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Sri Sundaram Ramakrishnan is a social worker who has made significant contribution in the comprehensive cultural and educational sphere, nationally and internationally. He is at present the Executive Secretary and Director General of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai.

Sri Ramakrishnan came under the influence of the Paramacharya the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham and Mahatma Gandhi during his student days in 1930 when they visited Kerala during the Vaikom and Guruvayur Satyagraha for Temple Entry for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

He migrated to Mumbai in search of employment in 1939. He was drawn into the vortex of the freedom struggle during the Individual Satyagraha launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1940. He took active part in Gandhiji's Constructive Programmes.

Sri Ramakrishnan was part time Personal Secretary to Sardar Patel in the pre-freedom era and later full-time. He continued in the capacity, staying with him in his official residence when Sardar Patel was the Home Minister.

He was also imprisoned during the Quit India Movement in 1942 in the Yeravada Central Jail, Pune. Sri Ramakrishnan did not wish to join Government service and hence with blessings of Sardar Patel, he joined Kulapati Munshi and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in 1947. Under his stewardship over half a century, the Bhavan has grown into a world-wide cultural organisation with 280 Constituent Institutions and 110 Kendras in India and 7 abroad (Britain, America, Canada, Mexico, Portugal, Durban and Kuwait) He is the Founder-Editor of Bhavan's Journal, solely devoted to Life, Literature and culture, now in its 47 years. Also the General Editor of Bhavan's Book University, which has published over 1600 titles.

National integration and Communal Harmony are an article of faith with him. In pursuit of the twin objectives, Shri Ramakrishnan has started in the Bhavan the National Sarva Dharma Maitri Pratishthan (Inter-Faith Harmony Foundation).

Shri Sheshrao Chavan has done a great service to discerning readers in bringing out this publication containing a few selected articles contributed by Sri S. Ramakrishnan to the Bhavan's Journal over a period of the last four decades. Shri Chavan's main objective in publishing these articles in the form of a book has been to bring out the core of the philosophy and values which had guided Sri Ramakrishnan's life so that they can serve as a source of inspiration to the young generation. I have no doubt that with the care and attention given to the selection of the material for this book, Shri Chavan's objective will be amply served.

In many respects Sri Ramakrishnan's has been a very unique life. He had received in abundance the affection and guidance of some of the greatest leaders of twentieth century India-Spiritual Leaders like the venerable Parmacharya of Kanchi, Jagadguru Chandrashekharendra Saraswati, Swami Ranganathananda, President of Ramakrishna Math and Mission Worldwide. Secular and political leaders like Sardar Patel, Sri Rajgopalachari, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. K. M. Munshi, during early years of his life and had been deeply influenced by the principles they had preached and practised. Of course, the greatest influence on Sri Ramakrishnan's life has been Garidhiji and there is little exaggeration in Shri Sheshrao Chavan's description of him as a "legendary Gandhian".

A Legendary Gandhian

Totally committed to the lofty ideals of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Sri S. Ramakrishnanji breaths Bhavan as much as we breathe air. His life is entirely dedicated to the cause of the Bhavan and its pristine ideals, as beautifully enunciated by the all-time great Kulapati K.M. Munshiji whose alter-ego and manasaputra he was. He is a shining symbol of austere living and high thinking untainted by pride and egoism. His integrity is unimpeachable, sincerity of purpose absolute, courage of conviction unmatched and dedication to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in particular, and the national welfare in general, total.

It is a truism that the Bhavan without Sri Rama- krishnanji is a temple without God. His vision in trying to translate Munshiji's ideals set out for the Bhavan is simply astounding. His erudition is marvellous. He is firmly anchored to our cultural moorings, tradition and eternal values which together make his commitment total.

Sri Ramakrishnanji has identified thousands of workers and inspired them with his ideals to give their best, to build the Bhavan's way of life, to build the glory of India based on faith in and devotion to the Divine, and imbued with tolerance and nobility, broad-mindedness and universal love. His message to all is among other things, devotion, efficient work and selfless service-a message enlivened by the personal example he sets.