JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh today termed Swami Vivekananda as one of most prolific thinker as well as philosophers of present era and said the younger generation could be the best torch bearers of his legacy which would strengthen nationalism.
He also recalled the contribution of Swami Vivekananda in awakening of India and introducing Indian philosophy of Vedanta and Yoga to the western world.
Singh was speaking at a function organized by Vivekananda Kendra today at SNS public School to commemorate Swami Vivekananda's historical address in the World parliament of religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893. The day is being observed as the Universal brotherhood day to highlight his ideology and contribution.
Singh said Vivekananda is credited with raising interfaith awareness and strengthening the concept of nationalism in colonial India and bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion adding that Vivekananda's ideologies find universal acceptance cutting across the barrier of religion and region.
Exhorting upon the teachers to draw inspiration from the unique teacher-disciple relationship of Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, which helped Swani Vivekananda to remove his doubts and stride on the spiritual path.
"Being a teacher myself I feel that we have a pivotal role to ensure that our students think logically and apply positive reasoning in every field," he said and called for ensuring a conducive environment of learning, so that a child feels free to ask questions.
"The younger generation can be the best torch bearers of the legacy of Swami Vivekanand and reinforce a sense of pride in our traditions, ethos and cultural heritage", he said and added that religion was not just a way of worship doctrines or rituals rather it's a manifestation of our understanding the divinity within us and the translating the same it into good deeds.
The Deputy Chief Minister said India was on the threshold of change under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and we are creating a niche in the socio-political and economic arena.
He maintained that India has its strength in its spiritual heritage and a beautiful amalgam of different culture and ethos.