Swamiji was the perfect counterbalance to Shri Thakur. The latter was an uneducated rustic, a ’pujari’ in a temple; whereas Swamiji (Narendranath/Naren was his original name) was an educated Calcutta youth, son of a very successful and rich lawyer. Naren’s father was a benevolent donor to all who came to him for help. Therefore, savings were always low. After his death, the family fell in a financial crisis. During this period, once he told Thakur that he will be unable to continue visiting him, since he has to take up some job. He almost accused Thakur that despite Thakur’s claim of seeing Goddess Kali in person, he was not helping him to tide over the crisis. Thakur, who knew that his disciple was destined for a much bigger role, simply advised him to go to the temple alone and ask for money and other materialistic help. Somehow, despite three attempts, he could not ask more than knowledge (Gyan), Conscience (Vivek) and Disenchantment (Bairag). The stage was set.

I was fortunate to study in a school run by Ramakrishna Mission (an organisation started by Swamiji). His vision was a great inspiration to a generation of Indians not only about social and religious issues, but also India’s freedom struggle. In 1897, Swamiji said: “Let Mother India become our main deity for next fifty years. Swamiji passed away in 1902. If you add 50 to 1897, see the result and you will realise what I am talking about. His messages to the youth for character building was also accompanied by need of body-building (need of physical well-being), thereby stressing on multi-faced development.

Very aptly, ex-prime minister Rajiv Gandhi tried to project Swamiji as the youth icon needed in India’s progress. Around twenty-five years later, the need seems to be still there. I keep hearing complaints from many people of my age (on the wrong side of middle age): “Today’s youth are no good. They do this, do not do this …. whatsoever”. I beg to differ and believe that today’s youth are much more sensible and sensitive unless the upbringing is not good enough.

Therefore, I appeal to the present day youth to follow Swamiji’s teachings which would be perhaps more relevant for today’s society. For people of the earlier generation, perhaps, trying to impart similar values to younger people will be a great tribute to this personality on his 146th birthday.