IMPHAL, January 10: Culture provides a platform to encourage peace, unity and integrity, said deputy chief minister Gaikhangam.
The deputy CM was addressing the 21st Annual Function Show, dedicated to the 150th years Swami Vivekananda Birth Centenary Commemoration programme organised by the Meitei Traditional Dance Teaching School & Performing Centre, Imphal.
The function was held at the auditorium hall of the JN Dance Academy.
He said that Swami Vivekananda was a great thinker and philosopher.
His thoughts were such that, even the western civilization of his time was astonished on listening to his speech.
Narrating an incident involving Swami Vivekananda, he said that once Swami Vivekananda had said, “50 percent of the Americans are fools” at which the audience threw things at him and when he added “50 percent of the Americans are wise”, the audience clapped, whereas meaning of the two are the same.
Swami Vivekananda was a multi-dimensional thinker, he said.
Gaikhangam pointed out to the centre that instead of keeping the name, “Meitei Traditional Dance Teaching Schools and Performing Centre, Imphal”, it will be better to change it “Manipuri Traditional Dance Teaching Schools and Performing Centre, Imphal.”
MLA, Joy Kishan also attended the function.