Vice-President Hamid Ansari today said the philosophical underpinning of Swami Vivekananda was as important as his social purpose.
"He was an Indian, a Hindu, a Vedantist, a leading light of the Ramakrishna Mission, a social reformer and an activist who passionately wished to transform the Indian social reality in all its dimensions," Ansari said after unveiling a statue of Swami Vivekananda at Kowdiar Park in the city here.
The life-size bronze statue is installed as part of the year-long countrywide observance of the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda under the initiative of Vivekananda Kendra at nearby Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, and Sri Ramakrishna Ashram.
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Today is also significant as it coincides with the 120th anniversary of Swami's historic Chicago speech on September 11, 1893.
The inner core of Vivekananda's message to his own country was unambiguous -- India needs development and social cohesion, Ansari said.
"The two complement each other. The absence of one is inherently disruptive of the other, he said. The attainment of both paves the way for that higher humanity which was the essence of all religions," Ansari added.
He noted that Vivekananda was against exploitation and privilege and saw socialism as a possible remedy to India's problems.
"I am a socialist, Vivekananda said, not because it is perfect system but because I believe that half a loaf is better than no bread", Ansari added.
The Vice-President said Vivekananda used the Hindu idiom to be understood. His objective, however, was not to sanctify the social reality but to change it and to take it to its logical purpose.
Ansari said the Ramakrishna Mission, set up by Vivekananda over a hundred years ago, has rendered valuable services to the nation, either through propagation of practical spirituality or social services.
"It is this advocacy of religious pluralism that led Vivekananda to his vision of India visualised as 'a junction of the two great systems, Hinduism and Islam-Vedanta brain, and an Islam body," Ansari added.
State Governor Nikil Kumar, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Union Minister Shashi Tharroor and BJP leader Arun Jaitely were among those present on the occasion.
The City Corporation has donated the land at Kowdiar Park to the Vivekananda Kendram and Sri Ramakrishna Ashram, as a mark of the city's adoration and respect to the spiritual leader.
