The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participated in the 125th Anniversary celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna Math at Vivekananda House in Chennai, Tamil Nadu today. Upon arriving at the venue, the Prime Minister paid floral tributes and performed puja and meditation in Swami Vivekananda’s room. The Prime Minister also released a book on Holy Trio on the occasion.

Started in Chennai in 1897 by Swami Ramakrishnananda, the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are spiritual organizations engaged in various forms of humanitarian and social service activities. 

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed happiness to be present on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of Ramakrishna Math’s service in Chennai and said that he deeply respects Ramakrishna Math in his life. Expressing his affection and love for Tamilians, the Tamil language, the Tamil culture and the vibe of Chennai, the Prime Minister mentioned visiting Swami Vivekananda's house in Chennai where he stayed after returning from his trip in the West. He remarked that meditating in this house was a very special experience for him and he now feels inspired and energized. The Prime Minister expressed happiness about the outreach of ancient ideas to younger generations through technology.

Quoting Thiruvalluvar from one of his verses, the Prime Minister explained that there is nothing like kindness in both this world and the world of Gods. Throwing light on the areas of service of Ramakrishna Math in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister gave examples of education, libraries, leprosy awareness and rehabilitation, health care, nursing and rural development. He also pointed out that before the service of  Ramakrishna Math, it was the impact that Tamil Nadu had on  Swami Vivekananda that came to the fore. He elaborated that Swami Vivekananda found the purpose of his life at the famous rock in Kanyakumari which transformed him and its impact could be witnessed in Chicago. He further added that Swami Vivekananda first set foot on the holy land of Tamil Nadu. The King of Ramnad, the Prime Minister said, received him with great respect and the Nobel Prize-winning French author Romain Rolland described the occasion as a festival where seventeen victory arches were erected and public life had come to a standstill for a week. 

Noting that Swami Vivekananda was from Bengal but was given a hero’s welcome in Tamil Nadu long before India’s independence, the Prime Minister emphasized that the people of the nation had a very clear concept of India as a nation for thousands of years which signifies ‘Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat’. Ramakrishna Math, the Prime Minister continued, works with the same spirit, and highlighted its many institutions spread across India that serve people selflessly. The Prime Minister also highlighted the success of  Kashi-Tamil Sangamam and informed that Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamam is also going to take place. He wished great success to all such efforts to further India’s unity.

“Our governance is inspired by the philosophies of Swami Vivekananda”, the Prime Minister remarked. Drawing an analogy to Swami Vivkanand’s vision that society progresses when privilege is broken and equality is ensured, the Prime Minister mentioned that the same vision applied in all the flagship programs of the government. He pointed out that earlier, even basic facilities were treated like privileges and only a handful of people or small groups were allowed to access them. But now, the Prime Minister said, the doors of development have been opened to everyone. He informed that MUDRA Yojana, one of our most successful schemes, is celebrating its 8th anniversary today and highlighted the efforts of small entrepreneurs from Tamil Nadu who made the state a leader in the scheme. “Nearly 38 crore collateral-free loans have been given to small entrepreneurs including a huge number of women and people from marginalized sections of society”, the Prime Minister informed. He reiterated that getting a bank loan for business was a privilege earlier, but its accessibility has been amplified now. Similarly, the Prime Minister added, basic things like a house, electricity, LPG connections, toilets and more are reaching every family.

“Swami Vivekananda had a grand vision for India. Today, I am sure he is proudly watching India working to fulfill his vision”, the Prime Minister said and noted his central message about faith in ourselves and our country. He pointed out that every Indian feels it is our time now and many experts suggest that this will be India’s century. “We engage with the world from a position of confidence and mutual respect”, he added. 

Recalling the teachings of Swami Ji that we are nobody to help women and when there is a right platform, women will lead society and solve problems by themselves, the Prime Minister emphasized that today’s India believes in women-led development. “Whether it is startups or sports, armed forces or higher education, women are breaking barriers and making records”, the Prime Minister remarked. He further added that Swami Ji believed in sports and fitness to be crucial for character development and highlighted that today, society has begun to see sports as a professional choice, rather than just as an extra activity. He pointed out that Yoga and Fit India have become mass movements. He also touched upon the National Education Policy that has reformed the education sector to bring global best practices to India and mentioned Swami Ji’s belief that empowerment can be achieved through education and the need for technical and scientific education. “Today, skill development has received unprecedented support. We also have one of the world’s most vibrant tech and scientific ecosystems”, he added. 

Recalling the words of Swami Vivekananda that even assimilating five ideas and living them fully was very powerful, the Prime Minister mentioned that we just celebrated 75 years of independence and the nation has set its sights on making the next 25 years as Amrit Kaal. “This Amrit Kaal can be used to achieve great things by assimilating five ideas – the Panch Praan. These are the goals of a developed India, removing any traces of colonial mindset, celebrating our heritage, strengthening unity, and focusing on our duties”, the Prime Minister said. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister urged everyone to collectively and individually   resolve to follow these five principles. “If 140 crore people make such a resolve, then we can build a developed, self-reliant and inclusive India by 2047”, Shri Modi concluded. 

Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri R N Ravi, Vice President of Ramakrishna Math, Srimat Swami Gautamanandaji, and Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri L Murugan were present on the occasion among others.

***

DS/TS