Ramakrishna Mission, 125 Years

Life and Vision of Swami Vivekananda

Early Years

Born on 12 January 1863 in Kolkata as Narendra Nath Datta, Swami Vivekananda belonged to an affluent family. By the time he graduated from Calcutta University, he had acquired a deep knowledge of Western philosophy, history, and literature. A natural seeker with a yogic temperament, he practiced meditation from an early age and was initially drawn to the Brahmo Samaj Movement.

Meeting Sri Ramakrishna

In November 1881, Narendra met his spiritual guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa at the Dakshineshwar Kali Temple. This meeting transformed his life. Sri Ramakrishna’s unselfish love, spiritual wisdom, and realization of God removed all doubts from Vivekananda’s mind. Their guru-disciple bond became one of the most revered relationships in spiritual history.

The Founding of Ramakrishna Mission

During his travels across India, Swami Vivekananda witnessed the poverty, ignorance, and suffering of the masses. He envisioned an organization of dedicated workers to serve the poor, uplift women, spread education, and awaken the spiritual consciousness of the nation.

In 1897, he founded the Ramakrishna Mission to serve as the “machinery” for bringing the **noblest ideas to the doorsteps of even the poorest and the meanest.” It was registered as a society in 1909. Its motto, set by Swami Vivekananda himself, is:

“For one’s own salvation and for the welfare of the world.”

Service with a Spiritual Outlook

The uniqueness of the Mission lies in its philosophy of service. Inspired by the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, it regards service to humanity as worship of God dwelling in every human being. Charity, therefore, is not motivated by pity or condescension but by reverence.

Fields of Work

Over the last 125 years, the Ramakrishna Mission has been active in:

• Healthcare – hospitals, dispensaries, mobile health units.
• Education – schools, colleges, polytechnics, ITIs, a deemed university.
• Social Welfare – orphanages, homes for the aged, rural and tribal development.
• Disaster Relief – nationwide and international relief and rehabilitation missions.
• Spiritual & Cultural Work – lectures, publications, libraries, and promotion of interfaith harmony.

Today, the Mission runs hundreds of service institutions that continue to bring hope and transformation to millions.

Organizational Structure

The Ramakrishna Mission functions hand-in-hand with the Ramakrishna Math, a monastic order of dedicated monks. Though legally distinct, they are regarded as twin organizations. The monks form the main workforce, supported by lay devotees and volunteers.

• As of February 2023, there are 202 branches in India, spread across 27 States and Union Territories.
• Outside India, there are 67 branches in 24 countries, making it a truly global spiritual and service organization.
• The headquarters of both the Math and the Mission is at Belur Math, Howrah (West Bengal).

Recognitions and Awards

The Mission’s selfless service, perfect accountability, and efficient management have earned it recognition worldwide. Among its many honors, it received the Gandhi Peace Prize in 1998, with a citation acknowledging it as a great source of peace and happiness in India and abroad.

125 Years of Service and Spirituality

The completion of 125 years marks a glorious milestone in the Mission’s journey of spiritual regeneration and humanitarian service. Guided by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, the Ramakrishna Mission continues to inspire millions across the globe.

The Department of Posts proudly issues a Commemorative Postage Stamp on 125 Years of the Ramakrishna Mission, honoring its invaluable contribution in promoting spirituality, service, and humanity.