‘Vivekananda’s teachings more relevant now’

Many prominent journalists and social theorists expressed concern over the rise in atrocities against women in India, on the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. While describing it as denigration of moral values, they felt that his ideas were still relevant in contemporary times and if practiced would provide a strong spiritual grounding for the youth and nation as a whole.

A seminar, was organised by Samachar Bharati Cultural Association, an affiliate of RSS, focused on ‘Swamiji’s Dreams of Bharat and Role of Media’. Justice L Narasimha Reddy, A P High Court, Chandan Mitra, MP and Editor, Pioneer and Kumari Nivedita Bhide, Vice President Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari, C V Ramulu, Retd Judge, M V R Sastry, Editor, Andhra Bhoomi, G Valliswar, Editor, Andhra Pradesh, T Harihara Sarma, President, Samachara Bharati enlightened the audience with the essence of the messages propagated by the Swamy throughout the world.

Speaking on the topic, Chandan Mitra emphasised that Vivekananda’s ideas acquired greater relevance now, as Indians know their position in the world. Describing that all great ideas need to be adopted and evolved with time, he said that ideas based on truth will not die. “He was the greatest of men, who spread the eternal truth that India was the soul of this world during his time”, he noted.

Citing the example of Swami’s Chicago address at ‘Parliament of the World's Religions’ in 1893, where he single handedly cleared the perceptions of skeptical Americans, Mitra said there was marked recognition of Hinduism by the west as one of the great religions of the world.

Drawing a line between his ideas of ‘truth’ and the ideals of ‘objectivity’ followed by media, he said that news should be balanced. He said that those who are heading should inculcate the culture of balancing it through their news rooms. “Good with bad and positive with negative, being conscious of the power, we wield”, he explained.

Recalling how Vivekananda expressed empathy with the poor, Mitra said that the Swamy believed that God resided in the poorest of the poor. He said that teachers and journalists were important elements of the society in alleviating poverty and eradicating illiteracy, both scientific and spiritual. “If you are not representing the underdog, then journalism is not the right place for you”, Mitra maintained.

Justice Narsimha Reddy expressed concern over the Delhi and Mumbai rape incidents terming it as ‘moral deficiency’. Questioning the logic in bringing out the Nirbhaya Act, he said that unless until there is ‘Samskaram’, in the upbringing of children, these incidents would continue despite a number of laws.

Nivedita Bhide asked the media to focus on the positive aspect of the nation portraying ‘Samartha Bharat’, as India needs to progress. Referring to Vivekananda who never compromised on the truth, she stressed the need for ‘exclusive’ approach, which rejects the whole. Describing the Muslims as brothers, she emphasised on the wisdom of forgetting the past for a constructive future. “Whenever India rose, it was for peace. There is lot of constructive work going on in the country”, she underlined.