The Ramakrishna Mission was founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897. As a philanthropic organisation, it administers hospitals, dispensaries, schools, colleges, orphanages, as well as specialised schools for the blind and also religious and cultural centres in all States of India. Both the Indian government and the country’s citizens have praised the Mission’s activities, in particular its contributions during periods of famine, floods, drought, disease and other catastrophes.
The Mission’s establishments beyond India are devoted to teaching Vedanta with the ultimate aim of achieving the harmony between religions, harmony between the East and the West, harmony between tradition and modernity, peace among all mankind. The Mission seeks to bring this about by developing all of Man’s capacities, and by supporting spiritual accomplishment, without discrimination as to beliefs or nationalities.