The Mahamandal has been working among the youth since 1967 with the 'man-making, character-building' ideas of Swami Vivekananda, with a view to nation building. It has spread to many States, having started in Calcutta, and now there are over 300 units of the organization. Several thousand young men from cities, towns, and especially villages, including very remote ones, are coming forward from all walks of life. They get training at the hundred-odd youth training camps of the Mahamandal round the year. They understand that the condition of the poorer sections of the country is extremely bad, that the nation as a whole needs to be built anew. And that it is the duty of the youths to accomplish this task, which begins with the building of their own life and character. On the strong foundation of character alone a nation can be built.

Q. What was the first organized attempt to build the character of young people in general?

Ans. In a sense the first organized attempt was taken by the Mahamandal. There had been many good attempts in this direction by well-meaning individuals. There had been huge organizations also, which assembled thousands of youths in many countries with the aim of their all round development. But, we do not know about any other organization anywhere, which had a complete scheme of character building of the youths with the aim of rebuilding India. The Mahamandal has a defined programme, which includes scientific, yet simple and practicable methods of life building to offer to the youth, which they can apply in daily life and see how their life changes. The Mahamandal has the vision of a new India that will come up when we are able to make men of character in large numbers. There is a structured training programme with proven efficacy. This scheme, to our knowledge, is unique. <<Read more>>