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A centre for dialogue on civilisations
?P. Parameswaran
When we undertook the mission of spreading Indian ethos, our adversaries branded us communal. However, we ignored their vitriolic campaign, as they were politically motivated. Even Swami Vivekananda had to face similar hostile reaction from many quarters when he embarked upon the task of reviving the Indian culture, said Vice President of India, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat while laying the foundation stone of Vivekananda Kendra International, Delhi on 22nd February, 2004.
Shri Shekhawat said that Swamiji'slectures on Hinduism at the Parliament of Religions at Chicago open the eyes of the people regarding Indian philosophy, spirituality and ancient wisdom. Swamiji challenged the Western claims on superiority of West and attributed it to their ignorance of Vedic philosophy. He proclaimed the universality of every faith which does not reject others, Shri Shekhawat said. He added that the Antodaya scheme, conceived to give a helping hand to the poor, was also Swamiji'sphilosophy as India could not go ahead without the help of its 26 crore poor people. Shri Shekhawat continued that many countries like Germany has taken the advantage of Vedas, and discovered many delicate technologies on reading them.
Shri P. Parameswaran, president, Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, while speaking on the ocassion, said that the establishment of this long awaited Centre?the Vivekananda International Bhavan, is in fact the blossoming of one of the cherished dreams of Swami Vivekananda, who firmly believed and fervently wanted the Indian philosophy to become a part and parcel of the thought process of the entire humanity.
On this occasion, Vice President Shekhawat released the reprint edition of the volume India'sContribution to World Thought and Culture, which was originally published by the Vivekananda Kendra in the year 1970. Shri Parameswaran said that the book highlighted the invaluable contributions made by India to the world since time immemorial. ?This is a tradition which should necessarily continue for the good of Bharat as well as that of the whole world?, he said.
Shri Parameswaran, commenting on the process of globalisation said that the process of globalisation had linked the nations of the world into a close knit framework of multilateral contact. He added that it had its advantages as well as disadvantages, though unevenly distributed.
He further said that following the demise of Communism, a uni-polar world dominated by America has emerged which has given birth to the concept of globalisation. The amazing progress of a materialistic world, especially in the field of communication and the subsequent information technology revolution has reduced time and distance almost to zero point. He added that this has become the most decisive moment in human history. Shri Parameswaran, however, warned that the consequences could be unpredictable, and even alarming, at times.
Vivekananda Kendra International, New Delhi is a new global-level institute. Through this Centre the Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari will spread Swamiji'smessage and philosophy of universal understanding at a global level.
?Deepak Kumar Rath
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