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Revered Swami Girishananda ji Maharaj - Vice President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Respected Swami Suparananda ji, Swami Suddhidananda ji, Swami Narsimhananda ji, Shri Pallab Mukherjee, Shri Anup Gupta Ji, other dignitaries on the dais, Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers & Sisters and Dear Youth.

I am overwhelmed to get this opportunity to welcome you all on this auspicious occasion of release of book on Revered Swami Ranganathananada ji Maharaj, the 13th President of Ramakrishna Math and Mission. With the strength drawn from the Trio – Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Sarda Maa and Swami Vivekananda I say a few words in honour of Swami Ranganathananda Ji.

Swami Ranganathananda is - A life of Harmony and Peace or A life of Experience And Spirituality or A life of Unity in Difference and Harmony. In whatever way I may try to narrate, it may not be sufficient to describe his complete personality.

Swami Ranganathananda Ji, an inspired messenger of Swami Vivekananda, spoke with power and authority all over the world. The eternal message of the Upanishads and the stirring words of Swami Vivekananda found an able medium of expression through him.

In his lecture titled “Complete philosophy of life” Swami Ranganathananda showed us a path. He said, “Your neighbour is in front of you, you neglect him and where are you going to search for God? God is in your heart, God is in the heart of the other person also. Find Him through meditation and through Seva, let these two go together. This is the Gita teaching of Sri Krishna.”

Swami Ranganathananda Ji’s understanding of Vedanta philosophy, which is full of the spirit of freedom, equality and dignity of the human personality, equality of men and women; made him an outstanding Sanyasi who could present his teachings in a modern and accessible manner. His tremendous ability to bridge the gap between eastern spirituality and western thoughts was accepted around the globe. 

Revered Swami Ranganathananda Ji was one of the most respected and loved eminent scholar and intellectual of our country. Millions have benefitted by his soul stirring lectures on the Gita, the Upanishads, the Vedanta and other subjects related to spiritual growth and human development Ranganathananda ji’s uplifting speeches were heard by people of all walks of life with reverence and admiration. 

As a Trustee and Senior Monk of Ramakrishna Order and Member of Governing Body of the Ramakrishna Mission, Revered Maharaj toured extensively in India and abroad to address earnest august audiences of the world on cultural and spiritual topics. His lecture made the listeners spellbound as Swami Ranganathananda had remarkable combination on the practical application of spiritual knowledge in daily life. Maharaj was a strong advocate for interfaith dialogue and harmony. 

His life is an example of ideals of spirituality and selfless service. Swami Ranganathananda Ji stressed on service as a way of life and Vedanta as a science of religion. His motto was ‘God ward Passion and Man ward Love’. His personality was marked by simplicity, profound love for humanity and an attitude of equality to all. Oratorical skills and intellectual inclination marked him out among his peers.

With his dynamic personality Maharaj Ji continued spreading the man-making and character-building message of Swami Vivekananda. Thousands have found strength and solace in his inspiring speeches and I am sure many more will be benefitted through this book in the coming decades.

I am honoured to have here Revered Swami Girishananda ji Maharaj as the Chief Guest for the evening. He has very kindly agreed to grace this occasion and release the book today titled Swami Ranganathananda - A monk of Fundamental Wisdom and Spirituality for the benefit of human development. Our thanks to all the respected Swamiji’s and honourable speakers on the dais for their August presence.

I thank all the Swamiji’s, eminent dignitaries and all at the audience for their gracious presence today. I pray for the wellbeing of all. Let us march towards living a healthy, happy and a loving service life, working hard selflessly and righteously with devotion.