Swami Vivekananda’s profound impact on global spirituality and pivotal role in building bridges between the East and the West were celebrated at a month-long exhibition at the United Nations.
Hosted by the Society for Enlightenment and Transformation (SEAT), a component of the UN Staff Recreation Council (UNSRC), the show featured exhibits produced by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) of USA.
The exhibition featured panels exploring Vivekananda’s interactions with luminaries such as scientist Nikola Tesla, further emphasizing his forward-thinking vision and advocacy for integrating spirituality and science.
Inaugurating the show last month, Swami Sarvarpriyananda, resident minister of the New York Vedanta Society, said, “As the centuries pass, Swami Vivekananda stands taller and taller, inspiring people across the world, not only in India.” The NY Vedanta Society was established by Swami Vivekananda himself in 1894.
Swami Sarvarpriyananda also underscored Vivekananda’s role in fostering understanding between cultures, noting, “He built a bridge between the East and the West when he traveled to the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. That bridge remains strong and vibrant today.”
India’s Consul General in New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, remarked, “His message of the oneness of humanity, deeply rooted in ancient Hindu wisdom, holds particular significance here at the UN.”
relevance to the core values and purposes of the UN, said Peter Dawkins, President of the UN
Staff Recreation Council.
UNSRC President Peter Dawkins echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the alignment of Vivekananda’s ideals with the mission of the United Nations. “Through this exhibition, we aim to highlight Vivekananda’s relevance to the core values and purposes of the UN,” he said. “We want to raise awareness of his legacy and strong connection to New York and the broader global community.”
Ganesh Ramakrishnan, an outreach coordinator for HSS, underscored Vivekananda’s timeless message. “Swami Vivekananda’s clarion call for ‘seva’, or selfless service, resonates strongly among youth today,” he said.
Swami Sarvarpriyananda further highlighted Vivekananda’s role in shaping modern India. “He restored a sense of pride and identity to India, laying the foundation for the Indian Freedom Movement,” he said. Recalling Vivekananda’s contributions to education and scientific thought, Sarvarpriyananda noted his inspiration for establishing the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. The institute, founded at the suggestion of Vivekananda to industrialist J.N. Tata, has since produced tens of thousands of scientists and engineers who have contributed significantly to the global scientific community.
The show serves as a testament to Swami Vivekananda’s enduring legacy and relevance to the contemporary world. By showcasing his life and teachings, the HSS and SEAT aimed to inspire a renewed commitment to the values of service, unity, and progress—ideals that resonate deeply with the mission of the United Nations.
Listen to Swami Vivekananda’s iconic speech to the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1893 here: https://soundcloud.com/allindiaradionews/swami-vivekananda-chicago-speech
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Contact: Vikas Deshpande, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, info@hssus.org
