Narendra Modi (Hindi: नरेन्द्र मोदी, born 17 September 1950) is the 14th and the current Chief Minister of Gujarat. He calls himself an admirer and follower of Swami Vivekananda. Between 12 January 2012 to 12 January 2013, Modi posted one quote of Vivekananda every day on social networking sites. In the state Gujarat, Modi celebrated Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary. Gujarat government, under Modi’s leadership, organised event like Swami Vivekananda Youth Employment Week where they handed job appointment letters to 65,000 youths and on-month long Swami Vivekananda Yuva Vikas Yatra.
In this article you’ll find Narendra Modi‘s quotes and comments on Swami Vivekananda. Modi says/feels—
Narendra Modi on Swami Vivekananda
- As a society should we not embrace this dream of Swami Vivekananda? We cannot let his words get proven wrong.[Source]
- 12th January is no ordinary day. It is a day etched in the annals of history as a day when India was blessed with one of its most prolific thinkers, a guiding light and a man who took India’s message to the world. It was on this day, 150 years ago that Swami Vivekananda was born. Swami ji is no longer with us but his spirit, mission and his message live on- to date and continue to inspire generations of people.
- Friends, I can say with great conviction that it is possible to achieve Swami Vivekananda’s vision of a glorious India! Gujarat is blessed as Swamiji spent maximum time here, when he embarked on his nationwide journey from July 1890 to May 1893. Swamiji’s blessings have played a big part in taking Gujarat to where it is today and I see no reason why our country cannot perform wonders with his blessings. In Gujarat we are celebrating 2012 as the ‘Year of Youth Power’ to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth year. Let us use this occasion to tirelessly work together and play our part in realizing Swami Vivekananda’s dreams. This is the best gift we can give to this proud son who consecrated our land![Source]
- I am sure the youth is deeply inspired by Swami Vivekananda and will carry forward his ideals for India’s growth.[Source]
- I was greatly influenced by Swami Vivekananda. I visited Ramakrishna Mission and several other places. I recently visited Swami Atmaghanananda. That was another world which I have loved.
- In Swami Vivekananda’s world view, so engrained was the sprit or service and renunciation in our DNA that we will not awaken to serve Indians alone but will work for the betterment of the entire humankind. Seeing the various problems that plague the world today, one will understand the importance of what Swamiji‘s words. It is because India has been unable to occupy what rightfully belongs to her that the world is suffering from the menace of terrorism, degradation of the environment and a topsy-turvy economy.[Source]
- In today’s times, Swamiji has been immortalized by his ideals as well as by the determined efforts of many extremely dedicated individuals to live those ideals by example in their own lives based on principles laid by Swami ji.[Source]
- “India must conquer the World and nothing less than that is my ideal”, Swamiji famously said. Hehad a very strong vision for our nation and it is incumbent upon us to realise those dreams of Swamiji by making his Vision for India a reality![Source]
- Khetri was a very important place in Swami Vivekananda’s life. He came to Khetri as Narendra but left it as Vivekananda.[Source]
- Swami Vivekananda had said, ‘youth will take India to great heights’ and I firmly believe in it.[Source]
- Swami Vivekananda has been a figure of inspiration to me personally as well and that is why I consider myself truly blessed that I have been able to make my small contribution in spreading his message to the people of my state. Once again, I pay my tributes to Swami Vivekananda and share my determination to continue working towards realising Swami Vivekananda’s dreams and integrating as many youngsters as possible with the unique development journey of Gujarat.[Source]
- Swami Vivekananda not only dreamt of a strong and glorious India but also saw the youth as those who would fulfill his dreams.[Source]
- Swami Vivekananda was a true visionary. He dreamt of a Jagat Guru Bharat.[Source]
- Swamiji embodied the spirit of India. When he returned home from his travels overseas he was asked what he thought of India; Swamiji replied, “I loved my Motherland dearly before I went to America and England. After my return every particle of dust of this land seems sacred to me.” After his lecture in Chicago the entire world was at his feet, but gazing at the skyscrapers that filled Chicago’s moonlit skies, he wrote to a disciple, “When will India be like this?” No wonder every revolutionary in the Independence movement drew great inspiration from Swami Vivekananda- he ignited the spark of a nations conscience![Source]
- Swamiji’s message was such that it influenced virtually every movement that has shaped the destiny of our country in the past and will likely continue to do so in the future. During the freedom struggle, both the armed and nonviolent freedom fighters were deeply influenced by Swamiji’s thoughts. Over the decades Individuals may have differed in the ideology they professed and also in their means to achieve the ends but they all found a source of inspiration in Swami Vivekananda.[Source]
- Sri Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda, both sons of Bengal, spent huge amounts of time in Gujarat. This is why I say, Gujarat has alaways had a long standing connection with West Bengal.[Source]
- This year we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. At the centre of Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts and vision were the youth. He said give me a thousand youngsters and I will change the world. This is the faith he had in the youth. It was seeing the youth that Swami Vivekananda said one day Bharat Mata would be Jagat Guru.[Source]
- (Vivekananda) proclaimed that a resurrected India would be the leader of the world. Vivekananda had visualised India’s pre-ordained destiny of taking on the mantle of the world’s leadership.[Source]
- “You will be nearer to God by playing football than through the study of the Gita!” Swami Vivekananda would say. Sadly, due to pressures of exams and education, I have noticed that the playing fields are always empty. How can the youth of Swami Vivekananda’s dream not enjoy the beauty of sports? It is a fact that there can be no sportsmanship without sport! It is even rightly said, “Jo Khele, Woh Khile” (The person who plays, shines).[Source]
Is Modi (mis)using Vivekananda’s name? Modi’s reply:
Some of Modi’s opponents have severely criticised him and claimed that Modi is misusing Vivekananda’s name and teachings for his own political benefits. Modi replied to these allegations. He told—
- Political parties used Osama Bin Laden duplicate during campaigning in Bihar elections and every body remained silent. Now, when I am taking out a rally in the name of Vivekananda, what is their problem.[Source]
The Light: Swami Vivekananda
In April 2013, Narendra Modi watched The Light: Swami Vivekananda, a biographical film on Swami Vivekananda, directed by Tutu Sinha at a special screening. After watching the movie he told—
- Enjoyed watching the film. It can inspire the youth with Swami Vivekananda’s message.[Source]
- On Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary, the film is a great tribute by the producers. I must say that the director and the writer, in those few hours, have successfully encapsulated the life and work of the legendary monk. Deep fits into the character brilliantly. (Deep=Deep Bhattacharya, portrayed Vivekananda’s role in the film)[Source]
Unveiling Swami Vivekananda statue in Malayasia
In November 2015 unveiled a Swami Vivekananda statue in Kuala Lumpur, Malayasia. He said that the statue stands for the spirit of ancient India