... and all the strength it takes to pursue, persist and persevere. We welcome a touching poem and the heart warming articles, by first time contributors to this edition of the VIVA blog. Stay inspired!
Finding Purpose
by Radhika Narayanan, Bengaluru
Beyond the Battle: Learning to Expand Myself
by Pallavi Srivastava, Mumbai
At the time of my cancer diagnosis, I was working as the In-charge of the Middle Wing in a reputed school in Faridabad. As a facilitator of the Awakened Citizen Program (ACP), I encouraged children to be heroic, expand themselves, become self-aware, and discover the immense potential within them. I never imagined that life would ask me to practise these lessons under such difficult circumstances.
Cancer came into my life when I was already facing personal struggles and financial uncertainty. My husband was not beside me through this journey. My daughter was preparing for her board examinations, I was fighting a legal battle to rebuild my life, and my financial resources were almost exhausted. In those moments of vulnerability, my friends and family became my pillars of strength.
The lessons of ACP became my inner compass. Being heroic taught me that courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to move forward despite it. Expanding myself helped me look beyond my suffering and recognise that I was more than my circumstances. Self-awareness allowed me to acknowledge my pain without letting it define me. The idea of discovering our inner potential reminded me that even in our darkest moments, there is strength waiting to be uncovered.
I continued working during chemotherapy, rested for just two weeks after surgery, and continued working during radiation. Work gave me purpose and helped me retain a sense of normalcy.
Life eventually opened a new door. A few months later, I found a life partner, and today I am happily settled in Mumbai, serving as the Vice Principal of a reputed school.
Looking back, I realise that ACP was not just a programme I facilitated; it was a philosophy I came to live. Life taught me that we may not control every circumstance, but we can choose our response, discover our inner strength, and keep expanding into the person we are capable of becoming. Sometimes, our most painful chapters prepare us for the most beautiful new beginnings.
My Experience at Vivekananda Innovation Hackathon
by Sarisha Jhingan, Delhi
Our Vivekananda Innovation Hackathon journey began at 8pm, with exhausted minds, empty stomachs and nothing but a problem statement to work with. Organised by Delhi Technological University in collaboration with Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Institute of Values, the hackathon almost didn't happen for us! Coincidentally, my teammates Arihant, Agamya, Hardik and I all had vivas scheduled that day and we were seriously considering skipping the event altogether. A special shoutout to Akshath, who stayed on top of the registration process and kept our team's participation alive while the rest of us were caught up with our academic commitments. But with ₹500 already invested as a team, backing out wasn't an option either. Little did we know that showing up so late would turn into an experience we will remember for a long time…
Swami Vivekananda's words, "All power is within you; you can do anything and everything," felt particularly relevant to our journey. Arriving late with barely any preparation, we had every reason to doubt ourselves yet we managed to build something we were proud of. Through Swami Says, we realised that his teachings are far more than historical quotations; they carry timeless lessons on self-belief, courage and resilience. Our challenge was to make this wisdom accessible through technology without compromising its authenticity.
Vivek Marg Think Tank: Reflections That Stay with Me
by Siddharth Ganapathi, Bengaluru
My experience with the Vivek Marg Think Tank has been an enlightening journey of self-discovery. Throughout the program, I was encouraged to express my views freely and explore ideas at my own pace. The guidance of wonderful facilitators like Dr. Anuradha Balaram Ma’am and Mr. Karthik Shankar Sir helped us learn, reflect, and arrive at our own realizations rather than simply accepting ideas at face value.
Before joining the program, my understanding of many spiritual concepts was limited. For instance, I viewed the three gunas primarily as a traditional concept that formed part of our cultural heritage, without fully appreciating its relevance to everyday life. The program helped me understand how these ideas could serve as practical tools for self-reflection and personal growth.
Another thought that stayed with me was a quote by Swami Vivekananda about our unlimited potential and the importance of doing the right things to unlock it. I often found myself returning to this thought, especially during moments of self-doubt. It felt like a pat on the back, reassuring me of the potential within me.
These reflections encouraged me to think more deeply about the person I want to become and the steps I need to take towards that goal.
My biggest takeaway from the Vivek Marg Think Tank is how much closer I feel to understanding myself. I am beginning to see myself with greater clarity, acknowledging my potential and the areas where I still have room to grow. The quote about unlimited potential continues to stay with me, offering quiet reassurance during moments of self-doubt. I leave this experience with a renewed sense of hope and a deeper desire to understand myself and become the person I aspire to be.
