Stories from the grassroots | Thoughts on development | Lessons on leadership
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. This lecture was given at VLEAD on the 27th of May 2014.
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. 128 years later, his speech continues to inspire and each time one reads it, one is left with a more nuanced perspective of Swamiji and his message of universalism. Listen to this speech of mine given virtually on the occasion of celebrating the 128 anniversary as
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. With the National Education Policy in India (NEP) now having become a reality, this is the appropriate time to understand and integrate Swamiji’s views into the mainstream education system across the nation. Listen to a talk where I shared my understanding of his message on education at an event
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. This is indeed easier said than done. Recently, I had the opportunity to share some of his thoughts with Indian students in Germany as part of the Vivekananda Jayanthi celebrations of 2021. Apart from the