Mysuru, Aug 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre (Viveka Smaraka) in Mysuru, a centre dedicated to the life, teachings, and ideals of Swami Vivekananda.

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar accompanied the Prime Minister during the inauguration. Before the ceremony, Modi visited the Viveka Smaraka, offered prayers, planted a sapling on the premises, and watched a short film highlighting Swami Vivekananda’s life and teachings.

The Viveka Smaraka commemorates Swami Vivekananda’s visit to Mysuru in November 1892 during his journey across India.

According to the official website of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre, the facility has been built and is managed by Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru, at the site where Swami Vivekananda stayed during his visit in 1892. The centre is designed as a youth-oriented cultural institution focusing on behavioural skills, life skills, values, and knowledge development.

The centre aims to help young people develop skills and perspectives to achieve their potential in personal, professional, and social life.

The site is also associated with Swami Vivekananda’s decision to participate in the World Parliament of Religions held in Chicago, USA, in 1893.

Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru, a branch of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, has been involved in spiritual, cultural, educational, and rural welfare activities since its establishment in 1925.

With support from the Government of India, the Government of Karnataka, private organisations, devotees, and well-wishers, the Ashrama has developed the youth centre to promote Swami Vivekananda’s ideas on character development and nation-building.

The infrastructure plan includes a 650-seat amphitheatre, an immersive museum on Swami Vivekananda’s life and teachings, classrooms for short-term courses, a yoga and meditation hall, a library, a study centre for competitive examinations, conference rooms, an exhibition centre, and administrative offices.