Sister Nivedita was an Anglo-Irish social worker, writer, teacher and disciple of Swami Vivekananda. It was he who gave her the name Nivedita that means `one who is dedicated to God`. She was not satisfied in the faith she was born and brought up but was influenced by the culture of India. So she found that her mission in life was to serve India through the emancipation of women through education. She worked to improve the lives of women of all castes. Her position as a westerner with Hindu credentials enabled her to say and do many things for Indians.

Margaret Noble was the childhood name of Sister Nivedita. She was known by that name before she was taken into the Ramakrishna order. She was born in Dungannon in Co-Tyrone on 28 October 1867. Her father, John Noble was a distinguished preacher and the minister of the Weslyan Church. She was her father`s favorite child and accompanied him when he visited the poor. Both her parents were associated with the Irish Home Rule Movement and were active participants. After her father`s death, she and her sister were sent to Halifax College for their education. She was deeply interested in music and natural sciences. She took up to teaching at the age of seventeen. She was deeply influenced by the new ideas of education of Pestalozzi and Froebel.

Sister Nivedita was a multi faceted woman. She was interested in arts, literature and in humanity. Her important literary works are The Master as I saw him, Travel Tales, Cradle Tales of Hindus-tan and many other writings. She was a prolific writer and kept a diary. She was a regular contributor to Modern Review and other journals. She promoted pan-Indian nationalist views both in her writings and in public meetings. She worked selflessly and with dedication and her name can never be forgotten by Indians.

As a youngster she was full of doubts and uncertainties about certain fundamental ideas in her religion. Though an Irish born, she loved India. It was then that she heard of Swami Vivekananda`s arrival in London. It was at Lady Margesson`s home that she met him for the first time. She was invited to attend a talk by the Swami and was spellbound by his personality. She admired his eloquent speech and deep knowledge in Vedas. His mission to redeem his people from poverty and misery attracted her. She desired to join in Swami`s mission.

At first Vivekanand was doubtful whether she could face the problems she has to encounter once she comes to India in the midst of the superstitious mass of half naked men and women who hated the whites. He wrote to her all the difficulties she has to face once she comes to India. Knowing all these difficulties she was ready to come to India. She came in 1896 with the mission to enlighten the people of India and persuade them to understand India and how they are exploited by foreign domination and tyranny.

Her first days in Calcutta were spent in sight-seeing and meeting English friends and making acquaintance of Sir Jagadish `and Lady Bose and Sir Jagadish`s sister Lavan-yaprabha Bose, Aurobindo Ghosh, Sarala Ghosal and the Tagores. Bose`s method of encouraging girls` education in both rural and urban Calcutta appealed to her very much. Nivedita, also had to encounter finan-cial difficulty. Her friend, Mrs. Bull helped her from time to time, solved this difficulty. She was dauntless in her service of the sick during the plague and cholera

epidemics in Calcutta. Her vast circle of friends, English and Indian, included journalists like Nevinson, Ramananda Chatterjee, Radcliffe; artists like Nandalal Bose, Abanindaranath Tagore; poets` like R.abindranath Tagore; archaelogists like Havell; scholars like Ananda Coomaraswamy and many other names well known in our history. They sought her advice on various subjects and found her an intelligent, widely read person whose advice always stimulated their enthusiasm and inspired them.

She was hopeful that India and England would work together jointly and achieve harmonious development. She was thoroughly disheartened seeing the conditions under which people lived and the wrongs done to them by the British rulers. It was at the stage when her sympathies were being gradually identified with the political aspirations of the people of India, she felt, that she should leave the Rama Krishna order formally and continue only as of the Rama Krishna (not the order). Her friends in the order allowed it and so she continued without being a formal member. She was unhappy at the treatment meted out to Jagdish Chandra Bose and his scientific discoveries. There was an anti-Bose atmosphere in England among the scientists. Nivedita deplored this tendency.

The Bose`s were her great friends. She travelled with them in England, India and the Continent. In fact she died when she was spending her holidays with them in Darjeeling. She left her mortal remains on 7 October 1957 to be cremated according to Hindu rites. Sister Nivedita`s contribution towards India is unforgettable and she will eternally live in the heart of all Indians.

