A pioneer of spiritual renaissance and the guiding spirit behind the reconstruction programme for a resurgent society, Sri Ram Sharma Acharya was born on 20th September 1911 at Auvalkhera in Agra District. He was attracted to the freedom struggle from an early age and made a mark as a fearless satyagrahi through his participation in the non-cooperation movement and the Salt Satyagraha. During his imprisonment at Asansol prison, in 1933, he came in close contact with prominent leaders like Madan Mohan Malviya, Raft Ahmed Kidwai, Swaroop Rani Nehru etc. He earned the sobriquet “Matta” on account of his dedication and single minded devotion to the cause of service to the nation. In 1935, he embarked upon the task of social upliftment through spiritual means with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi.
A sage, a visionary and a reformer, the Acharya perceived the 21st century as an age of enlightenment and hope to be realised through hard work, understanding, courage and honesty. He enunciated the principle that reformation of the self will lead to the reformation of the society and accordingly chalked out a programme for reconstruction of the society through the reformation of the individual and the family.
He underwent tough regimens (“Tapasya”) in the Himalayas to prepare himself for total dedication to reconstruction and upliftment of society. He became the harbinger of a social, moral and spiritual revolution. He launched his movement through the Yug Nirman Yojana and Vichar Kranti Abhiyan from Mathura.
With his unique spiritual zeal, inspiring leadership and organising capacity, he set up a vast organisation by mobilising manpower for social resurgence. A crusader for equality, he laid great stress on emancipation and awakening of women. He also led the struggle against social evils like the dowry system, caste distinctions and all modes of discriminations. He coined the slogan that men and women are alike and so are all castes and classes.
The Acharya established the Shanti Kunj at Haridwar as an academy for experiments in national resurgence. People from various walk of life take advantage of the moral teachings provided at Shanti Kunj. The ‘Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan’ a research centre set up at Haridwar is striving to synthesize science with spirituality. A chain of over 3000 social reform centres is functioning in the country and abroad, known as Shakti Peeths.
Truely the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the entire world is a family) is being realised through the various projects started by Sri Ram Sharma Acharya. Inspired by his percept and example, over 2.5 million volunteers are working with great zeal and determination to “BRING OUT THE DIVINITY IN MAN AND HEAVEN ON EARTH”. This great worshipper of Gayatri after leading an ideal life for 80 years, willingly gave up the physical existence on 2.6.1990 Gayatri Jayanti.
Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India