Must Follow Vivekananda’s Ideals to Build a New India: PM Modi

Modi addressed a valedictory event to mark the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s historic Chicago speech.

File photo of PM Narendra Modi.

(Photo: The Quint)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 11 September addressed the valedictory function organised by Sri Ramakrishna Math at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu through video conference, to mark the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s historic Chicago speech.

On 11 September 1893, Swami Vivekananda delivered his first speech in the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago. Swami Vivekananda is remembered as one of the key people who introduced philosophies such as Vedanta and Yoga to the West.

Addressing at least 4,000 people present in Coimbatore via video conference, Prime Minister began his speech by saying he is 'fortunate' to speak at the event. He continued by saying that with Vivekananda’s vision, India is going forward with full self-confidence, in the traditional and modern technology.

When India launches hundred satellites at one go, when the world discusses Mangalyaan and Gaganyaan, when other countries try to replicate our digital apps like BHIM, then it increases the self-confidence of the country further.

PM Narendra Modi

‘Agricultural and Industrial Growth Show Positive Attitude’

PM Modi also commended the growth in the agricultural and business sectors of the country. He emphasised that crop production and acceleration in business showed a positive attitude in India.

Business-persons of the country, our labourers are accelerating industrial production. Young engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists like you are taking the country towards a new revolution of startups.

PM Narendra Modi

Expressing the challenges that the country faces due to a diverse population, he said, "We are a country of free ideas. For centuries, this land has been home to diverse ideas and cultures. Democracy and Debate are our eternal values.”

He also quoted from Vivekananda's speech on eradicating the 'evils of the society’and added that there have been devils everywhere more or less in all ages.

We have to be cautious of such evils in our society, and defeat them. We have to remember that, despite all the resources at our disposal, whenever Indian society has been divided, whenever there have been internal conflicts, external enemies have taken advantage.

PM Narendra Modi

Vice President Naidu’s Address at World Hindu Congress

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, who visited Chicago from 7 to 9 September, addressed people of Indian origin during the concluding session of the second World Hindu Congress (WHC) on 9 September. WHC was event to commemorate Vivekananda's speech in 1893.

In his keynote address, Naidu called upon the delegates to preserve the true values of Hinduism as shown by seers like Vivekananda.

More than 2,500 delegates and 250 speakers from over 60 countries participated in the three-day WHC coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the historic speech of Vivekananda in Chicago in 1893.

Share and care is the core of the Hindu philosophy, he said, outlining the important aspects of Hinduism.

(With inputs from PTI)