We are sorry to announce the passing away of Swami Tadgatanandaji (Kartik Maharaj), Head of Patna centre, on 21 May at 1.30 am at Seva Pratishthan, Kolkata.  He was 61 and had been suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma (cancer of the liver) with metastasis for some months.  Initiated by Swami Vireshwaranandaji, he joined the Order in 1974 at Puri Mission centre and had Sannyasa from his Guru in 1984.  Besides his joining centre, he served at Delhi, Kankhal and Seva Pratishthan centres as an assistant, and Patna centre as head for eight years. He actively participated in various relief activities at different times.

The Swami had keen artistic sense and could write well in English calligraphy.  He was also known for his love for music.  His jovial and amiable nature endeared him to all who came in contact with him.  He had deep concern for the underprivileged sections of the society.  The Bal Vikas Kendra started by him in 2006 at Patna centre for the all-round development of children of scavenger community and other backward strata of society became the model for the centres which took up such projects under ‘Gadadhar Abhyudaya Prakalpa’ in commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.  In his untimely death the Order has lost a promising member.