Author - Nikhil Yadav
Source : sakshi.com
November 16, 2022,
became a historic day for India when Indonesian President Joko Widodo passed
the G20 presidency baton to the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, at the
concluding day of the 17th G20 Summit at Bali. With less than a year to go and
several meetings already underway across India, the country looks forward to
welcoming G20 leaders to New Delhi for the 18th G20 Summit on 9th and 10th
September 2023.
What is
G20?
Source : G20
India has
participated in the G20 Leaders Summit since it was first held in Washington,
D.C., on November 14-15, 2008. However, this year, it will be a new experience
for India as it is hosting the G20 Summit for the first time. India, the most
ancient civilization on earth, has derived the theme of the G20 Presidency from
the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad, "Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam" or "One Earth, One Family, One Future." [ii] Indian Prime Minister Modi's remarks at the
unveiling of India's G20 Presidency logo and theme were a path-showing message
for the coming year. The PM said that "The spirit of universal brotherhood
that we have been living through the mantra of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' is
reflected in this logo and the theme. The contemplation of Advaita here has
been the philosophy of the unity of the living being." It is a feeling
that runs through the veins of India and a resolution that has been
incorporated into our thinking. The PM also see the G20 as a significant
opportunity for India before the 'Amrit kal' of independence. [iii]
Swami Vivekananda,
the great yogi of the nineteenth century and the first ambassador of Hindu
culture to the West declared the precious revelations contained in Vedanta
philosophy, namely, universalism and religious harmony. He thus forever changed
the imagination of many Westerners about India and its religions.
In the two visits
he made to the West, the first between May 1893 to January 1897 and the second
between June 1899 to November/December 1900, helped change the false picture of
India, which was earlier portrayed as a nation that was considered to be the
country of snake charmers to a nation with knowledge, wisdom, and spirituality
to contribute to the globe.
Swami Vivekananda
took this ancient Indian message of Universal brotherhood, Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam, and Advaita to the globe. Swamiji traveled to eleven of the twenty
G20 members, including various parts of India, and had impacted almost all the
G20 members with the message of Vedanta and Universal Brotherhood. Apart from
India, the other G20 member countries Swamiji traveled to are Canada, China,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Turkey, the United Kingdom (U.K.), the United
States (U.S.), and the European Union.
During his first
tour to the West, Swamiji stopped in China, Japan, and Canada on his way to the
U.S. He also visited the U.K., France, Germany, and Italy during the same
tour.
On his second tour
to the West, along with the U.K. and the U.S., Swamiji visited France, Austria,
and Greece, passed through Bulgaria and Romania (presently part of the European
Union), and went to Turkey.
China: When Swamiji left for Chicago, U.S., in
May 1893, his boat arrived in Canton, South China's most significant commercial
metropolis. Apart from his visit to a Chinese temple in a monastery at Canton,
little is known about his brief stay in the city. His visits to Canton's
temples gave him a glimpse of common Asian culture. [iv]
Japan: During the same voyage, after China,
Swamiji reached Japan. Here he halted at Nagasaki and Kobe. In contrast to
Chinese life, he was so impressed by Japan that he also visited Yokohama,
Kyoto, and Tokyo. Japan painted a positive impression on Swamiji's mind, and he
admired the country throughout his life. [v]
Canada - After Japan, Swamiji reached Vancouver
and Winnipeg city of Manitoba. His stay in Canada was short, and the available
information was limited. [vi]
United
States: During both
his visits to the West, the U.S. was the main focus of Swamiji. From being
neglected and abused to accepting him as a spiritual giant, the U.S. gave
Swamiji everything. His introductory comment at the World Parliament of
Religion, Chicago, in September 1893 gave him significant global popularity. He
visited several cities in the U.S. to preach the message of Vedant and Yoga,
which includes Baltimore, California, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Los Angeles,
and New York. Swamiji's impact was such that thousands of people attended his
lectures, and some of them were so influenced that they came to India to offer
their service. Christina Greenstidel, who later became Sister Christine, is one
such example. Swamiji also started Vedanta classes in the U.S., where,
according to Sister Christine," Millionaires were glad to sit on the
floor, literally at his feet." [vii] From the accounts of one of his thousand
Island Park class attendees, we learned that Swamiji used to take up ancient
Indian scriptures like Bhagavad-Gita, The Upanishads, the Vedanta Sutras of
Vyasa, and sometimes Bhakti Sutras of Narada for his discussions." [viii] Even today, Ramakrishna Mission has several
branches and sub-branches working in the U.S., which include the Vedanta
Society, Berkeley, the Vedanta Society of Southern California, Hollywood, the
Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York, the Vedanta Society of New York,
and the Vedanta Center of Greater Washington, DC among others. [ix]
United
Kingdom: Following
his great success in the U.S., Swamiji was called upon to the U.K., where he
lectured in London and nearby areas, including Wimbledon. In London, he was
popularly called a "Hindu Yogi." [x] Capt. Sevier, his wife Charlotte Sevier, and J.J.
