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Homage to the Legacy of Swami Vivekananda
September 21, 2002

In the memory of 100th Anniversary of the Mahasamadhi of Swami Vivekananada, the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, USA, organized a historic event entitled “Homage to the Legacy of Swami Vivekananda” at the Haft Auditorium, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York. The highlight of the event was the speeches given by sixteen Swamijis of the Ramakrishna Order Centers on the message of Swami Vivekananda to the world.

The following Swamijis blessed the event: Swami Sarvagatananda, Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Massachusetts, Boston (he send his blessings through his letter); Swami Swahananda, Vedanta Society of Southern California, Hollywood, California; Swami Pramathananda, Vedanta Society of Toronto, Canada; Swami Prabuddhananda, Vedanta Society of Northern California, San Francisco; Swami Adiswaranada, Ramakrishna Vivekananda Center of New York, Swami Tathagatananda, Vedanta Society of New York, Swami Prabhananda, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kolkata, India; Swami Aparananda, Vedanta Society of Berkeley, California, Swami Chidananda, Vivekananda Society, Chicago; Swami Bhaskarananda, Vedanta Society of Western Washington, Seattle; Swami Chetanananda, Vedanta Society of St Louis; Swami Jitatmananda, Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Rajkot, India; Swami Shantarupananda, Vedanta Society of Portland; Swami Prapannananda, Vedanta Society of Sacramento, California; Swami Tyagananda, Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Massachusetts, Boston; and Swami Yogatmananda, Vedanta Society of Providence, Rhode Island.

In addition to the speeches given by the Swamis, the program included Vedic chanting and bhajans by the Bhavan's members and a video presentation by Swami Jyotirmayananda on the life of Swami Vivekananda.

This event was concluded with a short cultural program presented by the students of Vivekananda Vidyapith. It began with the recitations of 'Peace Invocations' from the Vedas and a few recitations from Swami Vivekananda’s teachings. This was followed by “Dhruva Charitra,” a play written by Vandana Auntie based on the mythological story elaborated by Sister Nivedita, disciple of Swami Vivekananda. The play effectively depicted the determination of a little prince, Dhruva, to realize God by overcoming obstacles. His determination pleased Lord Narayana, who transformed Dhruva into the Pole Star to represent an unwavering ideal for others to strive for. The students effectively brought out the child's conflicts, the inner struggle, the pathos, and the love of God of Dhruva. The cultural program ended with an inspiring song “Arise ! Awake !!” and stop not till the Goal is reached." sung by Vidyapith Students composed in the western tunes. It was very encouraging to the Vidyapith students, teachers and parents to find that all the Swamijis, disregarding their tiredness of a long day (9:30 a.m.-7:30p.m.), watched the cultural program and blessed the participants. All felt that it was a blessed day in their lives.