High Commission of India
Dhaka

Remarks by Deputy High Commissioner at Ramakrishna Mission
[26 February, 2018]

Chief Guest H.E Mr. Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal MP, Hon'ble Minister for Home,

Swami Subiranana Maharaj, General Secretary RamakrishnaAshrama, Belur Math, India,

Prof. Dr. Aminul Islam, University of Dhaka

Adv. Rana Dasgupta, General Secretary, HBCOP

Ladies and Gentlemen

I would like to thank the Ramakrishna Mission for inviting me here today to be amongst this august gathering. I am very pleased to be a part of this event marking the 183rd birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansaand the conclusion of the centenarycelebrations of Ramakrishna Mission, Dhaka.

Today, we have gathered here to celebrate the 183rd birth anniversary of one of the most revered spiritual figures not only of India but across many countries. Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa was a mystic and a yogi who could very easily convey the meanings of complex spiritual concepts to a common man. He pursued the Divine throughout his life in various forms and believed in divine embodiment of the Supreme Being in every individual.He was a very simple man with childlike enthusiasm, who conveyed the concepts of spiritual philosophies in easy to understand phrases using most simple parables, stories and anecdotes.

Shri Ramakrishna’s legacy was continued by Swami Vivekananda after his death in 1886. Swami Vivekananda carried on Shri Ramakrishna's teachings and philosophy to the world through the Ramakrishna Mission, which he helped establish in 1897 to spread the visions of his Guru Ramakrishna and devote the institution to the service of the society. The teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda are so relevant in modern times.

It is also a matter of satisfaction that RK Mission Dhaka has now completed 100 years in Dhaka, which is by no means an ordinary achievement. Very few institutions and organizations in the world can boast of being a century old and this is more remarkable given the activities they do and in challenging situations on many occasions. Rama Krishna Mission, through its various centres around the world, has been engaged in different fields of work be it humanitarian, spiritual, educational, socio- cultural, relief and rehabilitation and medical services since its inception, to serve the cause of the humanity. Their Dhaka Centre has been involved in such activities in this part of the sub-continent. This institution has truly contributed a great deal to the peace, harmony and uplift of the under privileged sections of society.

The relation between India and Bangladesh are rooted in our shared history and culture. The Ramakrishna Mission in Bangladesh is affiliated to the Belurmath in Kolkata and is a perfect example of our common cultural heritage. It is not at all surprising that the devotees of the mission are not only Hindus but also people from all religions

I once again congratulate Ramakrishna Mission on completion of their 100 years of journey in Bangladesh and wish them successful continuation of their humanitarian activities for the welfare of the society at large. High Commission of India in Dhaka has been closely working with RK Mission Dhaka and many other RK Mission centres in Bangladesh in supporting their endeavours and will continue to do so, wherever required.

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