Goodwin were among Swamiji's chief disciples, who had attended his lecture in
England and later came to serve India. One of the most significant gifts India
got from Swamiji's work in England was Sister Nivedita. Swamiji called upon her
to work for women's education, and she later also contributed to the Indian
freedom movement. Swamiji also visited the U.K. during his second visit to the
West.
Italy – During his return to India after his
successful first phase in the West, Swamiji reached Italy with Captain and Mrs.
Sevier in December 1896. He visited Naples, Milan, Florence, Pompeii, and Rome
in Italy. The ruins at the ancient city of Pompeii had impacted Swamiji's mind;
he wrote, "...after seeing Pompeii I have lost all regard for the
so-called 'Modern Civilisation.' With the exception of steam and electricity
they had everything else and infinitely more art conceptions and executions
than the Moderns"[xi]. From there, he reached India in January 1897.
France - Swamiji visited France four times, first in
1895 and then twice in 1896. In December 1896, during his return to India,
Swamiji traveled by train that passed through France and the Alps before
reaching Milan in Italy. However, during his second visit to the West, Swamiji
went to France for the fourth time, and this was his most prolonged stay there,
lasting around eighty-three days. He reached Paris on August 3, 1900, and
visited Brittany twice. During this visit, Swamiji visited some of the medieval
monasteries, but his major appearance was at the Congress of the History of
Religions, where he also lectured. Swamiji also visited the International
Congress of Physics in Paris, which was also attended by his fellow countryman
and stalwart scientist, Jagadish Chandra Bose. [xii] Swamiji greatly admired the people and culture of
France and regarded Paris as the crown and capital of western
civilization. [xiii]
Germany
– During his first
visit to the West, Swamiji went to Germany in 1896. Swamiji first halted in
Germany at Heidelberg, followed by Coblenz, Cologne, Kiel, Hamburg, and the
capital Berlin. At that time, Germany was the military power center of the
world. Swamiji was amazed by Germany's artistic excellence, German arts and
industries, and general prosperity. His discussions on Vedanta continued during
his visit. [xiv]
Turkey
– During his second
visit to the West, Swamiji visited Constantinople (presently known as
Istanbul), one of the leading cities of Turkey. Here, he stayed for several
days and delivered some drawing-room lectures since he was not allowed to
lecture publically (the reason is not apparent). [xv]
European
Union: During his
second visit to the West, Swamiji went to Vienna, the capital of Austria. In
October 1890, he halted in Vienna for three days and visited the Schonbrunn
Palace. [xvi] In the month of November 1890, Swamiji reached
Athens, the capital of Greece. In Greece, he also saw Eleusis. [xvii] Swamiji also passed through Bulgaria and Romania in
November 1990 en route to Constantinople. [xviii]
Apart from the G20
members mentioned above, where Swamiji had traveled to, there are certain G20
member countries that Swamiji did not visit. Still, his works have reached
these places through Ramakrishna Mission branches. These countries include
Argentina [xix], Australia [xx], Brazil [xxi], Russia [xxii], and South Africa[xxiii].
