Indian leaders exhort the youth to follow the teachings of Swami Vivekananda
The first day, September 11, 1893, was devoted to speeches of welcome from the officials and responses by the delegates. Swami Vivekananda was one of the 10 delegates who were to represent one of the 10 chief religions of the world.
Neely's History of the Parliament of Religions noted that when 'Mr Vivekananda addressed the audience as 'Sisters and Brothers of America,' there arose a peal of applause that lasted for several minutes.'
"Mrs. S.K. Blodgett, who much later became Swamiji's hostess in Los Angeles, recalled I was at the Parliament ...When that young man got up and said, 'Sisters and Brothers of America,' seven thousand people rose to their feet as a tribute to something they knew not what," mentions the website of Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago.
Commemorating the historic speech and the message contained therein, Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, exhorted the nation, especially the youth, to follow the teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
The Prime Minister said that 125 years ago, on the same day that has recently come to be known as 9/11, with just a few words, a youngster from India won over the world and showed the world the power of oneness. The 9/11 of 1893 was about love, harmony and brotherhood, he added.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, "Our heartfelt homage to Swami Vivekananda on the anniversary of his historic address to the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893."
"On 125th Anniversary of #SwamiVivekananda ji's #Chicago address let's dedicate ourselves to harness power of #YoungIndia to build #NewIndia," tweeted Union Minister of Commerce and Industry.
Olympian Rajyavardhan Rathore, tweeted, " Dear young India, It's your Decisions and not your Conditions that shapes your future. #New #India #youth #Sports #SwamiVivekananda."
Indian boxer Vijender Singh tweeted, " #SwamiVivekananda a patriot saint,youth icon & spiritual guru whose teachings inspired whole world."
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand art on Puri Beach with the message "youth call for peace'.
Image: Sudarsan Pattnaik/Twitter
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