COMMEMORATION OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S VISIT TO CEYLON AFTER HIS CHICAGO ADDRESS
Swami Kamalatmananda, Editor of “Ramakrishna Vijayam”, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai, India found time to visit us on 01.12.1996. He participated in the Annual Awards Ceremony of the Batticaloa Educational Development Society held at the Shivananda Vidyalaya Hall, Ramakrishnapuram.
As a lasting monument to commemorate this important year the construction of a model village for the socially handicapped was mooted. This was to be Vivekanandapuram. With the assistance of NORAD, National Housing Development Authority, Batticaloa and others, 27 dwellings complete with a well and toilet were provided for sanitary labourers displaced by ethnic violence at Navatkudah. Hitherto these labourers were living in cadjan sheds. The foundation for this project was laid on the 1st November 1996.
On 03.05.1997, Swamis Atmaghanananda and Jivanananda, along with devotees and the would-be-occupants of the newly built houses, attended the evening pooja at the Kangani Pillayar Temple, Navatkudah. They then proceeded in ceremonial procession to Vivekanandapuram where Swami Atmaghanananda lighted an oil lamp in each of the houses to signify the religious opening of the dwellings.
The village consists of 27 houses, 27 wells, 27 lavatories, one community hall, a nursery school, a children’s park, a network of gravel roads and a temple refurbished by the initiative of the villagers. The cost of the whole project was Rs.3,373,386/=. Out of this NORAD and NHDA contributed Rs.1,911,755/=; donations from devotees amounted Rs.92,310/=; Ramakrishna Mission Headquarters, Belur Math gave Rs.1,207,263/= and Ramakrishna Mission, Batticaloa‘s share was Rs.162,057/=.
On 03.05.1997 the memorial plaque was unveiled by Swami Atmaghanananda, Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch), followed by the opening of the Community Centre, Nursery School, a Children’s Park, switching on the electricity supply, opening of the network of roads, planting of trees and handing over of the houses.
In the evening, that day, a public meeting was held under the Presidentship of Swami Atmaghanananda in front of Mariamman Temple, Vivekanandapuram. A cultural programme was presented by school children. Swami Ajaratmananda welcomed the audience. Doctor V. Vivekanandarajah, the Hon. Joseph Pararasasingham,M.P., the Hon. K. Thurairasasingham, M.P., the Honourable P. Selvarajah, M.P., addressed the gathering. The meeting concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Swami Jivanananda.
Shri N. Krishnamoorthi of Vivekananda Kendra, Vivekanandapuram, Kanya Kumari, Thamil Nadu, was here from the 5th to 8th January in 1997 in connection with the Commemoration of Swami Vivekananda’s visit to Ceylon after His Chicago Address. He had a busy schedule visiting the following places:
- (i) Karaitivu Girls’ Home (organised by the Vipulananda Memorial Committee and the Vivekananda Sports Club, Karaitivu)
- (ii) Vipulananda Memorial Hall, Ramakrishnapuram under the auspices of the Mission, where the children of our Boys’ Home, Sarada Girls’ Home, Shivananda Vidyalaya, Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya and Vipulananda College of Music and Dance, Nochchimunai, participated.
Advanced Level Students numbering over100, drawn from 08 schools benefited from his rich experience in working with youth when he conducted a day-long seminar under the auspices of the Mission. He held a similar seminar at the College of Education, Batticaloa.
Mr. N. Kaarthikeyan, Lecturer at the Open University, Colombo was his able lieutenant throughout Krishnamoorti’s sojourn in Batticaloa.
RELEASE OF COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ON 15TH JANUARY 1997
The entire Island and specially the Districts of Batticaloa and Trincomalee were made aware of this event by the release of a commemorative postage stamp in over a dozen centres.
