From Kanyakumari to Darjeeling- spreading the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and Sister Nivedita

Darjeeling, October 12, 2017: Swami Vivekananda and Sister Nivedita have always been a great inspiration for R. Thanga Raja. Armed with the teachings of the Swami, Raja who is differently abled, will be completing 4300 km on a scooter from Kanyakumari to Darjeeling in West Bengal. The journey is to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sister Nivedita.

Raja will be reaching Darjeeling on October 13, the death anniversary day of Sister Nivedita. He will be arriving as the ambassador of peace in strife torn Darjeeling.

Sister Nivedita, the most prominent disciple of Swami Vivekananda and a social reformer, was born as Margaret Elizabeth Noble on 28 October 1867 in Ireland. She had breathed her last at Roy Villa in Darjeeling on October 13, 1911.

Located on Lebong Cart Road, Roy Villa was owned by Dwarka Nath Roy, the brother-in-law of eminent scientist Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose.

An ailing Sister Nivedita had arrived at Roy Villa in October 1911 to spend the puja vacation. An ailing Nivedita had breathed her last at the Roy Villa on October 13, 1911 at the age of 43. At present the Villa houses the Ramakrishna Mission Nivedita Educational and Cultural Centre (RKMNECC.)

"From a young age I have been inspired by teachings of Swami Vivekananda and Sister Nivedita. With the passing of time the Swami's teachings are becoming more and more relevant. Swami's sayings like- Service to mankind is service to God has always motivated me. Spreading such messages I am undertaking this journey. It is also with the prayers of peace for Darjeeling" stated Raja talking to Oneindia over the phone.

37 year old Raja, coming from a humble background, had done his schooling from Vivekananda Kendra, Kannyakumari.

After having completed Diploma in Electronics and Comminication Engineering, he is presently working at the Vivekananda Kendra and Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari.

He had started his journey on September 23. He will be arriving at Roy Villa, Darjeeling, on Friday.

"In the past also I have undertaken such journeys" added Raja. He had completed 1100 km from Kanyakumari to Chennai in 16 days by tricycle on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda in 2013.

The same year Raja again completed 2900 km from Kolkata to Kanyakumari in 54 days by tricycle.

In 2014 he completed 2800km in 16 days by Scooter from Timtala, Maharashtra to Kanyakumari to commemorate 100th birth anniversary of Eknathji Ranade.

Ranade was a social activist and leader. He had compiled a book on Swamiji's teachings and was instrumental in the construction of Vivekananda Centre and Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

"Till the last day of my life I want to spread the teachings of Swamiji. The teachings help youths develop themselves thus contributing to nation building" stated Raja.

OneIndia News