Hindus want UK to issue postal stamp to mark Sister Nivedita's 100th death anniversary2011-02-04 16:10:00 Look Younger in 15 MinsAds by GoogleThat's All We Need to Make You Look Years Younger. Know More! YearsYoungerin15mins.com

Hindus have asked United Kingdom (UK) to issue a postal stamp to commemorate Northern Ireland born Sister Nivedita's (1867-1911) 100th death anniversary, which falls on October 13 this year.

Notable Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Sister Nivedita did a remarkable service in India to bring honor to her birthplace Northern Ireland (UK) and it was now the turn of UK and Northern Ireland to pay her a befitting tribute.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that governments of UK and Northern Ireland should organize major events to mark her 100th death anniversary, name a major educational institution after her, and develop a memorial monument complete with library and museum at her birthplace in Tyrone County to inspire the coming

generations.

Born as Margaret Elizabeth Noble, Sister Nivedita was a gifted teacher, social worker, author and nun initiated by Swami Vivekananda, and served in Kolkata and around in India. She took service of mankind as the true service to God and is said to be the first western woman to join an Indian monastic order. She championed causes of female education, woman welfare, India's independence, etc. She authored various books, including "Religion and Dharma". India already has a postal stamp of hers. Author Indra Gupta included her in "India's 50 Most Illustrious Women".

The Borough of Dungannon and South Tyrone, where Sister Nivedita was reportedly born, covers an area of 315 square kilometers with a population of about 50, 000 and a strong agricultural base. Michelle O'Neill and Pat Daly are Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively, while Alan Burke is Acting Chief Executive. (ANI)

Hindus want national holiday on October 13 to mark Sister Nivedita's 100th death anniversary2011-02-01 17:50:00 God -total Union with GodAds by GoogleWhy Jesus is the Only Way to Union? The Answer May Surprise You. www.hallvworthington.com

Hindus have asked India Government to declare October 13 as national holiday to commemorate Sister Nivedita's (1867-1911) 100th death anniversary.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Sister Nivedita had done lot for India and it was now India's turn to pay her a befitting tribute.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that governments of India and West Bengal should organize major events to mark her 100th death anniversary, launch a national women's university under her name, develop her memorial site in Darjeeling as a monument complete with library and museum to inspire the coming generations, and issue another postal stamp to mark the occasion.

Born as Margaret Elizabeth Noble in Northern Ireland (United Kingdom), Sister Nivedita was a gifted teacher, social worker, author and nun initiated by Swami Vivekananda, and served in Kolkata and around. She took service of mankind as the true service to God and is said to be the first western woman to join n Indian monastic order. She championed causes of female education, woman welfare, India's independence, etc. She authored various books, including "Religion and Dharma". India already has a postal stamp of hers. Author Indra Gupta included her in "India's 50 Most Illustrious Women". (ANI)

Born as Margaret Elizabeth Noble, she was more popularly known as sister Nivedita. She was an Anglo-Irish social worker, who was one amongst the many disciples of Swami Vivekananda. She came across Swami Vivekananda in the year 1895 in London. It was the Swami, who called her by the name "Nivedita". The word Nivedita is used to refer to someone who is highly dedicated to the almighty God. Well, in this article, we will present you with the biography of Sister Nivedita, who has made a niche for herself in the arena of spirituality.

Early LifeShe came into this world on October 20, 1867. She was born in Ireland as the daughter of Mary Isabel and Samuel Richmond Noble. Her father always taught her that, service to mankind is the true service to God. His words made an impression on Nivedita's mind. She was very fond of music and art. After completing her education, she took up the job of a teacher and worked there for a long period of ten consecutive years from 1884 to 1894.

She had the caliber to impart education and inspire others. From the very beginning, she was a very zealous child, who was always full of energy and enthusiasm. At an early age of eight, she had the realization that, religion is not about having belief in the Doctrines, but it is about searching for the divine light that will bring enlightenment. To know the complete life history of Sister Nivedita, read on.

Meeting Swami VivekanandaShe began taking interest in the Buddhism principles. It is during this time that she met Swami Vivekananda, a great Hindu monk. Swami Vivekanand stressed on the fact that, it is the ignorance, selfishness and greed that pave way for our sufferings. His principles and teachings had an imprint on her mind and heart and this brought about a major change in the way she lived her life. He was the one who inspired her to do something for the welfare of the women of India.

Seeing the fire and passion in her to transform the society, Swami could foresee her futuristic role as Mother India. Nivedita began practicing meditation. There were basically two things in her mind that she sincerely followed; one being the search for enlightenment by realizing the eternal truth and the other was the welfare of the world. She left all the things that she could have boasted of and decided to lead a very simplistic life.

WorksIn the year 1898, Sister Nivedita established a school for girls, who were deprived of even basic education. She was instrumental in various altruistic activities. Her aim was to bring about an improvement in the lives of Indian women belonging to various social classes and castes. She tried to bridge the gap and put an end to the caste distinctions.

She had good relations with many intellectuals of the Bengali community such as Rabindranath Tagore, the famous Nobel laureate writer. During the later years of her life, she engaged in activities that promoted and brought forth the cause of India's Independence. Her writings expressed her pan-Indian nationalist views.

She was a motivating force for people in all walks of life. Her lectures and various discourses gave

people, direction on how to lead their lives. Throughout her life, she worked hard for serving the people and society at large. This started having adverse effects on her health. Finally, this great soul left for her heavenly abode on October 13, 1911.

BiographySummarySister Nivedita was born as Margaret Elizabeth Noble at Dunganon, Ireland on 28th October 1867. She was greatly influenced by Swami Vivekanda when he came to London and after this left England for India where she became a social worker. She took Swamiji as her Guru and he named her Nivedita. During her latter years she fought alongside the Indians in the freedom struggle and for the upliftment of Indian women.Edit summary

Early life: The young Margaret studied at Halifax College and by 1884 she took up teaching at Keswick. She shifted from town to toen being at Wrexham in 1886 and at Chester in 1889. in 1892 she started her own school called ‘Ruskin School’ in Wunbkedib following the education methods of Pestalozzi and Froebel. She became well known in the literary and high societies of London for her talent and hard work.

She was greatly influenced by religion very early in life. Finally as she searched for truth she came upon Swami Vivekananda in 1895-96 and was moved by his teachings of Vedanta. She moved to India and became his disciple. Here she also came across Sri Ramakrishna and began to worship Shiva and Kali of the Hindu gods.Edit early life

Middle Life:On 28th January 1898 in Calcutta she became a celibate for life by taking up Brahmacharya and Vivekananda named her ‘Nivedita’ on the 25th of March. She opened a school for Hindu girls and worked for plague relief efforts under the Ramakrishna Mission in 1899. She went abroad to get fundings for her schhol and extablished ‘The Ramakrishna Guild of Help' in the United States. Then she moved on to Paris in 1900 with Vivekananda to attend the Congress of the History of Religions. In September 1900 she went to England and returned back to India in 1902.Edit middle life

Later Life:When Vivekananda died in 1902 Nivedita plunged into the Indian freedom struggle and resigned from the Ramkrishna order. However she sought guidance throughout from the holy mother Sri Sarada Devi and the Order. She started going to the nook and corners of the country to awaken the national sentiments of the people and delivered lectures and speeches. Throughout 1905-06 she worked actively in the public affairs system s of Bengal.

However the excess stress and hard work during the famine of Bengal in 1906 broke her health. After this she tried to regain her strength back by repeatedly goin to Europe and America to revitalize herself. In October 1911 she died of an acute dysentery attack in Darjeeling.

Sister Nivedita (1867 - 1911) disciple of Swami Vivekananda, Champion of Indian Freedom and emancipation of Indian Women.

Margaret Noble was of Irish birth but left to take up a comfortable job in London. It was here in London she became attracted to the remarkable personality of Swami Vivekananda. Vivekananda had risen to fame through his performance at the World Parliament of Religions 1895. Vivekananda a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna had travelled to the West to become one of the first Indian Gurus to travel to the West and spread the ancient teachings of Vedanta. 

