Shri Narendra Modi addresses Youth Convention on Empowering the Youth at Mahatma Mandir
Convention on 2nd day of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit and on the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda
If there is strength of investment in one sphere it is knowledge: CM
Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013 is dedicated to the youth of Gujarat. We want to create a Gujarat where all means of knowledge are available to the youth: Shri Modi
Shri Modi pays tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his 150th birth anniversary
Swami Vivekananda spoke about Daridra Narayan. He said there is divinity in the poorest of the poor. Serving the poor is like serving God: Shri Modi
CM gives Mantra of ‘Icha+Sthirta=Sankalp (Desire+ Steadiness = Determination) and ‘Sankalp+Parishram=Siddhi’ (Determination+ Hardwork = Accomplishment)
We need to work hard to realize Swami Vivekananda’s dream. The time is ours. This century is ours: Shri Modi
On the afternoon of Saturday 12th January 2013 Shri Narendra Modi addressed a Youth Convention of Empowering the Youth at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The convention was held on the second day of the 6th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, which coincided with the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The Chief Minister paid rich tributes to Swami Vivekananda and talked about the efforts of the Gujarat Government to further spread Swami Vivekananda’s message to the youth.
Shri Modi pointed out that there would be many people for whom Vibrant Gujarat 2013 is all about money and monetary investment but the truth is that if there strength of investment in one sphere, it is knowledge and knowledge is a major focus area for this year’s summit. He shared a Chine proverb that stated that if one thinks for a year, he sows grains, if one thinks for ten years he sows fruit trees and if he thinks for generations then he sows humans.
Remembering Swami Vivekananda, the Chief Minister stated, “Today is the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. It is being celebrated all over. Gujarat commemorated it as ‘Yuva Shakti Varsh’ and we established Vivekananda Yuva Kendras in every village.” Sharing further light about Swami Vivekananda’s message Shri Modi pointed, “Swami Vivekananda spoke about Daridra Narayan. He said there is divinity in the poorest of the poor. Serving the poor is like serving God.”
The Chief Minister recalled that Swami Vivekananda had asked the people to forget all Gods and Goddesses and remember only Bharat Mata. “Swami Vivekananda said that in 1897 and he asked people to serve Bharat Mata determinately for 50 years. In 1947 we attained freedom,” he declared. Shri Modi added, “Swami Vivekananda said serve man not god. He was a youth. His dreams were young and that is why he is a source of inspiration for the youth.”
Shri Modi urged the youth not to dream to become something but to dream to do something. He shared that there are people whose new desires take birth daily and they die a premature death. “I do not want (such) youngsters whose dreams make them an object of ridicule,” he affirmed.
Shri Modi gave the Mantra of ‘Icha+Sthirta=Sankalp (Desire+ Steadiness = Determination) and ‘Sankalp+Parishram=Siddhi’ (Determination+ Hardwork = Acomplishment). “Dreams must be steady and then they become determination. Add hardwork to it and it becomes Siddhi,” he declared.
The Chief Minister commented about the changing perception about India and recalled an anecdote where someone asked him if India is still land of snake charmers to which he has replied, “Earlier we were a nation of snake charmers. Now we are a nation of mouse charmers!” referring to the progress made by the Indian youth in IT sector.
Likewise, he recalled an anecdote when President Bill Clinton visited India and had visited a village in Rajasthan. “When President Clinton visited a village in Rajasthan, a person called Kaluram went to him. People in the village were thinking why is Kaluram doing this? But this Kaluram went to President Clinton and asked him if he thought India is still a land of snake charmers and magic? President Clinton was rattled and said no, he does not think so and assured that wherever he goes he will convey the picture of the India he saw! I want every youngster of India to have this strength. It is this Yuva Shakti that will take India to greater heights,” he stated.
Shri Modi affirmed that Swami Vivekananda saw India as the leader of the world, Jagat Guru Bharat and added that this dream of Swami Vivekananda cannot be false. “We need to work hard to realize his dream. The time is ours. This century is ours. This is a century of knowledge,” he declared.
A large number of youngsters were present on the occasion and they were extremely inspired by the words of wisdom shared by the Chief Minister. Cabinet Minister Shri Ramanlal Vora was present on the occasion.
