On the 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for unity, peace, and harmony. She highlighted Swami Vivekananda’s influence on patriotism and social service, emphasizing the importance of love for the country and serving the underprivileged. The Chief Minister stressed the significance of unity among all religions, echoing Swamiji’s teachings.
In her statement shared on social media, Mamata Banerjee outlined the state government’s efforts to honor Swami Vivekananda’s legacy in West Bengal. The government has taken steps to preserve Vivekananda’s ancestral home and Sister Nivedita’s houses in Kolkata and Darjeeling, now maintained by the Ramakrishna Mission and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, respectively. Renovation work at the maternal home in Bagbazar has also been completed.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister mentioned developmental initiatives around Kamarpukur, the birthplace of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, to support the Ramakrishna Mission and adjacent areas. She announced the establishment of ‘Vivek Tirtha,’ a center for education and culture in New Town, in line with Swami Vivekananda’s principles. Financial aid is regularly provided to educational institutions associated with Shri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada, and Swami Vivekananda missions.
Mamata Banerjee extended greetings on National Youth Day, coinciding with Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary, emphasizing the pivotal role of youth in shaping a nation’s future. She expressed the government’s commitment to empowering young individuals through education, skills, and opportunities for progress, echoing Swamiji’s call to “Arise, Awake, and Stop not until the goal is reached.”
