Sister Nivedita's contribution towards women's education recalled

"Sister Nivedita, who was greatly influenced by Swami Vivekananda, contributed significantly towards women's education", said Raghaveshanandji Maharaj of Ramakrishna Ashram of Ooty.

Speaking at a programme organised at Bakkeshwar Kalyan Mantap in Davangere on Saturday to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sister Nivedita, he said that though Sister Nivedita hailed from a foreign country, she loved India unconditionally. She created awareness among the people about women's education by going door-to-door. She even set up many model educational institutions to achieve her goal.

Though a foreigner, she propagated that India could achieve development only
if it freed itself from the grip of the British. She served the sick and the poor and had inclination towards philosophy.

Halsuru Ramakrishna Mutt's Tyageeshwaranandji Maharaj said that born as Margaret Elizabeth Noble in Ireland, Sister Nivedita was influenced by the ideals and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda. She extensively studied Indian culture and philosophy. She came to India when she was 33 years old and died when she was 44 years old. In such a short span of time, she worked relentlessly and became a role model to Indian society.

Swami Sharadeshanandji of Harihar Ramakrishna Mutt said that there must be no foreigner like Sister Nivedita, who has loved India. She worked selflessly for the development of Indian society.

Prior to the stage programme, a procession passing through various streets of the city was held.

School children took part in the procession holding photographs of Sister Nivedita.

Davangere Ramakrishna Ashram Head P S Rajshekhar, Brahmachari Gurucharanji and others were present on the occasion.