Hyderabad, 28 December,
2020.
Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial, set-up on the rocks, near
Kanyakumari, where Swamyji’s realized his `life mission’ after three days of
meditation, will continue to be perennial source of inspiration, said Susri
Sujatha Nayak, Telugu Praanta Sanghathak of Vivekananda Kendra.
Speaking at the webinar conducted by Hyderabad-based think tank
Social Cause on “50 years of Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari”, she
said that after meditation at Kanyakumari, Swami Vivekananda realized his life
mission as spreading of SanathaDharma message to everyhouse.
Though several people initiated efforts to erect Swami
Vivekananda memorial on this rock since many years, finally it was decided byRSS
on the 100th birth anniversary of Swamiji. The then RSS chief Guruju assigned
the task to Eknath Ranade, senior RSS pracharak and former national
generalsecretary.
In fact, she said that Eknathji initially faced several
hardships. A section of the local Christian community opposed the move, the
then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Bhaktavatsaralam said he will not allow it in
his life time and union minister for Science and Culture, Humayan Kabir
objected stating that it would spoil the natural beauty.
However,shesaidthatwhilewaitingforanappointmentwiththePrime
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at Parliament House in three days he collected
signatures of 323 MPs seeking Vivekananda memorial. That makes Nehru left with
no option but to givepermission.
After Nehru’s consent, even chief minister was forced to permit
but said only asmall memorial. But later he approved the design suggested by Kanchi
Paramacharya, thus paved way for the birth of huge memorial, first of its kind
in the world.
While getting contributions from all the state governments and
prominent people, Sujatha said that Eknathji also inspired crores of people to
contribute by taking Rs 1 coupons.In are cord period of six years, the memorial
was completed and the in a ugura leven went on for two months.
Later, she said that Eknathji set up Vivekananda Kendra to work
for nationalregenerationsothattofulfillSwamiji’smissionofguidingthe world in
spirituality. The Kendra has initiated several projects aiming at realizing
Swamiji’s motto of `Serve Man, Serve God’ into action, sheadded.
Vivekananda Kendra is presently working from 1005 centres, spread over 25 states and three union territorial with various projects. In reorganizati on of its service for the nation, the Government of India has awarded prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize in February,2019.
Justice CV Ramulu, Telangana Lokayuktha, participating as chief
guest said that the rock is a living memorial for Swami Vivekananda intended to
fulfill his life mission. He said that Eknath Ranade has given us a great
organization and movement to carry out Swamiji’s ideals into action. Advocate
Vijaya Bharathi moderated the webinar.