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
21-10-1963
New Delhi
Dear Shri Panna,
Your letter dated 14-10-63 (but posted on 16-10-63) was duly received here on 17-10-63. I waited in vain for your letter on the 15 th and 16 th.
It is unfortunate that while I got Madras letter on the morning of the IIth you could not get the letter till evening. It may be that the letter was waiting for you in the letter-box. Your letter has not mentioned whether the postal delivery was late or the home clearance was delayed.
It was expected of you that you would at least contact those to whom I had written letters from here. I have received a letter from the Honourable Speaker Shri K.S. Basu informing me that he received my letter of the 12th instant on 14th afternoon making it impossible for him to take up the matter. He has also mentioned in his letter ‘None of the members of the Calcutta office had contacted me on the subject’. I do not know if you could contact Shri Ashoka Sarkar, Shri Sunitibabu and Justice Mukherji. Even if a deputation meeting with Bhaktavatsalam was not found feasible for the reasons mentioned in your letter, the occasion and my letters did provide you with an excuse to contact those four gentlemen. As an organiser and a social worker you must always remember one maxim, i.e. ‘Opportunities are Duties’.
I am writing this letter to you on the eve of my departure to Bombay. I am leaving Delhi by tomorrow’s Punjab-Bombay Mail. After staying there for a week I intend to leave for Calcutta. It depends upon my work at Bombay. In the middle of November I shall have to come back to Delhi again.
You have not yet reported to me about Mrs. Justice Mukherji’s impressions of her visit to Nagpur and her participation in our Vijaya Dashami function there. You have also not written to me about Dr. Sujit Dhar. I hope Shri Debajyoti Parman has returned from his Nagpur journey with more vigour and enthusiasm.
I am giving below my Bombay Address. Convey my Saprema Namaskaras to Shri Vasantji Bhat, Shri Amalda, Yalida, Keshabji, Sujit, Ajit, Sarat, Bhola, Bipul, Poorna and others. I hope all the three secretaries – Shri Kalida, Shyamaprasad and Sarojbabu-are in touch with 76. and are applying their mind to the subject.
Nothing more at present. More when I receive your letter at Bombay.
Yours
Eknath Ranade