Sister Nivedita became so inspired with the teachings and vision of Vivekananda that she forsook her career in England and travelled to India. In India, Sister Nivedita threw herself Indian culture, serving the Indian people and living the Hindu religion. She won over the hearts of Indian people with her self giving and devotion to the plight of Indian people. After the passing of Vivekananda, Sister Nivedita became increasingly committed to the plight of Indian independence. This meant she had to formally leave the Ramakrishna order, because the order was pledged to avoid political action. However there remained a strong bond between Nivedita and the Ramakrishna order. Sister Nivedita frequently risked arrest to work for the cause of Indian independence. Her house became a meeting place for writers and politicians. She came into contact with some of the influential figures in the independence movement such as Sri Aurobindo, Mahatma Gandhi e.t.c.

As well as working for Indian independence, Sister Nivedita also worked tirelessly for the amelioration of the plight of Indian Women. She sought to improve women’s education, especially for Hindu widows who were often condemned to a life of poverty. She spent many years working in her small school for Women in the poorest suburbs of Calcutta. When the plague struck Calcutta Sister Nivedita worked fearlessly and with little regard for her own health. She sought to bring famine relief to the most needy, in particular she tried to organise work parties to improve the dreadful sanitary conditions that was a breeding ground for the plague.

For her whole hearted acceptance of the Indian cause Sister Nivedita was widely admired by the Indian population The British ruling elite were perplexed that an Eurasian would live amongst the poorest and most disadvantaged section of Indian society. Sister Nivedita was held in high regard by Rabindranath Tagore, who felt Nivedita to be an exceptional soul.

Sister Nivedita is widely admired in India today. The life of Sister Nivedita was celebrated throughout India on the centenary of her birth in 1967.

Sister Nivedita, alias Margaret Elizabeth Noble, was born at Dunganon, County Tyrone, Ireland, on 28 October 1867. She was the eldest daughter of Samuel Richmond and Mary Isabel. The Nobles were of Scottish descent and had been settled in Ireland for about five centuries. Grandfather John Noble was a Minster of the Wesleyan Church in North Ireland. He and her maternal grandfather, Richard Hamilton, participated in Ireland's Home Rule Movement.

Samuel Richmond, a student of theology of the Wesleyan Church, worked in Great Torrinton in Devonshire and died at the age of thirty-four. Mary returned to Ireland with Margaret, May and Richmond.

Margaret was educated at the Halifax College run by the Chapter of the Congregationalist Church. She took up teaching work in 1884 at Keswick, in 1886 at Wrexham and in 1889 at Chester. Greatly influenced by the `New Education' method of Pestalozzi and Froebel, she started in 1892 a school of her own called `Ruskin School' in Wunbkedib, Her remarkable intellectual gifts made her well-known in the high society of London which met at the Sesame Club.

Since childhood Christian religious doctrines were instilled into her. But search for 'Truth' led her in 1895-96 to Swami Vivekananda's teachings of the Vedanta (`Complete Works of Sister Nivedita', II 471). Later in India she adored and worshipped Sri Ramakrishna, and also Kali and Shiva of the Hindu Pantheon.

She came to Calcutta on 28 January 1898, was initiated into Brahmacharya and was given the name `Nivedita' by Vivekananda on 25 March. She opened a kindergarten school for Hindu girls in November 1989; joined plague relief works of the Ramakrishna Mission from March 1899; left for the West in July to collect funds for her school; formed "The Ramakrishna Guild of Help' in America; went to Paris In July 1900, where Vivekananda attended the Congress of the History of Religions; left for England alone in September 1900; and returned to India in February 1902.

Nivedita's interest in the Indian political struggle for Independence led her to resign from the purely spiritual Ramakrishna Order after Vivekananda's death in July 1902, though all along she maintained close relations with the Order and Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother. She went on lecture tours throughout India from September 1902 to 1904 to rouse the national consciousness of the people. In 1905-06 she was actively associated with all public affairs in Bengal. The strain of relief work in the flood and famine-stricken areas of East Bengal in 1906 broke her health.In August 1907 she left for Europe and America, and returned to India in July 1909. She went to America again in October 1910, and returned in April 1911. In October 1911 she went to Darjeeling for a change, had a serious attack of dysentery there and died on 13 October.

