Itanagar, Aug 27: Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein have expressed deep grief over the demise of A Balakrishnan, Jeevanvrati Karyakarta and President of Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Vivekananda Kendra, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 88.
Balakrishnan (May 3, 1938–August 27, 2026) was remembered for his more than five decades of dedicated service to education, social upliftment and nation-building, particularly his pioneering contribution to the educational movement of Vivekananda Kendra in Arunachal Pradesh.
In his condolence message, the Chief Minister said Balakrishnan was not merely a Karyakarta of Vivekananda Kendra for Arunachal Pradesh but one of the pioneers who helped lay the foundation of its educational movement in the State.
Khandu recalled that after joining the first batch of Jeevanvratis in 1973, Balakrishnan took up the challenging responsibility of working in Arunachal Pradesh during the difficult years of the 1970s. Under his leadership, the residential educational movement of Vivekananda Kendra took root in the State, with the first Vidyalayas beginning in 1977 and subsequently expanding to different parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister noted that Balakrishnan’s exemplary contribution to educational upliftment was recognised by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh with a State Award in 2014.
“Balakrishnanji devoted more than five decades of his life to seva, education and nation-building,” Khandu said, adding that his association with Arunachal Pradesh represented a long journey of commitment to its children, communities and future.
Offering his Vinamra Shraddhanjali, the Chief Minister prayed for peace for the departed soul and expressed hope that the values of wisdom and compassion that guided Balakrishnan’s life would continue to inspire generations.
Deputy CM Chowna Mein also expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Balakrishnan, describing him as a selfless Karmayogi who devoted his life to the mission of “Man-Making and Nation-Building”.
Mein said Balakrishnan’s dedication and service, from Arunachal Pradesh to different parts of the country, would remain an enduring source of inspiration. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members, admirers and associates of the late Vivekananda Kendra leader and prayed for the eternal peace of his soul.
The demise of Balakrishnan marks the passing of a veteran social worker and educationist whose long association with Arunachal Pradesh contributed significantly to the growth of value-based education and the spread of the Vivekananda Kendra’s educational initiatives across the State.