The IQAC of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata organized an online discussion on the life and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda on January 12, 2021 (Tuesday) as a part of the celebration of the National Youth Day, the birthday of the wandering monk.
The key note speaker was the hon'ble Vice-Chancellor of the university, Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J. During his speech, Father Vice-Chancellor depicted the life history of Swami Vivekananda, his teachings aimed at the youth, promotion of human values and especially his visit to Chicago. Father also discussed about Swamiji's visit to Ramanathapuram and the other places of Tamil Nadu. Father also focused on the similarities of Jesuit education and disciplines with that of Ramakrishna Mission.
Father recalled the significance of the decade of 1860-70s when a series of great personalities like Acharya J C Bose, Brahmabandhav Upadhyayay, Rabindranath Tagore, M K Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda and others were born in this country and dedicated their entire lives for the upliftment of human civilization through their valuable contributions i.e. science, arts, literature, religious movements, expression of secular thoughts and vice versa.
"Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached", while commemorating the famous scripture of Swamiji, Father reminded that enough opportunities are left there for Indians to grow as nearly 65% population of India belongs to the youth section. If this positive power can be utilized after productive issues with proper guidance and training, India will be the super power in near future, he opined. As a harbinger of new and innovative thoughts, Swamiji was always an aspirant of new India filled with a rejuvenated youth power, which also Father mentioned for several times in his lecture and appealed to everyone to follow Swami Vivekananda's ideologies in order to establish a better tomorrow.
The programme was attended by all faculty Members of the university. They also interacted with Father after he had completed his lecture. The vote of thanks was delivered by Registrar, Prof Ashis Mitra...