KOLKATA: A voucher for Rs 22 in the name of Narendranath Dutta - preserved carefully for 132 years - has inspired Presidency University to claim Swami Vivekananda as an alumnus.
Narendranath Dutta had taken admission in the general stream of Presidency College in 1880. "He studied in Presidency for the whole year. His attendance and performance were fine. However, in 1881 he fell ill and could not attend classes. Rather than repeat a year, he chose to leave," said Bivas Chowdhury, secretary of the Presidency University Aumni Association.
Narendranath moved to Scottish Church College, then known as the General Assemblies Institution. College records say that he studied philosophy, English and Bengali from 1881-83 and passed his 'BA First' from here. "Naturally, he is our alumnus. I didn't know that he had studied in Presidency too," said a surprised principal J Abraham. "We have charted out a year-long programme to commemorate this landmark year," he said.
The college takes credit for the spiritual awakening of Narendranath. "As a student, Narendranath had got close to Reverend William Hastie, who taught English. It was while teaching Shakespeare in class one day that Hastie explained the meaning of the word 'trance' and it changed Narendranath's life forever," said Abraham, checking memoirs of Hastie that are treasured by the college.
After the class, Narendranath met Hastie to tell him that the word 'trance' had stirred deep emotions in him. Rev Hastie narrated to him the story of Ramakrishna of Dakshineshwar and suggested that he meet him for a "life changing experience". The rest is history.
The Presidency alumni association has a copy of the admission voucher of "Narrendra Nath Datta". Writer Shankar, who is also a scholar of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda studies, treasured the voucher for years and gave a copy to the Presidency alumni. The bill (No. 78), which says Datta paid Rs 22 for his scholarship for the year, will be shown to Governor M K Narayanan at the inauguration of the events to mark the Swamiji's 150th birth anniversary at Presidency on July 7.
A musical soiree, directed by thespian Bibhas Chakraborty, a Presidency alumnus, will be the highlight of the evening. It will have a 10 of the Swami's most favourite songs - including Mon Chalo Nijo Niketane, Hriday Basana Purno Holo, Tomarei Koriyachi Jibonero Dhrubo Tara, Nahi Surya Nahi Jyoti and Koto Dine Hobe She Premo Sanchar - along with dramatic renditions. While some of these are popular Tagore songs, some are Girish Ghosh creations and some written by the Swamiji himself.
Scottish Church College will hold a series of events through the year to remember Swami Vivekananda. By the end of July, Scottish Church College will also announce its national level seminars and conferences based on Vivekananda's philosophy of life, said Abraham. The college plans a building after Swamiji. We have applied for funds from the ministry of culture for the celebrations. We hope to hear in the affirmative soon," he said.
Source:TOI
Image Courtesy: Vivek150
The authorities of Scottish Church College, from where the Swami graduated in 1883, are surprised by Presidency's claim. Both institutions - barely 2km apart on College Street - are gearing up to celebrate the Swami's 150th birth anniversary.
Narendranath Dutta had taken admission in the general stream of Presidency College in 1880. "He studied in Presidency for the whole year. His attendance and performance were fine. However, in 1881 he fell ill and could not attend classes. Rather than repeat a year, he chose to leave," said Bivas Chowdhury, secretary of the Presidency University Aumni Association.
Narendranath moved to Scottish Church College, then known as the General Assemblies Institution. College records say that he studied philosophy, English and Bengali from 1881-83 and passed his 'BA First' from here. "Naturally, he is our alumnus. I didn't know that he had studied in Presidency too," said a surprised principal J Abraham. "We have charted out a year-long programme to commemorate this landmark year," he said.
The college takes credit for the spiritual awakening of Narendranath. "As a student, Narendranath had got close to Reverend William Hastie, who taught English. It was while teaching Shakespeare in class one day that Hastie explained the meaning of the word 'trance' and it changed Narendranath's life forever," said Abraham, checking memoirs of Hastie that are treasured by the college.
After the class, Narendranath met Hastie to tell him that the word 'trance' had stirred deep emotions in him. Rev Hastie narrated to him the story of Ramakrishna of Dakshineshwar and suggested that he meet him for a "life changing experience". The rest is history.
The Presidency alumni association has a copy of the admission voucher of "Narrendra Nath Datta". Writer Shankar, who is also a scholar of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda studies, treasured the voucher for years and gave a copy to the Presidency alumni. The bill (No. 78), which says Datta paid Rs 22 for his scholarship for the year, will be shown to Governor M K Narayanan at the inauguration of the events to mark the Swamiji's 150th birth anniversary at Presidency on July 7.
A musical soiree, directed by thespian Bibhas Chakraborty, a Presidency alumnus, will be the highlight of the evening. It will have a 10 of the Swami's most favourite songs - including Mon Chalo Nijo Niketane, Hriday Basana Purno Holo, Tomarei Koriyachi Jibonero Dhrubo Tara, Nahi Surya Nahi Jyoti and Koto Dine Hobe She Premo Sanchar - along with dramatic renditions. While some of these are popular Tagore songs, some are Girish Ghosh creations and some written by the Swamiji himself.
Scottish Church College will hold a series of events through the year to remember Swami Vivekananda. By the end of July, Scottish Church College will also announce its national level seminars and conferences based on Vivekananda's philosophy of life, said Abraham. The college plans a building after Swamiji. We have applied for funds from the ministry of culture for the celebrations. We hope to hear in the affirmative soon," he said.
Source:TOI
Image Courtesy: Vivek150
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