CHANDIGARH: The Department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, in collaboration with the Baba Fateh Singh Study Circle, organised an interactive session on “Swami Vivekananda and Consciousness” under the nationwide initiative Vivekananda 125 – From Campus to Community. According to K Pushpinder Singh, PhD scholar at Panjab University and Founder-Director of the Baba Fateh Singh Study Circle, North India, the session was delivered by Dr. Nikhil Yadav, Author, Policy Researcher and Deputy Head, Vivekananda Kendra, Northern Region.
During the lecture, Dr Nikhil Yadav discussed Swami Vivekananda’s visits to undivided Punjab, including his interactions with disciples and brother disciples, and the impact of these journeys on his understanding of the region’s spiritual and cultural traditions. He highlighted Vivekananda ji ’s deep reverence for Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, emphasising that Vivekananda ji regarded Guru Gobind Singh Ji as an ideal of sacrifice, courage, service and dedication to the nation.
Dr Nikhil Yadav also drew attention to the influence of Swami Vivekananda’s ideas on India’s freedom movement and the intellectual awakening of its revolutionaries. He referred to Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s 1923 essay, “The Problem of Punjab’s Language and Script,” written when Bhagat Singh was approximately 16 years old for an essay competition organised by the Punjab Hindi Sahitya Sammelan. Shaheed Bhagat Singh mentions Swami Vivekananda in this essay, reflecting the relevance of Vivekananda’s ideas in the intellectual milieu of the period.
The lecture further explored Swami Vivekananda’s message of purposeful living, self-confidence, character-building and service to humanity. Addressing the contemporary generation, particularly Gen Z, Dr. Nikhil Yadav emphasised the importance of developing clarity of purpose, recognising one’s potential and channelising youthful energy towards constructive social change and nation-building. He underlined that Vivekananda’s teachings remain relevant in helping young people navigate modern challenges while remaining connected to India’s civilisational values.
The session was attended by scholars, faculty members of Panjab University and students, who engaged with the themes of Indian philosophy, consciousness, Punjab’s spiritual heritage and Vivekananda’s enduring legacy.
Vivekananda 125: From Campus to Community
The programme was part of Vivekananda 125 – From Campus to Community, a nationwide initiative launched at IIT Madras on September 11, 2026. The initiative seeks to take Swami Vivekananda’s ideas to educational campuses and villages, encouraging young people to participate in character-building, community engagement and nation-building.
The initiative’s engagement with Panjab University was particularly significant in highlighting the historical and intellectual connections between Swami Vivekananda and Punjab, while encouraging students to explore the contemporary relevance of his message.
The programme concluded with a renewed emphasis on taking Swami Vivekananda’s message beyond academic discussions and translating his ideals into meaningful action in everyday life and society.
