On Sept 11 in 1893, the people of America were simply mesmerised to listen to great saint and philosopher from India, Swami Vivekananda who delivered his historic speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Swami Vivekananda surprised all by beginning, “Sisters and brothers of America”. Nobody had addressed like them before, that too someone from India.

Swami Vivekananda, always said that there are many things to learn from the West but India too has a lot to teach to the West. He always said its good to be a student but at times its essential to become teacher also.

It was here in Chicago, a young woman, Margaret Nobel developed immense admiration for Swami Vivekananda. She got so impressed hearing him that she had left everything and came to India to be with him. Swamiji welcomed her in India and told her to work for the development and upliftment of women, impart education to them by opening schools, teach women the basic things that would help then to live with head high.

Swamiji has always been the champion of women empowerment and wanted women to become self-reliant. He said women should find solutions to their problems themselves as no men can ever understand their difficulties. Swamiji, wanted Margaret to fulfill all his incomplete work and work for women empowerment. Swami Vivekananda gave her the name of Sister Nivedita.

The world today knows Margaret Nobel by the name of Sister Nivedita. The school she started at Baghbazar in north Kolkata is still there and has grown big. Its one of the prime schools in Kolkata.