Today is the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s historic speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Bangla Government is commemorating the occasion through week-long programmes.
To celebrate the historic day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present at a function organised by the Ramakrishna Mission at Belur Math.
She said, “I wanted to visit Chicago but unfortunately I could not visit the place where Swamiji delivered his historic address. There was an evil conspiracy behind this. Some people did not want me to go.”
To commemorate the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s historic speech at Chicago, Mamata Banerjee was invited by Ramakrishna Mission to attend a function in Chicago. However, the event was cancelled for ‘unavoidable circumstances’ in June.
Highlights of Chief Minister’s speech:
There is a great similarity in the ideals espoused by leaders – spiritual and political – like Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath, Netaji, Gandhiji.
Swami Vivekananda had won the heart of the world with his speech at Chicago in 1893.
I wanted to visit Chicago to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Swamiji’s historic address. Sadly, I could not because of evil designs of a section of people, who did not want my presence there.
The forces that foiled my Chicago visit, I hope they read the preaching of Swami Vivekananda.
The Hinduism which Swami Vivekananda preached was not ‘imported’ from outside. It was formed in this soil. It has its roots in Vedas, Vedanta and Upanishads.
Swamiji used to say Hindu dharma is universal. He said, Hinduism not only tolerates other religions, but also recognises them as the truth.
We follow the Hinduism as preached by Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda. We do not believe in ‘imported’ Hinduism.
I’ve read Swamiji’s books and I believe in his ideals. The youth must be taught about Swamiji’s philosophy and thinking.
A true leader must always be ready to make sacrifices for the people. He must be dedicated to the country.
Tolerance is the essence of Hinduism. Hinduism is universal.
In just 39 years of his life, Swami Vivekananda shaped the spine of this country.
I feel ashamed when some people dictate you cannot eat this or you cannot wear that or who can stay here and who cannot.
Bangla is the land of tolerance. Hindu dharma teaches us to love people, not discriminate.
Come forward, lead a new awakening in the country.
We must despise conservatism. I appeal to all to embrace people with love. Humanism is the true religion. Religion is personal, festival is for all.
We must follow the ideals of Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
Ramakrishna had said, some people call mother ‘Ma’, some call her ‘Amma’. But we are all humans. That is our biggest identity. We must believe in harmony, not communalism.
Swami Vivekananda resides in our hearts. Hinduism teaches us to embrace everyone as equal.
Swamiji had said, “I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance”. We must all follow this philosophy.
We are giving Rs 1.5 crore to Vivekananda University. I am handing over a grant of Rs 10 crore to Swamiji. My respectful homage to all Maharajas.