The main function organised by the Batticaloa Young Men’s Hindu Association took place at the Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidhyalaya , Anaipanthi. Under the distinguished patronage of the Government Agent and District Secretary, Mr. A.K. Pathmanathan, the Deputy Post Master General, Mr. R. Thiagalinkam released the first stamp. His Worship the Mayor of Batticaloa, Mr. Chellian J. Perinpanayagam and the Honourable District Judge, Mr. J. Viswanathan were the first to receive the new stamp. Simultaneously, with the very active and whole-hearted support of the Deputy Post Master General (Eastern Region) and his Chief Post Master, the stamp was released in the following places:
- 1. Arayampathy by the Pradeshiya Sabha, Manmunai South
- 2. Periya Kallar by Social Service Organisations and the Board of Trustees of the Hindu Temple, Kallar
- 3. Kalmunai by the Young Men’s Hindu Association
- 4. Muthalaikudah by the Pradeshiya Sabha, Manmunai South-West
- 5. Palugamam by the Vivekananda Welfare Society
- 6. Karaitivu by the Vivekananda Sports Club
- 7. Thambiluvil by the Thirunavukkarasu Nayanar Students’ Home
- 8. Akkaraipattu by the Young Men’s Hindu Association
9.Chenkalady Maha Vidyalaya by the Education Officers 10.Vantharamoolai Sri Maha Vishnu Vidhyalaya and School Principals
11.Valaichenai Hindu College
12.Natpettimunai by the Young Men’s Hindu Association
CENTENARY CELEBRATION OF THE FOUNDING OF THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION
01.05.1997 marked the first day of the centenary year of the founding of the Ramakrishna Mission. This was observed with due significance. There was a whole day programme in the Ashrama commencing from 6.15 a.m. Bhajan, Mangala Arati and Hoisting of the Flag took place in the morning. Special pooja, Homa , Arati and distribution of prasad brought the morning’s events to a close. In the afternoon, bhajan and reading of the portions pertaining to the proceedings of the 1st and 2nd meeting of the Ramakrishna Mission Association and the relevant portions from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda took place. There was a good gathering of devotees and friends.
The centenary was celebrated in various places under the auspices of the Mission. On 05.05.1997 there was a three-pronged procession – One beginning from the Pillayar Temple at the Batticaloa High Court premises carrying the portrait of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, headed by Swami Atmaghanananda wended its way through Mahatma Gandhi Road, Munai Street, Lake Road No:01, Nalliah Road, Sooriya Lane, Hospital Road, Covington Road, Mahilady Road, 2nd Cross Street, Hospital Road to reach the venue of the Public Meeting at Anaipanthy.
The 2nd procession carrying the portrait of the Holy Mother headed by Swami Jivanananda, commenced near the Batticaloa Public Library and took the following route : lake side of the Mahatma Gandhi Road, Munai Street, passing the C.T.B. bus –stand, Lake Road No:01, Nalliah Road, Hospital Road to Anaipanthy.
The 3rd procession started at the Mariamman Temple, Koddaimunai carrying the portrait of Swami Vivekananda, led by Swami Ajaratmananda. It proceeded through Arasady Junction, Bar Road, Trinco Road, Koddaimunai Bridge, Central Road, Hospital Road, Mudaliyar Street, Maruthady Street, Adigar Road, Hospital Road and reached the venue of the meeting.
The three processions converged at the Anaipanthy Pillayar Temple before entering the Hall. The meeting was presided over by Swami Atmaghanananda, Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch). Mrs. Valli Somasundaram, Principal, Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya, Anaipanthy welcomed the audience. Swami Jivanananda gave the benedictory address. Swami Ajaratmananda delivered the Centenary Memorial Speech.
15-May-01
On 07.05.1997 the Centenary Celebrations took place at Shivananda Vidyalaya under the Presidentship of the Principal, Mr. N. Rajaratnam. Swami Jivanananda gave his blessings; Swami Atmaghanananda was the Guest Speaker.
On 08,05.1997 in Karaitivu, there was a procession starting from Shanmuga Vidyalaya, passing through Kandasamy Temple Road, Central Road, Sarada Vidyalaya Road and ending at Ramakrishna Mission Boys’ School. A public meeting was presided over by Mr. V. Jeganathan, Principal, Shanmuga Vidyalaya, Karaitivu. Mr. S. Kandasamy, Principal, Ramakrishna Mission Boys’ School, Karaitivu, welcomed the invitees. Swami Jivanananda blessed the gathering. Swami Ajaratmananda delivered the Centenary Memorial Speech.Mr. V. Kanapathipillai, retired Divisional Education Officer was the Guest Speaker. Children from all the schools in Karaitivu participated.
As part of the Centenary Celebrations , the Kallady - Uppodai Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya conducted a procession on 09.05.1997 from the Ramakrishna Mission Boys’ Home carrying the portrait of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda. There, a meeting was held where leading religious dignitaries, Members of Parliament and Education Department Officials spoke. One hundred boxes of mathematical instruments were distributed to deserving children. Sarees were distributed to 100 ladies from Vivekanandapuram. Certificates were awarded to children who had completed the Leadership Training Workshop conducted by the Ramakrishna Mission, Colombo. Al Haj M.M.M. Mahroof Careem, Principal, Meera Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Kattankudy also spoke.
