Yoga guru Ramdev, here to mark the 120th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's historic speech at the Parliament of World Religions, has said the 19th century reformer gave India's cultural message to the world.
"One hundred and twenty years ago, when in September, 1893, Swami Vivekananda, gave India's cultural message to the whole world...we remember that great moment and remember him because we have to create an India of his dreams," Ramdev said.
Paying homage to Swami Vivekananda, Ramdev yesterday morning garlanded his statue at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in Lemont.
Later he went to Art Institute of Chicago, where he lit the lamp amid prayers and chants, and remembered Swami Vivekananda, who spoke from the same stage in the Fullerton Hall in Art Institute of Chicago, as Vivekananda did in 1893.
He hailed Swami Vivekananda saying, "Vivekananda's speech beginning with 'Sisters and Brothers of America' has the whole message of Indian culture -- because husband, wife, father come later, but brother, sister come first." "There is an important bond between brother and sister. Although the world is going through political struggles, and becoming more modern and free and capitalistic, humanity is suffering. There is so much insecurity, today the whole world is suffering from corruption," Ramdev said.
"IMF WTO, UNO is being ruled in an undemocratic manner," he said.
Ramdev told the Parliament of World's Religions that conversions need to stop.
"If we had listened to Swami Vivekananda's message then 9/11 terrorist attack would not have happened," Ramdev said.
Ramdev later in the day left for New Jersey to attend the Yoga & Dharma Fest and will travel to Atlanta before leaving for India.
