A blog at last!! So here we go...
I was thinking about what to write and just noticed the day: eleventh of September!
The first thing, most of the people would remember about this day is the deadly attacks on US in the 2001. Exactly 11 years ago, about 3000 people were killed, thousands injured in the suicide attacks when 19 terrorist belonging to Al-Qaeda hijacked 4 civilian jets and crashed into buildings. Both North and South towers of World Trade Center were completely destroyed when each of the towers were hit by a passenger jets each carrying around 40,000 liters of aviation fuel!! The third plane crashed into Pentagon building.The fourth one was intended to crash on the Capitol building in Washington D.C., but the brave passengers fought with the hijackers; the plane eventually crashed into a field near Pennsylvania. In response to the attack, the U.S. lead coalition launched the war on terror, invading Afghanistan and the Taliban controlled government was overthrown.
Personally I still remember the deadly day. In the evening, after coming from school, I was just scanning the TV channels, I noticed the news on a Indian news channel. I quickly changed to CNN for latest updates. Just as I was trying to figure out what was it all about, I was shocked to see an almost live news: Another plane crashes in WTC south tower. Soon after, there were more reports of attacks, buildings collapsing and growing number of causalities. I still can't forget these images. There was sadness everywhere around; not just on that day, but for weeks after that! Soon the US lead coalition launched the war on Afghanistan, where more innocent civilians were killed. More than that the events had completely changed the way the Western society looked at Asian people!
There was another event on September eleventh which completely changed the way the Western society looked at Asian people(but in a very positive way), exactly in same place (U.S) some 108 years ago before this attack! It was in Chicago at the Parliament of the World's Religions. A young Indian Man, who was not even part of the official delegates from India, looking nervous, was about to speak next; he had already asked for more time when his turn came initially, as he had developed stage fright because he was probably the only one without preparation. Just before his speech, he prayed to goddess Saraswathi and he spoke. Swami Vivekananda's first few words "Sisters and Brothers of America!" received unbelievable response: a full two minutes of standing ovation. It was a short speech but history was written! Full text of speech
He represented India and Hinduism but he spoke more on Universal brotherhood. He made many more speeches and by the time the parliament had come to an end, Swami Vivekananda had created the most impact. He came, he spoke, he conquered!
Swami Vivekananda was indeed one of the greatest people in modern Hinduism. It was because of him western society had developed interest in oriental philosophy, yoga, Hinduism and Indian way of spiritualism.
The whole generation of freedom fighters who came after him were some how inspired by him: Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Arabindo and Bal Gangadar Tilak ; other notable people include Nikola Tesla and Rabindranath Tagore to name a few. He inspired Jamsetji Tata to set up Indian institute of Science for which he was asked to head it. He also received a similar offer from Harvard University. He turned down both the offers saying a wandering Monk and cannot be restricted in one place.
It is indeed shameful that very few people remember this historic day and more importantly know about Swamiji . His teaching especially about awakening youth was in many ways the building block of Indian Independence movement. India again needs such awakened youths to bring it to the glorious position envisaged by our forefathers and indeed Swami's teaching can again work wonders! Jai Hind!
I was thinking about what to write and just noticed the day: eleventh of September!
The first thing, most of the people would remember about this day is the deadly attacks on US in the 2001. Exactly 11 years ago, about 3000 people were killed, thousands injured in the suicide attacks when 19 terrorist belonging to Al-Qaeda hijacked 4 civilian jets and crashed into buildings. Both North and South towers of World Trade Center were completely destroyed when each of the towers were hit by a passenger jets each carrying around 40,000 liters of aviation fuel!! The third plane crashed into Pentagon building.The fourth one was intended to crash on the Capitol building in Washington D.C., but the brave passengers fought with the hijackers; the plane eventually crashed into a field near Pennsylvania. In response to the attack, the U.S. lead coalition launched the war on terror, invading Afghanistan and the Taliban controlled government was overthrown.
Personally I still remember the deadly day. In the evening, after coming from school, I was just scanning the TV channels, I noticed the news on a Indian news channel. I quickly changed to CNN for latest updates. Just as I was trying to figure out what was it all about, I was shocked to see an almost live news: Another plane crashes in WTC south tower. Soon after, there were more reports of attacks, buildings collapsing and growing number of causalities. I still can't forget these images. There was sadness everywhere around; not just on that day, but for weeks after that! Soon the US lead coalition launched the war on Afghanistan, where more innocent civilians were killed. More than that the events had completely changed the way the Western society looked at Asian people!
There was another event on September eleventh which completely changed the way the Western society looked at Asian people(but in a very positive way), exactly in same place (U.S) some 108 years ago before this attack! It was in Chicago at the Parliament of the World's Religions. A young Indian Man, who was not even part of the official delegates from India, looking nervous, was about to speak next; he had already asked for more time when his turn came initially, as he had developed stage fright because he was probably the only one without preparation. Just before his speech, he prayed to goddess Saraswathi and he spoke. Swami Vivekananda's first few words "Sisters and Brothers of America!" received unbelievable response: a full two minutes of standing ovation. It was a short speech but history was written! Full text of speech
He represented India and Hinduism but he spoke more on Universal brotherhood. He made many more speeches and by the time the parliament had come to an end, Swami Vivekananda had created the most impact. He came, he spoke, he conquered!
Swami Vivekananda was indeed one of the greatest people in modern Hinduism. It was because of him western society had developed interest in oriental philosophy, yoga, Hinduism and Indian way of spiritualism.
The whole generation of freedom fighters who came after him were some how inspired by him: Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Arabindo and Bal Gangadar Tilak ; other notable people include Nikola Tesla and Rabindranath Tagore to name a few. He inspired Jamsetji Tata to set up Indian institute of Science for which he was asked to head it. He also received a similar offer from Harvard University. He turned down both the offers saying a wandering Monk and cannot be restricted in one place.
It is indeed shameful that very few people remember this historic day and more importantly know about Swamiji . His teaching especially about awakening youth was in many ways the building block of Indian Independence movement. India again needs such awakened youths to bring it to the glorious position envisaged by our forefathers and indeed Swami's teaching can again work wonders! Jai Hind!
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