Kolkata, Sep 11 (UNI) Today, September 11, marks the 126th anniversary of the famous address by Swami Vivekananda at the World Parliament of Religions, held at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1893.
This address set the tone for the worldwide fame of Swami Vivekananda and the spreading of Vedanta philosophy across the world.
The West Bengal Government is organising programmes to mark this historic day, in association with the Ramakrishna Mission.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would be leading the celebrations.
Taking to her Twitter handle, Ms Banerjee said, ” Today is the 126th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s epochal speech at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. ”
” His message of universal brotherhood is relevant even today. My respectful homage to the great saint, ” she added.
Various programmes, including seminars in public halls and schools, would be held to uphold the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, which are relevant for all times.
Honouring the legacy of the great son of Bengal, the Chief Minister has ensured the renovation of buildings having historic connection to the great sage.
The State Government has made Swami Vivekananda’s famous Chicago address part of the syllabus for schools under the Madhyamik Board and accorded autonomy and special status to educational institutions run by Ramakrishna Sarada Mission.
The State Government has also allotted five acres and allocated Rs 10 crore for the Centre for Human Excellence and Social Sciences being built by the Ramakrishna Mission in New Town, as a replica of the Art Institute of Chicago, where Vivekananda delivered his famous speeches in 1893.
It has been named ‘Vivek Tirtha’ by Ms Banerjee.
Other schemes taken up by the State Government are
Acquiring and handing over of the premises adjoining Vivekananda’s ancestral house to Ramakrishna Mission
Renovating ‘Mayer Bari’ in Baghbazar, Kolkata, where Maa Sarada, the wife of Sri Ramakrishna lived, at a cost of Rs 30 crore.
Acquiring Sister Nivedita’s house in Baghbazar and handing it over to Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, and giving it heritage status
Allocating Rs 2 crore for the renovation of Roy Villa in Darjeeling, associated with Sister Nivedita, and handing it over to Ramakrishna Mission
Building a skywalk connecting Dakshineswar railway station to the famous temple there; it was named Dakshineswar Rani Rashmoni Skywalk by Ms Banerjee
Renaming Yuba Bharati Krirangan after Swami Vivekananda, as Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
Naming the self-employment scheme run by the Self-Help and Self-Employment Department as Swami Vivekananda Swanirbhar Karmasansthan Prakalpa
Naming the scholarship for students from economically disadvantaged families as Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship
Organising Vivek Chetana Utsav from January 10 to 12 every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda across the State (January 12 is celebrated as National Youth Day, being the birthday of Swami Vivekananda)
State Assembly passing Bills for the setting up of two private universities – Sister Nivedita University (Bill passed in 2017) and Swami Vivekananda University (Bill passed in 2019).
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