New Delhi, 27 August (H.S.): Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Navin, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and several other leaders on Thursday expressed grief over the demise of A. Balakrishnan, president of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Vivekananda Kendra.

In a post on X, Nadda described Balakrishnan’s demise as deeply saddening and said he had devoted his entire life to taking the profound ideas of Swami Vivekananda to the people. Nadda lauded his contribution, particularly in expanding the reach of education, service and a sense of Indianness in northeastern India. He prayed for peace for the departed soul and for strength to the Vivekananda Kendra family and his admirers to endure the loss.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Navin said that as a dedicated lifelong worker and the all-India president of Vivekananda Kendra, A. Balakrishnan devoted his life to carrying forward the ideals of Swami Vivekananda and serving the nation. He said that Balakrishnan’s invaluable contribution to education and nation-building, particularly in northeastern India, would be remembered by generations to come.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed grief over Balakrishnan’s demise, describing it as deeply painful that a person who had made the ideals of Swami Vivekananda the guiding purpose of his life and devoted himself to national service was no more. Gupta said he had dedicated more than five decades to nation-building, social awakening, education and institution-building. His contribution, particularly in northeastern India, would always be remembered as an inspiring tradition of national service.

Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said Balakrishnan’s contribution to taking Swami Vivekananda’s ideas to the masses and to education, social service and nation-building would always be remembered. He prayed to God to grant the departed soul a place at His feet and give strength and patience to the Vivekananda Kendra family and his well-wishers.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa described Balakrishnan as a selfless Karmayogi and said he had played an important role in strengthening education, service and a sense of Indianness in northeastern India, while also carrying forward the vision of the revered Eknath Ranade.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar