On 12th January 2013, the nation commemorated 150th birth anniversary of the most outstanding spiritual guide and pontiff of contemporary India. It has been declared National Youth Day. Life and work of Swami Vivekananda remind us of our heritage that helped Indian nation develop the spirit of self confidence and unity against odds and in her struggle for freedom from alien rule. He was a crusader who instilled through his thoughts of universalism and human dignity the spirit that made India stand up to a mighty colonial power not with the force of arms but with the force of human values. His scientific interpretation of scriptures and their application to daily life was what the nation needed most at a particular point of time.
The nation prides in commemorating him. However, simultaneously, it also harkens us against the loss of moral and spiritual values with which our polity is faced today. We cannot raise our head in pride and tell the world that we are the dedicated followers of the teaching of great saints and savants like Swami Vivekananda just because we are not able to maintain the moral and ethical values which he preached. Therefore commemorating his birthday is of a different significance to us today. It beckons us to take a pledge that we shall do all that we can to revive the lofty moral and ethical values for which our country was once known to the world. We have not lost every thing. Every time is right to do some deep introspection and soul-searching. The true commemoration of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda does not lie in just holding functions and showering encomiums on his life and works; real tribute to this great son of India will be in following his teachings and guidance in letter and in spirit. Remember that his teachings are for mankind and not only for us the Indians. His vision transcended all barriers, it was universal. That is what should guide us in dealing with contemporary world.
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