Respected Swami Gautamananda ji Maharaj, esteemed saints of the Ramakrishna Mission and Math from across the country and abroad, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, and all the distinguished guests associated with this program, ladies and gentlemen, Namaskar!
As a son of Gujarat, I welcome all of you to this event and offer my congratulations. I bow down at the feet of Maa Sharada, Gurudev Ramakrishna Paramhansa, and Swami Vivekananda ji. Today’s event is being held on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Swami Premanand Maharaj ji. I also pay my respects to him.
Friends,
The energy of great personalities continues to expand the positive creation in the world for many centuries. That’s why today, we are witnessing such a holy event on the birth anniversary of Swami Premanand Maharaj. The newly constructed prayer hall and sadhu residence in Lekhamba will nurture the saintly tradition of Bharat. A journey of service and education is beginning here, which will benefit many generations to come. The Sri Ramakrishna temple, hostels for poor students, vocational training centres, hospitals, and guest houses will become mediums for the spread of spirituality and service to humanity. In a way, I have also found a second home in Gujarat. My heart feels at peace in the company of saints and in a spiritual environment. I extend my congratulations and best wishes to all of you on this occasion.
Friends,
This region of Sanand holds many memories for me. Many old friends and spiritual companions are part of this event. I have spent so much time here, stayed in many homes, enjoyed the food made by the hands of mothers and sisters, and shared in their joys and sorrows. Those friends who have been here with me know the struggles this region has faced. The economic development this region needed is now becoming a reality. I remember that in the past, when we needed to travel by bus, there was only one bus in the morning and one in the evening, so most people preferred to travel by bicycle. I know this region well, as if it’s a part of me. I believe that along with our efforts and policies, the blessings of the saints have played a significant role in this transformation. Now that times have changed, the needs of society have also changed. I hope that this region becomes a centre for both economic and spiritual development. Because for a balanced life, both material wealth and spirituality are equally essential. I am glad to see that under the guidance of our saints and thinkers, Sanand and Gujarat are progressing in this direction.
Friends,
The potential of a tree is known from its seed. The Ramakrishna Math is that tree, whose seed contains the infinite energy of great ascetics like Swami Vivekananda. Therefore, its continuous expansion and the shade it provides to humanity are limitless. To understand the essence of the Ramakrishna Math, one must understand Swami Vivekananda and, more importantly, live his teachings. Once you start living his thoughts, you will feel how a different light guides you. I have personally experienced this. The old saints know how the Ramakrishna Mission, its saints and the thinking of Swami Vivekananda have guided my life. That’s why whenever I get the opportunity, I try to be part of this family and connect with you. With the blessings of the saints, I have been fortunate to contribute to many activities of the Mission. In 2005, I had the privilege of handing over the Dilaram Bungalow in Vadodara to the Ramakrishna Mission. Swami Vivekananda ji had spent some time here. I am also fortunate that the revered Swami Atmasthananda ji himself was present, as I had the opportunity to learn from him and receive his guidance in my spiritual journey. It was my privilege that I handed over the documents of the bungalow to him, and the love and blessings of Swami Atmasthananda ji have been a great asset to my life until his last moments.
Friends,
I have had the opportunity to be part of many programs and events organized by the Mission. Today, the Ramakrishna Mission has over 280 centres worldwide, and there are almost 1200 ashrams affiliated with the Ramakrishna movement in Bharat. These ashrams are working as centres for human service. Gujarat has long been a witness to the Ramakrishna Mission’s work. Whenever any crisis has come to Gujarat in the past few decades, the Ramakrishna Mission has always been there, working for the people. If I recall all the past events, it would take too long. But you will remember the time of the floods in Surat, the Morbi dam tragedy, the aftermath of the Bhuj earthquake, the famine period, and the times of excessive rainfall. Whenever a disaster occurred in Gujarat, the people associated with the Ramakrishna Mission came forward to support the victims. The Ramakrishna Mission played an important role in rebuilding over 80 schools destroyed by the earthquake. The people of Gujarat still remember and draw inspiration from this service.
