Empty vessels make the most noise, they say, and there has been, is, and will be much noise in the public square created by the world of the internet about several citizens of India who have won international renown. Focus on those linked to the theological. Swami Chinmayananda came from a background very different from the mission he carried, which was in his words the retelling of Sanatan Dharma as it actually was. Swami Chinmayananda was unhesitant in acknowledging that he was a missionary, referring often to himself as “we missionaries”. His knowledge of ancient scripture and eloquent language persuaded many to follow at least some of the precepts he talked about, all of which were designed to bring to life the dormant humanity that is in every individual. The Swami set up Chinmaya missions across the world and witnessed his flock of followers grow ever larger. A similar path was set out by Swami Ramakrishna, whose simply expressed yet having profound meaning saw the setting up of the Ramakrishna Mission. The Seva Pratishthan of the Mission has set up world class hospitals across the world, which provide the best of available care sans any bill at the end. The funds for the same come from donations from members of the public. Each of them, although wealthy, abjures the acquisition of yet another fancy car or house, and donates the money set aside for such purchases to the Mission. As a consequence, lives get saved by such donations, surely the best treasure that an individual could acquire, knowing that he or she has changed a life through the Mission, saved a life through the same institution. Too many of us citizens of a country with an ancient civilization forget such work or scorn them, yet each Mission, whether of Chimaya or Ramakrishna or another, adds to the lustre to which citizens of India get viewed from abroad.
Across the world, there are hospices under the Missionaries of Charity set up by Mother ( now Saint) Teresa. In each, the nuns serve those who are no longer in the waiting room or the platform but have entered the train leading to death. The sisters seek to make that journey as comforting as they can for the many in the hospices who have reached their final residence before breath becomes air, months,weeks, days or hours after they are brought in and placed on a wooden pallet on the floor on which is placed a mat and a cloth covering. Many are too weak to eat food, and they are fed by spoons by the sisters, all dressed in white saris no matter that they are not in India but in Europe, the US or Africa. The first hospice set up by Mother Teresa was in Kolkata, and no visitor to Nirmal Hriday can come back untouched by the experience. Young from across the world work in the hospices, many for a year, others while they are on vacation from college. These institutions are true multinationals. Amritapuri in Kerala at a location that is equidistant from Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi has by the magnetic pull of Mata Amritananda Devi brought young women from across the world, serving simply, ostentatiously, society. What has been done at similar centres worldwide is to show that the most precious treasure a human being can possess is the quality of humanity despite the world being in a state of war somewhere or the other. Each of the women ( for it is an all woman show) are given an Indian name which does not subtract any of their given names but adds to them. Across the world versions of Amritapuri are coming up, several with hospitals ministering to the sick and needy. Rather than ignore them, India needs to celebrate such sons and daughters of India as Swami Chinmayananda and Amritananda Devi. Not to mention adopted children of India such as Mother Teresa who was born Agnes Gonxha Bojacchiu in distant Albania but became a citizen of India thereafter. Each is part of our traditions, each is to be celebrated and not ignored or reviled. They make ,each in their unique way, India special and great in the eyes of many across the world.
Across the world, there are hospices under the missionaries of Charity set up by mother ( now Saint) teresa. In each, the nuns serve those who are no longer in the waiting room or the platform but have entered the train leading to death. the sisters seek to make that journey as comforting as they can for the many in the hospices who have reached their final residence before breath becomes air, months,weeks, days or hours.
