Vivekananda decided Chicago address at Karnataka's Belagavi: President
Belagavi (Karnataka), Sep 15 : Visiting Belagavi for the first time after becoming President in 2017 on Saturday, Ram Nath Kovind recalled that Swami Vivekananda had got the idea of participating in the World Parliament of Religions in 1893 at Chicago in the US in this northwest city of Karnataka, about 500 km from Bengaluru.
"In 1892, Swami Vivekananda visited Belagavi. I am told the idea of his participation at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago occurred to him here. As is well known, Swamiji made a big impact in Chicago - and we recently celebrated the 125th anniversary of his address there," said Kovind at a function in this historic city.
At the Parliament of Religions, Vivekananda had said, man is not travelling from error to truth, but from truth to truth, from lower to higher truth. This is so meaningful in the context of education, noted the President.
Inaugurating the platinum jubilee celebration of Karnatak Law Society (KLS) and Raja Lakhamgouda Law College, Kovind said Belagavi had a rich history of learning and wisdom, as it was home to Jain monks who brought spiritualism and scholarship thousands of years ago.
"Over the years, Belagavi has emerged as a symbol of our nation and a notable home for our military community, our economic assets and for our cultural and classical music traditions," said Kovind in his presidential address.
Admitting that higher education was very close to his heart and a priority for his presidency, Kovind told the huge gathering that his background had been in the legal fraternity, with law not as a profession but a passion.
"It is fitting that KLS and its college are located in Belagavi and their event is blessed with the presence of legal luminaries like state Governor Vajubhai R Vala, a lawyer by training, Supreme Court's Chief Justice of India Dipak Mishra and Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, an alumni of the college," pointed out Kovind.
Former Chief Justices of India E.S. Venkataramiah and S. Rajendra Babu are also alumni of the law college.
During the freedom struggle for Independence, Kovind said renowned nationalist Bal Gangadhar Tilak inaugurated the Home Rule League at Belagavi in 1916.
"The founding of the Society in 1939 was a part of this illustrious legacy as it was the brainchild of nationalist and socially committed lawyers who thought for the country. They created the Society and the Law College to train young minds and budding lawyers to promote the rule of law and governance by laws," observed Kovind.
The Society's founders were skilled lawyers, with lucrative practice. Yet, they devoted time to the cause of education and even taught in the Law College free of charge. Its co-founder Raja Lakhamgouda Sirdesai of Vantmuri donated Rs 1 lakh to the Society, a princely sum those days.
The Society runs 14 institutions, including an institute of technology, a medical college and a management college, among others and has 14,000 students on its rolls.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
India First is gradually establishing itself as a digital platform focused on news and opinion content for an online audience, with a growing emphasis on entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems. Operating as an English-language website and e-magazine, it publishes coverage on current affairs, business trends, and insights relevant to emerging founders and innovators.
Founded by Santhosh Kumar, the platform reflects the broader shift toward independent, digital-first media. As more entrepreneurs and startups look for accessible and concise information, platforms like India First aim to bridge the gap between traditional news and modern business storytelling.
Alongside general news coverage, India First features opinion pieces and discussions centered around startup culture, innovation, and the challenges faced by new ventures. Its content approach focuses on clarity and relevance, making it accessible to both aspiring entrepreneurs and general readers.
The rise of niche digital publications highlights a transformation in how audiences consume information. By focusing on entrepreneurship and startups, India First positions itself within a growing segment of media that caters to India’s expanding innovation ecosystem.
As digital media continues to evolve, platforms like India First are expected to contribute to conversations around business, innovation, and the future of independent journalism.
