The man credited by many
with helping launch the
drive for India's freedom is
about to be honored in the place
where he first gained Western attention.
The first American statue of
Swami Vivekananda—a Hindu
monk who introduced his faith to
the West during a speech at the
Art Institute in 1893—will be dedicated at 4 p.m. July 12 at the
Hindu Temple. 10915 Lemont Rd.,
Lemont.
The 10-foot-2-inch bronze,
sculpted in Calcutta by G. Paul &
Sons and paid for by donations,
has been crated and lying on its
side awaiting installation today.
The recumbent position does not
seem out of character for the man
who arrived as a nearly penniless
mendicant in the bustling young
town.
Frank Parlato. a spokesman for
the Vivekananda Vedanta Society
in Hyde Park, said the monk almost didn't make his appointment
with destiny. He slept in an open
boxcar and was so poor he had to
leave for Boston. When he returned, he was wandering along
Dearborn, begging for directions to
the World's Parliament of Religions.
"Nobody would answer this unusual looking man in a turban,"
Parlato said.
Finally, a woman connected with
the Parliament—a worldwide
gathering—recognized him as a
delegate, and after allowing him to
clean up, took him to the Art
Institute, where he was to speak.
Parlato said the largely unknown swami began his unre-
hearsed speech by greeting the
audience saying, "Sisters and
brothers of America." This
sparked a standing ovation—for
reasons Parlato said remain unclear—and galvanized the crowd
and media.
The success of his appearance
sparked an interest in both Hinduism and yoga, which are still growing today. Although Vivekananda
died on the Fourth of July, 1902,
societies were formed to continue
his teachings. Today, there are 138
worldwide, including more than a
dozen in the United States.
Equally important, however, is
his influence on Mohandas K.
Gandhi, whose teachings eventually led to India's independence.
"You don't know how many people come here to pay their respects
to him and talk about his influence," Parlato said.
Chicago may be leading a trend.
India's envoy to the United States,
Naresh Chandra. has proposed to
Congress that a memorial to Gandhi
be built on land opposite, the Indian
Embassy in Washington, D.C.
