At Kanyakumari - a unique symbol of unity and purity - is the Memorial of Swami Vivekananda, another symbol of the united aspiration of Nation. In the Memorial, there is a happy and harmonious blend of all the architectural beauty of the country. It is a symbol of unity because the whole nation wished, worked and contributed for it. Person from all states participated in its inauguration.
"An aggregate or a congregation of men does not make a nation, nor do the geographical area and duration of time qualify a society to be known as a nation. A government formed on such a basis can be called a state, but not a nation. It is common goal or mission that makes a nation. All the constituents strive collectively for something noble. Service with spiritual orientation results in man-making which invariably and inseparably connected with nation building." It is the core of all the thoughts behind Vivekananda Kendra.
Second Phase of Vivekananda Rock Memorial was parallel when Rock Memorial was taking shape. As Eknathji used to say "To put up a Cement and Concrete structure is not the work for which I am born, I am to erect a living and dynamic monument which will be worthy of Swami Vivekananda and which will be capable of bringing into fruition his grand vision of future India."
A view of the central section of the large audience in the Inaugral Function, hearing Shri V. V. Giri with rapt attention. In the foreground, opposite to Shri V. V. Giri, are shrines of Swami Vivekananda and Shrimat Adya Shankaracharya. In the background
The Rashtrapati accompanied by Shri M. Karunanidhi and Shri K. V. Subbiah (Minister for H. R. and C. E., Tamil Nadu), arrived at the meeting-ground behind the Kanyakumari temple at 10-00am. The meeting commenced with recitation of an invocation in Sanskrit by Dr. V. Raghavan, one of the Vice-presidents of teh Committee, followed by a welcome address by its President Shri D. N. Sinha. Shri D. N. Sinha said :
"This temple shall be a reminder that a man of God has a holy vision here, but that vision has not been redeemed yet and it behoves upon all of us to do our uttermost to redeem it".
"We the poor and teh nobodies have gone round with our alms-bowl and built the monument to commenorate the splendid spiritual vision of Swamiji. For though Swamiji's mortal body is gone, his spirit remains".