Stories from the grassroots | Thoughts on development | Lessons on leadership
January 12, 2023 is the 160th Jayanthi celebrations of Swami Vivekananda. The whole country celebrates this event as the National Youth day. What does the Youth day signify in a country with one of the youngest populations in the world. More than 50% of our people are less than 20 years. … Continue reading
12 January is celebrated as the National Youth Day in India on the birth anniversary of the youth icon, Swami Vivekananda. While his life and message continues to inspire millions of young people around the world, one needs to appreciate how he was not just a Hindu monk. … Continue reading
The Chicago address of Swami Vivekananda is not only globally acclaimed but serves as one of the best introductions to the Hindu way of life. Apart from captivating the audience with his memorable opening, Swamiji spelt out what Hinduism stood for and what India’s rich civilizational heritage had in store for the world. … Continue reading
Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts and ideas on education have been studied, often quoted and has inspired several Institutions to start schools and colleges. From the conceptual understanding of what education needs to be, to making it both pragmatic at the individual and community level, Swami Vivekananda’s ideas are both relevant and necessary.… Continue reading
Swami Vivekananda’s life and message continues to inspire millions of people around the world. Describing him and his work is like trying to describe God…One can do it in so many ways depending on one’s beliefs, experiences and perspectives. Instead of spending time on trying to unpack him and his message intellectually, it is more rewarding to try and live it on a daily basis.… Continue reading
I found meaning to my life when i first discovered Swami Vivekananda and his message of self discovery as a young, impressionable 17 year old. From then on, till today his life and message has been my guiding compass.… Continue reading
Leadership has been defined in many ways and is possibly one of the most researched subjects in the world today. Though so much has been said and written, one finds it difficult to have a final word on the subject of leadership. … Continue reading
A few years ago, Vish a friend who had lived for a long period in the US and had come back to resettle in Mysuru and I were talking about Swami Vivekananda and how his message had inspired me. Our talk drifted to how Swamiji was a tireless worker and how so much was done by him in such a short time.… Continue reading
Many a friend has asked me about my regular visits to the US and about the teaching I do here. One oft repeated question has been, ‘What are the major similarities & differences that you see between the two countries? ‘ And knowing my background, another question usually asked is about my continued commitment to the causes I espouse back home in India and how it relates to my visiting the US?… Continue reading
“There were many good things in the ancient times, but there were bad things too. The good things are to be retained, but the India that is to be, the future India, must be much greater than ancient India.” – Swami Vivekananda
India is now going through a momentous phase of transition.… Continue reading
Last month I had the privilege of running a leadership workshop for young people at Chennai. More than running the workshop, it was the location where it was being held that excited me. It was being hosted by the Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai and held at the Vivekanandar Illam (Vivekananda House, originally known as the Ice House).… Continue reading
“If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And, if I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when? If not me, who?”
– Hillel the Elder, In Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers)
The country is getting younger and everyone seems to wishfully want the demographic dividend to start paying off.… Continue reading
This is the talk given by me on the leadership message of Swami Vivekananda. This is part of the lecture series that i am giving in my role as the Visiting Professor of the Vivekananda Chair of the University of Mysore.… Continue reading
Here’s an article of mine on ‘Swami Vivekananda’s message to the Youth’ that was published in the Kannada daily Vijaya Vani on the occasion of his 111th death anniversary (04-Jul-13).
– Balu… Continue reading