youths but also organizes lectures, seminars, symposia, workshops, etc. for inspiring the youth and also spread its activities in the villages by organizing Youth Conferences in remote villages.

Ramakrishna Missions’ entire proposal for the celebration of Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary spanning four years from 2011 to 2014 has been termed ‘Celebrations of Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary through sustained value education programme, emphasizing thereby the great importance given to value education. For, Swami Vivekananda believed and taught that the right type of education that would inculcate higher human values—what he called man-making and character-building education—can alone bring about individual and collective wellbeing and emancipation from the shackles of ignorance in whatever form. Value education thus encompasses all round human development at various levels—physical, vital, mental, intellectual and aesthetic, it is therefore in the fitness of things that a major chunk of the programmes marking the historic occasion of Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations is devoted to special youth programmes with particular emphasis on value education.

Setting of Youth Counselling Cells and centre for positive thinking, Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math has undertaken this youth counseling programme with the Central Government funds. At present, the operational aspect of these Centres is envisaged as follows. Each of these Centres will have a library containing some basic books (on value education, Swami Vivekananda’s life and message, elevating and inspiring lives from various fields, on science and technology written from the perspective of the struggles undergone by the scientists etc.). There will be senior and mature resource persons who could be trained counsellors, psychology experts, as well as senior monks, dedicated teachers, parents who have been successful in various walks of life etc. There will be periodical (say weekly) gatherings, discussions, readings, interactions, etc. in addition to individual one-on-one counselling sessions for the seeking youth. Most importantly, these Centres will form service groups (like Peace Corps) called Vivekananda Service Corps and undertake selfless service activities in various directions—educational, medical (health/hygiene awareness), etc.

The centre will cater to the psychological needs of the young between 13 and 24 years and offer them the right guidance. The aim is to deal with the hopes, aspirations, anxiety and fears, depression and agonies of the youth.

"As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the latest thinking is to prevent mental illness by promoting mental health through community-based and pro-active rather than reactive approach with the ideal prevention is better than cure. Negative thinking, depression, anxiety are becoming a common feature among youth. India tops the list of suicide cases in the world in 2011-12 according to a worldwide survey.

As a part of the programme, psychiatrists, counsellors and monks would reach out to schools, colleges and universities in and around Lucknow as well as in remote rural and semi-urban areas to conduct Counselling, workshop and seminars which would spread life skills and education through direct interaction.

In order to reach out to more youngsters, the programme also incorporates internet services include a video conferencing, answers to queries and sessions through email etc. Ramakrishna Math, Nirala Nagar, Lucknow has already made a humble beginning from September 1st, 2012. Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, Secretary, Secondary Education and Chief Guest for the inaugural function.