Chronology of VRM -9

CHRONOLOGY OF THE

VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL

Eknathji Ranade's Press Conference

(Hindustan Standard, Calcutta, 6-10-1963)

Vivekananda Statue on Rock Kabir's Stand Exerts Influence On Madras

NEW DELHI, OCT. 4 - Mr. Eknath Ranade, Organising Secretary of the All India Swami Vivekananda Centenary Celebration and Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee, said today that the stand of Mr. Humayun Kabir, Union Minister for Education and Scientific and Cultural Affairs, against the installation of Swami Vivekananda's statue atop the Vivekananda Rock in Kanyakumari was "unfortunate" says UNI.

Mr. Ranade was of the opinion that the Madras Government was influenced by Mr. Kabir's stand that "there should be no man-made addition to the rock" on grounds of scenic beauty.

The Committee plans to erect a statue of Swami Vivekananda on the Rock and construct a foot bridge to link the rock with the mainland.

In a press conference Mr. Ranade said when the Committee sought the Madras Government's permission last year, Mr. K. Kamaraj, the then Chief Minister, and Mr. Bhaktavatsalam, the then Minister of Hindu Religious Endowments and Charitable Trusts, appeared to be quite favourable to the plan.

The Devaswom Board, a statutory body working directly under the Ministry, had also granted permission in writing to the Committee on October 10, 1962 for implementing its plan. It was quite obvious that the Board had secured Government's permission, before giving the Committee the green signal to go ahead with the scheme.

 

                                                                                                            Eknathji Ranade's Letter to Prof Kabir

New Delhi - 1 9-10-'63

Mananiya Sri Kabir,

This is to thank you for your kind letter dated September 26, 1963.

I am grateful to you for your kind compliments about my memory and for confirming that my minutes of our talks were substantially correct. I am also thankful to you for the trouble you have taken in making alterations in the draft where you considered some mistakes or inaccuracies have been made.

It does strike me however that your observation in this confirmatory note that "In fact, in my view there should be no man- made addition to the rocks" is quite categoric and unambiguous. Incidentally it amounts to a definite expression of opinion about the proposed Vivekananda Rock statue too, and confirms the impression, that you have not been in favour of its erection. So far as I recall, during the talks you were unwilling to express any categoric view about this matter. I think the minutes of the talk as confirmed by you do bear out this impression of mine.

I am sure, you have returned from your strenuous tour abroad as healthy and cheerful as before. After your return you may have come across various newspaper reports of the press conference I addressed °n October 4, '63, at New Delhi. For your information I am enclosing herewith a copy of the statement I issued at the Conference.

I have not been able to see Shri Bhaktavatsalam yet, I hope to do so soon. In the meanwhile, I would like to request you too for help in the matter. Your opinion about the aesthetics of the site notwithstanding, I am sure you do appreciate the strength of the popular sentiment about this issue. Admirers of Swamiji all over the country would be very happy if you could use your good offices with the persons concerned and see that due permission is given to the Committee.

With thanks,

Yours sincerely,

Sd./- Eknath Ranade Organising Secretary

 

 

Prof Kabir's Reply to Eknathji Ranade

Minister,

Scientific Research & Cultural Affairs, India, New Delhi 10th Oct. 1963.

Dear Shri Ranade,

Thank you for your letter of the 9th October 1963 with its enclosures. You have been quite fair in your statement which I appreciate.

Yours sincerely,

Sd./- Humayun Kabir