A Tribute to a Karmayogi
Man with a Capital M
by Prof. K. N. Vaswani
Shri Eknath Ranade is no more. But he lives beyond death in the inspiring, magnificent Vivekananda Rock Memorial off the Kanyakumari shore and even more in the living, growing memorial—Vivekananda Kendra.
He was a man dedicated to the twin tasks of man-making and nation-building, inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda: Renunciation and Service, Tyaga and Seva.
A Mission of Service
Eknath Ranade was a Karmayogi, wedded to work. From the tribal regions of Arunachal Pradesh to the shores of Port Blair, his mission was not just about buildings, but about people. He trained life-workers with care and affection, seeing obstacles not as problems, but as challenges to be crossed with courage.
The Chosen Instrument
He was the patient builder of the Rock Memorial (1964-1970), a sturdy monument in granite. But more importantly, he was the visionary who translated Vivekananda’s dream of "a hundred thousand men and women, fired with the zeal of holiness" into a living reality through the Kendra.
— A favorite Gita quote of Eknathji
A Tireless Worker Who Will Not Rest
Even after a shattering stroke in 1980, Eknathji fought back. When doctors called his recovery a miracle, he simply said, "God still wants me to work."
He famously told his well-wishers: "I do not want to rest and rust. Life without work is like death to me."
The Influence of a Master
Who made Eknathji what he became? It was a fusion of forces:
- Discipline from his father, a station master.
- Devotion from his mother, Ramabai.
- Patriotism from Dr. Hedgewar, founder of the RSS.
- Spiritual Vitality from Swami Vivekananda.
A Thought Movement
Eknathji didn't just want an organization; he wanted a Thought Movement. He believed that if you teach your servant or nurse someone in need—even for an hour—you are living the essence of the Vivekananda Kendra.