Gogoi announces institute after Swami Vivekanda

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, January 17: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday said his Government would come up with an institute med after Swami Vivekanda.

The Chief Minister said this while unveiling the life–size statue of Swami Vivekanda at a function organized by Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) at Tarun Sangha playground at Pandu in the city.

The Chief Minister said it was a matter of pride not only for Pandu but the entire State that a statue of the towering persolity has been unveiled there. “The statue will inspire and motivate us to work for the betterment of society and to work for humanity as a whole which is the core essence of Swami Vivekanda’s teachings. It will also remind us of the unfinished tasks, mely fighting against oppression, illiteracy, poverty and unemployment,” he said.

Gogoi said that Swamiji stood against all forms of oppression and subjugation and the best way to pay tribute to him is to fight against the forces out to create divisions in the me of religion and language. “How can we forge ahead if seeds of discord are sowed in the me of religion and language?” he quipped.

The Chief Minister said that Swami Vivekanda was a man of wisdom and knowledge and he aroused spiritual awakening. Gogoi said it was rare to find such an amalgamated and radiant persolity as Swami Vivekanda. “He was held in awe and reverence not only in our country but the whole world. The Chicago address by Swamiji was soul–stirring that created ripples worldwide,” he said.

Gogoi said that his Government has all along laid emphasis on education, as did Swami Vivekanda. “Swami Vivekanda laid stress on education and our Government too is following in his footsteps by taking up a slew of educatiol schemes. Education can help solve all our problems and take us towards progress and prosperity,” he said.

Gogoi further said that Swami Vivekanda believed in the power of the youth and he felt deeply that the youth power can transform the country. “We have a strong youth power in our country and if we channelize their unbounded energies, no one can stop us from emerging stronger than ever before,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a cherished dream had come true with the unveiling of the statue of Swami Vivekanda. Sarma said that the society could forge ahead only if it followed the ideals of the great sage.

Sarma further said Swamiji’s sagacity and wisdom had taken the country to newer heights. “Inspired by his ideals, many great persolities like Mahatma Gandhi, poet Rabindrath Tagore and Jawaharlal Nehru worked for the country with missiory zeal,” he added.

Earlier, in his welcome address, GMDA Chairman Dhiren Baruah said that the statue of Swami Vivekanda was sculpted by artist Biren Singha at a cost of Rs 15 lakh and thanked the Chief Minister for taking the initiative. Sculptor Biren Singha was also present on the occasion.