Calcutta:
Ramakrishna Mission President Swami Smaranananda passed away on Tuesday evening at the age of 95 due to ailments of old age.
Paying rich tributes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Swami Smaranananda left an indelible mark on countless hearts and minds and his compassion and wisdom will continue to inspire generations.
Swami Smaranananda became the order’s 16th president in 2017, the RK mission said in a statement.
“Srimat Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj, the most revered President Maharaj of Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, attained Mahasamadhi at 8.14 pm today,” the statement said.
The monk was admitted to the Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan on January 29 with an existing urinary tract infection. He later developed respiratory failure for which he was put on a ventilator on March 3.
In his tribute to X, Prime Minister Modi said he dedicated his life to spirituality and service.
Srimat Swami Smaranananda ji Maharaj, the revered president of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission dedicated his life to spirituality and service. He left an indelible mark on countless hearts and minds. His compassion and wisdom will continue to inspire generations.
I had… pic.twitter.com/lK1mYKbKQt
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 26, 2024
The Prime Minister said he had a very close relationship with him over the years.
“I remember my visit to Belur Math in 2020, when I had interacted with him. A few weeks ago, I had also visited the hospital in Kolkata and inquired about his health. My thoughts are with the countless devotees of Belur Math. Om Shanti,” he said.
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