On 23rd June 1997, Shri Pe. Su. Mani’s Tamil book on the Ramakrishna Movement in Sri Lanka was released. Mr. S. Yogarajah, Senior Lecturer, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, introduced the book with his scholarly review.
Swami Tanmayananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Periyanaickenpalayam, Coimbatore was on a three-day visit from 01/09/1997. He was received at the Ramakrishnapuram Junction, Kallady and conducted in procession along the New Kalmunai Road to the Ashrama. The Swami, after worshipping in the Shrine gave his blessings to the devotees, friends and school children who had gathered to welcome him. On the second day (02.09.1997) the Swami went to Kalmunai, where two well-formed processions in the traditional Hindu manner carrying the portraits of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, The Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda from Periya Neelavanai and the other from Senaikudiyiruppu converged in Kalmunai. Dignitaries, Swamis of the Mission, Priests and Nuns of the Catholic Church, Principals, Teachers and senior students of schools, Heads of temples and religious institutions, Officials from the Department of Education and the Divisional Secretariats took part in the procession.
Reverend Brother S.A.I. Matthew, S.S.J., Principal, Carmel Fatima National College
welcomed the Swamis and garlanded them. Brahmashri K.A. Yogarajah, Temple Priests, Reverend Father Ignatius Joseph representing the Catholic Church,
Reverend S. D. Thayaseelan of the Methodist Church, Ven. Gokkralla Thilagasara Thero, Incumbent of the Buddhist Vihara, Kalmunai, Mr. K. M. H. Kalideen, President All-Ceylon Federation of Khathibs, Janab A.L.M. Faleel, Divisional Secretary, Kalmunai and Mr. A,K, Thiagarajah, Divisional Secretary, Tamil Division, Kalmunai graced the occasion. The meeting commenced in the main hall of the Ramakrishna Mission Maha Vidhyalaya , Kalmunai at 10.30 a.m. with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Guest Swami Tanmayananda. The Centenary Souvenir was released by Swami Tanmayananda. and Swami Ajaratmananda gave a scholarly analysis of the souvenir. After the distribution of prizes by Swami Tanmayananda for winners in the competitions held earlier as part of the Centenary celebrations, he delivered the Centenary Memorial Address. Mr. K. Peethamparam proposed the Vote of Thanks.
On the 3rd day, the Swami inaugurated the classes in the Vivekanandapuram Nursery School.
On 24th and 25th October 1997, the Centenary was celebrated at the Periya Kallar Maha Vidyalaya. On the 24th there was a procession starting at 7.00 a.m. from Sri Sivasubramania Swami Temple carrying the portrait of Sri Ramakrishna through Kallar Oor Veethi and the Main Road to reach Kallar Maha Vidyalaya. On the same day at 9.00 a.m. a Book Exhibition was declared open and continued till 2.00 p.m. the next day, after which, a public meeting was held and prizes distributed to the winners of the various competitions conducted by the Centenary Celebration Committee,Periya Kallar.
Swami Chaityanananda, Vice-President, Hindu Dharma Vidhya Peedam, Vellimalai, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu was here from the 20th to the 23rd April 1998.He spoke at public meetings organised at Kallady - Uppodai, Anaipanthy, Arayampathy and Akkaraipattu.
Swami Jitatmananda, President of the Ramakrishna Mission, Rajkot, Gujarat, was here with us from the 28th August to the 1st September 1998. On 29th August, he participated in a seminar organised by Mr. R. Nagalingam, with Mr.J. Visvanathan, District Judge as Chairman at Anaipanthy. That evening Swami Jitatmananda was in Arayampathy at another seminar organised by the Chairman, Pradeshiya Sabha, Mr. K. Navaratnarajah. On 30th August he presided over a Sat Sangh at our Girls’ Home in Karaitivu.
On 31.08.1998, at the express request of the Honourable Joseph Pararasasingham, M.P., the Swami unveiled the tablet of the clock-tower at the Ramakrishnapuram Junction, Kallady at 10.00 a.m. That evening, he was accorded a Civic Reception by the Batticaloa Municipality with His Worship the Mayor Cheliyan J. Perinpanayagam presiding where a galaxy of dignitaries were present. His visit was rounded off with visits to the Vipulananda College of Music and Dance, Shivananda Vidyalaya and Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya, Ramakrishnapuram.
Swami Virupakshananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Chengalpattu revived old memories when he spent three days with us from the 15th to the 18th September 1998.