When Swami Vivekananda returned to Calcutta from the West in February 1897, the official reception committee did nothing more than send a news release about his arrival to the Calcutta newspapers. But Upendra freely donated much more publicity. Among other things he printed thousands of handbills and distributed them throughout the city. He also placed, in prominent locations, placards announcing Swamiji’s arrival time and the reception site. Furthermore, Upendra published a decorated picture of Swami Vivekananda in his newspaper. Below the picture he printed a new song written by Girish Chandra Ghosh in honour of Swamiji’s return. Upendra distributed thousands of free copies of this special issue.
The evening before Swamiji’s arrival, Swamis Brahmananda and Yogananda, Girish, Purna, and other devotees were discussing the arrangements. Swamiji’s train was scheduled to arrive at Sealdah Station from Budge Budge port early in the morning, and they were concerned whether many people would attend the reception on such a cold morning. When Upendra arrived and heard of their anxiety, he assured them: “Tomorrow thousands of people will go to see Swamiji. I posted placards all over Calcutta, Baranagore, Cossipore, Bhawanipur, and Alipur, and freely distributed fifty thousand handbills and ten thousand copies of the Basumati. I strongly believe that tomorrow before daybreak, by the grace of the Master, the Sealdah Station will be overflowing.” Girish was overjoyed and exclaimed, “Brother, you have performed a great service through this publicity.” Upendra’s prediction proved to be true. Twenty thousand people came to receive Swamiji at Sealdah Station, creating a sensation all over Calcutta. (Source: They Lived with God)