Swami Vivekananda – the name symbolizes courage, energy and enthusiasm. Millions of people have been influenced by his thoughts and persona. His oratory and words shake people out of their passive approach towards life. With his September 11, 1893 speech in Chicago, the saint achieved global recognition as it has changed the course of debate on many issues.

BORN: JANUARY 12, 1863 DIED: JULY 4, 1902

Swami Vivekananda introduced Hinduism, its tradition and Indian civilization to the West. His speech that began with “Sisters and Brothers of America” got him a standing ovation at the Parliament of the World Religions. In his speech, Swami Vivekananda touched upon the fact that though people may follow different religions, yet all paths eventually lead to the same God.

Vivekananda said in his speech, “I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true.” His complete understanding of various philosophical facets of his motherland reflected in that historic speech of the disciple of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
He also presented a paper on Hinduism at the conference and talked at length about religious unity. Swami Vivekananda’s teachings and his style of oratory captured the imagination of America and he was invited to deliver lectures at various places of repute during his visit to the country. After coming back to India, he worked for youth with his teachings for an all encompassing society.

There was a vision for India and its youth in the mind of Swami Vivekananda when he said play football before reading Srimad Bhagwadgita. He further said that a man is not poor without a rupee, but a man is really poor without a dream and ambition. You are the creator of your own destiny. Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Math, a monastic order based on his guru – Ramakrishna Paramhansa – teachings in Kolkata and a worldwide spiritual movement known as the Ramakrishna Mission based on the ancient Hindu philosophy of Vedanta.