Swami Vivekananda remembered with reverence

CHICAGO: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA Inc. (HSS) concluded its inaugural event for its Year-Long “SV150” celebration of Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary on January 12.
The Chicago chapter of HSS held the event at all three shakha locations – Abhimanyu shakha, Schaumburg, Naperville shakha and Lake County shakha in Libertyville. The Naperville function was attended by over 150 well wishers and members. Guests of Honor were Aneeta Godbole at Abhimanyu shakha, Rajul Bhalla from Chinmaya Mission at the Lake County shakha and Dr. Bill Foster 11th District Congressman, at the Naperville shakha.
Dr Indra Makhija of Vivekananda Vedanta Society (VVS) delivered the keynote address at the Naperville shakha. Representatives of 10 other Chicago area associations and groups also graced the Naperville event
Across the country, HSS held inaugural events at over 100 locations nationwide attended by over 10,000 participants and guests. The inaugural event included the premiere of a twenty-minute video produced by HSS on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
HSS launched SV150 with the support of over 300 organizations, including other Hindu-American organizations, Indian-American organizations, and even yoga and kirtan associations. Swami Chidananda and Swami Varadananda of the VVS Chicago and Swami Dayananda Sarswati of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam also offered their blessings.
US Representative Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania’s 6th District of PA sent his greetings for the celebrations in Audubon, Pennsylvania. Also US Representative Bill Foster of Illinois’ 11th District joined the event held in Naperville, IL
As part of the inaugural event, HSS also opened the registration portal for its first-ever DharmaBeeTM, a nationwide quiz contest for children between kindergarten and eighth grade, at www.dharmabee.org. This edition of the DharmaBeeTM will have questions on Bhagwan Sri Krishna along with the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
Events started with the hoisting of the Bhagawa Dhwaj (saffron flag) followed by traditional Deep Prajwalan (lighting of lamp) by the guests. The program included cultural performances, yoga demonstrations, Sankalp (taking a pledge) by all swayamsevaks, and Dharma Bee competition registration launch.
Books on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda were available for sale at one of the tables. Delicious snacks prepared by the volunteers were served following the program.
HSS will conduct more events in 2013 as part of its observance of Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary. These will include programs for high school and college students, such as a traveling exhibit on Swami Vivekananda’s life visiting major university campuses and “Vacation with Vivekananda” excursions to locations where Swami Vivekananda visited during his travels in the United States; and a culminating “Dharma and Yoga Fest,” scheduled simultaneously on a regional basis to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s groundbreaking address at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893.
HSS conducts a structured values education program through its 150 chapters nationwide to develop strong character and teamwork and leadership skills and to organize a dynamic and flourishing Hindu-American community.

Suri Swamy