Chronology of VRM -3

CHRONOLOGY OF THE

VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL

Here is the Joint Appeal of the 323 Member of Parliament submitted to Hon'ble Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Joint Appeal of MPs

New Delhi 

India is at present celebrating the Birth Centenary Year of one of her greatest sons of the present age - Swami Vivekananda.

In commemoration of that event of Swamiji's advent 'Swami Vivekananda Centenary Celebration and Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee' has undertaken the project of putting up Swamiji's statue on the Vivekananda Rock at Kanyakumari. It is well known that after having traversed the length and breadth of the country as a 'Parivrajaka' Swamiji reached Kanyakumari, swam across the sea to the rock - the southern-most tip of India - and there sat in meditation for days together. It was in the course of that deep meditation on the Rock that he had the vision of Mother India, realised her true self and received the message of service to the people which he made the mission of his life.

The Rock is thus closely related to Swamiji's life and has become a sacred spot for all India, nay, for all the world. Situated at the confluence of three seas, namely the Bengal Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, this spot has gained an added significance as the seat of Swamiji's meditation. Just as Buddha's attainment of 'Supreme Knowledge' at Gaya beneath the Bodhi tree had made that spot sacred for the world, in the same way Swamiji's meditation and self- realisation on this Rock have turned it into a historic spot, a place of holy pilgrimage, for all times.

The 'Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee' deserves praise for the endeavour that it has been making to install a statue of Swamiji on this Rock. This is a timely move and should receive the support of all. We appeal to the Central Government, and especially to the Government of Madras - which has the unique fortune of being the custodian of the historic place - to enable the Committee to implement its noble undertaking of raising this national monument.

(The list of 323 MPs who signed the appeal is attached separately)

New Delhi

Dec 23,1963