How Swami Vivekananda Gave a New Dimension to the Indian Freedom Movement
Swami Who Solved India's Struggle
In the annals of Indian history, Swami Vivekananda stands tall as a torchbearer of the Indian freedom movement, inspiring generations of freedom fighters with his powerful speeches and teachings. Like the French Revolution, which was ignited by the ideas of Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu, India's own struggle for freedom was catalysed by this revered spiritual leader.
On the occasion of the 160th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, it is important to reflect on the profound contributions he made to the Indian freedom struggle. Swami Vivekananda, born on January 12, 1863, was a spiritual leader, philosopher, and cultural reformer who played a significant role in shaping the nationalist movement in India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
When Vivekananda arrived on the national scene, India was reeling from centuries of colonisation and exploitation. Its political and economic power had been stripped away, and its people had lost touch with their rich cultural heritage and past. But Vivekananda was determined to change this. He reminded Indians of their proud traditions and encouraged them to reclaim their identity.
This message was brought to the world stage in September 1893, when Vivekananda delivered a powerful speech at the Parliament of World's Religions in Chicago. In that address, he declared that "Mother India will attain independence," and his words had a profound impact on both the Western world's perception of India, and on the way Indians viewed themselves. The speech is still remembered today as one of the most powerful and influential of the 19th century.
Vivekananda also brought the idea of Hinduism to America, and his audience was impressed by his speech, which is still talked about and discussed to this date. His explanation of Hinduism, a concept that was not well-understood by Westerners at the time, introduced new ideals and concepts that continue to fascinate people to this day.
Biman Behari Majumdar, a leading socio-political historian of his era, writes that Swami Vivekananda's triumphant return from his first Western tour in 1897 marked a turning point in the history of nationalism in India. In a speech given in Madras on February 14th, 1897, Vivekananda called on his fellow Indians to worship the motherland alone and exclusively for the next fifty years, urging them to "give up being a slave." As Majumdar notes, it was exactly fifty years later, on February 23rd, 1947, that Major Attlee, the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, announced the decision to quit India.
Vivekananda's words had a powerful impact on the freedom fighters of his era, many of whom kept his photo or books close at hand. The British government even described him as a "tough politician" who took cover in saffron robes. Even Mahatma Gandhi, who went on to become a central figure in India's freedom struggle, credited Vivekananda with inspiring him, stating that "I got a thousand times more energy after I read Swami Vivekananda's books."
Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12th, 1863, and passed away on July 4th, 1902. His spiritual mentor was Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and Vivekananda credited much of his understanding of God and spirituality to him. He went on to spread this knowledge across India and the world. Though he died at a young age of 39, his teachings and influential quotes have earned him immortality.
Girish Linganna
Defence and Aerospace Analyst
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Protesting ASHA workers to cut their hair to intensify agitation in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram(PTI): The ASHA workers protesting outside the Secretariat here have announced that they will intensify their agitation by staging a 'hair cutting demonstration' on Monday as their stir enters 50th day.
As the government has not made any favourable decision, a section of protesters launched an indefinite hunger strike at the protest venue here last week.
Mini S, one of the leaders of the protesting ASHA workers, criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday for remaining silent about their agitation and said they would not backtrack from the stir until the government accepts their demands.
"The CM is concerned even about animals, birds and other creatures in the wake of the heat wave warning in the state. But, he has not uttered any word on these ASHA workers who have been protesting under scorching sun for the last 50 days," she told reporters here.
She said she had cut her hair several times before but it is for the first time that she is doing it as part of a protest.
"Not just me, ASHA workers who arrive here from several districts will cut their hair as part of the protest. It will become a significant episode in the agitation," the leader added.
A section of ASHA workers have been protesting outside the Secretariat here for the last several weeks raising various demands including post-retirement benefits and an increase in honorarium.
The Left government in the state made it clear that such a steep hike in honorarium is not practically possible and said it was the responsibility of the Centre to address the demands of the ASHA workers.
According to the government, it has not received any cash grant from the central government under the National Health Mission (NHM) for 2023-24 for payment towards various Centrally sponsored schemes, including ASHA.
The central government has, however, rejected the state's claims and contended that it has given what was due, but the utilisation certificate did not come from Kerala.
It said that once the certificate comes, the requisite amount would be given to the ASHA workers and the state.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda had also announced in the Parliament that the Mission Steering Group of the NHM has decided to raise the incentives for ASHA workers.
