New Book: Thoughts for the Modern Woman Inspired by theHoly Mother Sarada Devi

The role of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi cannot be overlooked in the lives of at least two of India’s most revered and iconic individuals. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa revered the Holy Mother, his wife, as a divinity within a physical form. Respect to her was equally paid by Swami Vivekananda and all his brother monks for whom she was an epitome of unconditional love and strength and wisdom.

Those who have studied the lives and beliefs of both these saints and seekers realize how the Holy Mother was able to inspire them to realize the Supreme reality that exists as the core of Sanatan Dharma. Many illuminating aspects of Herteachings continue to be relevant even now, and need to be highlighted because their values transcend the limitations of time. 

The booklet, ‘Thoughts for the Modern Woman Inspired by the Holy Mother Sarada Devi’ is the outcome of a talk delivered by Smt Madhuri Santanam Sondhi at Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, (VKIC), Guwahati in 2006. It brings into focus issues that trouble us today, challenges that the Holy Mother too faced and overcame with élan. In so doing, the author questions notions of ‘modernity’ and presents the Holy Mother as an embodiment of modern values not ‘in the details of her dress and conduct, but in the essentials of the thought and freedom which lay behind her choices in behaviour.’ 

The author reinforces the idea that much can be achieved to empower and emancipate a woman if the ideals of the Holy Mother are embraced by society. It will appeal to women in India and abroad regardless of cultural and social variance.

Price Rs 40
ISBN: 978-93-83079-13-1

Book Release : Development Through Culture – Concept, Dynamics, Road Ahead

Culture is the real strength of a nation; it reflects the genius of her people applied to and visible in all spheres of life. This includes history, heritage and worldview – a special approach to life peculiar to them. It is particularly true in regard to India, where culture and spirituality has ancient roots. 

 
There is an acute need to evolve a model of development that includes indices which reflect our psyche – of inclusiveness, familial, socio-cultural, community responsibilities, of happiness, of thrift – in short, an extremely potent social capital.Development interventions should leverage the social capital in terms of community institutions and social arrangements to support holistic economic wellness of the people. 

 
To usher in intellectual discourse that can reach towards that model the Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture organized Sri S. Gurmurthy’s talks in Guwahati and Itanagar. A thinker, a renowned economist, who had studied development patterns of several communities of India in depth and over a long period in time, Gurumurthyji arrives at the conclusion that a culture-driven model of development is not just an alternative model but the only sustainable model of development.

 
The Second Edition of Development Through Culture also contains an Epilogue providing a bird’s eye view of the present economic scenario and the need to press ahead with this model. The book is an outcome of original thinking of an economist of high caliber, and it presents an argument that is robust and well-reasoned. 

 
“I am sure that this discourse initiated by him on Culture and Development will be intensely discussed and debated to create a truly acceptable and effective model of development for wider application,” writes Sri Kashinath Hazarika, former Chairman North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd.

ISBN: 978-93-83079-14-8
Price : `.100/-