Chicago Calling
Views from Monastics, Attendees, and Volunteers
Monastics' views
Dear Ishatmananda,
I have received a beautiful publication of yours to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s the 150th birth anniversary and also have received the gift which you have sent. In a short time you have done almost a ‘sensation’. I congratulate you.
With love and best wishes,
Yours affectionately,
Swami Prabhananda
Vice-President, Ramakrishna Math and Mission
Dear Ishatmananda,
On the night of 20th November we reached safely Belur Math via Delhi.
I am glad to tell you that the US trip was an enriching and very memorable one. The conferences and all other programmes were beautifully organized. I am surprised that within a short time of your taking charge of the Chicago centre you could conduct all these events so successfully. May Sri Thakur give you health, strength and courage to carry on His work.
My love and good wishes to you and all the monastic brothers in the Ashrama. Please convey my pranams to Revered Chidananadaji.
With love and best wishes,
Affectionately yours,
Swami Suhitananda
General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Mission
Belur Math, India
Dear Swamis,
I have returned yesterday to Geneva.
What you have done in commemoration of Swamiji was colossal, rich in content and variety, and impeccable.
May Swamiji's blessings be specially on you !
Swami Amarananda
Geneva, Switzerland
Dear Ishatmananda,
...
Chicago Calling was a successful event and all credit goes to you, Varadananda and the devotees.
With love and greetings,
Chetanananda
St. Louis
Dear Ishatmanandaji,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
....
The Chicago Calling was really a call from Swamiji as it were. That is why so many monks and nuns joyfully joined the celebration. Swamiji worked through you. I was deeply moved seeing how perfectly you organized every detail of the program and how smoothly the program continued and ended. It is a great fortune to be such an instrument in the hand of Swamiji.
Here all the monks and nuns are remembering their beautiful experiences at Chicago. The nuns here felt for the first time a sense of belongingness to the whole Order. I think this will create a great impact in their lives. The presence of Revered General Secretary Maharaj enhanced the feeling of oneness amongst the monastics.
May Thakur, Ma, and Swamiji give you greater strength to do even greater works and keep you in good health and joy--is my humble prayer.
My love and best wishes,
Yours affectionately,
Sarvadevananda
Hollywood
Revered Varadanandaji and my very dear Ishatmanandaji,
No words are strong enough to express my joy and appreciation of the just
concluded 'Chicago Calling' event. Everything was planned meticulously and
executed with extra-ordinary efficiency. Every soul there felt the touch of
Swamiji in the environment. Never was a celebration of this magnitude and
significance was organized in USA. You, all your volunteers have earned rich
accolades and gratitude of all of us.
Jai Thakur-Ma-Swamiji.
Pranams & Loving Namaskar -
Yogatmananda
Providence
My dear Maharaj,
I arrived safely at Frankfurt today in due time.
No word will be adequate to thank you for all that you have done for the centre there in such a short time! We are just proud of you!
With loving Namaskars,
Yours affectionately,
Baneshananda
Germany
One of the main reasons of my attending the 'Chicago Calling' event was that it would give me a rare opportunity to meet many of my brother monks of the foreign centres. My desire has been amply fulfilled as I could meet many of them including you on the said occasion and this made me so happy, thanks to Ishatmananda.
Medhasananda
Japan
Revered Maharaj,
Please accept my respectful pranams. As per my schedule I have reached Fiji on 28th. November morning.
Maharaj, the "Chicago Calling" program was very succesful, so well organised that every one very happy and enjoyed. Thanks for inviting me for the historic occasion in historic place.
Please convey my loving and respectful pranams to revered Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, revered Swami Varadanandaji Maharaj.
May Sri Divine Mother bless all.
With pranams again
Yours
Swami Aparokshananda
Ramakrishna Mission
Fiji
Letter from Swami Ishtananda
Vedanta Society of St. Petersburg, Florida
Dear Maharaj:
Pranam. I heard glowing reports of the grand success of last week's celebrations in Chicago and Ganges. This was an unprecedented kind of event. My heartfelt congratulations to you, Swami Varadanandaji, and the indefatigable team of volunteers who worked very hard under your guidance for many months to make this celebration possible. Though I was here in Maryland, my mind was in Ganges and Chicago during those four days. Every now and then during those days when the celebration was going on, I would look at a copy of the program, and would try to visualize what was going on at that time.
Once again please accept my congratulations and pranams.
Sincerely, Brahmarupananda.
Vedanta Society of Greater Washington, DC
Revered Swami Ishatmanandaji Maharaj,
...please accept my most sincere thanks for the tremendous event [Chicago Calling] held at your center. I am still hugely inspired by it. As a matter of fact, I consider it to be one of a handful of life-changing events since joining the Order. I think that Swamiji would have been very pleased.
