Ramakrishna Mission President Swami Smarananand passed away on Tuesday night due to old age related ailments.
Many celebrities, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata, expressed grief over his demise. He was 95 years old.
He became the 16th president of Ramakrishna Mission in 2017, the mission said in a statement. His last rites will be performed at Belur Math on Tuesday.
The statement said, ‘His Most Revered President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Shrimat Swami Smarananandji Maharaj took Mahasamadhi at 8.14 pm today.’
He was admitted to Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan on January 29 due to infection. Later he started having trouble breathing. After this, he was put on ventilator on March 3.
Prime Minister Modi said in a post on social media platform ‘X’, ‘He has left an indelible mark on countless hearts and minds.
His compassion and wisdom will continue to inspire generations. He said, “‘I have had a very close relationship with him over the years. I remember my visit to Belur Math in 2020 when I interacted with him. A few weeks ago, I had also visited the hospital in Kolkata and inquired about his health. Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari also expressed grief over his demise.
Bengal CM Banerjee also expressed grief.
He wrote, ‘Deeply saddened by the news of the demise of Shrimat Swami Smaranandji Maharaj, President of Ramakrishna Math and Mission.
During his lifetime, the great saint provided spiritual leadership to the followers of Ramakrishna Mission and also became a source of solace for millions of devotees across the world. I express my deepest condolences to his devotees, fellow monks and followers.