Vivekananda Kendra, Shimla Branch celebrated Sadhana Divas on 20th November, 2011 in its premises wherein the following programmes were conducted.
- The celebration started with Havan in the morning at 8 a.m. Sri Mansamaram Gautamji was the priest and Sri Ashutosh Agarwal, Sah Sanyojak was the Yajaman. The Havan was attended by around 100 persons.
- From 10.00 am to 1.00 pm, a free Clinical Testing Camp was organised in the premises of Kendra in collaboration with Bharat Vikas Parishad, Shimla. The following tests were done during the camp – Blood Test, Sugar Test, Urine Test, Stool Test, RFT, LFT, TFT. Around 150 beneficiaries availed of this opportunity. Some reports were given on the same day. The remaining reports were given on 22nd November. The lab team included 6 technicians.
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Simultaneously, competitions were conducted for the children of the different age groups (from 4 years age to 18 years age), in the community hall of the Kendra and on the grounds in front of the Kendra. The competitions included Toffee Race, Painting, Running race, Skipping. Around 120 children participated in the competitions.
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The Sadhana Divas function was conducted at 2.30 pm in the community hall. Sri Rati Ram Varma, Director General of Police (Retd), Himachal Pradesh and Chairman (Retd), Public Service Commission, Himachal Pradesh was the Chief Guest. He exhorted the children and elders to follow the principles of Swami Vivekananda and follow the path of Yoga. The Chief guest also gave away the prizes to the first, second and third place holders in each competition. Apart from that, each participant was also given a momento. Su. Paramjeet Kaur spoke about the life and work of Eknathji and the importance of the Sadhana diwas. The programme was attended by around 175 persons.
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Breakfast was served in the morning to all those present. There was also a Bhandara (Lunch) in the afternoon. Around 450 persons partook of the Prasad in the Bhandara.
The highlight of this year’s function is the whole hearted participation of the local persons, including the cooking, donating material and money (i.e. Tan, Man aur Dhan). Sri Gopal Chand Gupta announced a donation of Rs. 2 lakh to VK Shimla for the construction of community hall.
