KK Paul on Monday urged the youths to follow the ideals of Swami Vivekananda.
Addressing the three-day function of the concluding phase of the 150th Birth Anniversary celebration of Swami Vivekananda here in Shillong, Dr. Paul recalled that Vivekananda had stressed on the awakening of the inherent strength.
Narrating an incident from the life of Swami Vivekananda, the Governor said that during Swamiji’s visit to Chicago, when he was questioned about the peculiar dress he was wearing, the Swami replied, “In your country a tailor makes a gentleman, but in our country character makes a gentleman.”
Dr. Paul admitted that he was very touched when he learned about the incident.
The Governor, who was the chief guest at the programme, opined that Swami Vivekananda countered the conspiracy of the then British Empire to destroy ‘our culture’.
Earlier, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh defined youth as the strength of the country and asked them to contribute their level best towards building the State and the Nation.
The concluding phase of the 150th Birth Anniversary celebration of Swami Vivekananda came to an end on Monday at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre.
The day started with floral tributes paid to the statue of Swamiji by the Governor and other dignitaries. Later, the programme began with the opening song by Khmih Shillong Group which has been selected to participate in India’s Got Talent.
The afternoon session started with various cultural programmes from different states including Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Assam, which was organised in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra.
