‘Sponsor a Child program’ by Uthishta shows the way!

On 2nd June, a handful of enthusiastic youths from Bangalore have visited Waynad to participate in a small function organized at a school in Kaniyampatta. It was to express their solidarity towards the weaker sections of our society and also to hand over the amount they have collected as part of their “Sponsor a Child” program. They were representing a Bangalore based organization called Uthishta which was formed in 2008 with an aim to channelize the creative energies of youths towards social service activities. Uthishta considers Swami Vivekananda as it’s ideological icon. Uthishta has been doing many such activities for the last five years which included cultural as well as spiritual programs. This time they are sponsoring the educational expenditures of 54 tribal students who stay at tribal student hostels run by Vanavasi Vikasa Kendram. Apart from their regular service activities, every year they select an organization which is doing outstanding work in the area of social service, for their prestigious Uthishta Seva Puraskar.

The humble function started with the lighting of the lamp by Sri Palliyara Raman, the well known tribal leader from Waynad. It was followed by prayer sung by the students of the school. Following the president’s address by Sri N K Raju, the students who scored high marks in the SSLC were facilitated. All those senior students who passed out this year were also given mementos. Uthishta representatives handed over an amount of Rs 3,25,000/- to Sri Palliyara Raman.

Sri Gopalankutty Master delivered the keynote address. In his thought provoking speech, he said: “We, who are more fortunate to have the comforts of life need to understand the difficulties and struggles of our brothern living in villages and come forward to support them. It should not be considered as a help, but it should be considered as a worship and service, as Swami Vivekananda had pointed it out once. Though organizations like Uthishta occasionally come forward to serve weaker sections, there is much more to be done. There are innumerable number of our brothers and sisters who require real support. With the consistent efforts of organizations like Vanavasi Vikasa Kendram, many of the students from tribal families could reach degree levels. Some could even complete professional courses like engineering. It needs consistent support from well wishers for longer periods to achieve a substantial change in the lives of weaker sections of our society. He said, the name of the organization Uthishta brings two images in his mind. Firstly about a group of people who are already awaken.  Secondly a group who try to awaken their fellow countrymen. He said, by doing such activities Uthishta confirms to both these interpretations of it’s name”.

Niveditha Vidya Nikethan, where the function was held has two acres of land which was contributed by a well wisher few years ago. A Lakshmi Narasimhaswami temple and a boys hostel for tribal students also function from the same compound. Vanavasi Vikasa Kendram expects more such well wishers to come forward to support it’s efforts to build a headquarters which includes a research center.

After the function, a  feast was served to all the participants. All the participants felt happy and satisfied to offer such a meaningful seva at the feet of Swami Vivekananda on his 150th birth anniversary year.

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