Swami Agnivesh, who was hospitalized due to liver cirrhosis at the Institute of Liver and Billary Sciences (ILBS) in Delhi and suffered multiple organ failure, passed away on Friday evening. Fr. Vice-Chancellor had spoken to him on Tuesday after he was admitted to the hospital.
The 80-year old former professor of St. Xavier's College (1963 -69) and a friend of St. Xavier's University. Kolkata was an advocate for dialogue between religions. He was involved in various areas of social activism including campaigns against female feticide and the emancipation of women.
Swamiji delivered the keynote address on the 15th August 2018 at SXUK to a rapt audience comprising faculty members, staff and students. His speech was both inspirational and compassionate underlining the need to serve the underprivileged section of our community, particularly the children from poverty stricken homes and of course not to forget the bonded labourers. In fact Swami Agnivesh had undertaken THIS to be his mission. He worked incessantly in trying to make a difference to the marginalised sections of our society.
Swami Agnivesh was truly "a man for others"... A sanyasi in the Arya Samaj Order, he stood tall, both on the national and international stage, as an educationist, a philanthropist, a philosopher, a spiritualist, most of all as a humanist. The sublime words of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit Order applies to him perfectly... "He was contemplative in action, finding God in all things". And also important to me, Swamiji and I were close associates and friends.
Vepa Syam Rao was born into a Brahmin upper caste Telegu family. He completed his Masters from Calcutta University and taught at St Xavier's College, Kolkata from 1963 to 1969. At 24 young Rao was inquisitive and curious to know the inner workings of the Belgian Jesuits. One day he sneaked into the Jesuit residence known as cloister and peeped in. The austerity and simplicity of the Jesuit living quarters astounded him ....Only a table, two chairs, a bed and a wooden almirah.
It was unbelievable... 'The Jesuits lived a life of high thinking and simple living,' this made a deep impact on him. While coming out of the Jesuit cloister Rao met a senior Belgian Jesuit in the corridor. He asked the priest as to what had motivated him to come to the distant shores of India leaving behind his home and the comforts he had had there.
The Jesuit answered him ... 'I am here like my fellow Jesuit Fathers. Our mission is to serve the people of India, particularly of Bengal, mainly to impart quality education to Indian students; this is the humble contribution we hope to make.'
Swamiji was deeply impressed and he has often reiterated that this response by the Jesuit priest had an influence his future life and missionary zeal. He said, 'it made me ponder. What is MY mission for India?
Swamiji has always stressed his strong faith in spirituality. He insisted that spirituality ought to be social spirituality. This spirituality should not be an individualistic or escapist type. He insisted that it should be one that would keep the interest of the society intact; which would depend on the respect for individual interest. These are inextricably linked. They are complimentary...religion must be a thrust for social awakening and revolution. Swamji has written a number of books on this subject to promote and share his views and ideas.
Swami Agnivesh was indeed a man among men....A prophet for all seasons on the side of truth and justice with a deep seated spiritual perspective. A true inspiration. A Karma Yogi, Champion of the socially challenged ..... A true Arya Samaji. May his soul rest in peace.