On 12th Jan Revered Swami Gautamananda, Vice President of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, and Adhyaksha of Chennai Math garlanded Swamiji’s Statue at Vivekanandar Illam, offered flowers and performed Arati at 7.30 am.
Vivekananda Cultural Centre [VCC], Chennai commemorated the National Youth Day & Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Swami Raghunayakananda, inaugurated the session, by introducing Swami Vivekananda’s iconic words, encouraging and energizing the youth and informed the importance of 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s Triumphant Return to India after addressing the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago (United States of America). He also gave a brief history of VCC.
Sri Vijay Menon emphasized the need to study the contributions of Alasinga Perumal, Sister Nivedita and Poet Subramanya Bharathiyar who were influenced by Swami Vivekananda’s clarion call for patriotism. “Stop quoting Swami Vivekananda–start practicing; Adhere to Truth; Sacrifice a little money each week and use it for a good cause” he continued. His core message was adherence to Truth while contributing to Nation building.
Vaishnavi, Anandavalli, Sanjay and Ezhilarasu read out inspiring quotations from Swami Vivekananda’s works. Swami Satyaprabhananda ji spoke in Thamizh about the significance of the day and gave examples from Swami Vivekananda’s life to convey three important lessons: Develop self-confidence, lead life with self-respect and contribute to society and the nation through patriotism and selfless service. Most Revered Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj in his benediction address stressed upon the importance of building character, developing divinity within oneself, and manifesting that divinity in every activity–thereby contributing to the nation’s growth. Kumari Sivasri Skandaprasad sang two songs about Swami Vivekananda and provided a divine atmosphere. Swami Ishapremananda of Vivekanandar Illam presented the Vote of Thanks.