Vivekananda Kendra is a Hindu nationalist social service and "nation-building" organisation, claiming to represent the heritage of Swami Vivekananda. Closely affiliated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the organisation is based near the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari. The organisation was founded on 7 January 1972 by Eknath Ranade, a senior pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Its current president is A. Balakrishnan. The organisation has constructed a solid waste management and bio-gas plant in Mahabalipuram. Vivekananda Kendra received the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2015 for its contribution to rural development, education and development of natural resources. See also Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh References Further reading External links Sangh Parivar Education in Tamil Nadu Education in Arunachal Pradesh Educational organisations based in India Recipients of the Gandhi Peace Prize