DHARAMSHALA: The teachings of Swami Vivekananda are more relevant today than when he addressed the World Religious Conference on this day in 1893 at Chicago when he gave the call for 'Universal Brotherhood'. Stating this while addressing a gathering of youths and intellectuals on the occasion of 'Universal Brotherhood Day' at the polytechnic here on Sunday, Padma Shri Kheshma Metri said Swami Vivekananda had expressed apprehensions 118 year ago that religious fanaticism was going to drench the earth with blood, which came true when the World Trade Centre was smashed.
The event was organized by Vivekananda Kendra, Kanayakumari, to commemorate the historical speech delivered by Swami Vivekananda at the World Religious Conference on September 11, 1893. Metri stressed that youths should infuse the strength of the teaching of 'Nishkam Karmyoga' as taught by Bhagwat Geeta and should come forward to help the needy and downtrodden, which would help them in their transformation.
Rehka Deva, joint general secretary, Vivekananda Kendra, asked the youth to follow Swami Vivekananda's teachings, which would keep them close to their cultural roots. She described it as most unfortunate that parents were failing to infuse moral values in their children, which had left the present youth astray. She elaborated the mission of the Vivekananda Kendra, focusing on 'man making' and 'nation building'.
Swami Gangeshanand, Acharya from Chinmayanand Mission, Tapovan, in his presidential address stressed on adopting the path of righteousness shown by Swami Vivekananda to have a better tomorrow for India. He stressed on self transformation among the youths to see the dream of Swami Vivekananda of a prosperous India in right perspective come true. Earlier, a 'Bhagwat Geeta gyan yaga' was organized by the Kendra in which 700 verses from 18 chapters were recited and offerings were made after reciting each verse.
The yaghya was a culmination of three year old program 'Ghar Ghar Geeta Gayan' launched by Vivekananda Kendra with the help of Chinmayananda Mission in this part of the valley.
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Published in Times Of India : dated 12th sept. 2011
