Dear Children of the Lord,

All over the world millions of people are now living in great fear and anxiety, haunted by the spectre of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease of 2019).

Although only about 300 cases have been detected in India so far, Indians have to be extra careful in view of the dense population of the country.

Government agencies are taking stringent measures to contain the spread of the disease.

The general secretary of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission has issued a set of directives which all our monastic and lay brothers and sisters should strictly adhere to.

The whole humanity is now facing a critical situation which may last a few more days.

In the lives and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda, we have adequate resources to enable us to face this global crisis. By Their grace we will certainly overcome this psycho-physical and social crisis. If we have this faith firmly rooted in our hearts, we have nothing to fear.

We have a higher spiritual goal to attain. Obstacles, individual and collective, are bound to occur on the path of the attainment of our ultimate Goal.

But by the grace of the Almighty we will all certainly overcome the crisis and attain the Goal. Let us stop not till that Goal is reached!

With sincere prayers for the welfare of all, I remain yours affectionately, Swami Smaranananda, president, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.