Panjab University marks 133rd anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s historic Chicago address

Chandigarh, October 7, 2026: Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, marked the 133rd anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s historic address at the Parliament of Religions, Chicago, with a commemorative programme organised by the Department of Alumni Relations and College Development Council in collaboration with Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, at Rajiv Gandhi College Bhawan.
The programme highlighted Swami Vivekananda’s message of universal brotherhood and the role of youth in nation building. The event began with Vice Chancellor, PU, Prof. Meenakshi Goyal delivered the inaugural address.
Swami Atmashraddhananda of Ramakrishna Mission Ashram and Chief Guest Sushri Nivedita Raghunath Bhide, President, Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, addressed the gathering and reflected on the contemporary relevance of Swami Vivekananda’s vision, particularly his emphasis on universal brotherhood, character building and youth participation in nation building.
The programme also featured the final rounds of various competitions organised to engage students with the ideas and legacy of Swami Vivekananda.
In the Declamation Competition, the first prize of Rs 3,100 was won by Vanshika, a visually impaired resident of GH-1 and student of IETVE, PU, Chandigarh. Rain of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, secured the second prize of Rs 2,100, while Jaskamal Gill of Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College for Women, Dasuya, won the third prize of Rs 1,100.
In the Poster Making Competition, Navneet Kaur of Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, won the first prize of Rs 3,100. Riya of Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital secured the second prize of Rs 2,100, while Raghunandan Thakur of Swami Premanand Mahavidyalaya, Mukerian, won the third prize of Rs 1,100.
In the Slogan Writing Competition, Divjot Kaur of Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital won the first prize of Rs 3,100. The second prize of Rs 2,100 was jointly secured by Tanvir Kaur of GGDSD College, Haryana, and Anshuka Chaudhury of Government College of Education. Ivneet Kaur of A.S. College of Education and Palakpreet Kaur of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, jointly won the third prize of Rs 1,100.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the coordinators, Prof. Latika Sharma, Prof. Shivani Sharma and Dr. Anju Goyal, followed by the National Anthem and high tea.