Yugavani

Love India

When one of his Western followers asked Swami Vivekananda, “How can I best help you?”, he just replied, “Love India!” Indeed, these two words are at the core of Swamiji’s message to us.

What does it mean to love someone? From our mothers we learn that to love is to feel empathetically; to love is to serve without any expectations in return; to love is to forgive faults; to love is to correct with infinite patience; and to love is to have unfailing faith in the potentialities of the beloved.

What should we love in India? Swami Vivekananda says — love the poor common people of India because neglecting them has been one of the main reasons for the downfall of our country. He declares that “until the masses in India are once more well educated, well fed, and well cared for”, no amount of politics or policies can truly uplift India. How did the land of Sanatana Dharma which teaches the oneness of creation commit this sin? Swamiji says it is because of the “want of practical application, the want of sympathy — the want of heart”— a heart that feels for suffering mankind.

Who should feel for these downtrodden masses? Swamiji says, it is primarily the responsibility of the youth. In one of his letters from America addressed to his disciple Alasinga Perumal, he writes, “I bequeath to you, young men, this sympathy, this struggle for the poor, the ignorant, the oppressed.” With this ideal, Swamiji has directed the spirited energies of the youth into the dispirited lives of the masses. This is a bridge that benefits both the groups. In loving and uplifting the “the poor and the downtrodden, the sinful and the afflicted.” the youthful energy becomes positive and socially productive, and in the process the masses too regain their self-belief, their lost individuality.

Over a hundred years ago, Sister Nivedita, a disciple of Swami Vivekananda, called upon students coming out of colleges to dedicate one or two years to educate and serve poor villagers before taking up a job for their own livelihood. This cannot be enforced by any authority. Only the patriotic youth can answer this call and go forward holding aloft the banner: “Sympathy for the poor, the downtrodden, even unto death— this is our motto.”

Every year schools, colleges, and other institutions celebrate the National Youth Day on 12 January, the birth date of Swami Vivekananda. But it is disappointing to see such celebrations largely limited to a routine of lectures and essay and cultural competitions.

Swamiji’s call for the regeneration of the masses has three definite steps: The first step is to learn to feel, because “through the heart comes inspiration” and “Love opens the most impossible gates.” The next step is to work out practical solutions to the challenges. And the last step is to develop the “will to surmount mountain high obstructions.” Admirers and followers of Swami Vivekananda would do well to remember these steps.

According to recent health reports, millions of Indians are malnourished and lakhs of children are suffering from stunted growth. Can we claim to love our country and yet not feel the sufferings of these hungry millions of fellow men, women and children?

When we celebrate Swami Vivekananda’s Janma Tithi this month, let us pledge to take up one definite act of service to our masses. Young and old, let us ask ourselves, ‘How am I actualising my love for India?’