Visits of notable stalwarts have contributed to the Vivekananda House having an everlasting connection with history.
Personalities like C Rajagopalachari and VO Chidambaram Pillai visited Vivekananda House for inspiration and sought clarity in their respective goals of life.
These visits contributed to a tectonic shift in their perspective towards life and service.
C Rajagopalachari , popularly known as Rajaji, visited the house when he was a law student while in University.
He was fortunate enough to meet Swami Vivekananda just after his sojourn to the West.
He is said to have learnt the true meaning of service during his stay at the house.
The atmosphere in the city was filled with a sense of indomitable inspiration, as Swami Vivekananda had completed his successful visit to the West, and had made the world look at India seriously.
Rajaji vividly described the valuable time he spent with Swami Vivekananda and drew immense inspiration from listening to the monk lay out his vision to expand RK Mutt in South India.
Living in the Ice House, (the building’s former name) Rajaji also vividly described the picturesque location in which the house was located.
“Ice House is impressively located facing the blue sea, about a mile further to the south from Presidency College,” he said.
“It’s called the Ice House because the ice that chilled the whisky for British residents in Madras used to be brought round the Cape of Good Hope from the Americas and stored in it.
” Another significant incident is the meeting between VO Chidambaram Pillai (VOC) and Swami Ramakrishnananda, who Swami Vivekananda deputed to handle the affairs of the RK Mutt in the city, at the time.
VOC during his brief visit to the house was greatly inspired by meeting Swami Ramakrishnananda.
The visit strengthened his resolve to steer the Swadeshi Movement and work towards an independent India.
“Swadeshi offers several good results.
Follow it.
” These words of Swami Ramakrishnanda left a deep and an everlasting impression in VOC’s mind, who later went on to form the Tuticorin Handicraft Society and Charity Sangam.
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