Swami Vivekananda’s Call to the Nation

Published By : Admin | January 12, 2012 | 09:47 IST

Swami Vivekananda’s Call to the Nation

Dear Friends,

“One vision I can see clear as life before me that the ancient Mother has awakened once more, sitting on her throne- rejuvenated, more glorious than ever. Proclaim her to the entire world with the voice of peace and benediction” thus proclaimed a great man. When India was in the clutches of imperialism, plagued by poverty, destitution and diminishing self-confidence, he went a step ahead and proclaimed that a resurrected India would be the leader of the world ( Jagad Guru Bharat)! That great soul was Swami Vivekananda.

Swamiji embodied the spirit of India. When he returned home from his travels overseas he was asked what he thought of India; Swamiji replied, “I loved my Motherland dearly before I went to America and England. After my return every particle of dust of this land seems sacred to me.” After his lecture in Chicago the entire world was at his feet, but gazing at the skyscrapers that filled Chicago’s moonlit skies, he wrote to a disciple, “When will India be like this?” No wonder every revolutionary in the Independence movement drew great inspiration from Swami Vivekananda- he ignited the spark of a nations conscience!

He had visualized India’s pre-ordained destiny of taking on the mantle of the world’s leadership. This would not only be in the realm of spirituality but also in every other sphere be it economic, political or social. He called for capacity building in science and technology. Influenced by Swamiji’s words, pioneer industrialist Sir Jamshedji Tata spearheaded the formation Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore alongside his famous steel plant. Sir JC Bose drew inspiration from his thoughts and went on to give India its rightful place in the world of science. Today, our advances in science and technology have made the world stand up and listen to us but Swami Vivekananda had asserted the need for capacity building a century ago.

“Every nation has a message to deliver, a mission to fulfill, a destiny to reach. The mission of India has been to guide humanity.” At Kanyakumari Swamiji realized India’s purpose- its message of spirituality, its mission to teach human beings the science of life- a destiny of wearing the crown of world leader. He spent his entire life in spreading this message.

Swami Vivekananda called for the awakening of India if at all the welfare of human kind was to be achieved. “Shall India die? Then, from the world all spirituality will be extinct, all sweet-souled sympathy for religion will be extinct, all identity will be extinct; and in its place will reign the duality of lust and luxury as the male and female deities, with money as its priest, fraud, force and competition its ceremonies, and human soul as its sacrifice. Such a thing can never be” he opined.

In Swami Vivekananda’s world view, so engrained was the sprit or service and renunciation in our DNA that we will not awaken to serve Indians alone but will work for the betterment of the entire humankind. Seeing the various problems that plague the world today, one will understand the importance of what Swamiji‘s words. It is because India has been unable to occupy what rightfully belongs to her that the world is suffering from the menace of terrorism, degradation of the environment and a topsy-turvy economy.

A famous philosopher once said, “Who lives if India dies? Who dies if India lives?” With freedom came an opportunity to take India to the pedestal of world leadership Sri Aurobindo said and this is what we must do in the 21st century. We may excel individually in every field but till we, as a nation, demonstrate our collective strength we would be unable to serve mankind, which will go against our destiny. Take the example of a football match- the common aim is to score more goals than the opposite team but the role of each player is different. There is no point if the goalkeeper leaves his stipulated place and runs ahead. Just like that we must have our collective goal clear in sight; the role of each one of us plays in attaining that goal varies. When we play our part with dedication, the results will be for everyone to see.

Friends, I can say with great conviction that it is possible to achieve Swami Vivekananda’s vision of a glorious India! Gujarat is blessed as Swamiji spent maximum time here, when he embarked on his nationwide journey from July 1890 to May 1893. Swamiji’s blessings have played a big part in taking Gujarat to where it is today and I see no reason why our country cannot perform wonders with his blessings. In Gujarat we are celebrating 2012 as the ‘Year of Youth Power’ to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth year. Let us use this occasion to tirelessly work together and play our part in realizing Swami Vivekananda’s dreams. This is the best gift we can give to this proud son who consecrated our land!

