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."
Smt. Indira Gandhi, accompanied by Swami Ranganathananda and the Committee's office-bearers, entering the Sabha Mandapam.
Swami Ranganathanandaji elaborated this single theme in his thought-provoking speech of 20 minutes and, in the end, he exhorted the audience in the following words :
"Give up this static piety. Develop dynamic spirituality. Express yourself in a spirit of service for the common people. Therein is true spirituality. That was the message of Lord Krishna in the Bhagwat Geeta. It was this message which was strengthened by Swami Vivekananda."
Smt. Indira Gandhi spoke thereafter. In her extempore speech she said that the words of wisdom spoken by Swami Vivekananda were even more relevant today then when they were uttered.
She called for concerted efforts to no only to not only eradicate 'economic poverty', but also 'spiritual poverty' of the people. Stressing the need for reconciling the spiritual needs of the individual with his material well-being, she said that both capitalism and communism, with their accent on naterialism, had failed to answer the deepest urges in man.
"The modern man" she said, "desires to have the path made easier fo him. But the easier we make it, the poorer we become in other ways. But, I think, there is a way of recociling the two and I think, perhaps, india cna find that way. "
The Prime Minister referred to the 'ferment' in India and in other parts of the world and siad, "youths are finding faults with old values not because these values are wanting, but because we of teh older generation have to lived up to those ideals. Therefore, they try to search new paths. To us, some of these paths do not make sense. But, if through this approach of trial and error, we can find the truth at last I think, even the upheaval will have served a purpose."
Referrring to Swami Ranganathanandaji's remarks about politics, she said : "It is not politics whihc is bad but what we amek of politics. We have made politics a question of individual bickerings and individual selfishness; instead of what it is supposed to be, that is, a vast movement for an entire people, a movement towards raising the people economically as weel as morally and spiritually."