Swami Balakrishnananda (Satish) expired on 26 December at 6.01 pm, owing to a massive heart attack, at Mechuka (near China border) where he had gone that day in the morning with two brother-monks on a tour. He was 47 and had been suffering from heart disease for some years. Initiated by Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj, he joined the Order in 1991 at Narainpur centre and had Sannyasa from his Guru in 2000. Besides his joining centre, he served at Coimbatore Mission and Aalo centres. In his untimely demise the Order has lost a young, energetic and hardworking member.
Swami Samatmanandaji (Prabir Maharaj of Jayrambati centre) breathed his last at Seva Pratishthan, Kolkata, on 16 February at 10.25 am owing to ischemic cerebrovascular accident. He was 98. Initiated by Swami Shivanandaji, he joined the Order in 1940 at Kankhal centre and had Sannyasa from Swami Virajanandaji in 1950. Besides his joining centre, he served at the Headquarters and our centres in Kolkata (Gol Park and Baghbazar), Belur (Saradapitha), Patna, Dehradun, Ranchi (Sanatorium), Mysore and Deoghar. He had been living a retired life at Jayrambati centre for twenty-six years. The Swami maintained the habit of regular study of Ramakrishna‑Vivekananda literature throughout his monastic life and was meticulous in his monastic routine, especially in attending evening Arati, even in his advanced age. He was loved by all for his affectionate, austere, jovial and childlike nature.
Swami Prabuddhanandaji (Raghunandan Maharaj), Head of San Francisco centre, USA, passed away at Kaiser Hospital, San Francisco, on 2 July at 4.51 am local time (2 July at 5.21 pm Indian Standard Time). He was 85 and had been suffering from lung cancer, congestive heart failure and old-age ailments for the last few years. Initiated by Swami Virajanandaji Maharaj, he joined the Order in 1951 at Bangalore Math and had Sannyasa from Swami Shankaranandaji Maharaj in 1960. He was appointed Head of Bangalore Math in February 1966. In June 1970 he was sent to San Francisco as an Assistant Minister and was appointed Head of that centre in November 1970. He served the centre with outstanding ability for 44 long years. He was highly respected for his saintly life, sterling monastic qualities, calm demeanour and dignified manners. He served as a source of inspiration for the monks and devotees in the West. In him the Order has lost a precious member among those serving in the West.
We are sorry to announce the passing away of Swami Atmakamanandaji (Haralal Maharaj) on 21 July at 4.30 pm at Seva Pratishthan, Kolkata. He was 86 and had been suffering from hypertension and diabetes for several years. Before the end came, he suddenly uttered “Om” thrice and breathed his last. Initiated by Swami Yatishwaranandaji, he joined the Order in 1959 at Rangoon Sevashrama (formerly our branch centre) and had Sannyasa from Swami Vireshwaranandaji Maharaj in 1967. He was a sevak of Swami Vireshwaranandaji during the latter’s entire tenure of Presidentship. He had been living a retired life at Belur Math for several years. The Swami was affectionate and jovial by nature.
We are sorry to announce the passing away of Swami Yogadanandaji (Yatin Maharaj) at Narayanganj centre in Bangladesh on 13 August at 11.35 pm local time (13 August at 11.05 pm Indian Standard Time). He was 87 and had been suffering from diabetes and various other ailments for about three decades. Initiated by Swami Madhavanandaji, he joined the Order in 1956 at Bagerhat centre and had Sannyasa from Swami Vireshwaranandaji in 1967. Besides his joining centre, he served at Narayanganj and Dhaka centres. He had been living a retired life at Narayanganj Ashrama for several years. The Swami was affectionate and amiable by nature.
