A race of dotards

When I was in my 10th/11th standard, I came across a book called the Letters of Swami Vivekananda. I don't read books, but I heard a lot about him and Ramakrishna Matt. I was also willing to know more about ancient Indian tradition and he seemed to be a good bridge to get me there.

That book was revolutionary. I didn't expect what I was seeing and couldn't stop reading. It changed me forever in many ways.

There was one passage about Indians and their ambition. It burnt through my heart and lit it on fire. I still clearly remember his message. It still holds true for many of my fellow Indians. If they hear this clarion call to reform from one of the clearest and strongest voices of Indian history, it will help. For many others who are already reforming the world and India, this is inspiration to keep going. Read it for yourself:

".... A race of dotards, you lose your caste if you come out!..."

"...Sitting down these hundreds of years with an ever-increasing load of crystallised superstition on your heads..."

"...for hundreds of years spending all your energy upon discussing the touchableness or untouchableness of this food or that..."

"... with all humanity crushed out of you by the continuous social tyranny of ages — what are you? And what are you doing now? . . . promenading the sea-shores with books in your hands — repeating undigested stray bits of European brainwork..."

"... and the whole soul bent upon getting a thirty-rupee clerkship, or at best becoming a lawyer — the height of young India's ambition.."

"... Is there not water enough in the sea to drown you, books, gowns, university diplomas, and all?.."

"... Kick out the priests (all those) who are always against progress, because they would never mend, their hearts would never become big. They are the offspring of centuries of superstition and tyranny."