Swami Vivekananda’s ideals should be your mantra: Governor tells youth

Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot said that Swami Vivekananda wanted India to awaken spiritually, grow culturally strong, and become prosperous through modern development. “The youths of the country should make Swami Vivekananda’s ideals their ‘mantra’ and contribute towards nation building,” he said.

Inaugurating the 11th annual convention of Karnataka Ramakrishna Vivekananda Bhavaprachar Parishad, organised by Ramakrishna Vivekananda Ashrama in Dharwad on Friday, the Governor said every youth should imbibe the qualities of sacrifice and service, become confident and involve himself or herself in positive works and innovations, and it would automatically make India ‘Vishwa Guru’ again.

Mr. Gehlot said that the foundation of Indian culture had always been spirituality and humanitarian values. “The saints, spiritual gurus, and ascetics further strengthened it with their knowledge, penance, and yoga. They touched each aspect of life with religion, compassion, and morality. Saint poets like Kabir, Guru Nanak, Tulasidas, Meerabai, Ravi Das, Basaveshwar, Purandara Dasa, Kanaka Dasa and Akka Mahadevi spread the message of love, equality and unity in society,” he said.

Referring to the concept of ‘whole world as a family’, the Governor elaborated on how the saints of the country gave a touch of spirituality, morality, and harmony to the Indian culture. They hoisted the flag of religion, spirituality, and culture on international forums, he said.

Describing Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa as a great saint and spiritual guru, he said that Ramakrishna Paramahamsa gave the wonderful message about the path to salvation as ‘numerous beliefs and several routes’. “Rabindranath Tagore had meaningfully termed Sri Ramakrishna as a bridge between the ancient and modern spirituality,” he said.

Mr. Gehlot said that there was no dearth of opportunities, knowledge, and technology for the present-day youths. “They need to get inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda and adapt discipline, good personality, and integrity in their lives. At a time when physical progress had brought mental disturbance, the messages of great personalities guide us,” he said.

He lauded Ramakrishna Vivekananda Ashrama for its efforts towards spreading the message about the life, views, and ideals of great personalities likfe Ramakrishna Paramashamsa, Sharada Devi and Swami Vivekananda.

Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; Swami Muktidanand Maharaj, president of Ramakrishna Ashrama of Mysuru; Sri Nirbhayanand Saraswati of Gadag; Sri Gurusiddha Rajayogindra Swami of Moorusavir Mutt, Hubballi; and Arvind Bellad, MLA, among others spoke on the occasion.

The three-day convention will have various sessions on the life and views of great personalities, along with youth and teachers’ conventions and cultural programmes.