News India Remembering Swami Vivekananda on his 153rd birth anniversary

Remembering Swami Vivekananda on his 153rd birth anniversary

New Delhi: What is the relevance today of a monk who was born 153 years ago, lived the life of a mendicant, and passed away at a young age of 39 years? Swami Vivekananda's personality

Swamiji -- as he was affectionately addressed -- enthused his followers to sacrifice their lives for their motherland. By doing so, he said, they will easily attain 'nirvana'.

His messages were vibrant and laced with intense patriotism.

Swamiji also poured his heart out for the poor, saying: "I call him a traitor who, having being educated, nursed in luxury by the heart's blood of the downtrodden millions of toiling poor, never even takes a thought for them."

He added: "They only live who live for others, the rest are more dead than alive."

It is no wonder that his books were regular companions of Indian freedom fighters. The British government, at one point, banned them altogether.

Latest India News