CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, October 2, 2013 (Press Release): Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHPA) Chicago chapter organized the “World Without Borders” program on Sept 27-28, 2013 to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. It was a two-day event with over 2000 people participating. The event was cosponsored by more than 35 local organizations. It was the mammoth effort of 50 plus volunteers that made this event a milestone for Hindu community. T
The two day long program started on the 27th with lamp lighting by invited dharma gurus and dignitaries. The president of VHPA Shri Jyotish Parekh welcomed the more than 500 delegates who attended the banquet. Speakers delivered their messages highlighting the glories of Sanatan Dharma and Hindu Sanskriti while remembering Swami Vivekananda. Stephen Knapp (Srinandan das) of ISKCON, Detroit said, “I am proud to be a Hindu and a follower of Sanatan dharma”
On Saturday Sept. 28th World Without Borders delegates gathered near Wisconsin avenue and walked to the Art Institute of Chicago where Swami Vivekananda delivered his historic message 120 years ago. Swami Ramdev garlanded the statue of Swami Vivekanand outside the Art Institute. The procession was led by Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Swami Chidananda, Swami Varadanand of Vedanta society, Swami Sharadanand of Chinmaya Mission, Lokesh Muni of Jain Center, Pundits of Gayatri Parivar, Subramanian Swami and many others dignitaries. All gathered in the hall where Swami Vivekananda spoke. After lamp lighting, a representative of Governor’s Office read a message from Governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn, proclaiming September 28th, 2013, as Swami Vivekananda Day.
The morning session in Museum of art concluded with a message by Baba Ramdev who said, “We bow to the efforts of America, but at the same time we bow to the ancient culture of India. We need to live the message of Swami Vivekananda who said that God does not live in places of worship but He lives in humans — we should have darshan of Brahman (God) in the entire Brahmand (universe).”
In the afternoon, the more than 2,000 delegates reassembled in Jain Center for the concluding session. Children from local Bal Vihars enthused the audience by singing and dancing on patriotic songs. Jain Muni Lokesh sang a few lines praising the bravery of Swami Vivekananda and congratulated VHPA for bringing all dharmacharya and organization on one platform. Dr. Beena of Brahma Kumaris institute talked about her research on the teachings of Swami ji. In the concluding remarks Baba Ramdev talked about reestablishing the glories of Hindu traditions through reforms. He appreciated VHPA’s united effort of celebrating Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary.