Universal Brotherhood Day Celebrations - Samapan

The Universal Brotherhood Day celebration came to a grand finale today, September 19, 2015, with the prize distributions and a unique event called "Vanichithrapuja". The concluding function began with a short prayer, lighting of the ceremonial brass lamp by two 'child' Vivekanandas, Ma. Lakshmi Didi, and Swami Nandatmajananda. Ma. Lakshmi Didi, transformed the moment to September 11, 1893, and the description of the event at Chicago, took each and everyone present on a journey back in time to visualize the magnificent event when the world stood dazzled to hear the saffron robbed, monk from India, give a soul-stirring speech about tolerance and universal acceptance. Swami Nandatmajananda, of Ramakrishna Math, present editor of Prabhuda Keralam, held the audience spellbound to the drawing of a beautiful portrait of Swami Vivekananda to the tunes of a song in the praise of the Swami by Sutapa Didi. Later Swami Nandatmajananda in his address to the gathering recounted an event in the life of Charles Darwin.

Darwin was not very keen in visiting the church on Sunday's. So when his family spend their time at church he would visit a nearby colony of underprivileged people and take 10 children out to the nearby city and buy them whatever they liked. The joy he experienced in seeing the children enjoying the day was far greater than the required visit to church. On weekend an Afro-American mother came to him with her child and requested that Darwin take that child to the city. Darwin stated that we had already selected the 10 children and he cannot include an extra. However after repeated request from the Mother and her appeal that her child had never visited the city and that they are too poor to even have a proper meal a day, Darwin agreed. The child was thrilled, and had a good time in the city, was able to have some food and move around with the other children. Late in the evening Darwin got the children back and left them with their parents. While Darwin was leaving the 11th child, called, came running to him and asked "Are you Jesus".  The joy that Darwin could give the child, brought Darwin closer to the Almighty than the dedicated worshippers.

Blessed are those who spend time with the needy, to share their sorrow and pain and in the process get peace, happiness for the self and  bring in joy and harmony to others.

Swamiji gave away prizes for the individuals and teams for the different events like Painting, Elocution(Mal and Eng), Narration(Mal and Eng),  and Quiz.

The ceremony came to a close with the chanting of the Shanti Mantra.