Appeal

Dear friends

Swami Vivekananda prophesied that "the spiritual impact that has come to Belur [Math] will last fifteen hundred years; and it will be a great university. Do not think I imagine it; I see it." On another occasion, he wrote: "Now, the aim is to gradually develop this [Belur] Math into an all round university." This vision of a University at Belur has been the theme of reverential contemplation for all his followers and devotees for nearly a century. Ramakrishna Mission's newly established University at Belur, declared by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India under Section 3 of University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, is a humble first step in this direction. The University was originally known as Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI). It was subsequently renamed Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University as permitted by UGC. This fledgling University was inaugurated on 4 July 2005, the day of mahasamadhi of Swami Vivekananda.

Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University is a University with a difference. Its uniqueness consists in (i) the emphasis on certain thrust areas which are also gap areas in that these areas scarcely receive any attention in the conventional universities in India, (ii) the multi-campus character of the University--it operates through a wide network of specialized Faculty Centres in these thrust areas located in different parts of India at the various branch-centres of Ramakrishna Mission some of which have been working in these areas for decades, (iii) the inculcation of higher human values to impart man-making, life-building and character-building education as envisaged by Swami Vivekananda-value-based education forms the essential component of all the courses run by the University.

To start with, the following thrust areas have been chosen:

1. Disability Management and Special Education
2. Integrated Rural Development including Tribal Development
3. Disaster Management including Relief and Rehabilitation
4. Indian Cultural and Spiritual Heritage and Value Education
5. Fundamental sciences--integrated teaching and research

We have already been able activize the first three areas through our centres at Coimbatore, (Tamil Nadu), Narendrapur (West Bengal), Ranchi (Jharkhand), Belur (West Bengal) and Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral House (Kolkata, West Bengal). The following courses and programmes are being offered at present:

1. B.Ed. and M.Ed. courses as well as M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes in Disability Management and Special Education (Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment and Mental Retardation)
2. Courses in ‘General & Adapted Physical Education and Yoga’ including Special Olympics meant especially for mentally retarded children--the first of its kind in Asia by any University
3. M.Sc. courses in Integrated Rural Development and Management (IRDM) as well as Integrated Rural and Tribal Development and Management (IRTDM)
4. Postgraduate Diploma course in Agro-based Bio-technology
5. Diploma courses in ‘Integrated Self-Development’-Meditation and Spiritual Life, Essentials of Indian Cultural and Spiritual Heritage etc.
6. Integrated M.A. course in Sanskrit, M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes in Sanskrit Studies
7. Doctoral and post-doctoral programmes in Mathematical Sciences (Theoretical Physics, Pure Mathematics, Theoretical Computer Science), Philosophy, Literature, Ramakrishna-Vivekananda thought, Translation Studies, Consciousness Studies etc.

Our well-established centres specializing in these areas, although having the basic infrastructure, will need considerable updating to meet the requirements at the University level. We therefore need to create a sizeable corpus fund--at least 5 crores in the next couple of years--to strengthen the foundations of the University and make it grow further. We therefore appeal to all the friends, devotees, followers, well-wishers and admirers of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda ideology to contribute generously for building up such a corpus fund. On an extremely moderate note, even if each of the millions of devotees of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda ideology spread all over the globe contributes, say, Rs.1000–10000 each in a year, we should be able build up a sizeable fund in a few years.

Cheques and drafts may be drawn in favour of ‘Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Belur Math’, or its old name, ‘RKMVERI, Belur Math’. We are glad to say that the Government of India has granted 100% income tax exemption for our University under Section 80G, subsection 2(a) (iiif) of the Income Tax Act, 1961--a special provision applicable to universities and academic institutions of national eminence--by an Order issued by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. All donations to the University will therefore be eligible for 100% exemption from income tax as per this Order.

We do hope that the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda devotees all the world over would respond in a big way towards fulfilling Swami Vivekananda’s vision articulated just on the eve of his mahasamadhi.

Yours in the service of humanity

Swami Atmapriyananda
Vice Chancellor

Belur Math, 15 September 2007