Awakening India
Heralding the 150th Birth Anniversary of
Swami Vivekananda (1863-2013)

    Swami Vivekananda holds a pride of place among the makers of modern India.  He was one of the greatest patriots to have ever been born in this country.  During his visit to Belur Math, Mahatma Gandhi said, “I have gone through his works very thoroughly and after having gone through them, the love that I have for my country became a thousand fold.”  Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said, “Directly or indirectly he has powerfully influenced the modern India of today and I think that our younger generation will take advantage of this fountain of wisdom, of spirit and fire that flows through Swami Vivekananda”. Shri Rabindranath Tagore said, “If you want to know India, study Vivekananda.  In him everything is positive and nothing negative.”  A large number of his friends and admirers repeatedly spoke about his love and passion for mother India.
          India today is poised for a giant leap from the ranks of developing countries to developed countries.  Our economic growth is robust and we boast of a very high percentage of youth population among the nations of the world.  But, all these would be really fruitful and meaningful only if we can ensure that the benefits of prosperity and growth percolate down to the level of the masses across the length and breadth of the country.  This is where many of the serious thinkers and well-wishers of this country are really apprehensive.  This growth seems to be lopsided and the distribution of the benefits inequitable.  Unless we address this concern very urgently, the situation may turn grave and disastrous.  It is in this regard that we have a very wonderful remedy in the message of Swami Vivekananda.  He is the perfect role model for the youth of this country and it is under his banner that the Indian youths can safely march towards their cherished goal holding their head high among the comity of nations.
     With a deep sense of urgency and concern for the nation, we wish to spread the message of Swami Vivekananda, particularly his ideas on the regeneration of our motherland, in a major way as part of his 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations.