UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD DAY

 

                                                      UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD DAY

Swami Vivekananda’s historic and revolutionary speech delivered on September 11, 1893 in Chicago to the delegates of the World Parliament of Religions marks the beginning of a new era. His address began with these words:“Sisters and Brothers of America”. These soul-soothing words had a magnetic impact on the audience. Swamiji got standing ovation and thunderous applause. These words which came out from the depth of spiritual height. To commemorate this epoch-making speech, it is celebrated as Universal Brotherhood Day and it  is observed on September 11 every year.

                  Swami’s vision for universal peace and brotherhood is timeless and universal. It’s relevance is increasing day by day because the moral and ethical insolvency is increasing, the world in terms of values is lapsing into primitive state. Swami’s idea of religion is holistic and if imbibed wholeheartedly, it can cure all ills and evils of society. He emphasised that the true religion is that which elevates and ennobles the animal instincts in man and unites him with divine power. It extracts the latent divinity in man and makes him realise his true nature.

                To understand Swami Vivekananda’s vision of universal brotherhood and peace in totality, we need to reflect on the rich spiritual tradition he represented, he saw that spirituality was at a low ebb in the land of its birth, glory and grandeur of ancient India was rapidly declining. The only means for the resurrection of humanity was to imbibe and inculcate the spiritual teachings of the ages. Swami’s vision deeply rooted in all-inclusive, all-encompassing and all-embracing Vedic thought. He preached and practised the great Vedic. There is no relation of dominance and subjugation. He discarded the idea of religious supremacy, propagated the message of mutual respect and religious acceptance.

             In our school campus also we have celebrated "Universal Brotherhood Day" in a grand way. We have arranged for a big programme and speeches have been given by the dignitaries. So every year we should celebrate this day and the importance of the day as to be followed everyday. As the below given quote of Swamiji,

"Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way. In every man and in every animal, however weak or wicked, great or small, resides the same omnipresent, omniscient soul."