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."
Letter to Shri Venkataraman
Madras
Dear Shri Venkataraman,
Received your letter dated 17-3-64 last evening. A little before that I had received the revised report by Shri Vhitale. I also received the accompanying three designs.
I have already written letters to Dr. Radhakrishnan, Pandit Jawaharlalji, Shri M.C. Chagla and Shri Lalbahadurji to seek their interview. I shall be staying here till March 24. I have reserved my passage in De Lux train on 25th for Nagpur.
I have commenced meeting important people in the Capital. I have shown the three designs drawn on two sheets of paper to persons whom I met yesterday and this morning. Design No. 1 is naturally liked by all but all of them know that it will not find favour with the Chief Minister and therefore they consider it to be out of question. As the statue in design No. 2 is not fully enclosed it also stands no chance of being approved by the State Government, according to them. Design No. 3 satisfies the conditions prescribed by the Chief Minister in so far as the statue is housed in a completely enclosed Dhyana Mandapam. Naturally, that design is attracting the attention of almost all people but a number of persons have remarked that the design appears to be too secular to be a fitting memorial for a spiritual personality. One of them even remarked that it has a look of some Industrial house or factory. After ascertaining views of several other persons I shall write to Shri Chitale to prepare a few more designs of the third alternative in his report designs which will satisfy people with spiritual or religious mental make-up. While I meet Dr. Radhakrishnan or Panditji it is better to have a few more alternative designs.
I have just now received packets of photos and negatives sent by you. Now I have no time to go through the detailed description of individual photo plates as there is very little time left for the letter to catch the mail.
I may write to you again tomorrow. I may write to Shri Chitale in a day or two. But in the meantime you may show this letter to him to acquaint him with first impressions of laymen whom I have met uptill now.
About other things you have written in your letter I shall write to you at leisure.
Yours,
Eknath Ranade