Swami Vivekananda was a Hindu monk, philosopher, and one of the most influential spiritual leaders in India. National Youth Day in India is celebrated on January 12th to commemorate his birth anniversary.
Source- Navbharat Times
On September 11, 1995, the Art Institute put up a bronze plaque to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s historic address.The Chicago Art Institute was the venue where the famous Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda addressed the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1893. The Art Institute of Chicago commemorated Swami Vivekananda’s speech with a number of rare photos like the hall where he spoke and several plaques with his quotes and signature.
According to an article in publicartinchicago.com, there were 7,000 people present at the Chicago venue and soon as Swami Vivekananda said “Sisters and Brothers of America…,” he received a standing ovation and clapping that lasted for more than three minutes.”
The World Parliament of Religions was sponsored by the Unitarians and Universalists of the Free Religious Association, and was a part of the greater Columbian Exposition held for several months in 1893, in Chicago, which was attended by over 27 million people.
Source- India Today
Swami Vivekananda had delivered his historic address on true interfaith dialogue at the World’s Parliament of Religions convened in the Permanent Memorial Art Palace, now known as the the Art Institute of Chicago.
His riveting September 11, 1893 address also inspired an art installation at the Institute. Indian artist Jitish Kallat’s Public Notice 3 created with Swami Vivekananda’s words illuminates the stairs of the Woman’s Board Grand Staircase situated in the Chicago Art Institute.
Swami Vivekananda was a key figure in the introduction of the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world, and he is credited with bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century. The main goal of the celebration of National Youth Day is to spread Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy and ideals, for which he lived and worked. It is an excellent way to channel the boundless energy of the youth while also assisting the country’s development.
