Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday said that Swami Vivekananda was a great inspiration for her to enter politics, and that she has been serving people with a sense of selflessness.
“There are some people who made public life a profession. The profession can be transformed into service, but service cannot be turned into a profession. As far as I am concerned, Swami Vivekananda was a great inspiration for me to enter politics.
“When I took the first step into politics in 1982, I mentioned Swami Vivekananda in an interview,” the CM said, inaugurating the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda, at the Vivekananda House on Marina Beach. “Swami Vivekananda served the people as a monk. Following his path, I have been serving the people with a sense of detachment. I don’t have any selfish motive since I don’t have any needs. The people of Tamil Nadu are everything to me. I am here because of the people of TN and will work for them,” she said.
Stating that participation in the function was a blessing for her, Jayalalithaa said that right from her childhood, she was attracted to the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and his guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
Observing that Vivekananda made the world understand the greatness of Hinduism, Jayalalithaa said he was the best example of a life of self-confidence. The Swami preached equality, knowledge, and mental strength.
Above all, he was a patriot and exhorted youth to strive hard for the country. Hailing the service activities of the Sri Ramakrishna Math, Jayalalithaa said the institution had successfully combined the three aspects of the life — service to the people, country and the Almighty.