(ANS – Kolkata)– Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga, Regional Councillor for South Asia, had his latest book "Man Without Frontiers. The Ultimate Concern of Swami Vivekananda", launched at a gathering in Kolkata on 27 January, in the presence of a good number of Salesians from Kolkata Province, eminent Don Bosco Alumni of the city and other interested invitees.

The principals of two prominent Don Bosco schools of the city released the book, published by InKdia Publications, just on the eve of the annual international Kolkata Book Fair where it will be on display and sale.

"Man without Frontiers" is a critical study of the philosophical anthropology of Swami Vivekananda, which Fr. Maria Arokiam had done for his Ph.D. at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS), Rome about 25 years ago. Through this well researched and meticulously written book of 532 pages he has attempted to offer a critical study of the entire philosophy of Swami Vivekananda, with the aim of fostering Hindu-Christian friendship and dialogue.

In the absence of Fr. Maria Arokiam who was engaged with meetings at the Generalate, Fr. Joseph Pathickal, Principal of Don Bosco School Park Circus  and a Provincial Councillor, presented a message from the author to the audience. Fr. Maria Arokiam described Swami Vivekananda as "a true son of the soil, an extract of some of the finest aspects of our culture and religion." He added that  "At the same time he was also a universal soul, open to all the cultures and religions".

Through his doctoral research, Fr. Maria Arokiam claimed that he was trying to translate his own Catholic faith in the categories of Indian philosophy and religion, following the example of Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu monk and chief disciple of the 19th century Indian Sage Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Vivevakananda who has been credited with taking Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century, tried to express his Indian and Hindu culture in the Western philosophical, cultural and religious categories. Stating that "In this cross pollination of philosophical and religious categories, we can also work for religious amity, mutual understanding and harmony", Fr. Maria Arokiam pointed out the purpose of his doctoral study and this publication.

Published 29/01/2014