Swami Vivekananda Jayanti and Samartha Bharat Parva - Concept

Swami Vivekananda meditated on the Rock at Kanyakumari on 25, 26 and 27th of December 1892. His meditation was unique. It was not for his personal salvation but for the regeneration of Bharat. His meditation became a land-mark because it was here that he took the decision of going to West for representing Hindu Dharma and culture of Bharat. Till then for few centuries, Bharat has been degenerating under the invasions of Muslims and the rule of British. It was as if Bharat had reached nadir of its misfortune. His participation at the Parliament of Religions became the turning point. It became the beginning of the process of getting self-confidence of Indian people and also of national regeneration. The nation which was sleeping, which was being termed as the backward, jungli country realized its worth and so India awoke to her purpose.

Thus, meditation of Swami Vivekananda on these dates became a land-mark in the history of Bharat. Therefore this is the occasion to be celebrated every year by awakening the youth to the mission of Bharat. The confidence of the youth in themselves and in their nation need to be strengthened. Therefore, it was decided to celebrate this period starting from 25 December to 12 January – beginning on the day Swamiji's meditation on rejuvenation of Bharat to the date of his birth anniversary - as Samartha Bharat Parva. During this period all out efforts need  to be taken to reach out to the youth making Bharat's mission of guiding the world in spirituality as the mission of their life.

The world is also increasingly realizing that in today's interconnected and interdependent world only India can guide them. Just to quote, for example,  the Professor Jean Pierre Lehmann,  the advisor to the World Trade Organisation, in the 'Globalist Paper' under the title "the Dangers of Monotheism in the Age of Globalisation"  wrote, "Perhaps the most encouraging development in this early 21st century is the emergence of India as an increasingly global force, economically, politically and culturally…But India is a microcosmic reflection of how globalization can work, especially in its generally remarkable ability to have managed multiculturalism to such a brilliant extent…India's one billion plus population is the most heterogeneous in the world. There are far more ethnic, linguistic and religious groups than in, say, the European Union. Yet, a far greater degree of unity has been achieved among India's disparate ethnicities than among the tribes of Western Europe. …in a global environment desperate for ideas, philosophy and religion, India is the most prolific birthplace of all three — because of the great synergy of democracy and diversity, and the much greater degree of self-confidence that Indians now feel. Indians and members of the enormous Indian Diaspora — over which the sun never sets — are the thought leaders in economics, business, philosophy, political science, religion and literature…The planet needs quite desperately a sense of moral order, spirituality and an ethical compass. The Indian religious and philosophical traditions can provide a great deal of all three…Hence the importance of the role India must play in this respect — both because of its innate qualities and because there is no other serious contender. The 21st century better become the century inspired by the virtues of Indian polytheism — or else we are headed for disaster." This professor sees many problems, he does not seem to know in depth about India and yet he write this in 2006.

But it is also true that those who cannot tolerate the rise of India are getting more organised and strident in opposing all that defines India. Thus we have to be alert and also well organised to face these challenges. These quotes from Professor Jean Pierre Lehmann's article are only a sample. Increasingly people the world over are realising the need for deeper life, a life which can help them to relate to everything around them and also make their own life meaningful. In that respect, only Bharat can help. We have to realise this historical responsibility on us. For this Samartha Bharat Parva is to be celebrated.