Mysuru: Bengaluru Ramakrishna Mutt head Swami Muktidanandaji, who previously served as the President of Mysuru’s Ramakrishna Ashram, was felicitated at a programme organised at the Amphitheatre in Viveka Smaraka premises on N.S. Road in the heart of the city yesterday. 

Speaking on the occasion, Adichunchanagiri Mutt Seer Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji  said that Mysuru Ramakrishna Ashram has been creating spiritual awareness among thousands of youths and people of all ages over the years.  

Stating that the Ashram has educated people about the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he lauded the services of Muktidanandaji in spreading the light of spiritualism among the people. At a time when the world is driven by  the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the services of the Swamiji is very much needed for guiding the people on human values and spiritualism, he added. 

MLA G.T. Devegowda (GTD) said that Swami Muktidanandaji has a deep knowledge of Indian Philosophy, Psychology, Yoga and Indian culture. Noting that the Swamiji was always an inspiration for people of all ages, he highlighted his services as the President of Ramakrishna Ashram for 15 years and at Ramakrishna Vidyashala for 16 years earlier. Noting that the Swamiji was not only a spiritual preacher, but also a pro-social thinker, GTD said, he had strived for valued growth of the younger generation. 

Former MLC and the Felicitation Committee President D. Madegowda, in his address, said that Swami Muktidanandaji was a great strength who had strived for the construction of Viveka Smaraka (Viveka Memorial) in Mysuru. The Memorial is also a commemoration of the services of Swami Muktidanandaji, he pointed out. The Viveka Smaraka, apart from its other spiritual activities, also aims at inculcating the spirit of Swami Vivekananda among the present generation, he added. 

‘Namana,’ a felicitation volume (containing articles written by a number of writers on the life, services and achievements of Muktidanandaji) on Swami Muktidanandaji was released on the occasion. Mysuru Ramkrishna Ashram President Swami Yukteshanandaji, Adichunchanagiri Mutt Mysuru Branch Seer Sri Someshwaranatha Swamiji, MLAs K. Harishgowda and T.S. Srivatsa, MLCs Raghu R. Kautilya and Madhu Madegowda and others were present.