स्वामी विवेकानंद जैसा चरित्र बनाएँ : वी के सिंह

भारत को जगाने दौड़े सैकड़ो नौजवान

विवेकानंद का यही संदेश, सुंदर, सुहाना भारत देश

'Run for the Nation' organized across the Arunachal

Thousands participate in 'Run for the Nation' at Lumbini park

Thousands of youth participated in “Run for the Nation” program on Wednesday which was held to mark Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary.

The run, which was organised by Swami Vivekananda 150th Jyanthi Utsava Samithi, commenced at Lumbini park at around 10.30 am and concluded at the People’s Plaze, Necklace Road. It was followed by a public meeting.

Addressing the gathering, former DGP K Aravinda Rao, said that people should aspire to become like Swami Vivekananda and should get rid of the mentality of a slave.

He added that, in Chicago, Swami Vivekananda, on one hand spoke about the prominence of Indian culture and on the other hand pointed out the ills of society and suggested solutions for them.

Swami Gyanadhananda, Ramakrishna Math, said that in the Chicago gathering which was attended by as many as 7,000 people, when Swami Vivekananda addressed them as “Brothers and Sisters of America”, he was appreciated by a thunderous applause which lasted for three minutes.

The run and the meeting was conducted in all the districts of the state, informed a member of the organising committee.

9/11 a time to imbibe Swami Vivekananda's message of 'Universal Brotherhood'

“Sisters and Brothers of America” --- these were the opening words of Swami Vivekananda’s iconic address at the ‘Parliament of Religions’ held at Chicago on September 11, 1893, or 9/11. The words immediately found resonance in every delegate’s heart, connecting each and every member present there into a network of ‘Universal Brotherhood’.

This was the message of Swami Vivekananda, and he called for ‘true human solidarity’.

Nowadays we talk about globalisation, but the term is simply relegated to an economic level. Does it address our social inequality? Is it bringing harmony into our lives? A harmony based on true love and empathy, mutual trust and concern? Sadly, we are far removed from the ideal of social equality followed and preached by Swami Vivekananda.

After Swami Vivekananda became famous in America, he was honoured everywhere he went.  At a railway station, where he was being given a reception, a Negro porter went forward to shake hands with him saying “Congratulations! I am extremely delighted that a man of my race has attained such great honour! The entire Negro community in this country feels proud of you.” Swamiji eagerly shook hands with the porter and said warmly, “Thank You! Thank You, brother.” He refused to deny that he was a Negro. That was his solidarity.

Vivekanada understood the cause of disharmony among races and nations. In his speech at the ‘Parliament of Religions’, Vivekananda pointed out that “Sectarianism, bigotry and its horrible descendent fanaticism, have long possessed our world. They have filled the earth with violence and drenched it often with human blood, destroyed civilisations and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now.” (Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 1, Page: 4) Vivekananda warned everyone that until we end fanaticism and persecution with the pen or sword, we will never be able to have any sort of peace or human solidarity. The truth is that we never took Swami Vivekananda’s message of ‘Universal Brotherhood’ seriously, which is what led to the barbaric attack on the World Trade Centre in New York on another 9/11, in 2001.

Fanaticism, petty-mindedness, bigotry and selfishness are the reasons for all the disharmony and hatred among different groups today. If everyone seeks to assess the teachings of their religion, they will understand that religion is actually realisation --- realisation of the reality that lies in everyone, the essence of our life, the consciousness or energy that animates and sustains all life.

This year is the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and it high time we turn to him once again and imbibe his spirit of ‘Universal Brotherhood’. Let us assimilate the ideals Vivekananda practiced --- ‘Help and Not Fight’, Assimilation and Not Destruction’ and ‘Harmony and Not Dissension’.

This is the need of the hour and a huge challenge before us. Let us expand our hearts and give up the attitude of the frog in the well, who thinks that his own abode is the ultimate reality.

Payyoli Express PT Usha runs to awake India

Bhopal: In her salad days, she was the undisputed queen of tracks. Now 49, India’s legendary track and field star PT Usha hasn’t lost her charm one bit, a fact corroborated by 20,000-strong crowd that congregated at Tatia Tope Stadium to run with her on Wednesday. 

The run, titled ‘Bharat Jago Daud,’ was organised to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s 120th year since he delivered his famous speech at Chicago in 1893. The run, comprising of 16 groups of participants, was flagged off by Usha and ex-Indian coach Madan Lal.