GRAND celebrations of Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary commenced on January 12, 2013, under the auspices of ‘National SV150 Committee’ UK, in eight major cities in UK namely Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast, Birmingham, Leicester, Cardiff, London and Reading.
In London, the function was held at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, where the book, Life and Message of Swami Vivekananda, was released. The function was addressed by Swami Dayatmanand, president of Ramakrishna Mission, UK, Dr Nanda Kumar, director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and Swami Niliptananda, president of Sewashram. Notable attendees among audience were Members of British Parliament Barry Gardner and Bob Blackman.
MP Bob Blackman for Harrow East said, “If one man can inspire you all after 150 years, imagine what your children’s children can do with pure thoughts and mind. Swami Dayatmananda told that Narendranath means being of men, nar – indra – kind of men, king of men. Shri Dhirajbhai Shah, president of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), quoted Rabindranath Tagore, who said if you want to know India, study Vivekananda. He exhorted all to practice the message of Vivekananda saying that his message is for all, if you are depressed read Vivekananda and you will not require medicine, his powerful words will take you out of the depression. Dr Nanda Kumar welcomed and introduced the dignitaries. The two hours programme concluded with an audio of the first speech of Swami Vivekananda in Chicago.
(FOC)
