Vivek Band 2017: Inspiring Youth to ‘Be Good, Do Good’

A Samskruti Foundation Initiative Celebrating Swami Vivekananda’s Message for Modern India

From January 12 to 26, 2017, Samskruti Foundation launched a transformative youth campaign called “Vivek Band – Be Good, Do Good.” The initiative celebrated the 154th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda as a festival of action, reflection, and service — engaging thousands of students across Telangana in a movement to embody his ideals of character, compassion, and nation-building.

Objective: Celebrating Vivekananda’s Vision

The campaign aimed to awaken young minds to Swami Vivekananda’s timeless message of selflessness, strength, and service to humanity. Through a series of events, workshops, and public activities, Samskruti Foundation inspired students to take up small but meaningful “Do Good” actions — transforming Raksha Bandhan celebrations, campus volunteering, and digital outreach into expressions of positive change.

“The youth of India must arise, awake, and work for the nation.Character, courage, and compassion are the tools of true success.”— Swami Vivekananda

Journey of the Campaign

The campaign began months ahead with volunteer mobilization and community building:

• October 2016: Volunteer meet at Keshav Memorial High School to kick-start planning.

• November 2016: Strategic meet at Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad, to align outreach plans.

• December 2016:

  • Management meet at Hotel Katriya attended by 31 college administrators.

  • Orientation for 1,300 students, 75 faculty, and 76 volunteers — launching the Vivek Band, its poster, and a mobile app.

• January 12, 2017: Celebration of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti across 70+ locations in Hyderabad.

• January 23, 2017: Viveka-Subhashitam — an inspiring tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda near India’s largest national flag at Sanjeevaiah Park.

The campaign culminated with a massive concluding event attended by over 7,300 students and dignitaries from various walks of life.

Participation and Reach

The Vivek Band 2017 campaign became one of Hyderabad’s largest youth mobilizations of the year:

• Over 100 colleges across Telangana participated.

• More than 50,000 students joined the campaign and proudly wore the Vivek Band for two weeks as a personal pledge to “Be Good, Do Good.”

• 7,300 students gathered for the grand finale at Sanjeevaiah Park.

• 80,000 Vivek Bands were distributed across Hyderabad and neighboring districts.

• 3.5 lakh people were reached through in-person and digital outreach.

In addition, corporate professionals from companies like Raheja Mindspace and Westin Hotel, Hi-Tech City also participated — making the campaign a bridge between campuses and corporate citizens.

Dignitaries and Speakers

The movement was blessed by eminent personalities who shared messages of leadership, service, and self-realization:

• Lt. Gen. Mohammad Ahmed Zaki (Retd)

• Swami Bodhamayananda, Director, Ramakrishna Math

• Lt. Gen. A.R.K. Reddy (Retd)

• Sri C. Umamaheswara Rao (IAS Retd), Chairman, Samskruti Foundation

• Dr. K. Laxman, BJP State President

Their presence and participation reinforced the campaign’s vision — to build a new India grounded in values and driven by youthful energy.

Technology and Social Media Outreach

Recognizing the digital power of youth, Samskruti Foundation ran an extensive social media campaign:

• Dedicated website for Vivek Band activities.

• Mobile App developed by Taran Info Technologies to engage volunteers.

• Bulk posting platform created with Dhanush Technologies Ltd. to manage Facebook outreach.

• WhatsApp network of 150+ groups reaching over 2,000 individuals daily.

• Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube used to share motivational videos and updates.

• Media coverage across major outlets including The Hindu, Deccan Chronicle, Sakshi, Eenadu, Andhra Jyoti, Bharat Today, V6, NTV, Gemini News, and others.

The digital push ensured that Swami Vivekananda’s message resonated with audiences across Hyderabad and beyond.

Impact: Youth in Action

The campaign inspired thousands of students to initiate “Do Good” projects in their institutions and communities. Some highlights included:

• Volunteering for blood donation drives.

• Tree plantation and cleanliness campaigns.

• Peer mentoring programs for school students.

• Social media pledges to perform daily acts of kindness.

Seven colleges submitted reports of successful “Do Good” initiatives, demonstrating how simple actions can ripple into collective change.

The Road Ahead

The success of Vivek Band 2017 laid the foundation for a continuous annual movement. Samskruti Foundation announced plans to:

• Recognize students performing “Do Good” activities with certificates of appreciation.

• Expand the campaign to IT companies and schools.

• Engage new volunteers through Cultural Leadership Centres (CLCs) across India.

• Build a network of youth ambassadors for nation-building.

“With every band tied, a promise was made — to live with purpose, to serve with integrity, and to uplift others with compassion.”

A Movement That Continues to Grow

From college campuses to corporate corridors, from social media to neighborhood communities, the Vivek Band – Be Good Do Good campaign continues to remind India’s youth that character is the true measure of success.

With over 3.5 lakh lives touched, Samskruti Foundation reaffirms its mission: to nurture young minds that will shape a compassionate, confident, and culturally grounded India.