Kolkata, April 2 (IANS): Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda continue to be an inspiration even today, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday and lauded the Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission for its service to society.

Inaugurating the new building of Sarada Ma Girls' College run by the Barrackpore Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission at Barasat in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, Mukherjee said the Mission was providing primary education to almost 15,000 boys and girls in schools across the country.

He said numerous welfare homes run by the Mission were providing shelter and hope to orphans and destitute children, differently-abled girls and distressed women.

She said the girls' college was a fitting tribute to the immortal ideas of Ramakrishna and his consort Sarada Devi who tried to educate people throughout their lives.

"Shri Ramakrishna and his great disciple Swami Vivekananda continue to inspire us even today. Ma Sarada Devi played an important role in the growth of the Ramakrishna Movement," he said.

The president also offered his respects to Swami Nityananda Maharaj, the founder of Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission, who passed away last year.

Mukherjee said Swami Nityananda dedicated his life to the welfare of weaker sections, especially underprivileged children.