Nivedita wrote under the nom-de-plume Nealas and W. Neilus several articles before coming to India. In India she signed as `Nivedita of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda'. Her innumerable articles were published in journals like the Review of Reviews, the Prabuddha Bharata, the Modern Review, etc. Her first publication was `Kali the Mother' (1900). Of her principal works the `Web of Indian Life' (1904) gives a rosy picture of India to the critical West, and the `Master As I Saw Him' (1910) is an interpretation of Vivekananda's life and teachings.

The supreme goal towards which Nivedita worked was to see India emerge as a strong and powerful nation. In 1898 she desired to see

England and India love each other (`Sister Nivedita' by Atmaprana, 1967, p. 59). But later she was embittered and disillusioned. Prince Kropotkin's ideas influenced her political views (ibid. p. 126). From 1902 onwards she spoke and wrote against the British policy in India.

She attacked Lord Curzon for the Universities Act of 1904, for his insulting the Indians by calling them untruthful in his Convocation Address in 1905, and for the Partition of Bengal in 1905. She had the knowledge of the disastrous condition of Indian economy and made British Imperialism responsible for it (`Complete Works of Sister Nivedita', IV, pp. 473-505).

Her politics was of an aggressive type and she had no patience with moderate politics of the petitioners type. Yet she was friendly with leaders of all schools of political thought like G. K. Gokhale and Bepin Chandra Pal, and young revolutionaries like Taraknath Das. She attended the Benares Congress in 1905 and whole-heartedly supported the Swadeshi Movement both in principle and in practice. She helped nationalist groups like the `Dawn Society' and the `Anusilan Samity'; was a member of the Central Council of Action formed by Aurobindo Ghose and took up the editorship of the Karmayogin when he left British India.

She wanted the whole nation to be educated on national lines (`Complete Works of Sister Navidita', IV, pp. 329-53). She encouraged the study of science, and helped Jagdish Chandra Bose in bringing to light his theories and discoveries. She believed that a rebirth of Indian Art was essential for the regeneration of India. She disproved the fiction of the Hellenic influence in Indian Art, inspired Abanindranath Tagore and others to revive its ideals, and defined the scope and function of Indian Schools of Art.

Nivedita was one of the foremost in the galaxy of the twentieth century nationalists. A good number of leading personalities in India like Rabindranath Tagore and even foreigners were her friends and were greatly influenced by her. She was admired for her work by eminent persons like Lady Minto and Ramsay Macdonald.

Tall and fair, with deep blue eyes and brown hair, Nivedita was an image of purity and austerity in her simple white gown and with a rosary of rudraksha round her neck.

But the chief achievement of Nivedita's life lay in her life itself rather than in any of its achievements. A person of intense spirituality, force of character, strength of mind, intellectual power and wide range of studies, she could have achieved distinction in any sphere of life. Yet with unique self-effacement she lived a simple and austere life dedicated to the cause of India and Hinduism, on which the western world had systematically poured contempt.

She was described as `a real lioness' by Vivekananda, `Lokmata' (the mother of the people) by Rabindranath Tagore, and `Agnisikha' (the flame of fire) by Aurobindo Ghose. In England she was known as `The Champion for India', but who above all was a 'Sister' to the Indian people whom she loved.

Her contribution to the promotion of national consciousness is immeasurable. "My task is to awaken the nation," she said once. It was her dream to see in India the great re-establishment of Dharma, that is, national righteousness.

The Indian people have immortalised her memory by putting on her Samadhi the epitaph-"Here repose the ashes of Sister Nivedita (Margaret E. Noble) of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda who gave her all to India."

India flag in 1904

In 1904, the first flag came with yellow and red color. This flag was made by Irish disciple of Swami Vivekananda, well known as Sister Nivedita. This flag was also known as Sister Nivedita's flag. The color of flag told some story and gave message to people. The red color of flag showed the struggle for freedom and yellow color showed for the victory. This flag

contained figure of 'Vajra', weapon of god 'Indra', and a white lotus in the middle. The flag picture showed strength and depicts purity

"The mother's heart, the hero's willThe sweetness of the southern breeze,

The sacred charm and strength that dwellOn Aryan altars, flaming, free;

All these be yours and many more No ancient soul could dream before-

Be thou to India's future son The mistress, servant, friend in one."