Hopefully all of you have recovered now. The devotee volunteers were amazing. May all of our centers learn from how you have accomplished everything.
...I look forward to a comprehensive DVD of the entire 5-6 days.
With respectful pranams,
Vidyaprana (Hollywood)
How can I begin to thank you for all you did to provide us with such a memorable, uplifiting, and joyous "Chicago Calling" experience? You thoughto of everything! You, wami Varadananda, and the devotees were the epitome of generosity, courtesy, and warmth. What an unforgettable experience! Than you so much for inviting members of our convent. Everything was impressing from beginning to end! It was so wonderful to see and such a privilege to partcipate in such a grand occasion. What you have accomplished in such a short time of being here is absolutely staggering. It certainly is Thakur and Ma's grace.
How blessed we are to be a part of this wonderful Ramakrishna Order.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
With loving pranams,
Kantiprana
San Francisco
...My sincere thanks to you, who has become so dear to our SA devotees who only talk and talk about you all. I had occasion to see many snaps of their USA trip as well as Chicago function. Brilliant! One thing I should say that only last year you came to USA and you had accomplished such a massive function in such meticulous way clearly shows that Swamiji is working through you. His grace is bountiful on you. Even in India I used to say that the grace of Mahalakshmi was always with you. Do you remember?
My loving greetings to Varadanandaji and others in the ashrama who have given you their unstinted support in getting the mammoth function done. Every one who has put his/her hand to this massive 'yajna' is indeed blessed.
From: Swami Vimokshananda
Durban, South Africa
[The Swami could not come physically, but heard about the event from the devotees of SA]
Attendees' views
Revered Maharaj:
...Thank you for inviting me for this once-in-a-lifetime event that was executed with such an amazing precision and professionalism. I heartily congratulate Swami Ishatmananda and you for staging such an ambitious project and carrying it out successfully. The tireless and dedicated volunteers made our stay immensely comfortable.
Asim Chaudhuri
USA
Words cannot describe our immense gratitude for the love, kindness and warmth that we received at the Chicago Centre.
The holy shrine gave us immense peace and brought so much joy to us. It was such a blessing to be in the Holy company of so many Swamis from all over the country and the world. The entire program was a SPECTACULAR AND GRAND SUCCESS BEFITTING OUR SWAMI VIVEKANANDA!!! A very well planned and executed program.
Such joyous moments spent with the Revered Maharajis is imprinted in our hearts forever. Real priceless moments. We were so comfortable at the ashram and the different places that we were taken to....we hope to visit sometime again with Swami Vimokshanandaji Mj. Heartfelt thanks for the delicious lunches and the guided tours..... our pictures speak a thousand words! Thank you Mj for affording us that opportunity to spend time in Chicago.
Please keep in touch Mj.
ps.. we thoroughly enjoyed Mj's talk in Chicago and of course the introduction to the programs. Once again heartfelt thanks for arranging the program so beautifully.
With loving pranams
--
YOURS IN THE LORD
AVITHA Parthab
south africa
We returned to Japan safely after the flight for 14 hours.
Thank you for all your support during our stay.
We were able to spend time very pleasant and Holy.
It was wonderful experience of my life I have stayed at your Ashram.
I hope I will get a chance to come back and visit you again in the future.
Thanks again for your hospitality and generosity during our stay.
Especially we were impressed by work of your volunteer member.
We appreciate wonderful experience was able to carry out by many volunteer and Swamiji, and Grace of Thakur.
With love and ARIGATO (Thank you in Japanese)
Pronam
Shanti, Japanese devotee
Revered Swami Ishatmanandaji,
We were very glad and impressed with your International coordination of Swamiji's150th Birth Anniversary. We will try and remember at least some of the great teachings in our daily life. I like to congratulate all the volunteers who worked with a smile on their face and Dr and Mrs [Sudha] Gupta for their amazing hospitality [lunch on 11/11/13]. May Thakur Bless all.
With great regards,
Jai Sri Ramakrishna,
Chitra Ghosh
Shanti Ghosh
Canada
I have reached New Delhi this morning.It was indeed a life time opportunity to attend Chicago Calling programme.
With best regards
Pradip Chakraborty
New Delhi
Respected Swamiji,
I had a great time both at Ganges and at Hilton. The Ganges program was more personal and I felt I was in my family worshiping Shri Ramkrishna. The picture of all monks sitting and sharing their favorite sayings will never be erased from my mind.
It was great serving them as a volunteer and a devotee,
It was very joyful to be in Hilton with speakers after speakers who talked about our divine nature and strength of spirit.
I am still in that mood and can not and does not want to get out of that intoxication.
Thank you for arranging Chicago Calling. Hope you are getting some much needed rest now.
Rekha Dodia
Chicago
Shrodheo Swami Ishatmananda,
It was such wonderful experience to be part of the Chicago calling 150th Birth Anniversary celebration to attain in Chicago last week.
