Rishi Rajnarayan Basu (1826-1899), Sri Aurobindo’s maternal grandfather, was one of the leading figures, the anchor of Indian awakening and nationalism.

Often endearingly referred to as the “Grandfather of Indian Nationalism”, Rishi Rajnarayan strode his era as an intellectual colossus and as one of the earliest and staunchest advocate and visionary of self-reliance, cultural recovery and re-awakening.

His “Hindu Dharmer Shresthata”, (1872), his inspiration for the Hindu Mela (1867) established him as a Seer and a thought-leader who created an epoch. He was one of the most articulate spokesperson and philosopher of #EkBharatShreshthaBharat & #AatmanirbharBharat.

On 26 September, was delighted to participate in the launch of the Rishi’s 200th birth anniversary at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, Kolkata. The Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, has curated an inspiring and informative exhibition on Rishi Rajnarayan’s life and times.

Shri Jagannath Chattopadhyay, Minister for Higher Education, Govt of #WestBengal inaugurated the exhibition & launched the commemoration. Justice (retd) Shri Chittatosh Mookerjee, Swami Suparnananda Maharaj, of Ramakrishna Mission, Shri Arindam Mukherjee, Director, ISCS, Kolkata, Shri Biswajit Ganguly, Managing Member, Sri Aurobindo Bhavan were also present on the occasion.

I am happy to know that the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal has made a special allocation for the commemorations and the Higher Education Dept will observe the occasion in all educational institutions.

Met representatives from various organisations and institutions from across the state.

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