Tribute to the monk who made India roar in 1893 convention
Shrey Awasthi
In the tapestry of India’s glorious past, few figures shine as luminously as Swami Vivekananda, the young monk who redefined India’s identity on the global stage. As his death anniversary week is celebrated, we must not merely remember him — we must relearn, reflect and reignite the fire he lit in the hearts of millions, especially the youth.
Born into an aristocratic Bengali Kayastha family of Calcutta as Narendranath Datta, Swami Vivekananda passed away at a young age of 39 on July 4, 1902.
Chicago-1893: Moment India found its global voice
It was on September 11, 1893, at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago that a saffron-clad young Indian stood before a hall of Western intellects and with his thunderous greeting of “Sisters and brothers of America” shook the foundations of racial and cultural superiority. In that one moment, India was no longer a land of snake charmers in colonial textbooks — it was the cradle of spiritual wisdom, tolerance and universal acceptance.
Swami Vivekananda did not go to seek sympathy. He went to reclaim India’s rightful place in the world’s moral and spiritual leadership. This was not just diplomacy — it was civilisational assertion. He didn’t carry a flag, but he carried the soul of Bharat, and hoisted it before the world, years before independence was even a dream.
Ahead of his Time: Constitution in flesh and spirit
Swami Vivekananda was not a politician, but his vision pre-empted the Indian Constitution. His emphasis on equality, religious harmony, women’s empowerment, upliftment of the poor and the power of education form the pillars of modern Indian democracy.
Long before Article 25 guaranteed freedom of religion, Vivekananda was preaching the essence of Sanatan Dharma — “Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti” (truth is one, the wise call it by different names).
Long before Article 14 ensured equality, he said: “It is a sin to call a man weak. You are divine. Each soul is potentially divine.” And long before Article 45 aimed for education, he declared: “We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, intellect is expanded, and one can stand on one’s own feet.”
Isn’t it astonishing that a monk with no legal authority became the spiritual architect of the India we later codified into law?
Lessons for today’s youth: Wake up, arise, reclaim
Swami Vivekananda always believed that “Youth is the powerhouse of any nation”, and if India wants to lead the 21st century, today’s generation must anchor themselves in values and action. Here’s what our youth can learn:
- Believe in yourself: His mantra “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached” is not just a motivational quote but a call to action. For the youth battling distractions and self-doubt, this is a beacon.
- Be proud of your civilisation: He taught us to love our culture without hating others. At a time when cultural confidence is being reclaimed globally, his vision is India’s moral compass.
- Serve the nation through service to the poor: He equated Daridra Narayana (the poor) with God. Nation-building begins not in air-conditioned boardrooms but in villages, slums and schools.
- Balance science and spirituality: Swami Vivekananda promoted rationalism, fearlessness and spiritual wisdom. He would have loved today’s India where ISRO scientists chant before launch and build world-class technology.
- Be politically aware, not politically divided: He urged youth to be active citizens. Not pawns, but torchbearers. Today’s students must question, participate, and lead with integrity.
Why every politician must remember him today
In a time when politics often divides, Vivekananda unites. He was not aligned to any party, yet every leader can find inspiration in him — the spiritual leader with the soul of a revolutionary. His idea of nationalism was not jingoism, but inclusive patriotism. Not vote-bank appeasement, but real empowerment.