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Tribute to Shri Ratan Tata
November 09, 2024

It has been a month since Shri Ratan Tata Ji left us. From bustling cities and towns to villages, his absence is deeply felt across every segment of society. Seasoned industrialists, budding entrepreneurs and hardworking professionals mourn his loss. Those passionate about the environment and devoted to philanthropy are equally saddened. His absence has been deeply felt not only across the nation but also around the world.

For the youth, Shri Ratan Tata was an inspiration, a reminder that dreams are worth pursuing and that success can coexist with compassion as well as humility. For others, he represented the finest traditions of Indian enterprise and a steadfast commitment to the values of integrity, excellence and service. Under his leadership, the Tata Group ascended to new heights, embodying respect, honesty and credibility worldwide. Despite this, he wore his achievements lightly, with humility and kindness.

Shri Ratan Tata’s unwavering support for the dreams of others was one of his most defining qualities. In recent years, he became known for mentoring India’s StartUp ecosystem, investing in many promising ventures. He understood the hopes and aspirations of young entrepreneurs and recognised the potential they had to shape India’s future. By backing their efforts, he empowered a generation of dreamers to take bold risks and push boundaries. This has gone a long way in creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, which I am confident will continue to positively impact India for decades to come.

He constantly championed excellence, urging Indian enterprises to set global benchmarks. This vision, I hope, will inspire our future leaders to make India synonymous with world-class quality.

His greatness was not restricted to the boardroom or helping fellow humans. His compassion extended to all living beings. His deep love for animals was well-known and he supported every possible effort focused on animal welfare. He often shared photos of his dogs, who were as much a part of his life as any business venture. His life was a reminder to us all that true leadership is measured not just by one’s achievements, but by one’s ability to care for the most vulnerable.

For crores of Indians, Shri Ratan Tata’s patriotism shone brightest in times of crisis. His swift reopening of the iconic Taj Hotel in Mumbai after the 26/11 terror attacks was a rallying call to the nation—India stands united, refusing to yield to terrorism.

On a personal note, I had the privilege of knowing him very closely over the years. We worked closely in Gujarat, where he invested extensively, including in many of the projects he was very passionate about. Just a few weeks ago, I was in Vadodara with the President of the Government of Spain, Mr. Pedro Sánchez and we jointly inaugurated an aircraft complex where C-295 aircrafts would be made in India. It was Shri Ratan Tata who started working on this. Needless to say, Shri Ratan Tata’s presence was greatly missed.

I remember Shri Ratan Tata Ji as a man of letters—he would frequently write to me on various issues, be it matters of governance, expressing appreciation for government support, or sending congratulatory wishes after electoral victories.

Our close interactions continued when I moved to the Centre and he remained a committed partner in our nation-building efforts. Shri Ratan Tata’s support for the Swachh Bharat Mission was particularly close to my heart. He was a vocal advocate of this mass movement, understanding that cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation are vital for India’s progress. I still remember his heartfelt video message for the Swachh Bharat Mission’s tenth anniversary at the start of October. It was among his final public appearances.

Another cause close to his heart was healthcare and especially the fight against cancer. I recall the programme in Assam two years ago, where we had jointly inaugurated various cancer hospitals in the state. In his remarks that time, he had categorically stated that he wishes to dedicate his final years to healthcare. His efforts to make health and cancer care accessible and affordable were rooted in a profound empathy for those battling diseases, believing that a just society was one that stood by its most vulnerable.

As we remember him today, we are reminded of the society he envisioned—where business can serve as a force for good, where every individual’s potential is valued and where progress is measured in the well-being and happiness of all. He remains alive in the lives he touched and the dreams he nurtured. Generations will be grateful to him for making India a better, kinder and more hopeful place.