A Visit to Vivekananda Express at Mariani Station
Author :
Prithwiraj Purkayastha
Blog :Prithwi's World
Date: 6/13/2012 4:42:00 AM
The Vivekananda Express — showcasing the life, teachings and works of Swami Vivekananda, rolled into Mariani railway station last Friday evening and the moving exhibition was thrown open to the public by the Mariani railway authorities on Saturday, the 9th June 2012.
This is Indian Railway’s effort to make people aware about the life, works and teachings of Swami Vivekananda on his 150th birth anniversary. The exhibition train was flagged off from Howrah by railway minister Mamata Banerjee on January 12. The five-coach fully air-conditioned train has been making its way around the country, spreading awareness about the philosophy of the spiritual leader.
Photographs and write-ups on different stages of Swami Vivekananda’s life are on display in two coaches, while three other coaches are for railway personnel accompanying the exhibition.
Born Narendra Nath Dutta, Swami Vivekananda’s childhood, education as well as his travels around the world are chronicled through pictures and articles. The exhibition tells the story as how, even as a child, Narendra was inclined towards yoga, meditation, spirituality and philosophy. His brief association with the Brahmo movement too finds mention.
The exhibition traces the story of Ramakrishna Mission and how he set up the organisation that now is devoted to spiritual and educational activities around the country.
Texts curtsy: The TelegraphPhotograph by: Prithwiraj Purkayastha