Swami Vivekananda had meditated at the confluence of the three seas for three days in 1892 at the now famous Vivekananda rock in Kanyakumari. A massive memorial is now there, since 1970, due to the efforts of Mananiya Eknath Ranadeji and the Vivekananda Kendra.
On his return, Swamiji had stayed at the house of Prof. Manomaniam Sundaram Pillai of University College, Thiruvananthapuram for 9 days and rested in a Massive 6 x 2.5 feet stone cot made of granite (Krishna Shila). The descendants of the Prof. had preserved the cot for almost 120 years and wanted it installed in an apt place. They eventually decided to hand it over to Bharateeya Vichara Kendram Head Quarters. ‘SAMSKRITI BHAVAN’ in Thiruvananthapuram.
On Wednesday 11th January evening after puja and aarathi by Swami Thathwaroopananda of Ramakrishna Ashram, the Shilamanch (Cot) was placed in a ‘Rath’ and accompanied by traditional Kerala Panchavadyam, Thalapoli and hundreds of youth in cars and bikes, it started its journey towards ‘SAMSKRITI BHAVAN’. Accepting puja and receptions at various junctions, the ‘Rath’ reached Kawdiar Palace at 5.00 P.M.
The Maharaja of Travancore Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma inaugurated the Puja ceremony by lighting Lamp. Later the Maharaja, former LDF Transport Minister Sankaranarayana Pillai and a huge mass, offered flowers to the Shila Manch.
The Rath arrived at the Martyrs Square at 5.45 Pm where former Union Minister O. Rajagopal offered puja and in a procession led by him and VHP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan, it proceeded to ‘Samskriti Bhavan.’ There BVK Director Padmasri P. Parameswaran performed aarathi and the Shilamanch was placed on specially made granite pedestal.
Speaking on the occasion Parameswarji said it was god’s will that the ‘Shila Manch’ should come to ‘Samskriti BHAVAN’ which is adjacent to University College. Swamiji would have definitely walked in front of it to see professors who were residing nearby. Parameswarji remembered that he was also a student for University College, before becoming Sangh Pracharak, and he had also stayed in the near a bouts of the college. District President of BVK, Dr. K.U. Devadas presided.
On 12th January, the Swamiji’s birth day, a huge youth rally with thousands of students in Vivekananda inscribed T. Shirts, was inaugurated in front of Kerala University Headquarters by Indian Cricketer Sreeshanth, Kerala Sports Council President and Asiad Gold Medaller Padmini Thomas and Asiad Medaller Selvam. They carried placards with Vivekananda’s pictures and epoch-making slogans of the Swamiji.
Addressing the youth at Panchayat Hall, Parameswarji said Rajiv Gandhi had in 1984, proclaimed Swamiji’s Birthday as ‘National Youth Day’ to Propagate life, mission, ideals and ideology of Vivekananda. “It is an insult to Rajiv Gandhi that the Sonia led UPA is doing nothing in that direction. Similarly Swami had great Bhakthi for ‘VANDE MATHARAM’ that he, in 1901, in Dakeshwari Temple asked revolutionaries to learn its meaning and act accordingly. But now ‘Vande Matharam’ is being side lined attributing communal overtures. This is an insult to Bharat Mata and Swami.”
“Swami had a national and world view. He wanted the Bharat-Vasis to go to the roots and realise the greatness and advancement of this Samskar from Vedic period. He wanted India to emerge as a world- Guru to the materialistic and consumeric west, which was imbibed in selfishness. Swamiji’s far- sightedness that the west was a volcano which would explode in 50 years was made true by the two World-Wars. The present crisis faced by World like Terrorism, Global Collapse of Economy and ill-effects of Rampant Consumerism is also a result of western selfishness”.
“The Colombo to Almorah speeches of Swamiji consequent to his Sept. 13th 1893, address in Chicago was a blue-print for future free India. Swamiji was against selfishness and he called fellow- Indians traitors, who do not weep for or serve the suffering poor”, Parameswaran concluded.
Dr. Jayakrishnan, Vice-Chancellor, Kerala University said Swami Vivekananda was the hero of Mahatma Gandhi, during the freedom struggle.
National cricketer Sreeshanth described himself as a fan of Swami and a proud Indian. He called upon the youth to emulate Swami’s Arise, Awake and Rest not Till Goal is achieved, as life’s mantra.
Lakshmi Das T.V. Celebrity, recited poems on Swami.
Mukul Kanitkar of Vivekanand International interacted with the youth and asked them to take up service projects in the run-up to the 150th Anniversary.
At the Valedictory session Amrita Mohan, Chairperson of prestigious women’s All Saints College presided. Former Union Minister O. Rajagopal spoke of how Anti-Corruption Indian Icon Anna Hazare was inspired by Swami. Swami’s phamplet at a Railway station book stall forced him to abandon his suicide idea and work for the society.
