The Rashtrapati accompanied by Shri M. Karunanidhi and Shri K. V. Subbiah (Minister for H. R. and C. E., Tamil Nadu), arrived at the meeting-ground behind the Kanyakumari temple at 10-00am. The meeting commenced with recitation of an invocation in Sanskrit by Dr. V. Raghavan, one of the Vice-presidents of teh Committee, followed by a welcome address by its President Shri D. N. Sinha. Shri D. N. Sinha said :

Thereafter, the rashtrapati visited the Dhyana Mandapam, Steppin on its hightly polished floor, his eyes fell on the Pranava Peetham (a decorated altar with aum, engraved in mirror-glass installed on it). He appreciated the superb workmanship displayed by artisans in teh carvings on the altar-pedestal. He also welcomed the choice of aum as an object of meditation. After spending about 15 minutes on teh Rock admiring the exquisite pieces of traditional Indian architecture, the Rashtrapati returned by helicopter to the Mainland.

The Rashtrapati went first the Shripada Mandapam and made floral offerings at the Shripadam. After going round the Shripadam he moved towards teh Vivekananda Mandapam. Ascending the steps, he reached the carved teakwook doors of its majestic entrance.

The Rashtrapati, Shri V. V. Giri on his arrival by helicopter at the Rock at 9:20 am. was accorded 'Poornakumbha' reception. The Chief Minister and the officebearers of the Committee, among other distinguished persons, received him.

The same morning, a couple of hours after the consecration ceremony, teh inauguration of the Memorial was done by the Rashtrapati, Shri V. V. Giri, in a public fuction held under the Presidentship of Shri M. Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The inaugural function consisted of two programmes, namely, (1) the cremonious opening of the Memorial on the Rock-island where admission was restricted by issue of passes, (2) followed by apublic meeting on the shore, opposite the Rock.

Spetember 2, 1970 (Bhadrapad Shukla Dvitiya) was the day chosen by the Committee for celebrating the consecration and the inauguration of teh Memorial. The day synchronised with the 77th anniversary (as per Indian time and calender) of the Swamiji's historic speedch in the Parliament of Religions held at Chicago on 11st September, 1893.