132nd Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's 1893 Chicago Speech

• 13 Sep 2024

Source: PIB

Recently, on the 132^nd anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's 1893 Chicago speech, the Prime Minister of India highlighted its enduring message of unity, peace, and brotherhood, emphasising its continued inspiration for generations.

• Swami Vivekananda, a key figure in introducing Hinduism, Yoga, and Vedanta to the West, spoke at the Parliament of the World’s Religions (PWR) in Chicago in 1893, advocating for religious tolerance. 
  • He condemned sectarianism, bigotry (complete intolerance of any belief), and fanaticism, highlighted Hinduism’s inclusivity with its sheltering of Jews and Zoroastrians and aligned his message with the Bhagavad Gita’s teaching of universal unity.
• PWR originating from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, it serves as a global platform for interfaith dialogue. Based in Chicago, it is an international NGO affiliated with the United Nations Department of Public Information.
• Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Datta in Calcutta on 12th January, 1863. He was the chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa and advocated the doctrine of service, education, and spiritual upliftment. 

  • He founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 to propagate the ideals of Advaita Vedanta. He died in 1902 at Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission.

• National Youth Day is celebrated every year to observe the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

Read more: Swami Vivekanada