Celebration of "Chicago Day"

Ludhiana, September 11, 2014: Swami Vivekananda's inspiring personality was well known both in India and in America during the last decade of the nineteenth century and the first decade of the twentieth. The unknown monk of India suddenly leapt into fame at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893, at which he represented Hinduism. His vast knowledge of Eastern and Western culture as well as his deep spiritual insight, fervid eloquence, brilliant conversation, broad human sympathy, colourful personality, and handsome figure made an irresistible appeal to the many types of Americans who came in contact with him. People who saw or heard Vivekananda even once still cherish his memory after a lapse of more than half a century.
Swami Vivekanand Kendra, Kanyakumari and Ek Umeed Foundation organised seminar on Thursday at Bar Room at New District Courts, Ludhiana  on the theme "Chicago Day". A day when Swami Vivekananda represented India at the Parliament of the World's Religions (1893). This was the first World's Parliament of Religions and it was held from 11 to 27 September 1893. Delegates from all over the world joined this Parliament at Chicago. We look forward to your participation in this meeting and your continued guidance in the follow-up meetings in the upcoming days.
The invited Chief Guest was Prof Rajinder Bhandari, Vice Chairman, Cabinet rank, Planning Board. Guest of honour was Senior Advocate S.R.Wadhera and G.S.Grewal. Speakers were: C.S.Talwar Rtd. I.A.S. & Gen.Sec.Red Cross Pb. And Dr. Vinay Sofat, Area Sec,PCCTU.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Bhandari spoke on the various objectives of the foundation and appreciated the initiatives of foundation and also spoke about vivekanand learning.
C.S.Talwar spoke that the  life and teachings are of inestimable value to the West for an understanding of the mind of Asia. William James, the Harvard philosopher, called the Swami the "paragon of Vedantists."
Dr. Vinay Sofat spoke about life and learning. A spiritual genius of commanding intellect and power, Vivekananda crammed immense labor and achievement into his short life, 1863-1902. Born in the Datta family of Calcutta, the youthful Vivekananda embraced the agnostic philosophies of the Western mind along with the worship of science.
At the same time, vehement in his desire to know the truth about God, he questioned people of holy reputation, asking them if they had seen God. He found such a person in Sri Ramakrishna, who became his master, allayed his doubts, gave him God vision, and transformed him into sage and prophet with authority to teach.
Manoj lekhi Advocate, founder member and chairman of foundation shared few moments of Chicago speech given by Swami vivekanand “Sisters and Brothers of America, It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world. I thank you in the name of the mother of religions, and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects”
An interaction session was also held in which the participants exchanged their views on Swami vivekanand approximate 450 -500 persons attended the seminar.
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