Alasinga Perumal

The Story

Born in 1865, Alasinga Perumal was a poor schoolteacher of Madras — a man of little means but of boundless devotion. He met Swami Vivekananda and became one of his most loyal disciples, and he was among those who recognised that the young monk's genius must be carried to the world.

When Vivekananda hesitated about travelling to America for the Parliament of Religions, it was Alasinga who urged him on and worked tirelessly to raise the funds — writing letters, collecting subscriptions, and sacrificing his own small earnings. The Master's triumphant journey, and the speech that made Bhārat known to the West, were made possible by his devotion.

He also served the cause of the nation as a journalist and editor, and he died in 1909, poor and content, having seen his Master's glory. He is remembered as the devoted friend whose sacrifice sent Vivekananda to America — the man behind the greatest spiritual mission of modern Bhārat.