Friends,
Swami Vivekananda ji had a special connection with Gujarat. Gujarat played a significant role in his life journey. Swami Vivekananda ji visited many places in Gujarat. It was here that Swami ji first learned about the Chicago World Parliament of Religions. Here, he studied several scriptures and prepared himself to spread Vedanta. During 1891, Swami ji stayed in the Bhojeshwar Bhavan in Porbandar for several months. The Gujarat government handed over this building to the Ramakrishna Mission to be made into a memorial temple. You may remember that the Gujarat government celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda from 2012 to 2014. The closing ceremony was held with great enthusiasm at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, attended by thousands of participants from Bharat and abroad. I am glad that the Gujarat government is now preparing a plan to develop the Swami Vivekananda Tourist Circuit in memory of Swami ji’s connection with Gujarat.
Brothers and sisters,
Swami Vivekananda was a great supporter of modern science. Swami ji believed that the importance of science is not only in describing things or events but in inspiring and advancing us. Today, Bharat’s growing presence in modern technology, the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem, and the steps towards becoming the third-largest economy in the world, along with modern infrastructure projects, show that Bharat is rapidly advancing, based on its knowledge traditions and ancient teachings. Swami Vivekananda believed that the youth power is the backbone of the nation. Swami ji once said, "Give me 100 young men filled with self-confidence and energy, and I will transform Bharat." Now, it is time for us to take up this responsibility. We have started a new journey into Amrit Kaal, with a strong commitment to a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). We must fulfil it and within the prescribed time. Today, Bharat is the world’s youngest nation, and its youth have already proven their capability on the global stage.
It is this youth power of Bharat that is leading the major companies of the world. It is this youth power of Bharat that is driving the nation’s development. Today, the nation has time, opportunity, dreams, determination, and the journey of effort leading to success. Therefore, we need to prepare our youth for leadership in every area of nation-building. Today, our youth must also lead the country in politics, just as they do in technology and other fields. We can no longer leave politics to the dynasts or those who treat it as their family property. We are preparing for a new beginning in the coming year, 2025. On January 12, 2025, on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary and National Youth Day, a "Young Leaders Dialogue" will be held in Delhi, where 2,000 selected youths from across the country will be invited. Millions of other youth will join virtually from across the nation. The discussion will focus on the vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ from the youth perspective, and a roadmap will be prepared to involve the youth in politics. Our goal is to bring one lakh talented and energetic youth into politics, and these youths will become the new face of 21st-century Bharat’s politics and the future of Bharat.
Friends,
On this auspicious occasion, it is also necessary to remember two important ideas that will make the earth a better place: Spirituality and Sustainable Development. By harmonizing these two ideas, we can build a better future. Swami Vivekananda emphasized the practical side of spirituality. He wanted spirituality to address society’s needs. He stressed not only the purification of thoughts but also cleanliness in the surroundings. By balancing economic development, social welfare, and environmental protection, we can achieve the goal of sustainable development. Swami Vivekananda ji’s thoughts will guide us toward this goal. We know that balance is important in both spirituality and sustainability. One creates balance in the mind, and the other teaches us to balance with nature. Therefore, I believe that institutions like the Ramakrishna Mission can play a significant role in advancing our campaigns. Missions like Mission LiFE and campaigns like ‘Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam’ can be further expanded through the Ramakrishna Mission.
Friends,
Swami Vivekananda wanted to see Bharat as a powerful and self-reliant nation. The country is now moving forward in that direction to realize his dream. May this dream be fulfilled as soon as possible, and may a strong and capable Bharat once again guide humanity. For this, every citizen of the country must embrace the teachings of Gurudev Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Swami Vivekananda. Events like this and the efforts of the saints are an important means to achieve this. Once again, I congratulate you all on this event and offer my respectful salutations to all the revered saints. May this new beginning today, with new energy, become the foundation to fulfil the dream of Swami Vivekananda.
Thank you all very much.
