Swami Vivekananda- The Fountainhead of Energy

While the latest memories of 9/11 in our minds are from 2001, there was another 9/11 that shook the world, but in a positive way. This was in 1893 in Chicago as the words “Sisters and brothers of America” echoed in the World’s Parliament of Religions. The opening line couldn’t have been better in a nation which was under a new found high of industrial revolution that was sweeping across Europe and the Americas.

The Charisma of Swami Vivekananda

Born as Narendra Nath Dutta, Swami Vivekananda completed his BA in fine arts from the Presidency College, Calcutta. The only son of a famous attorney of an Indian high court was a bright student, with a liberal outlook. He had exceptional leadership abilities and superb oratory skills (powered by his fluent English). He received a rockstar treatment wherever he went. He was a wanderer and traveled rigorously for 15 years. His insatiable pursuit for knowledge resulted in theories that became the template for modernist and post-modernist nations and their people. The best part about him was his non-indulgent ways. He never forced or coerced people to follow a concept blindly. Rather, he encouraged questioning, saying that one cannot believe in God until he believes in himself. Simply fantastic.

Swami Vivekananda: The Indian

Before a religious preacher, a socialist, a teacher, publisher, he proudly put himself as an Indian. His focal point always gravitated in and around India and its people. One of his famous quotes goes: “I loved my motherland dearly before I went to America and England. After my return, every particle of dust of this land seems sacred to me. ”
He always believed that dissemination of knowledge through proper channels and by the right people will take India forward. On this National Youth Day, I believe that this decade, the growth of India will revolve around the direction that the youth of India takes. Vivekanand’s thoughts can be the inspiration they need.