Puffin Lives: Swami Vivekananda

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A genius, a visionary, a writer, a dreamer, a teacher and an inspiration for generations of Indians—this was Swami Vivekananda. Born into a family of lawyers, Narendranath Dutta was an exceptionally intelligent child, a natural leader among his playmates, who impressed his teachers with his scholarship. The spirituality of his mentor Shri Ramakrishna and his own study of philosophy and logic influenced Narendranath to join the monastic order. Vivekananda was the spokesperson for India at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago where the magic of his words held his audience in thrall. He also instilled among the Indian youth self-confidence and the hope of regeneration. Devika Rangachari’s account of the life and times of Swami Vivekananda is both inspiring and absorbing.

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Dr. Devika Rangachari has won several awards for her children’s writing. Her book, Growing Up (Children’s Book Trust, 2000) was on the Honour List of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) in 2002. Her other books include Harsha Vardhana (Scholastic, 2009), The Merry Mischief of Gopal Bhand (Scholastic, 2007), The Wit of Tenali Raman (Scholastic, 2007), When Amma Went Away (CBT, 2002) and Stories from Rajatarangini—Tales of Kashmir (CBT, 2001). Devika helps to run the Children’s Book Forum at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. She is currently engaged in post-doctoral research in Indian history. She is also excessively fond of books and chocolates and not necessarily in that order!