- A benediction to Sister Nivedita by Swamiji

   

In a sylvan shrine ensconced in the lap of the Himalayas where silence reigns supreme, stands a memorial which proclaims, "Here reposes Sister Nivedita who gave her all to India".

 

Born in Ireland in October 1867, Margaret Elizabeth Noble, who later came to be known as Sister Nivedita, was a woman of immense dignity and great quality. In a family where politics and religion were inextricably intermingled, Margaret's inherent qualities were nurtured and blossomed forth. She was nurtured in the intellectual climate of the European culture of the nineteenth century. This later paved the way for her study of India and Indian society. She graduated as a teacher and actively participated in literary pursuits, art, journalism and lectures. But neither her profession nor her social and political

 

friendships could satiate the spiritual abyss within her. The future of the earth depends upon the change in consciousness. "The only hope for the future depends is in a change of man's consciousness and the change is bound to come. But it is left to men to decide if they will collaborate for this change or if it will have to be enforced upon them by the power of crashing circumstances. So , wake up and collaborate"

             

The transformation of Margaret's personality, character and ideals occured after her meeting with Swami Vivekananda in London in 1895 and became his disciple. His bold utterances of all that was noblest and best in mankind, spoken with a sense of conviction born out of realisation impressed her, although the matter was intellectually new and difficult to comprehend.

 

Swami Vivekananda saw in Margaret a great future in the work for India. What we wanted was 'not a man, but a woman, a real lioness' to work for the Indian women. For Margaret, no sacrifice was adequate for the life of dedication she envisaged. So undeterred in her determination she resolved to proceed to India with Swami Vivekananda's assurance, "I promise you I will be by you unto death." The transformation of Margaret Noble into Sister Nivedita 'the dedicated' was indeed a painstaking and heart-rending task.

 

In Swami Vivekananda's plans for the future of India, Nivedita's role was for the upliftment and education of Indian women. She came to India in 1898 and lived here until her death in 1911. She took up her residence in the narrow winding by lanes of Bagbazar, where she started a school under the auspices of Holy mother, Saradamoni devi. Nivedita did not hold back anything for herself.

Her entire thought and consciousness, dream and waking, her intelligence, indeed her entire being was immersed in only one object-India and India alone. During the outbreak of plague, Nivedita actively participated in cleaning the rotting garbage dumps, nursing the sick and dying and consoling and comforting the bereaved.

 

She played an important role in the history of the country. In 1905, the Indian revolution is stated to have begun, marking the beginning of the freedom struggle. Sister Nivedita's life and works are of great importance to us, for she leaves behind a lasting mark, as one single individual, whose multidimensional personality was helpful in guiding

 

and inspiring some of the progressive movements of the nineteenth and the twentieth century that led to India's freedom.In 1911, at the young age of 44 years, Nivedita attained eternal rest amidst the snowy peaks of Darjeeling.

Nivedita wrote extensively and has left behind a legacy of works which are worthy of study today. Her innumerable articles were published in journals like the Review of Reviews, the Prabuddha Bharata, the Modern Review, etc. Her first book was `Kali the Mother' (1900). Of her principal works the `Web of Indian Life' (1904) gives a more positive picture of India to the blindly critical West, and

the `Master As I Saw Him' (1910) is an interpretation of Vivekananda's life and teachings.

The supreme goal towards which Nivedita worked was to see India emerge as a strong and powerful nation. Initially Nivedita stated that she desired to see England and India love each other (`Sister Nivedita' by Atmaprana, 1967, p. 59). But later she was embittered and disillusioned. From 1902 onwards she spoke and wrote against the British policy in India, and actively rallied revolutionary forces to fight the British with arms.

She attacked British polititians such as Lord Curzon for the Universities Act of 1904, for his insulting their shameless insults hurled at Indian culture and people, and for the clear attempts to encite Muslims in order to retard the Indian freedom movement. She was distressed by the disastrous condition of Indian economy and held British Imperialism responsible for it. Her politics became active and aggressive and she lost patience with moderate politics of the petitioner. Yet she was friendly with leaders of all schools of political thought like G. K. Gokhale and Bepin Chandra Pal, and young revolutionaries like Taraknath Das.

