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 Panna
new dehli
Dear Shri Panna,
Your letter dated 30-10-63 was duly received. This morning I received another letter of the 5th November along with the enclosed newspaper cutting of Ananda Bazar.
Yesterday Shri Kesheoji left for Calcutta by 29 Down Howrah Express (via Nagpur) and will reach there tomorrow evening. He told me that in his previous letter to Calcutta he had wrongly informed that he was leaving by Howrah Express, via Allahabad. Please intimate to Shri Prabhakar Lakhe about the mistake.
A new pamphlet ‘A brief account of developments pertaining to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial proposed to be erected on the Vivekananda Rock at Kanyakumari’ is newly published and I have sent 200 copies of the pamphlet with Shri Kesheoji for being distributed to important persons connected with the Committee and also to Editors of newspapers for their information. I am confident you will take proper care about their distribution and carry the copies personally to important persons.
My cough and the accompanying throat trouble is on the retreat. I hope to be completely normal within a week though I might take a sufficiently long time to regain my normal strength.
I am leaving for Delhi on the 10th evening by plane. I shall stay there for about four or five days. I am undertaking this short trip to Delhi to meet some important persons. I could not meet them during my last visit due to my indisposition. As I am feeling better now, I have decided to complete the work before leaving for Madras to attend the Committee Meeting. I shall go to Madras via Bombay.
I do not know Shri Krishnakumar Chattopadhyaya. But some of you should meet him when he returns from Jaipur and know the details of the talk between him and the Chief Minister of Madras. Report to me without delay about the information received from Shri Krishnakumar Chatterji either on my Bombay address or Delhi address.
Shri Bhaktavatsalam is scheduled to be in the Capital from today the 7th to 14th Nov. I believe, many people must have talked to Shri Bhaktavatsalam at Jaipur about the Rock Memorial. When I reach Delhi I may know the outcome of the talks. I may even get a chance of meeting the Madras Chief Minister.
I do not doubt in the least the ultimate grant of permission from the Madras Government for the Rock Memorial. It would not be also too long before the permission is granted.
Yours,
Eknath Ranade