Revisiting the essence of historic Chicago speech

September 29: Assam College Teachers’ Association (ACTA) has taken in hand a year-long social outreach programme. In this regard a MOU was signed between ACTA and Vivekananda Kendra. As a part of this social outreach programme, ACTA Cachar Zone in collaboration with Vivekananda Kendra, Silchar and Aurobindo Society, Silchar centre, a special lecture programme was organized in the auditorium of Maddhya Sahar Sanskritik Sangstha, Park Road, Silchar.

The said lecture programme entitled ‘The essence of Chicago’ was held to commemorate the 125^th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s historic speech at Chicago. The invited speech was delivered by noted speaker of the state Diganta Biswa Sharma. Speaking during the occasion, Mr. Biswa Sharma said the landmark speech in Chicago established India as the world leader in matters of spirituality. He said, “Many leaders come and go but there are only certain leaders who create their long lasting impact on the lives of people. Not only the people of their generations but forthcoming generations also follow them and love to walk on their path. One such great leader is Swami Vivekananda, who gave rebirth to Hinduism.”

Diganta Biswa Sharma in lucid words explained how every faith bears similarities with the line of thought expounded by Swami Vivekananda in his speech which had drawn thunderous applause from the largely American audience. He also mentioned how Swami Vivekananda, a great saint and philosopher, by his revolutionary speech at the famous Chicago Parliament of Religions opened the doors of Hinduism in the west, awakened the Hindus at the international level and sowed the seeds of Nationalism in British era.

Present during the occasion were Dr. Kishor Kumar Deka, Vice President of ACTA, Prof. Himangshu Maral, General Secretary ACTA, Dr. Anupam Dutta, Assistant Secretary (Academic) ACTA, Sri Chandan Paul Choudhury, Dr. Apratim Nag, Hemanta Kumar Bora and others.