Dedicated to India’s growth – Bharat Vikas Parishad

by Shrutee K/DNS

Bharat Vikas Parishad is a distinct organization of enlightened citizens dedicated to the services of our Motherland. This was launched in 1963, the centenary year of Swami Vivekananda and is a social service and a non political organization. Its objective is to build a society based on Indian culture through the projects of refinement and service in the society with cooperation from the resourceful people.

Talking about constitution of the Bharat Vikas Parishat and its functioning, member of the Mumbai Prant Executive Committee and Programme Coordinator, Mr. Ravi Prakash said that, “Organisationally, the Parishad has been divided into 7 regions and 71 provinces. Branches comes under the prant. At present there are over 1400 branches of the Parishad across the country and its number is growing consistently.”

The Parishad conducts its activities based on five foundations of contact, cooperation, refinement, service and dedication. Elaborating these five foundations, the Parishad’s spokesperson said that, “Under the service projects by the Parishad several work are done including assistance to the physically challenged persons, health camps, tribal assistance, assistance to the poor students, which the society needs. Objective of the refinement programme is to instill the sacrament into the children studying in schools. Towards this goal programmes like Gurus’ worship, students’ acclamation, National Group Song Competition, Bharat Ko Jaano and Child Sacrament Camps are organized.”

Citing the refinement programmes, Mr. Ravi Prakash informed that, “During National Group Song Competition (NGSC)of patriotic songs is organized amongst the school students, both boys and girls which runs into various stages. It begins at the branch level wherein students of the schools falling under jurisdiction of that branch participate. The branch level winner team participates in the prant level competition and the prant winner team competes in the regional competition and then the regional winner team enters into the competition at National level. Under this competition Sanskrit and folk songs competition is also organized.

Similarly, BHARAT KO JANO competition is also organized in different stages like the NGSC. In this competition questions on history, geography, culture, religion. Literature, science, sports, Constitution, scriptures, etc. about India are asked. This begins with a written examination in the schools. The winning team of school is nominated for oral examination in the Branch.”

He further elaborated that, “For the BHARAT KO JANO competition almost 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh copies of Bharat Ko Jaano book is distributed by the Parishad every year. This book, published by the Parishad, is very popular as a reference book for higher competitive examinations.”

On a question about the organizational strength of Bharat Vikas Parishad in Maharashtra, he informed that, “Maharashtra has been divided into three prants geographically – Maharashtra Mumbai Prant, Maharasthra Konkan Prant and Maharashtra West Prant. All these three prants belongs to the Western Regiona. The executive committee of the organization is elected for two years.

When asked about the future plans of Maharashtra Mumbai Prant, he said that, “This year, along with the permanent projects, several new projects are also under consideration of the new Executive. Also, our focus will be on expansion of the branches along with increasing the number of members this year.”