131st Anniversary of Historic Chicago Lecture

The Swami Vivekananda Chair at Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut commemorates the 131st anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s historic lecture delivered at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893. To mark this significant occasion, a guest lecture titled “The Role of Youth in Promoting Interfaith Peace and Harmony” was organized on September 11, 2024, at the Satyajit Ray Auditorium from 10 AM onwards.

The event aimed to delve into the concept of global peace and harmony, drawing inspiration from the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family. The focus was on empowering youth to play an active role in promoting interfaith dialogue and fostering mutual understanding across religious communities.

Event Highlights:

The program began with a floral tribute to Swami Vivekananda, followed by a warm welcome to the esteemed guests and keynote speakers. Dr. Monika Mehrotra, Convener of the Swami Vivekananda Chair, inaugurated the event by sharing insights on the significance of the Chair and emphasizing Swami Vivekananda’s historic role as the first Indian to visit Chicago and spread the message of universal brotherhood.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university highlighted the universality of spiritual truths and the pressing need for tolerance and mutual understanding among people of diverse religious backgrounds. Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Himanshu Arora, inspired the audience by urging the youth to “arise and awaken” for their empowerment and the betterment of society.

Keynote Address:

The keynote speaker, Dr. Rahul Bansal, focused on the importance of practically applying spiritual principles in everyday life to promote peace and harmony. Mr. Kuldeep from Sanskriti University presented various aspects of Swami Vivekananda’s life, shedding light on his teachings and their relevance to today’s youth.

Objectives of the Guest Lecture:

Highlight the Legacy of Swami Vivekananda:

Reflect on his message of universal brotherhood and the pivotal role of youth in transforming society.
Commemorate the impact of his 1893 lecture, which emphasized the unity of all religions.

Empower Youth to Engage in Interfaith Dialogue:

Encourage youth participation in promoting peace and understanding across religious communities.
Provide strategies for effective interfaith engagement.

Foster a Culture of Tolerance and Respect:

Highlight the importance of empathy, tolerance, and mutual respect in today’s world.
Inspire youth to lead these values within their communities.

Promote Collaborative Efforts for Peace:

Explore avenues for youth to collaborate across religious and cultural divides to address global challenges.
Highlight successful youth-led interfaith initiatives.

Inspire Leadership and Civic Responsibility:

Encourage youth to take leadership roles in promoting interfaith peace and harmony, inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s teachings.
Discuss the civic responsibilities of youth in creating a peaceful society.

Expected Outcomes:

Increased Awareness: Participants gained a deeper understanding of Swami Vivekananda’s contributions to interfaith dialogue and the relevance of his teachings in the modern world.
Empowered Youth: Attendees felt motivated to engage in interfaith activities and dialogues, recognizing their role in promoting positive change.
Enhanced Interfaith Cooperation: The event fostered collaboration between youth from different faith backgrounds, encouraging peace initiatives.
Commitment to Action: Participants left with a renewed commitment to actively promote tolerance, respect, and understanding in their communities.
Strengthened Leadership Skills: Youth participants developed stronger leadership skills to take on roles in interfaith peace and harmony initiatives.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Monika Mehrotra. More than 200 students, alongside Deans, HODs, and Directors, were present. Ms. Nabiha Haidar and Ms. Devika from FASS served as the Masters of Ceremony.

This enriching and thought-provoking lecture truly honored Swami Vivekananda’s legacy and emphasized the significant role that youth can play in fostering interfaith understanding and harmony.

For more details, please contact: Swami Vivekananda Chair
Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut

developed stronger leadership skills to take on roles in interfaith peace and harmony initiatives. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Monika Mehrotra. More than 200 students, alongside Deans, HODs, and Directors, were present. Ms. Nabiha Haidar and Ms. Devika from FASS served as the Masters of Ceremony. This enriching and thought-provoking lecture truly honored Swami Vivekananda’s legacy and emphasized the significant role that youth can play in fostering interfaith understanding and harmony.