Lakhs of youth join ‘Bharat Jago Doud’ across nation
A tribute to Swami Vivekananda on 120th anniversary of his historic speech at World Parliament of Religions at Chicago on September 11, 1893
Lakhs of youth, both men and women, on September 11 morning across India joined the Bharat Jago Doud (a run for awakening India) to commemorate 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and 120th anniversary of his historic Chicago speech. On September 11, 1893, Swami Vivekananda had addressed the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Hence, on this day, to remember and to salute Vivekananda’s ideals, a run was organised by Swami Vivekananda 150th Birth Anniversary Celebration Committee all over the country. There are reports of organising the run across the country. However, in some regions it will be organised at different dates.
Karnataka
In Bangalore, the run began from three simultaneous points including Swami Vivekananda Circle near Ramakrishna Ashram of Basavanagudi and finally converged at historic National High School Grounds. Noted scholar Dr Chidananda Murthy, Dr Vijayalakshmi Balekundri, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Bouddhik Pramukh Shri Bhagaiah, senior RSS Pracharak Shri N Krishnappa, RSS Prant Karyavah Shri N Tippeswamy and many other prominent people were present on the occasion. Nearly 5000 youth joined the run.
It was an amazing response from college youth in Shivamogga where about 1600 of the total 2000 youth who joined the marathon were college students. RSS Kshetra Sampark Pramukh Dr Kalladka Prabhakara Bhat addressed the gathering. Similarly, about 2000 people participated in Hasan. Shri Hariharapura Shridhar addressed the gathering after the marathon. Medical students of the city also participated in good number. In coastal city Mangalore, over 20,000 youth participated in the run, which was inaugurated by Shri Jita Kamananda Swamiji, president of Ramakrishna Mutt, Mangalore. RSS Sah Sarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale addressed the gathering at Nehru Maidan. In Gulbarga the run was joined by nearly 1700 citizens. The participation of college students was high in Gulbarga also. In sugarcane city Mandya over 600 youth participated. Similarly, Dharwad received massive response from youth.
Tamil Nadu
In Chennai, the event was inaugurated by TV serial and film fame Kutti Padmini. Swami Gautamananda, president of Sri Ramakrishna Mutt Chennai, blessed the event. Mayor Saidai Duraiswamy, Chennai Corporation, presided over the event. VHP state leader Shri RBVS Manian highlighted the importance of Swamiji’s speech at Chicago. Famous Tamil celebrity actor Rajnikanth had expressed best wishes for success of the event. The run was organised at all district headquarters of Tamil Nadu. In Krishnagiri, around 2500 people participated. In Erode, around 2800 people participated. In Pondicherry also around 3750 persons joined the run.
Kerala
At Kasaragod, the extreme northern district in Kerala the run was joined by about 100 youth. Top RSS leaders including Kshetra Sewa Pramukh Shri Gopal Chettiyar participated in the marathon, which was inaugurated by noted social leader Shri CV Poduval.
Andhra Pradesh
In Hyderabad, the run began from two routes—from Nizam College, Babu Jagjivan Ram statue to People’s Plaza and the second run began from Swami Vivekananda’s Statue at Tankbund and culminated at People’s Plaza. College students and other youth above the age of 15 years participated in the run. There are reports of organising the similar event in other parts of the state also.
Gujarat
In Ahmedabad, the marathon was organised on September 8. The run was held at Law Garden. Around 5,000 school and college students participated in the event that was flagged off by Mayor Meenaxi Patel.
Uttarakhand
In Dehradun, the run began from Pared Grounds at 7 am and passing through Darshanlal Chowk, Clock Tower, Globe Chowk culminated at Pared Grounds itself. Apart from school and college students the run was also joined by representatives of various social and religious organisations. The interesting part of the event was that thousands of people joined the event inspite of heavy rains. Some people of the city also showered flowers on the participants. RSS Sah Kshetra Pracharak Pramukh Shri Jagdish, Prant Pracharak Dr Harish, Prant Karyavah Shri Lakshmiprasad Jaiswal and many other prominent people were present on the occasion.
Madhya Pradesh
In Bhopal, the sprint legend PT Usha joined the marathon with a large number of youth. Over 20,000-strong gathering of youth joined her at Tatia Tope Stadium. The run, comprising of 16 groups of participants, was flagged off by PT Usha, and leading players like Madan Lal, Ashok Dhyanchand also joined it. The enthusiasm of the people was so high that TT Stadium was full to its capacity.
Maharashtra
In Nagpur, thousands of Nagpurians joined the Doud, which was actively helped by Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) Rashtriya Sewa Yojna and Physical Education Department of RTMNU. About 25000 students and all age group citizens participated in the race. Prominent among them were Shri Lakshmanrao Pardhikar, national working president of Kreeda Bahrati, Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti Shantakka Tai and Karyavahika A Sitha, Shri Sudhakar Deshmukh, BJP MLA, Shri Devendra Fadanvis, BJP State president, Dr Vilas Sapkal, Vice Chancellor of Nagpur University, Mayor of Nagpur Shri Anil Sole, veteran Sangh ideologue Shri MG Vaidya and Nagpur Mahanagar Sanghachalak Dr Dilip Gupta and many others. The Run began from Yeshwant Stadium and culminated at the stadium itself.
West Bengal
In Siliguri the run was organised on September 2. The run began from Radhajatin Park and passing through many prominent areas of the city culminated at the same Park. Representatives from more than 50 organisations and 37 jawans from BSF also joined the run.
Vice President Hamid Ansari
unveils Vivekananda statue
Vice President of India Mohd Hamid Ansari unveiled the life size bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda on September 11 in front of Kavadiayar Palace, the house of Travancore royal family.
Swami Atmapriyananda, Vice Chancellor of Vivekananda University of Sri Ramakrishna Mission, Kolkata, Tranvancore King and chief patron of the Statue Installation Committee Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Verma, State Governor Shri Nikhil Kumar, Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri Arun Jaitley, Union Minister Shri Shashi Tharoor, Cultural Minister Shri KC Joseph, Health & Dewaswom Minister Shri VS Shivakumar, Shri K. Muraleedharan MLA, Shri P Parameshwaran, director of Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram and president of Vivekananda Kendram, Kanyakumari, Swami Amrithageethananda, Swami Thuryananda, Committee Joint Convener Dr KN Madhusoodha-nan Pillai and P. Ashok Kumar spoke on the occasion.
The Vice President lit the traditional lamp in front of the statue to mark the unveiling. Swami Atmapriyananda performed the aarti. In his speech the Vice President said development and social harmony should go hand in hand. Swamiji was an Indian, Hindu and Vendathi. He wanted radical changes on all social fronts of the country. His philosophies were precise. He was for revolutionary changes. Development and social harmony are complementary and contributory to each other. One cannot exist without another. Swamiji could not accept spirituality without any mechanism to feed the poor. Swamiji’s philosophies are necessary for today’s social development.
The statue was made in Mahablipuram, Tamil Nadu. It was made by sculptor Krishnamoorthy. It resembles the statue installed in the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari.
(T Satisan)
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