At Kanyakumari - a unique symbol of unity and purity - is the Memorial of Swami Vivekananda, another symbol of the united aspiration of Nation. In the Memorial, there is a happy and harmonious blend of all the architectural beauty of the country. It is a symbol of unity because the whole nation wished, worked and contributed for it. Person from all states participated in its inauguration.
"An aggregate or a congregation of men does not make a nation, nor do the geographical area and duration of time qualify a society to be known as a nation. A government formed on such a basis can be called a state, but not a nation. It is common goal or mission that makes a nation. All the constituents strive collectively for something noble. Service with spiritual orientation results in man-making which invariably and inseparably connected with nation building." It is the core of all the thoughts behind Vivekananda Kendra.
Second Phase of Vivekananda Rock Memorial was parallel when Rock Memorial was taking shape. As Eknathji used to say "To put up a Cement and Concrete structure is not the work for which I am born, I am to erect a living and dynamic monument which will be worthy of Swami Vivekananda and which will be capable of bringing into fruition his grand vision of future India."
Shrimat Swami Vireswarananda giving his benedictory speech.
A Benedictory Speech by Shrimat Swami Vireswaranandaji summed up Swami Vivekananda's message in the following words:
"Though Swamiji realised the importance of the Spiritual ideal and its influence on the nation, he could not forget the miserable conditions of the masses all over India, their poverty and ignorance. They had been oppressed for centuries. The upper classes had negleted teh masses, depriving the vast majority of the followers of Hinduism of its benifit, and the result was national degeneration. He realised that the material condition of the masses should be improved and they sould be given education if India has to rise once more."
"He envisaged a future civilisation, a complete civilisation as he called it, which combine the Indian spiritual ideal with Western science and teachnology, for which humnity was waiting."