Mangalore : The University College, Mangalore and Students Union 2011-12 celebrated the ‘Vivekananda Jayanti’ as a part of 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda at Ravindra Kala Bhavan on Feb 6, Monday.

Speaking after inaugurating the event, resource person Chakravarti Soolibele said that the team had organized a torch light rally in most of the cities in commemoration to birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, but they have not done in Mangalore since it s the city which cannot be completed in one day and they is not need to enlighten the people since they are always lightened with the thoughts of Swami Vivekananda.

He also said that all parts of the country including Gujarat are ready to celebrate the ‘Vivekananda Jayanti’, since he is the saint who reached every youth and brightened the country. Vivekananda’s inspiration is the strength to the youth and country.

The large numbers of youths are following Anna Hazare for the presence of Vivekananda’s spirit in him and not for his age, he said.

Soolibele said that at present youths are following the western culture, but Swami Vivekananda was one who discovered soul of America to them. He never thought for himself but always thought and worked for his country, hence the youth of every generation remember his birth anniversary more than their family. Recently a newspaper wrote an article on Swami Vivekananda and mentioned that he was tedious, but actually the one who wrote the article is tedious since he will not have even some percent of his intelligence.

Peace is not found in rich man’s bedroom but it is present in a poor man’s hut. When the poor are developed, the country will be developed, he said. When Swami Vivekananda went to America, our country was listed in downtrodden and slavery based countries, but now it is been listed in technology, medicine, education and others, he said.

He also said that if one observes the eyes of Swami Vivekananda for two minutes, in six months there will be drastic changes in one. Youths must switch on their mind set to inculcate the qualities of Swami Vivekananda, he added.

Presiding over the event, Principal H R Lakshminarayana said that Swami Vivekananda was the person who was filled with culture.

He also said that students have maintained silence throughout the programme and this shows that Vivekananada has changed the mind set of students through the words of Soolibele.  This is a spiritual patriotism, he said.

Students union president Guruprasad welcomed the gathering. Prof Harish, and student’s representatives like Shravan Kumar, Ashwini and Harinakshi were present on the dais.