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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Rahul, Congress tried since 2002 to target Modi's image, PM's credibility remains high: BJP
New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Thursday dubbed Rahul Gandhi's attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the US prosecutors' indictment of Gautam Adani on alleged bribery and fraud charges as part of his long-running efforts to target its leader, and noted that none of the four states named in American courts had a BJP government.
Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra made it clear that as far as allegations against the Adani group are concerned it is for the company to issue a clarification and defend itself.
"Law will take its own course," he said, while keeping the focus on Gandhi's allegations against the prime minister and the BJP government at the Centre.
Since 2002, Rahul Gandhi, his mother Sonia Gandhi and the Congress have been trying to tarnish Modi's image, but they have not succeeded and the prime minister received the highest civilian award in a foreign country on a day the opposition party was attacking him, the BJP leader said.
Rahul Gandhi claimed in his press conference that the opposition has been successful in destroying Modi's credibility over his alleged proximity to the business tycoon.
Citing the Adani group's investment in various states ruled by the Congress and its allies, Patra noted that it invested Rs 25k crore and Rs 65k crore in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan when Bhupesh Baghel and Ashok Gehlot were at the helm there respectively.
The conglomerate invested Rs 45k crore in the DMK-ruled Tamil Nadu and had recently given Rs 100 crore donation to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for a skill development foundation, he added.
If Adani is "corrupt", then why are the Congress governments seeking investment from his company, he asked.
The billionaire industrialist has been charged by US prosecutors for allegedly being part of a scheme to pay over USD 250 million (about Rs 2,100 crore) bribe to Indian officials in exchange of favourable terms for solar power contracts.
This was concealed from the US banks and investors from whom the Adani group raised billions of dollars for the project, the prosecutors have alleged. US law allows pursuing foreign corruption allegations if they involve certain links to American investors or markets.
The Adani group, however, has denied the charges.
The Congress, Patra alleged, cannot tolerate the Indian economy gaining in strength with Modi as prime minister, as it is now on track to become the third biggest global economy.
Rahul Gandhi has been trying to target the Indian economy by making all kinds of allegations, and over 2.5 crore investors even on Thursday lost a lot of money as the stock market tanked, he said.
The Congress leader targeted the government over the alleged corruption in the Rafale aircraft deal and had also gone after it over the issue of Covid vaccines, he added.
Patra also objected to Gandhi's claim that his party has to do the job of the judiciary as well, saying it amounted to contempt of court. Gandhi does not understand legalities and technicalities around an issue and merely repeats what he is briefed by a few advisors, he added.
The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha will now start a "drama" when Parliament's Winter session begins from November 25 and try to disrupt its proceedings and target the economy, he claimed.
