The 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated at Jagannath University (known earlier as Jagannath College), Dhaka on the 15th June 2013 with a great zeal in presence of a large number of audience comprising university students, teachers and guests. The program of discussion and musical performance was organized by the Philosophy Department of the university patronized and direct supervision of Ramakrishna Mission, Dhaka with the co-operation of Vivekananda Shiksha O Samskriti Parishad, Bangladesh. It was mentioned that on the 30th March 1901 Swami Vivekananda delivered a lecture in English for 1 hour in presence of around 2000 audience.
The Discussion was chaired by Professor Dr. Lutfar Rahman, Chairman, Department of Philosophy, while the Chief Guest was Professor Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Vice Chancellor, Jagannath University, Dhaka. Professor Dr. Aminul Islam and Swami Ameyananda were the Guests of Honour and Special Guests were Professor Selim Bhuiyan, Treasurer, Jagannath University and Professor Dr. Sitesh Chandra Bachhar, President, Vivekananda Shiksha O Samskriti Parishad, Bangladesh. Speakers were Asso. Professor Dr. Mohammad Touhidul Hasan, Department of Philosophy, Jagannath University, and Swami Sthiratmananda. Asso. Professor Siddhartha Shankar Joardar and Asso. Professor Hafizul Islam of Philosophy Department were the Convener and Jt. Convener respectively of the Executive Committee for the Vivekananda Celebration formed by the University.
The guests and speakers discussed the life and ideals of Swami Vivekananda along with the impact of his message and life in the present social context. The auditorium was over-crowded by the audience the number was around one thousand. The speakers held the audience spell-bound three and half hours by their speeches on Swamiji. The guests were very much amazed seeing the enthusiasm of the audience, especially the students were expressing their delight by frequent claps.
A Steel Almirah containing 100 books of Swamiji with Swamiji’s Logo and a short Life sketch and some inspiring messages of Swami Vivekananda engraved on it, was donated to the central library of the university by Ramakrishna Mission, Dhaka. A Trust named `Vivekananda Trust’ has been formed attached with the Philosophy Department of Jagannath University with Tk. 2.5 lakh for providing scholarship among the poor and meritorious students and to hold seminars on Swamiji’s Philosophy every year. This will be effective from 2014.
Musical performance was there with the participation of local artistes after the discussion. At the end sweets was distributed among the audience. All ended peacefully.