Nikhil Yadav - Prant Yuva Pramukh Vivekananda Kendra, Uttar Prant and Research Scholar, School of Social Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
End
Notes
[i] About G20. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23,
2023, from https://www.g20.org/en/about-g20/#overview
[ii] Logo & Theme. (n.d.). Retrieved
February 23, 2023, from https://www.g20.org/en/g20-india-2023/logo-theme/
[iii] P.M.s address at the unveiling of the logo,
theme, and website for India. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2023, from
https://www.g20.org/en/media-resources/speeches/november-22/unveiling-of-the-logo/
[iv] Dhar, Saliendra Nath (2012). A
Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda(Part 2), Vivekananda Kendra
Prakashan Trust,2012, Chennai. Pp. 555-559
[v] Dhar, Saliendra Nath (2012). A
Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda(Part 2), Vivekananda Kendra
Prakashan Trust,2012, Chennai. Pp.559-561
[vi] Swami Vivekananda in Canada. (n.d.). Vivekananda
Vedanta Society of British Columbia. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from
https://vedantavancouver.ca/arrival-in-vancouver/
[vii] Dhar, Saliendra Nath (2012). A
Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda(Part 2), Vivekananda Kendra
Prakashan Trust,2012, Chennai. Pp.975-976
[viii] Dhar, Saliendra Nath (2012). A
Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda(Part 2), Vivekananda Kendra
Prakashan Trust,2012, Chennai. Pp.1005
[ix] USA Centers—Vedanta Society. (2021,
September 28). https://sfvedanta.org/vedanta/usa-centers/
[x] Nivedita, Sister (2016). The Master As I
Saw Him, Swami Nityamuktananda Udbodhan Office, Kolkata. Pp.7
[xi] Dhar, Saliendra Nath (2012). A
Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda(Part 2), Vivekananda Kendra
Prakashan Trust,2012, Chennai. Pp.1158-1161
[xii] Dhar, Saliendra Nath (2012). A
Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda(Part 3), Vivekananda Kendra
Prakashan Trust,2012, Chennai. Pp. 1743-1768
[xiii] Dhar, Saliendra Nath (2012). A
Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda(Part 3), Vivekananda Kendra
Prakashan Trust,2012, Chennai. Pp. 1775
[xiv] Dhar, Saliendra Nath (2012). A
Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda(Part 2), Vivekananda Kendra
Prakashan Trust,2012, Chennai. Pp. 1116-1122
[xv] Dhar, Saliendra Nath (2012). A
Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda(Part 3), Vivekananda Kendra
Prakashan Trust,2012, Chennai. Pp. 1769
[xvi] Dhar, Saliendra Nath (2012). A
Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda(Part 3), Vivekananda Kendra
Prakashan Trust,2012, Chennai. Pp. 1768
[xvii] Dhar, Saliendra Nath (2012). A
Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda(Part 3), Vivekananda Kendra
Prakashan Trust,2012, Chennai. Pp. 1770
[xviii] Dhar, Saliendra Nath (2012). A
Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda (Part 3), Vivekananda Kendra
Prakashan Trust,2012, Chennai. Pp. 1769
[xix] Ramakrishna Ashrama Argentina. (n.d.).
Retrieved February 23, 2023, from http://www.ramakrishna.org.ar/
[xx] Vedanta Centre of Sydney, Australia—Belur
Math—Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. (n.d.). Retrieved February
23, 2023, from https://belurmath.org/vedanta-centre-of-sydney/
[xxi] Ramakrishna Vedanta Ashrama, Sao Paulo,
Brazil—Belur Math—Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. (n.d.).
Retrieved February 23, 2023, from
https://belurmath.org/ramakrishna-vedanta-ashrama-sao-paulo-brazil/
[xxii] Obschestvo Ramakrishni (Ramakrishna Society) St.
Petersburg, Russia. Belur Math - Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna
Mission. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from
https://belurmath.org/obschestvo-ramakrishni-ramakrishna-society-st-petersburg-russia
[xxiii] The Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa,
Durban. Belur Math - Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.
Retrieved February 23, 2023, from
https://belurmath.org/the-ramakrishna-centre-of-south-africa-durban/