Truly appreciate the hard work and dedication that your organization, had put to this auspicious ceremony.
The whole program from Ganges MI to Hilton was a remarkable spiritual journey for my inner soul.
Thank you, and all others, for such a wonderful treat.
Jai Thakur, Ma and Swamiji,
Pronamante,
Sharmila Mazumdar
Canada
Respected swami ji,
Please accept my pranams. We had one of a kind, blissful and beautiful experience during 150th B'day anniversary of Swami Vivekanand retreat. It was incredibly effective and we'll organized. Thanks for arranging this.
Many many thanks for everything.
Namaste!
Kumkum Kumar
Swamiji - The celebrations over the weekend [Chicago Calling] were inspirational. We are blessed to have participated.
With personal regards and appreciation of your leadership.
Saurabh Narain
Chicago
Jai Ma. Jai Thakur.
Dear Swami,
The most glorious thing of Chicago calling was during your final remarks when you mentioned first Sri Ramakrishna's name-and we devotees clapped; and you mentioned Holy Mother and we devotees spontaneously stood and clapped for several minutes. At the mere sound of Her Name we 700 stood in solidarity on the same land where Swamiji had stood.
Perhaps as it was Her word which was the final blessing required by Swamiji to travel to North America, so too in the hall that day, it was Her blessing we received en masse for the next part of His journey. It felt like that to me, a receiving of something subtle and powerful, like an initiation of sorts.
It is also the first time I have experienced myself as part of an international, multi-racial family with Sri RMK and Mother at the head with Swamiji ,and the rest of us related by ties stronger than blood, the ties wrought in a devotee's heart.
A family reunion, then, in the name of Mother, a grand worship service, Swamiji calling us forward again. And there was American kirtan music, and a fusion group and classical Hindu music and dance and original music created for the occasion.
Like many others, I too feel much encouraged by the positive, inclusive, democratic proceedings; and by the intellectual integrity and broad-mindedness which characterized the event. I am so grateful to you and those who assisted you in creating such a perfect and classic forum. And I am so very pleased to have been a part of it.
Thank you very much, Swami, for calling us on Swamiji's behalf! I look forward to meeting you again. Meanwhile you and Swamiji's mission is held in prayer and thoughts.
Susan
Respected Maharaj,
I offer my heartfelt pronam to you.
Maharaj by the grace of Sri Sri Thakur,Ma and Swamiji wherever I am sharing my heart warming experience of Chicago whether they are Swamis or Matajis or devotees each one is asking " how could Swami Ishatmananda do it within eight months". ...
Joydeb Maharaj at Institute of Culture mentioned "we knew Rev. Maharaj has done marvalous work in Andaman and Arunachal Pradesh but now he has proved he is the real son of Swamiji. ...
Maharaj I feel so blessed that you involved both of us at almost every step till date and allowed us to be part of the Program. I was telling everybody that I have not seen Swamiji but at Hilton We could see him ...
I offer my respectful pronam once again.
Yours sincerely,
Rita Dutta
Abudhabi, UAE
Volunteers' views
I thoroughly enjoyed my guests’ company during the Chicago Calling event.... Great experience! I have never seen anything like that. My being a volunteer was only incidental to the event.
Nonetheless, active volunteers who have contributed enormous skills for months and months should be honored. I am grateful to them to have made this event possible and successful. I am sure the entire community shares my sentiment.
Finally, all this worked because of our fearless leader Swami Ishatmananda ji along with Swami Vardananda ji at the helm of things creating and directing. It was a flawless symphony. I can only offer them my admiration and gratitude.
I don’t know how you do so much? One wonders.
Warm regards to you and your entire crew; always serving, always helping.
Sarv Priya
Dear Swami Ishatmananda Ji:
Pranams Swamiji. Thank you for the invitation and Yes, Absolutely Yes, the celebrations were wonderful and unmatched. My hats off to your organization abilities and we thank you and grateful to you for giving the Hindu Temple an opportunity to play a small role in this wonderful event.
Again, ...we are at your service when and where needed.
In the service at the lotus feet of Sri Rama Bhagawan,
L. Bhima Reddy
Vice President, Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Lemont
Honorable Swami Ishatmananda ji:
It was an great honor for the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago to be the part of once in a lifetime event held in Chicago. Vedanta Society in Homer Glen under your leadership did an outstanding job in planning for the event. Each and every day was planned better than before and "Chicago Calling" will be in our memory as long as we live.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of HTGC and 2000 members, please accept my heartiest Congratulation for the successful conference.You continue to inspire us on Swami Vivekananda's teaching and thank you very much for your continued support of our Temple.
With Humble Pranam
Tilak Marwaha
If you would like to share your experience at “Chicago Calling”, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.