She encouarged and whole-heartedly supported the Swadeshi (self-reliance) Movement both in principle and in practice. She helped nationalist groups like the `Dawn Society' and the `Anusilan Samity'; was a member of the Central Council of Action formed by Sri Aurobindo Ghose and took up the editorship of the Karmayogin publication when he left British India. She wanted the whole nation to be educated on national lines (`Complete Works of Sister Navidita', IV, pp. 329-53). She encouraged the study of science, and helped Jagdish Chandra Bose in bringing to light his theories and discoveries. She believed that a rebirth of Indian Art was essential for the regeneration of India. She disproved the fiction of the Hellenic influence in Indian Art, inspired Rabindranath Tagore, who later won a Nobel Prize for his tremendous literature, as well as others to revive its glorious tradition.

Nivedita was one of the foremost in the galaxy of the twentieth century Hindu revivalists and her memory should be enshrined in the hearts of Hindus. Tall and fair, with deep blue eyes and brown hair, Nivedita was an image of purity and austerity in her simple white gown and with a rosary of rudraksha round her neck. A person of intense spirituality, force of character, strength of mind, intellectual power and wide range of studies, she could have achieved distinction in any sphere of life. Yet with unique self-effacement she lived a simple and austere life dedicated to the cause of India and Hinduism, on which the western world had systematically poured contempt.

She was described as `a real lioness' by Vivekananda, `Lokmata'(the mother of the people) by Rabindranath Tagore, and `Agnisikha' (the flame of fire) by Aurobindo Ghose. In England she was known as `The Champion for India', but who above all was a 'Sister' to the Indian people whom she loved. Her contribution to the promotion of national consciousness is immeasurable. "My task is to awaken the nation," she said once. Even today her book ‘Cradle Tales of Hinduism’ is read to children world wide, infusing them with the essence of Hindu consciousness. It was her dream to see in India the great re-establishment of Dharma, that is, national righteousness. The Indian people have immortalised her memory by creating a grand stone dedicated to her, in Calcutta.

Sister Nivedita: A multi-dimensional personality V.N. Gopalakrishnan Sister Nivedita (1867-1911) was a disciple of Swami Vivekananda and her contribution to the promotion of national consciousness is immeasurable. She was a person of intense spirituality, strength of mind and intellectual power. Yet she led a simple and austere life dedicated to the cause of India and Hinduism. She was an image of purity and austerity in her simple white gown and with a rosary of rudraksha around her neck. As her birthday falls on October 28, the nation pays tribute to a champion of Indian Freedom and emancipation of Indian women. Sister Nivedita's life and works are of great importance to the people of India. She has left behind a lasting impression and her multi-dimensional personality has helped in inspiring some of the progressive movements that led to India's freedom. Sister Nivedita was described as `a real lioness' by Swami Vivekananda, Lokmata (the mother of the people) by Rabindranath Tagore and Agnisikha (the flame of fire) by Aurobindo Ghose. In England, she was known as The Champion for India, but she was a 'Sister' to the people of India. Her entire thought and consciousness was focussed on India alone. Margaret Elizabeth Noble alias Sister Nivedita was born on October 28, 1867 at Dunganon in Ireland as the daughter of Mary Isabel and Samuel Richmond Noble. Her father taught her that service to mankind was the true service to God and his words made an impression on her mind. At an early age, she had the realization that, religion is not about having belief in the doctrines, but is about searching for the divine light that will bring enlightenment. After completing her education, she took up teaching and worked for ten years from 1884 to 1894. She also started taking interest in Buddhist principles. Swami Vivekananda had risen to fame through his performance at the World Parliament of Religions in 1895. A disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he was one of the first Indian Gurus to travel to the West and spread the ancient teachings of Vedanta. Though Christian religious doctrines were instilled into Miss Margaret Noble from childhood, the search for 'Truth' led her to Swami Vivekananda's teachings. She came across Swami Vivekananda in London and in response to his call, she came to Kolkata on January 28, 1898 and was initiated into the monastic order of Ramakrishna Mission in the same year. It was Swami Vivekananda, who called her by the name ‘Nivedita’ which refers to someone who is highly dedicated to the Almighty God. Sister Nivedita opened a kindergarten school for Hindu girls in November 1989; joined plague relief works of the Ramakrishna Mission from March 1899; left for the West in July to collect funds for her school; formed ‘The Ramakrishna Guild of Help' in America; went to Paris in July 1900, where Swami Vivekananda attended the Congress of the History of Religions; left for England in September 1900; and returned to India in February 1902. Sister Nivedita's interest in the Indian struggle for Independence prompted her to resign from the purely spiritual Ramakrishna Order after Vivekananda's death in July 1902, although she maintained close relations with the Order and Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother. Later she adored and worshipped Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva. Swami Vivekanand’s principles and teachings had an indelible imprint on her mind and this brought about a major change in her. She left all the things that she could have boasted of and decided to lead a very simplistic life. Seeing the passion in her to transform the society, Swamiji could foresee her futuristic role as Mother India. She had good relations with many intellectuals of the time including Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, eminent scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose and Abanindranath Tagore. She also came into contact with some of the influential figures in the independence movement including Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Sri Aurobindo Ghose, Bepin Chandra Pal, Mahatma Gandhi and young revolutionaries like Taraknath Das. She was admired for her work by distinguished persons like Lady Minto and Ramsay Macdonald. After the demise of Vivekananda, Sister Nivedita became increasingly committed to work for Indian independence and in the process risked arrest frequently. Her home became a

