Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Maharashtra Prant, Konkan Vibhag, Badlapur Nagar, in association with Adarsh Vidya Prasarak Sanstha, Kulgaon-Badlapur, organized PRAGATI (Programme for Rationale, Agile, Genuine, Accurate, Transforming Intelligence) on Saturday, 26th April 2025. The day-long event was held from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the auditorium of Adarsh Vidya Prasarak Sanstha, Kulgaon-Badlapur.
The primary objective of the programme was to enhance the teaching approach of school and college educators, enabling them to actively contribute to the vision of a Vikasit (developed) and Samarth (empowered) Bharat by inspiring their students to adopt the motto of Rashtra Pratham (Nation First). The event witnessed participation from 200 people, including 175 teachers across primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels, along with 25 Karyakartas from Vivekananda Kendra.
The event was graced by eminent speakers including Shri Radhakrishnan Pillai — renowned author, leadership speaker, and scholar of Chanakya Niti — and Major (Retd.) Mohini Garge-Kulkarni, author of Aparajita, a book on Bharatiya Veerangana in the last 2000 years history of Bharat. Distinguished guests such as Meenatai Deshpande, Amrut Parivar Pramukh of Konkan Vibhag, along with honourable committee members of Adarsh Vidya Prasarak Sanstha along with school Headmaster, section Headmasters, and the college principal were also present.
The programme began with a tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Shri. Pillai conducted the first session, which was followed by Major Garge-Kulkarni’s address after lunch. After the lunch break, participants engaged in the soulful rendition of the Kendra Geet “Nirmano ke pawan yug mein”, followed by two energizing Kendra games that uplifted the spirit of the gathering. An introduction to Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari and the activities of the Badlapur Nagar branch was also shared, with a call for active participation from the attendees. The programme concluded with the singing of Sampurna Vande Mataram, commemorating its 150th year.
Shri. Radhakrishnan Pillai emphasized four foundational aspects of holistic education: (i) physical fitness, (ii) emotional stability, (iii) intellectual depth, and (iv) spiritual integrity. He encouraged teachers to first cultivate these qualities in themselves and then impart them to students. He encouraged teachers to use appropriate tools of intelligence and technology to enhance their teaching methods and to adopt a harmonious blend of Western methodologies and Indian spiritual educational traditions. He also highlighted the need to maintain a joyful and sharp mind through regular yoga, exercise, reading, writing, and artistic expression. Mr. Pillai urged teachers to thoroughly study their academic subjects to present them more effectively and engagingly to students. Moreover, he recommended dedicating a portion of classroom time to share inspiring information, historical insights, and national initiatives to instill patriotism among students.
Major (Retd.) Mohini Garge-Kulkarni shared her inspiring journey in the Indian Army, from the selection process to her retirement and life thereafter. She emphasized that the qualities upheld by army personnel—discipline, resilience, and dedication—are equally essential in teachers and students to shape a brighter future for the nation. Highlighting the importance of team spirit, she spoke about the shift from an individual mindset (“me”) to a collective one (“we”) as a crucial step towards nation-building. She encouraged everyone to understand their capabilities, face challenges with available resources, and stay focused on their goals without being distracted by trivial matters or concerns over personal recognition. Stressing the value of honesty, competence, and the principle of “nation first,” she underlined the importance of leading by example. According to her, teachers and students should cultivate good habits, enhance their physical and mental abilities through consistent practice, discipline, reading, writing, and engagement with the arts—thereby developing strong leadership qualities through ground-level action and personal integrity.
The PRAGATI programme served as a meaningful platform for educators to introspect, learn, and realign their teaching methodologies with the broader goal of national transformation.
