Nation’s future depends on education: President

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Rampur (Kalahandi), Nov 30:

Paying glowing tributes to Swami Vivekananda, President Pranab Mukherjee today said the great seer had pointed out that a country’s future depends on its people and the education they receive.

“By taking up projects to bring education and training to the people of such backward areas, Swami Vairagyanandaji and his Ashram colleagues are fulfilling the goals set by Swami Vivekananda,” he said addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Vivekananda Memorial Hall at Shree Ramakrishna Ashram at Rampur in Kalahandi district of Odisha today.

Mukherjee said one of the most important insights that Swami Vivekananda received from Ramakrishna Paramhamsa was “Jiva is Shiva” – that is, each individual is divinity itself.

“Swami Vivekananda taught that the common people should be served looking upon them as manifestations of God. By establishing numerous facilities to provide education and healthcare for the tribal population, especially children and youth, Swami Vairagyanandaji has made his Ashram a vehicle for the implementation of Swamiji’s thoughts and teachings,” the President said.

The Vivekananda Memorial Hall is one of the commemorative programmes taken up worldwide to celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

A publication entitled “Bharat Parikrama: Kalahandi to Kashmir and Kanyakumari” in Odia language brought out by the Ashram to mark 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was presented to the President on the occasion.