Swami Vivekananda was responsible for revival of Hindu spiritualism and established Hinduism as a revered religion on world stage, working tirelessly towards betterment of the society, in servitude of the poor and needy. This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while addressing the gathering on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jan Mahothsav Samaroh held at Palampur in Kangra district on the occasion of birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda organised by Kayakalp Himalayan Research Institute for Yoga and Naturopathy, today. This day is celebrated every year as the National Youth Day throughout the country.Chief Minister said that Swami Vivekananda was not just a spiritual mind, but was also a prolific thinker, great orator and passionate patriot. He said that Swami Ji carried on the free-thinking philosophy of his guru, Ramakrishna Paramhansa and converted into a new paradigm. His message of universal brotherhood and self-awakening remains more relevant today, especially in the current backdrop of widespread political turmoil around the world, he added.Chief Minister said that Swami Vivekananda succeeded in constructing a virtual bridge between the culture of East and the West. He said that Swami Ji interpreted the Hindu scriptures, philosophy and the way of life to the Western people. He made them realize that in spite of poverty and backwardness, India had a great contribution to make the world culture, he added.Jai Ram Thakur said that Swami Vivekananda travelled the length and breadth of the country, absorbing much of the social, cultural and religious aspects of the people he came in contact with. Swami Ji witnessed the adversities of life that the common people faced, their ailments, and vowed to dedicate his life to bring relief to these suffering, he said.Chief Minister said that on 11th September, 1893 Swami Vivekananda represented India in World Parliament of Religions and stunned everyone with his opening line “My brothers and sisters of America”. He received a standing ovation from the audience for the opening phrase and went on to describe the principles of Vedanta and their spiritual significance, putting Hinduism on the map of World Religions, he added.Jai Ram Thakur said that organising such an event to educate the younger generation about the teachings and life of Swami Vivekananda was really a commendable endeavour. He said that the teachings of Swami Ji were inspiration to many, and his words became goals of self-improvement, especially for the youth of the country. He said that Swami Ji was against caste discrimination and believed in universal brotherhood and equality.
Chief Minister said that due to the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi India was poised to emerge as the Super Power of the world. Now Article 370 and 35 A has become history and India now has one Constitution and one Symbol, he said, adding that this was possible due to the strong leadership at the Centre in form of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also welcomed the decision of Supreme Court regarding Shri Ram Janambhumi. He said that CAA was a historic step taken by the Union Government and the people of the State were behind this decision as this would help in providing citizenship to the minorities coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan due to discrimination in these countries.Chief Minister also distributed awards to winners of State level award ceremony of declamation competition on the occasion. As many as 104 students were honoured on the occasion. He also gave away prizes to the winners of general knowledge competition which was organised by ABVP, recently.Chief Minister announced Rs. 11 lakh towards Vivekananda Trust from his discretionary fund and also announced Rs. 8.50 lakh to Kayakalp Himalayan Research Institute.Earlier, on his arrival at Vivekananda Medical Institute Campus at Palampur, Chief Minister paid floral tribute on statue of Swami Vivekananda.Former Chief Minister and Chairman Vivekananda Trust Shanta Kumar while welcoming the Chief Minister and other dignitaries said that Vivekananda Trust was working with dedication and commitment to disseminate the teaching of Swami Vivekananda amongst the students. He said that the Declamation contest life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda was held in educational institutions of the State except Lahaul and Spiti District, in which over 30,000 students participated. He said that this was aimed at motivating the students to read about life and teaching of Swami Vivekananda. He also thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating the Hall of the Trust constructed at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore. He urged the students to imbibe the teaching of Swami Ji in their life and become good human beings. He also read out the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion.
Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that according to Swami Vivekananda, the ultimate goal of life was to achieve freedom of the soul and that encompasses the entirety of one’s religion. He said that at Chicago Swami Ji showed the world that India was not only a country of snake charmers, but it has great thinkers and visionaries also. He said that the education should be value added only than a civilised society could be made. He said that the State Government was going to introduced Yoga and Chess in the school syllabus for development of body and mind of the students.Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar said that Swami Vivekananda revealed to the world the true foundations of India's unity as a nation. He said that Swami Ji taught us how a nation with such a vast diversity can be bound together by a feeling of humanity and brother-hood. He said that on the advice of his Guru Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda travelled all over the country, to spread his teaching.Regional Organising Secretary ABVP Vikrant Khandelwal said that religious conscience of Swami Vivekananda was an amalgamation of Sri Ramakrishna’s spiritual teachings of Divine manifestation and his personal internalization of Vedanta philosophy. He directed to achieve the divinity of soul by undertaking selfless work, worship and mental discipline, he added.He said that Swami Vivekananda was a prominent nationalist who always had the overall welfare of his countrymen in his mind. He said that ABVP was playing a vital role in spreading the teachings of Swami Vivekananda.Parul Sharma and Nandani winner of the declamation contest also spoke of the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.Member of Parliament Ram Swaroop Sharma, MLAs Rakesh Pathania, Arjun Singh, Vishal Nehariya, Mulk Raj Premi, Ravinder Kumar, Jia Lal Kapoor, Arun Mehra, former Speaker H.P. Vidhan Sabha BBL Bhutail, Former MLAs Dula Ram, Praveen Sharma and Mohinder Nath Sofat, ABVP leaders Dr Suneel Thakur, Rahul Rana, Ashutosh and Dr. Pardeep Kumar were also present on the occasion.