'Vivekananda's preachings used for selfish interest'

“The preachings of Swami Vivekananda have been selectively used by many, to suit their selfish interest,” noted Tumkur University Associate professor Dr Nityananda Shetty.

Speaking at youth integration convention organised as a part of 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda by the District Congress here on Saturday, he said that “Lord Rama, Tippu Sulthan, Basavanna and Shivaji have also been misquoted. Now, it is the turn of Swami Vivekananda. He had spoken on dharma and spirituality. However, his preachings on dharma and spirituality are not considered.”
“Our historical leaders are being analysed to suit one’s own selfish interest and are made a mere polling booth agent.”  

Stating that Vivekananda had concern towards youth, he said: “We have failed in understanding the word ‘goal’ in life. Youth should have the goal of building a welfare state. If you fail in dreaming of welfare state, then such conventions will be meaningless.”

“When dharma is considered as business to fetch votes in the election, then spirituality in dharma will die. Mere religious orators are not truly spiritual and religious. Religious fundamentalism is a ‘disease’. If we try to analyse communal violences that have taken place in India, in the perspective of Swami Vivekananda, we will come to know the real culprits behind it.”

Former MLC Prof Ejasuddin said “dharma should lay strong foundation on the life of an individual. Vivekananda had propagated humanism. It was he who gave highest respect to his teacher Paramahamsa.”
Inaugurating the seminar, MP Oscar Fernandes said Swami Vivekanada had stroved to promote peace and brotherhood on the spiritual foundation.

Though Swami Vivekananda lived for only 39 years and he completed his mission, which we cannot even think in 100 years.Former union minister Janardhan Poojary said that Swami Vivekananda was first ambassador of modern India to the world. MLAs Ramanath Rai, U T Khader, AICC member P V Mohan, Corporation Mayor Gulzar Banu and others were present.

From 2,000 students to a few

The rally which was taken out from Balmatta to the venue had nearly 2,000 students. However, as the stage programme commenced, the students who became restless, started leaving the programme. By the end of the programme, there were only handful of students.

Quiz on Vivekananda

Former union minister Janardhan Poojary conducted quiz on Swami Vivekananda to the participanting students.  The right answers for questions on date of birth, original name of Swami Vivekananda, Vivekananda’s mother’s name, the year when Vivekananda had met his guru Ramakrishna Paramahamsa fetched them Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 from Poojary respectively.

Saffron dress irks Poojary

Janardhan Poojary who is known for taking digs on fellow congressmen, took a fresh dig on new entrant Vijaynath Vittal Shetty, for wearing saffron attire on the day of joining to the Congress.
Flaying Shetty for donning saffron attire, he said “As Congressmen, we should be wearing white khadi clothes. You can not be wearing ‘kaavi’ (saffron) clothes.”