When Yogesh Bhatt arrived in Australia in 2014, he brought with him a professional career in engineering—and a quiet determination to carry forward the values that had shaped his life.
Those values, inspired by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, would lead to the founding of the Vivekananda Society of Australia (VSA) in 2018.
“It started with a simple thought,” Bhatt says. “We saw there were so many issues here, and we felt it would be a good idea to establish an organisation that could respond to them.”
What began as a small, volunteer-run effort has since grown into a vibrant community platform connecting families from different parts of India, united not by region or language, but by a shared philosophy.
Today, the association includes around 20 committed families, but its reach extends far wider. Each program attracts between 200 and 300 participants, and some events have drawn crowds of more than 400—largely without advertising.
“Swami Vivekananda’s name itself brings people in,” Bhatt says. “When we tried paid advertising, it didn’t work very well. But when we simply announced a program, registrations filled up quickly.”
Bhatt’s own connection to Swami Vivekananda began in childhood, in the hills of Nainital, Uttarakhand, in a family steeped in education and values. His father was a teacher, and Bhatt studied in the Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir school system, where students learned about Indian thinkers, freedom fighters and national icons alongside their formal studies.
Later, while studying Electronics and Communication Engineering at Govind Ballabh Pant University, Bhatt became actively involved in a Vivekananda-based self-study group, the Vivekananda Swadhyay Mandal. “Swami Vivekananda has always been my idol,” he says. “When I came to Australia, I felt I should do something meaningful in his name.”
After the association was founded in 2018, Bhatt and his core group began modestly, using social media to connect with the community. Today, it runs a wide range of programs, blending culture, education and community awareness on issues such as water safety, road safety, domestic violence and sexual offences, often in collaboration with Victoria Police and other organisations.
Their first major event was held at the Indian Consulate in 2019 and featured painting competitions alongside cultural programs.
One of its most consistent initiatives is Shishu Mandir Australia, a free weekly online class held every Friday evening. Children and young people learn Hindi writing, Indian culture and stories of freedom fighters, alongside lessons about Australian history and civic values.
“The next generation is our bridge,” Bhatt says. “If we don’t pass on culture, identity slowly fades. At the same time, we want children to feel confident as Indian Australians.”
A key focus of the organisation is youth engagement, which comes alive through its annual Youth Festival, the Yuwa Diwas, to be held on January 24 at the Kew High School Theatre.
The one-day event brings together children and young people through dance, music, drama, debates and speech competitions, all inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s life and teachings.
“Performance builds confidence,” Bhatt says. “But more importantly, we recognise effort. When young people are acknowledged, they feel encouraged to do more.”
The festival also features a Youth of the Year Award, recognising young people who have gone above and beyond in community service, leadership and volunteering—regardless of academic results.
“We focus on action, not just outcomes,” Bhatt explains. “That idea comes straight from the Bhagavad Gita: do your duty sincerely.”
Past recipients include university student leaders who have gone on to establish community support organisations, as well as school students whose parents say the recognition boosted their confidence and motivation.
While rooted in Indian philosophy, the association is open to all. There is no formal membership, no fees and no barriers to participation.
“Anyone who follows the spirit of service can be part of this,” Bhatt says. “Anyone can volunteer, anyone can attend, anyone can contribute.”
Events are often bilingual, blending Hindi and English, and Bhatt is keen to emphasise that people from other cultural backgrounds are welcome to participate in competitions and programs.
At its heart, the Swami Vivekananda Association of Australia is about belonging—and about reminding young people, in particular, that values such as service, courage and compassion still matter in a fast-changing world.
As Bhatt puts it, quoting Vivekananda’s famous call to action: “Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached.”
For this growing community organisation, that journey is well underway.
The Yuwa Diwas program will be held on 24 January at the Renaissance Theatre, Kew. Entry is free. For registration, click here.
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