In the last two centuries, no other individual has captured the hearts of the youth of Bharat, the way Swami Vivekananda did. He blew energy into Bharat which was indulging in self-loathe. He exhorted people of Bharat with his words “This is the ancient land, where wisdom made its home before it went into any other country… Here is the same India whose soil has been trodden by the feet of the greatest sages that ever lived… Look back, therefore, as far as you can, drink deep of the eternal fountains that are behind, and after that look forward, march forward, and make India brighter, greater, much higher, than she ever was.”
He inspired people across the world for working towards the good of humanity. He inspired freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Tilak, Bagha Jatin & C.Rajagopalachary, scientists like Jagadish Chandra Bose & Nikola Tesla, Poets & writers like Rabindranath Tagore, Subramanya Bharati, Leo Tolstoy & Romain Rolland, Rishis like Rishi Aurobindo, industrialists like Jamshedji Tata, Rockfeller and many many more.
Rabindranath Tagore while speaking to Noble laureate Romain Rolland, summed it up beautifully in one line " If you want to know India, study Vivekananda". Such was the impact of this one man.
After Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa left his body, Swamiji toured the entire country for 5 years as a parivrajaka . He got to see first hand the problems facing the nation and also got to understand the intrinsic strength of our nation. He was constantly trying to understand as to how a nation so glorious in the past had fallen so deep. In the course of his travel he reached Kanyakumari on Dec 25th 1892. He saw the Sripaada shila . He jumped into the sea and swam to rock. For 3 days and 3 nights, Swamiji meditated on the past, present and future of Bharat.
On the 3rd day, Swamiji had the vision of One India. He says "We as a nation have lost our individuality and that is the cause of all mischief in India. We have to raise the masses."
He says" One vision I can see clear as life before me that the ancient Mother has awakened once more, sitting on her throne- rejuvenated, more glorious than ever. Proclaim her to the entire world with the voice of peace and benediction”
This was his plan of action for the future. The rest is history. He went to the World Parliament of Religions, spoke about the greatness of our nation and our Dharma. He was proclaimed as the "Hindoo monk of India." The Western media extolled him as a person who was more learned than all the learned men of America put together. After returning back to Bharat, he toured tirelessly to inspire the youth to work towards the uplift of the masses and at the same time exhorted the down-trodden sections to educate themselves and to live a life of honour and dignity.
At a time when the nation is groping around in the dark trying to find its way, what better way but to turn to Swami Vivekananda's life and message. We are indeed fortunate to be living in these times to be able to celebrate the 150 Jayanti of Swamiji.
During the centenary celebrations of Swamiji in 1963, the nation stood as one force to raise a grand memorial for Swamiji at Kanyakumari at the very place that he meditated in 1892 before leaving for the World Parliament of Religions. To construct the Vivekananda Rock Memorial at the "Sripada Shila", contributions were raised from across the country cutting across caste, creed, religion and politics. Not limiting the memorial for Swami Vivekananda only to the grand granite memorial at the mid-sea Rock, Vivekananda Kendra a spiritually oriented service mission was started as a second phase.
This year, on the occasion of Swamiji's 150 Jayanti, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Ramakrishna Math and many other like minded organisations have taken up the cause of spreading Swamiji's message to every nook and corner of the country. This is the year in which all of us need to spread out wide to spread the message of Swami Vivekananda – The message of Shakti, Seva and Samskar.
In the year 2013, many activities would be organised under the aegis of "Swami Vivekananda 150 Jayanti Celebrations Committee" and "Swami Vivekananda Sardha Shati Samaroh Samiti".
Dec 25th, Sankalp Divas : Commemorating the day when Swami Vivekananda made his plan of action, " Sankalp Divas" programs are being organised across the country. On this day, men and women across the country would meditate on their mission of life and make a resolve to work for the development of the nation. These programs would be organised in thousands of places across the country.
Moving forward, In order to contact and address the entire cross section of Bharat, these programmes are segmented into - Yuva ( Youth), Samvardhini ( Women), Gramaayan ( Villages), Asmita ( Tribals), Prabudha Bharat ( intellectuals) and High school students.
Many programs are being organised to spread the message of Swamiji.
Below are few of the nationwide programs :
Vivekananda Jayanti : -On Jan 12th, Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, there would be rallies and shobha yatras in the entire country where all cross sections would participate.
Samuhik Suryanamaskar : On Feb 18th, 2013 - Collective Suryanamaskar would be offered by students between the age-groups of 13 to 18 years. This program would also include various cultural activities.
One Week For the Nation : During the vacation period in April-May, Under-graduate and Post graduate students would be urged to give one week of their vacation time and go and live in villages. While the program is for all youth, it is specifically targetted towards urban youth, who would benefit a great deal by experiencing village life.
Message of Swamiji to every door : The life & message of Swamiji would be taken to every home in the country. A picture of Swamiji would be given to all households.
Bharat Jago Daud ( Run ) : On Sept 11th, the day when Swamiji spoke for the 1st time at Chicago World Parliament of religions would be celebrated as "Universal Brotherhood Day". On this day, runs would be organised in which all sections would participate.
Between the period Sept 2013 to Dec 2013 , International and National level seminars would be held for intellectuals, Yuva Sammelans in all Tehsils ( Development block) of the country, thousands of medical camps, plantation of trees, Vivekananda melas in janajati ( tribal ) areas and special programs for women.
Human Chain - On Jan 12th ,2014 human chains would be organised across the country to show the resolve that we are one nation. This would be the concluding event of the celebrations and at the same time the entire country would resolve to take his work forward.
Swamiji says, “My faith is in the younger generation, the modern generation out of them will come my workers. They will work out the whole problem, like lions. I have formulated the idea and have given my life to it.
The Swami Vivekananda 150 Jayanti Celebrations committee appeals to the countrymen to participate in large numbers in this noble cause. Let us make our lives more meaningful.
