Date:
Friday,
11-09-2026
Time:
2:00
PM
Venue:
Swami
Vivekananda Sabhagriham
Participants:
1470
Chief
Guest: Dr. M. Jeyabose, Teacher & Author, Govt. Hr. Sec.
School, Vallankumaranvilai
Special Guest: Sri.
R. Vaikunda Mony, Retired professor, Department of Tamil at Sivanthi Adithanar
College, Pillaiyarpuram
Presided
By: Mann.
D. Bhanudas Ji, General Secretary, Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda
Kendra
Master
of Ceremony: Smt.Abinaya Lakshmi,
VKV Teacher.
v The
Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, celebrated
Universal Brotherhood Day and the 56th Anniversary of the Vivekananda Rock
Memorial on September 11, 2026.
v The
grand event commenced at 2:00 PM at the Swami Vivekananda Sabhagriham,
Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV), Kanyakumari.
v The
celebration brought together students, faculty members, and distinguished
dignitaries to honor the historic Chicago Address delivered by Swami
Vivekananda in 1893.
v The
entire proceedings were efficiently compered by Smt. M. Abinaya Lakshmi, a
teacher at VKV.
v The
program initiated with the traditional lighting of the lamp, symbolizing an
auspicious beginning, which was immediately followed by a soulful invocation
song performed by VKV students.
v Smt.
K.G. Sariga, the Principal of VKV, delivered a warm welcome address to the
gathered assembly.
v Following
the welcome remarks, the students presented a recital of the historic Chicago
Address, sets of notes, and thematic readings to set the foundational tone of
universal brotherhood for the afternoon.
Keynote Address by the
Chief Guest
v The
Chief Guest for the occasion, Dr. M. Jeyabose, an esteemed teacher and author
from the Government Higher Secondary School at Vallankumaranvilai, delivered an
insightful address focusing on the spiritual journey of Swami Vivekananda.
v He
highlighted the profound connection between Swami Vivekananda and his guru, Sri
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, tracing it back to December 24, 1882.
v Dr.
Jeyabose detailed Swamiji’s historic three-day meditation upon the Kanyakumari
rock, explaining that he sought divine guidance on how to uplift the nation. He
noted that after receiving the blessings of the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda
travelled to Chennai in January 1893.
v The
Chief Guest also shed light on the intense physical and emotional hardships
Swamiji endured in America prior to his landmark speech.
v He
emphasized that the Chicago Address focused entirely on the heritage of Mother
Bharath, driven by Swamiji’s deep empathy for the poverty-stricken masses of
India, an empathy that later compelled him to travel to Europe to seek further
support.
Special Guest Address
v Following
a musical interlude by the VKV student choir, the Special Guest, Sri. R.
Vaikunda Mony, a retired professor from the Department of Tamil at Sivanthi
Adithanar College, Pillaiyarpuram, took the podium.
v He
began by highly praising the VKV students who secured the first and second
places in the recent elocution competition.
v Sri.
Vaikunda Mony drew rich parallels between Swami Vivekananda’s message of
brotherhood and ancient Hindu scriptures.
v He
emphasized that true character and virtue could only flourish where love
existed. Referencing the Ramayana, he spoke extensively on the ideals of
brotherly affection exemplified by figures like Guha, Vali, and Sugriva.
v He
quoted the classical poet Kambar to remind the audience that God remained the
ultimate savior of the helpless.
v Furthermore,
he urged the students to cultivate self-discipline, comparing the necessity of
self-control to a tortoise drawing in its limbs.
v He
concluded with a powerful metaphor, comparing the relationship between a
teacher and a student to a sculptor meticulously carving a beautiful statue out
of raw stone to benefit society.
Presidential Address and
Commendations
v Mann.
Bhanudas Ji, the General Secretary of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial &
Vivekananda Kendra, presided over the function.
v In
his presidential address, he discussed the practical application of brotherhood
in daily life, urging everyone to live by the words of the National Pledge.
v He
stated that the realization of oneness altered human behavior fundamentally.
v Mann.
Bhanudas Ji explained that Sanatana Dharma stood as the mother of all religions
and that modern actions must center on building a grand nation under the ideal
of "Bharath Matha as Jagathguru Matha."
v He
described the inherent divinity within every soul and connected the practice of
Dharma to the global philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam."
v He
called upon the students to recognize that true worship lay in the service of
humanity, asserting that life becomes fruitful only when dedicated to the
growth of the nation.
v Following
his speech, Mann. Bhanudas Ji distributed prizes to competition winners,
formally honored dedicated Kendra employees for their service, and presented
official mementos to the guest speakers.
v The
formal part of the event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Sri. S.
Sanjeevi Rajan, the Vice-Principal of VKV, who expressed sincere gratitude to
all the guests, organizers, and participants.
v The
event transitioned into a colorful cultural program presented by the VKV
students, showcasing a variety of talents.
v The
celebration drew to a successful and solemn close with the collective chanting
of the shanti mantra.
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