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The  Indian  philosopher  and   social  reformer,   Swami Vivekananda, or Narendra Nath Dutt nicknamed by his mother as 'Vireshwar', was born on 12th January 1863 in Shimla Pally Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal to Viswanath Dutta and Bhauvanswari Devi. Even though he was young, hp showed a precocious mind and keen memory. He practiced meditation from a very early age. White at school, he was good at studies, as well as games of rowing and other sports. He also studied instrumental and vocal music. He was a leader among his group of friends. At an early age, he began to question the validity of superstitious customs and discrimination based on caste and religion. In 1879, Narendra entered the Presidency College, Calcutta for higher studies. After one year, he joined the Scottish Church College, Calcutta and studied Philosophy. During the course, he studied Western Logic, Western Philosophy and History of European Nations. There started the disturbing questions about God in young Narendra's mind. This made him associate with Brahmo Samaj, an important socio-religious movement of the time, led by Keshah Chandra Sen. But the Samaj's congregational prayers and devotional songs could not satisfy Narendra's zeal to realize God, He would ask leaders of Brahmo Sarrid whether they have seen God. He never got a satisfying answer. It was during this time that professor Hasties of Scottish Church College told him about Sri Ramakrishna of Dakshineswar. Narendra met Ramakrishna for the first time in November 1881. He asked Ramakrishna the same old question, whether he had seen God. The instantaneous answer from Ramakrishana was, "Yes, I have seen God, just as 1 see you here, only in a more clear sense", Narendra was astounded and puzzled. He could feel the man's words were honest and uttered from depths of experience. He started visiting Ramakrishna frequently.

Though Narendra could not accept Ramakrishna and his visions, he could not neglect him. It had always been in Narendra's nature to test something thoroughly before he could accept it. He tested Ramakrishana to the maximum, but the master was patient, forgiving, humorous and full of love. He never asked Narendra to abandon reason, and he faced all of Narendra's arguments and examinations with infinite patience. In time, Narendra accepted Ramakrishna, and while he accepted, his acceptance was whole-hearted. While Ramakrishana predominantly taught duality and Bhakli to his other disciples, he taught Narendra the Advaita Vedanta, the philosophy of non-dualism. During the course of five years of his training under Ramdkrishna, Narendra was transformed from a restless, puzzled, impatient youth to a mature man who was ready to renounce everything, and started living in a supposedly haunted house in Baranagara. They took alms to satisfy their hunger and Ramakrishna's richer disciples took care of their other needs.

Vivekananda went to Madras and spoke about his plans for India and Hinduism to the young men of Madras. They were impressed by the monk and urged him to go to the United States and represent Hinduism in the World Parliament of Religions. Thus, helped by his friends at Madras, Raja of Ramnad and Maharajas of Mysore and Khetri, Vivekananda set out on his famous journey to the USA where he "stole the show" at the 1893 World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Illinois. It was here that he earned wild applause for beginning his address with the famous words, "Sisters and Brothers of America". After four years of constant touring, lecturing and retreats in the West, he came back to India in the year 1897. On returning to India, he delivered a series of lectures, and this set of lectures known as "Lectures from Colombo to Almora" is considered to have uplifted the morale of the leaders of the ensuing National Movement in India. He founded the Ramakrishna Mission. He once again toured the West from January 1899 to December 1900, He was 39 when he passed away In Mahasmadhi on July 4, 1902 at Belur Math near Kolkata.

Swami Vivekananda belonged to that branch of Vedanta that held that no one can be truly free until all of us are free. Even the desire for personal salvation has to be given up, and only tireless work for the salvation of others is the true mark of the enlightened person. He founded Sri Ramakrishna Mission on the principle of Atmano Mokshartham Jagad-hitaya Chah (for one's own salvation and for the welfare of the world.) Vivekananda adviced to be holy. unselfish and have pure faith. He encouraged the practice of Brahmacharya. His writings inspired a whole generation of freedom fighters in Bengal in particular and India at large- Most prominent were Subhash Chandra Bose, Aurobindo and countless others. Many years after his death, Rabindranath Tagore (a prominent member of the Brahmo Samaj) had said "It you want to know India, study Vivekananda. In him everything is positive and nothing negative". Another contemporary, Sri Aurobindo, actually considered Swamiji as his mentor. While in Alipore Jail. Sri Aurobindo used to be visited by Swami Vivekananda in his meditation. Mahatma Gandhi who, strove and did a lot to bring about reforms in Hinduism himself, had once said. "Swami Vivekananda's writings need no introduction from anybody. They make their own irresistible appeal". His influence abroad can be seen in Max Mueller and Remain Rolland. The latter also wrote a book in 1930 on the life of Vivekananda.

Thus, Swami Vivekanand will continue to symbolize the ideals of the vedantic ways of life, with which India has enlightened the West since ages. He will be a continuous source of inspiration to the youth of his beloved country.