Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
Ramakrishna Mission, Khetri organized seminars, exhibitions, and cultural programs under 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', the first phase, from 29 to 31 July 2022.The three-day program was divided into seminars and talks delivered by experts, well-versed in the areas of history, culture, heritage, museology, and the contribution of Swami Vivekananda and Rabindranath Tagore to the freedom movement and nationalism.
The afternoons were devoted to various activities like exhibiting Rajasthani architecture and heritage, and conducting heritage walks through the ancient temples, Havellis and Bawris of the Khetri town. In the evenings, professional cultural groups from various parts of Rajasthan presented vignettes of traditional Rajasthani and other folk and classical instrumental music, traditional dance forms, and vocal music.
The above programs were attended enthusiastically by the local people, school and college students, teachers, etc. On an average, 250 people attended the functions each of the three days.
Ramakrishna Mission, Khetri dedicated the second phase of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' to Swami Vivekananda and celebrated it as 'Vivek Chintan Utsav' on 4, 5, 6, and 12 August 2022. The Vivek Chintan Utsav comprised of cultural competition programs held among school children across Jhunjhunu district on the topics of life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, inspiring facts from the lives of freedom fighters, etc.
In all 516 students from 18 schools in the district participated in the competition programs. Momentos, books, and certificates were given to the first, second, and third position holders. All other participants were given participation certificates and books on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
From 11 to 13 August 2022, cultural programs under phase 2 of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' were organized with a team of traditional singers from Alwar presenting 'Bhapang' bhajans; a performance by famous folk singer of Rajasthan, Amer Naja Saheb and his party; devotional songs presentation by the famous bhajan singer from Mumbai, Shri Om Prakash Srivatsav.
Khetri Virasat Divas
Swami Vivekananda, on his return from America in 1897, reached Khetri on 12 December 1897 and was accorded a gala welcome by Raja Ajit Singh and the Khetri residents at Panna Shah Talab. The historical day is celebrated as 'Khetri Virasat Divas' each year.This year, a morning procession (Prabhat Pheri) of 1200 schoolchildren marched through the town to remind people about the significance of the day. A live tableau of Raja Ajit Singh bringing Swami Vivekananda in a horse carriage was positioned in a procession leading from the Ajit-Vivek Museum to Panna Shah Talab; prominent spots and many houses of the town were illumined.Vivek Deepavali' was organized at the Panna Shah Talab, which was decorated with 8000 deepaks and colourful focus lights. A dance drama namely 'Shri Krishna Lila' by the Shri Nikunj Vihari Rashlila Trust,Vrindavan was performed before an audience of about one thousand people.The Khetri Centre conducted cultural competitions in which 479 students from 20 schools and colleges took part and was also attended by teachers, volunteers, local guests, etc., numbering to 207. Prizes were distributed to the winners at the end of the competitions. Food packets were served to all.