Darjeeling: An apparent ghost organisation was responsible for the destruction of an important part of history by overseeing the demolition of the main column of Sister Nivedita’s memorial in Darjeeling, West Bengal.
The organisation, Sevika Sangha, was trying to discreetly replace the old statue of Sister Nivedita – a disciple of Swami Vivekananda – with a new one. The old plaque on the column is also missing. Changes were made to this heritage structure that contains her mortal remains – called relics by followers – by adding new marble plaques with Hindi quotations that do not have any connection with Sister Nivedita.
Inspired by Swami Vivekananda, Margaret Elizabeth Noble, an Irish lady, had come to India in 1898. She was christened “Nivedita” and was a renowned social reformer, teacher and a freedom fighter.
At the age of 44, Sister Nivedita breathed her last in Darjeeling in 1911 and was cremated here. A memorial was built at the crematorium, which contained her relics and a statue atop a column that served as a pedestal.
The memorial before any of the illegal demolitions were conducted. Photo: By arrangement
Vandalism?
The demolition came to light on December 27, when a group of followers from Siliguri, had visited the crematorium in Darjeeling to pay respects at the memorial.
“We arrived at the crematorium around noon on Tuesday. To our utter shock and dismay, we found the main column of the memorial missing along with the old marble plaque. The statue of Sister Nivedita lay on the floor. A box with a new statue of Sister Nivedita was lying a few yards away. Apparently there was an attempt to change the statue. We immediately brought the matter to the notice of the Ramakrishna Mission, Darjeeling,” stated Subhajyoti Ghosh, a follower from Siliguri, talking to The Wire.
Monks of the Ramakrishna Mission Nivedita Educational and Cultural Centre (RKMNECC,) Darjeeling, visited the crematorium to take stock of the situation. “The main column had disappeared along with old plaque. There were Hindi quotations inscribed in marble put up all around the structure. These were not Sister Nivedita’s sayings or in any way connected to her,” stated Swami Parananda. Saffron tiles now cover the memorial, replacing the white paint.
The new quotations read “Hindu kehelana arthath prem aur nisthtapurvak apney desh dharma ke seva ka vrath swikar karna hain” (If you are a Hindu you have to take the pledge of serving your country and religion with love and dedication); “Parashpar sewa, sahakarya, bandhubhabh hi shrestha hain” (Helping each other, cooperation and camaraderie are highest virtues).
The plaque with Hindi quotations. Photo: By arrangement
Immediately, a complaint was lodged by the RKMNECC with the district magistrate and superintendent of police, Darjeeling, requesting a probe into this grievous matter. “Our monks met the DM and SP on Wednesday. They have assured us that they will look into the matter and that appropriate action will be taken,” stated Swami Mahatapananda, Centre Head, RKMNECC. Police and a team from the Darjeeling Municipality visited the spot on December 28.
“The district magistrate, Darjeeling has ordered a probe. We, along with the police, have started an enquiry. We have come to know that an organisation from Kolkata had engaged some people to undertake renovation work and were trying to replace the old statue with a new one without permission from the district administration, police, municipality or the Ramakrishna Mission,” stated Tapas Kumar Hajra, executive officer of the Darjeeling Municipality, talking to The Wire.
Incidentally, the crematorium is located in a secluded area, around 2 km away from the Chowk Bazar. It is under the Municipality. The contractor who was carrying out the work was traced and questioned about who engaged them to carry out the work. Sources state that he had then named a ‘Sevika Sangha of Kolkata’ and that the Sangha in 2015 had given an application to the Administration seeking permission for renovation work at the memorial.
He could not furnish any valid documents – including permission from any competent authority – for the renovation work, nor has Sevika Sangha been traced yet. “We have stopped the ongoing work. The old statue will be reinstalled at the earliest,” Hajra said on December 29.
On December 30, work commenced to reinstall the old statue and restore the old structure under the supervision of the Municipality, police and district administration. “I received a call from the executive officer asking me to take back the old statue to the crematorium as work will commence to restore it,” stated Swami Akshayananda of the Ramakrishna Vedanata Ashram, Darjeeling.
Also Read: The Scientist and the Nun: How Sister Nivedita Made Sure J.C. Bose Never Gave Up
A peek into history
After returning from the US in 1925, Swami Abhedananda, a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Brother Monk of Swami Vivekananda, had erected this memorial at the crematorium. The marble plaque at the memorial reads, “Here repose the ashes of Sister Nivedita, who gave her all to India.” People from all over the world come to visit the memorial.
Following the cremation of Sister Nivedita, her mortal remains (relics) were divided in four parts. While one part was placed in the memorial in Darjeeling, the other three parts are at Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission; Bose Institute, Kolkata; and Sister Nivedita’s family cemetery in Great Torrington, UK.
On April 21, 1999, Ramakrishna Vedanta Ashrama, Darjeeling Branch Centre had set up Sister Nivedita’s statue at the memorial in Darjeeling to commemorate the centenary year of her arrival in India. The unveiling of the statue atop the old memorial was done by Swami Smarananda, the present president of Ramakrishna Math and Mission.
Ramakrishna Mission Sister Nivedita Educational and Cultural Center located at Roy Villa, Darjeeling has been working for the upkeep of this heritage memorial. In 2017-18, the memorial was given a facelift by painting, repairing the statue and adding thick gauge glass covers and door for protection. However the heritage aspect was kept intact.
Sister Nivedita. Photo: Unknown author/Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Margaret Elizabeth Noble was born on October 28, 1867 in the town of Dungannon, Ireland. In November 1895, she met Swami Vivekananda who was then visiting London. Inspired by Swami Vivekananda, she arrived at Kolkata in 1898. On March 25, 1898, Swami Vivekananda formally initiated Margaret in the vows of Brahmacharya and gave her the name of “Nivedita”.
In India, she was actively involved in many social reforms, including women’s education whereby she started schools for girls. She nursed patients from the economically backward strata during the bubonic plague outbreak in 1898-99 along with serving the victims of famine and flood in undivided Bengal. She also played an important role in India’s struggle for freedom.
Sister Nivedita had a strong bond with Darjeeling. She had visited the city seven times. In Darjeeling, she had even generated a public referendum against the partition of Bengal in October 1905, preaching that East and West parts of Bengal are one and that no division should be created between Hindu and Muslim populace (which the British were planning).
In October 1911, an ailing Sister Nivedita accompanied by Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose and his wife Abala Bose arrived at the Roy Villa on Lebong Cart Road, Darjeeling. This is the house where RKMNECC is lodged now.
On October 7, on Nivedita’s instruction, her will was drawn up at this house. On October 13, 1911, at 7 o’clock, she uttered the words: “The boat is sinking. But I shall see the sunrise.” She then passed away.
