New Delhi, May 8 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday recalled the pioneering work of Swami Chinmayananda in the field of education and social reform, as he released a coin commemorating his birth centenary.

Speaking on the occasion, Modi described Swami Chinmayananda, a Hindu spiritual leader who inspired the formation of Chinmaya Mission, as a "visionary, who saw the need to inculcate India's great culture and spiritual traditions through the English medium, among an 'elite' class of people, who had moved away from this heritage".

"When Swamiji talked about the Geeta, he was a gyan-margi (one who follows the path of knowledge), and when he worked in his schools and hospitals, he was a karm-margi (one who follows the path of work)," Modi said.

He said in that sense "Swami Chinmayananda's life is an inspiration for others".

Recalling his meetings with the spiritual leader, the prime minister said: "It was a matter of great pride that a commemorative coin was being issued to mark his centenary."

Swami Chinmayananda was born on May 8, 1916