Guwahati: A solemn Shraddhanjali Sabha was held here on September 7 to pay homage to Mananeeya A. Balakrishnan Ji, the All India President of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, who passed away on August 26, 2026, at the age of 88.
The memorial gathering, organised by Vivekananda Kendra, Assam Prant, and the Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture (VKIC), was held at the VKIC premises in Uzan Bazar in Guwahati. It brought together dignitaries, Kendra karyakartas, well-wishers and members of the public who came to remember a life devoted to service and nation-building.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale Ji attended the event and paid his heartfelt tribute to Balakrishnan Ji. Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya Ji was also present at the occasion.
The programme began on a spiritual note with Omkar chanting, Shantipath, and recitation of verses from the Bhagavad Gita, followed by Naamghosha.
Lt. General (Retd.) Rana Pratap Kalita, Vice Chairman of VKIC, opened the proceedings by explaining the purpose of the Sabha. This was followed by Pravin Dabholkar Ji, All India Treasurer of Vivekananda Kendra, who spoke about Balakrishnan Ji’s life journey. A video tribute was also screened for those present.
Speaking about the departed leader, Ajay Dutta Ji and Dattatreya Hosabale Ji recalled his extraordinary dedication, simplicity and lifelong commitment to the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. Both speakers remembered how Balakrishnan Ji devoted his life to seva and to building the nation.
Governor Acharya also paid his respects during the event. Balakrishnan Ji’s contribution to spreading education in the Northeast will be remembered forever, said Governor Acharya.
Born on May 3, 1938, in Thrissur, Kerala, Balakrishnanji served in the Indian Air Force before he answered the call of Mananeeya Eknathji Ranade to join the very first batch of Vivekananda Kendra’s Jeevanvratis. After this, for almost five decades he worked for the all-round development of Vivekananda Kendra across the country.
His role was significant in establishing Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas across the Northeast, especially in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. During his long association with the Kendra, he served as General Secretary from 1981 to 2001, as Vice President from 2001 to 2020, and finally as the All-India President from 2020 until his death.
The Shraddhanjali Sabha concluded with Pushpanjali, followed by the National Song and the National Anthem, and the distribution of Prasad.
Vivekananda Kendra, of which Balakrishnan Ji was the national president, was established in 1972 as part of the second phase of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial construction at Kanyakumari. The organisation works towards spreading Swami Vivekananda’s message of “Service to Man is Service to God” and “Man-Making and Nation-Building,” and is active in education, vocational training, healthcare, rural development, women’s empowerment and Yoga.
The event was organised under the guidance of Bibhash Chandra Das Purkayastha, Prant Sanchalak of Vivekananda Kendra, Assam Prant, and Lt. General (Retd.) Rana Pratap Kalita, Vice Chairman of VKIC.
