From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 12: The 158th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, who has been appropriated as the Hindutva icon, was celebrated in a big way by different organisations including the State Government and Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

A newly built Swami Vivekananda Bhavan in Raj Bhavan premises was inaugurated by Governor Vajubhai Vala and Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

Both the Governor and the Chief Minister jointly unveiled a statue of Swamy Vivekananda and also released a book, ‘’A Visual Ode to Karnataka,’’ brought out by Raj Bhavan.

The Chief Minister later participated in the Swami Vivekananda Jayanti organized by the State Higher Education and Technical Education Department.

Yediyurappa also released ‘Yuvaspandana’ book published by the State Higher Education and Technical Education Department.

Deputy Chief Minister and Higher Education Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayaan, Additional Chief Secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Minister’s Additional Secretary Dr E V Ramana Reddy and Higher Education Department Additional Chief Secretary Kumar Nayak were among the dignitaries who participated in the function.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the National Youth Day organized by the Bharat Scouts and Guides, Karnataka Central office as part of the Swami Vivekananda Jayanti.

State Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides P G R Sindhia, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Administrator Gaurav Gupta and BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad were among the dignitaries who attended the function.

The Chief Minister started the day by offering flowers to Swamy Vivekananda picture in his Home Office, Cauvery, in the morning.

BJP MLA and former Minisrer Murugesh Nirani was present.