meeting place for writers, intellectuals and politicians. She also worked tirelessly for the amelioration of the plight of Indian women. She sought to improve women’s education, especially for Hindu widows who were often condemned to a life of poverty. When the plague struck Kolkatta in March 1898, she joined plague relief works of the Ramakrishna Mission and formed ‘The Ramakrishna Guild of Help’ in America. During the devastating floods in East Bengal resulting in famine, she organized relief funds for the affected villages. Sister Nivedita wrote profusely on many facets of Indian culture, philosophy, art and history in journals like the Review of Reviews, the Prabuddha Bharata, the Modern Review, etc. under the byline `Nivedita of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda'. She promoted pan-Indian nationalist views both in her writings and in public meetings. From 1902 onwards, she spoke and wrote against the British policy in India. She attacked Lord Curzon for the Universities Act of 1904, for his insulting the Indians by calling them untruthful in his Convocation Address in 1905, and for the Partition of Bengal in 1905. Her literary works include: Kali the Mother, The Web of Indian Life, Cradle Tales of Hinduism, An Indian study of love and death, Select Essays of Sister Nivedita, Studies from an Eastern Home, Myths of Hindus and Buddhists, Footfalls of Indian history, Religion and Dharma, Civic & National ideals and Complete Works of Sister Nivedita. On October 13, 1911 at the young age of 44 years, Nivedita attained eternal rest amidst the snowy peaks of Darjeeling. In a sylvan shrine ensconced in the lap of the Himalayas where silence reigns supreme, stands a memorial which proclaims, "Here reposes Sister Nivedita who gave her all to India". (The author is a freelance journalist and social activist. He is Director, Indo-Gulf Consulting and can be contacted on telegulf@gmail.com).

Nevada, Feb 5 (IBNS) A US-based Hindu group has asked United Kingdom (UK) to issue a postal stamp to commemorate Northern Ireland born Sister Nivedita’s (1867–1911) 100th death anniversary, which falls on October 13 this year.

Notable Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) on Saturday, said that Sister Nivedita did a remarkable service in India to bring honor to her birthplace Northern Ireland (UK) and it was now the turn of UK and Northern Ireland to pay her a befitting tribute.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that governments of UK and Northern Ireland should organize major events to mark her 100th death anniversary, name a major educational institution after her, and develop a memorial monument complete with library and museum at her birthplace in Tyrone County to inspire the coming generations.

Born as Margaret Elizabeth Noble, Sister Nivedita was a gifted teacher, social worker, author and nun initiated by Swami Vivekananda, and served in Kolkata and around in India. She took service of mankind as the true service to God and is said to be the first western woman to join an Indian monastic order.

She championed causes of female education, woman welfare, India’s independence, etc. She authored various books, including “Religion and Dharma”. India already has a postal stamp of hers. Author Indra Gupta included her in “India’s 50 Most Illustrious Women”.

The Borough of Dungannon and South Tyrone, where Sister Nivedita was repor