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Saturday, November 14, 2015

Acarya Amulya Ratan

2 November 1927 - 14 November 2015

Amulya Ratan (which literally means "priceless jewel") was born in the village of Sarangidih, PO Patamda near Tatanagar. His father Shri Prem Chand Sarangi was a Primary School teacher and he had to struggle hard to get educated. He got High School education in Jhalda (near what is now Anandanagar) and higher education at Ranchi. He stood 3rd in order of merit in MA (economics) from Patna University and in Bachelor of Laws he was first in the university (1953). He became an IAS officer in 1975.

He was initiated by Ac. Vishvanathjii in the year 1957. After Personal Contact with Baba, he became a Tattvika, Acarya, Kapalika and Vishesa Yogi in quick succession. Two of his diiksa bhratas, Ac. Samanvayanandajii and Ac. Amitanandajii, became Wholetime workers.

Three volumes of his memoirs were published: - Sei smrti aj o amalin, Amatei raye geche phanki and Rahasyamay guru (the first two are translated in English).

He was very intimate with Baba and was Baba's host at Ramnagar (Bettia), Ranchi and Purnia a number of times. Baba stayed with him for more than a week at Ranchi in the year 1962 when Baba was touring nearby areas for the history of Rarh. He drove Baba several times. Baba loved him for his integrity and strictness in following Yama and Niyama.

In recent years he was helping Publications and Archives by his writings and also transcribing - which is a difficult job at his age. When he had difficulty in writing with his right hand after his retirement, he struggled and practiced writing with his left hand and perfected it. Such was his tenacity and determination about missionary work.

He had great love and concern about WTs. About a year back he wrote a letter to Central Committee proposing to start WT Health Care Fund and spontaneously donated Rs.100,000 (one lakh) for it. After a few months he donated another lakh to this fund.

He breathed his last today at Medica Hospital in Ranchi. He had throat cancer that led to multi-organ failure. He was 88.

In his death Baba's mission lost a great devotee, a missionary and an ideal Grhii Acarya. He was always a source of inspiration to both family people and WTs.

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