Mahotsav

Sister Nivedita and Swadhinata Amrit Mahotsav Sarada Sarkar

To understand Sister Nivedita, we must explore the incredible qualities of the Hindu Monk that was Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda had an extensive role in the Independence movement of India that must be analysed in detail. Interestingly, Swamiji was not actively involved in the freedom movement as it was yet to begin in his lifetime. However, he was acutely aware that should India win her freedom, there would be a dearth of suitably competent men and women to uphold and protect the value of their new found liberty. He taught his countrymen to love their Motherland, to be kind to the poor and oppressed - adult and children alike, and to courageously immerse oneself in selfless dedication to the welfare of society. It is after all our responsibility to make fearless, yet compassionate men and women who are capable of propelling this great nation forward. Respected parliamentarian, Samar Guha, who was a revolutionary in his youth, once wrote an article saying ‘Vivekananda made the pedestal for revolution and Nivedita ignited the fire ’ . Although Swamiji had no direct link to the world of politics, he continued to dream of an independent India, a dream that had always electrified Nivedita and motivated her to adopt the cause. Indian historians have failed to recognise her contribution to the freedom struggle. Being involved in the Irish revolution had already put her on the watch list of the British Police. In the beginning she was not conversant with the politics and culture of Indian society, but later through the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, she came to realize the hardships faced by the Indians under the oppressive British Rule. It was her desire to join the Independence movement soon after reading Peter Croptkin ’ s book on India. In 1902 it was a wiser, enlightened Nivedita who returned to India. She was more sympathetic towards the freedom movement and understood that India could not prosper while in shackles. As a foreigner, she never aspired to establish herself at the helm of the freedom struggle. It is only but natural to believe that she might have destroyed all manner of confidential communication, which is probably one of the reasons historians did not find enough evidence of Nivedita ’ s involvement in the bid for independence. Lizelle Reymond wrote a letter to Dr Shankari Prasad Basu stating that when she met Josephine Mcleod in England, the latter had confessed to destroying many an inflammatory letter from Nivedita.

Pioneering revolutionary, Aurobindo Ghosh writes, ’ Sister Nivedita was invited in 1902 to Baroda by the Maharaja, she was there as a State guest. My colleague and I went to receive her at the station. We spoke of politics and other subjects. On the way from the station to the town she cried out against the ugliness of the College building and its topheavy dome and praised the Dharmashala near it. My colleague stared at her and opined that she must be at least slightly cracked to have such ideas! She had heard, she said, that I was a worshipper of Force, by which she meant that I belonged to the secret revolutionary party like herself, and I was present at her interview with the Maharaja whom she invited to support the secret revolution; she told him that he could communicate with her through me. ’ Aurobindo once described Nivedita as being very open minded and of simple personality, who travelled extensively to connect with people, and who was deeply passionate about the revolution. She was an inspirational and courageous lady who could go to the Thakurs of Rajputana to express the idea of revolution. Barindra Ghosh, brother of Aurobindo, writes, ’Nivedita worked in Bengal for 4 years extensively from 1902 August to 1906 August through personal contacts, fiery write ups and through various other revolutionary activities. ' She used to write regularly in ‘New India ’ , the periodical edited by Bipin Pal. Gave numerous lectures in Dawn society on freedom movement, nationalism and need for education. Nivedita wrote a letter to Alberta and Hollister saying, ’When will the Motherland rise again?- The Gita in one hand and the sword in the other ’? She wrote to Josephine, ’Poor country! Bread Bread Bread and via Gunpowder! But is not our Lord Shiva, the very destroyer?’ It is natural to believe that her incendiary thoughts featured in her speech, drawing many revolutionaries towards her ideals. However, while working to kindle the spirit of nationalism, she did not neglect the school she founded. Though she had to dissociate herself officially from the Ramakrishna Mission after the death of Vivekananda, she maintained her deep personal relation with the monks of the Math and the Mission, and Holy Mother Sarada Devi. Nivedita was also a prolific writer and orator. She wrote several books before Swamiji’ s demise, ‘Kali the Mother ‘Cradle Tales of Hinduism ‘Web of Indian Life ’ and after the sad demise of Swamiji, she regularly wrote articles in newspapers and journals on Indian freedom struggle and the memorable volume on Swami Vivekananda titled ‘The Master as I Saw Him ’ . She was a pronounced nationalist with radical political ideas. She believed in presenting a united front; the promotion of the cause of the nation was with her as much a mission and a passion as was women ’ s education. She died at an early age of 44 at Darjeeling after fourteen years of total stay in India. The legendary revolutionary in Japan, Rashbehari Basu, wrote after her death: ‘If the dry bones India was beginning to stir, it was because Nivedita breathed life into them. If we are conscious of a budding national life, it is because of her. If our young men were inspired with a burning passion of a purer, nobler life, the credit should go to the lady.