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 The Secretary, Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee
new dehli
The Secretary,
Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee
Dear Friend,
After assuming charge of organizational work of the Committee as its Organising Secretary in August last, it is for the first time I am reporting to you regarding progress of the Committee’s work which, for the last several months, has been centering round securing approval of the State Government of Madras for ‘Vivekananda Rock Memorial’ plan.
After the State Government’s refusal of permission in the month of March 1963 to our proposed plan of erecting Swamiji’s statue on the V. Rock, our continued persuasive efforts by way of sending to the Madras Government copies of resolutions passed in meetings organized by our workers at a number of places all over the country as well as writing of personal letters by our supporters to Shri Bhaktavatsalam, Minister for Hindu Religious Endowments and Charitable Trusts, Madras State, in favour of the Committee’s Memorial Plan have proved quite useful indeed.
Some important Dailies and other Journals have also joined us in our laudable cause and have appealed through even their editorial columns to the State Government of Madras for permitting our Committee to go ahead with its plan. Learning from Newspaper reports about our noble object some influential persons are understood to have spontaneously written to, and some have even personally met the ministers concerned, requesting them to support the Memorial Plan of our Committee.
As has been promised by Shri Bhaktavatsalam to our Delhi Committee Representatives who met him in July last, he is believed to have placed the matter before the State Government for reconsideration.
As Shri Bhaktavatsalam himself is recently elected to head the Madras Government which is reviewing the V. Rock Memorial issue, it is hoped that the Committee will get the green signal soon after 2 nd October when he is scheduled to assume his new office of Chief Ministership.Shri Bhaktavatsalam as we all know, personally, has been sympathetic to our cause. The day of his ascending to the headship of the State, therefore, is significant for us. Every unit of the Committee has naturally a reason to rejoice on that day and send congratulatory telegrams on behalf of the ‘Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee’ to Shri M. Bhaktavatsalam, Fort St. George, Madras –9.
I have met Shri Humayun Kabir recently. The interview was quite useful. I may get an opportunity of meeting Shri Bhaktavatsalam during the next few days when he is expected to visit the Capital.
I may have to stay in the Capital for a few days more.
Yours sincerely,
Eknath Ranade