NURSERY SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS
An innovation in 1999 was the Exhibition of the Children’s handiwork for two days:9th and 10th July. This drew unprecedented crowds of children from the neighbouring nursery schools. The traffic jam was so acute that the services of the Traffic Police had to be sought.
Swami Tadbhasananda was posted to the Batticaloa Centre and he arrived here on 17th September 1999. He was received at the Ramakrishnapuram Junction, Kallady and conducted in procession by the devotees, friends and school children.
PLATINUM JUBILEE OF THE BOYS’ HOME : 06th June 1926 – 06th June 2001
The inaugural meeting of the Platinum Jubilee of the Boys’ Home was held on 18th June 2000 (Sunday) in the Vipulananda Memorial Hall presided over by Swami Jivanananda. Onehundred and fifty one members attended the meeting. It was decided to have a year-long celebration. Swami Atmaghanananda was unanimously nominated to function as advisor for the successful completion of the Jubilee Celebrations.
The following activities were proposed at the meeting:
- 1. Release of a commemorative stamp
- 2. Enhancing facilities at the Swami Natarajananda Students’ Home, Sittandi.
- 3. Book Exhibitions at various places
- 4. Personality Development seminars for students
- 5. Publication of a souvenir and a book about the Students’ Homes
- 6. Putting up shelters at bus-halts at Kallady - Uppodai
- 7. Upgrading the facilities in the schools, once managed by the Ramakrishna Mission
- 8. Helping to start Nursery schools
- 9. Rehabilitation activities and free medical camps in the backward areas of Batticaloa District
- 10. Improvement of the playground at Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Vidhyalaya, Karaitivu
- 11. A mammoth procession and public meeting
- 12. A model village in the Valaichenia Division, resettling 50 displaced families
Sri N. Krishnamoorti of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, was here specially to conduct personality development workshops as part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.
The workshops were conducted for selected students in the following places:
- 1. 20.11.2000 – Vantharumoolai Central College
- 2. 21.11.2000 - Vipulananda Memorial Hall, Kallady-Uppodai
3. 22.11.2000 - Kaluthawalai Maha Vidyalaya
69 students from 09 schools
4. 23.11.2000 - Kalmunai Wesley College
59 students from 09 schools
5. 24.11.2000 - Vipulananda Memorial Hall, Kallady - Uppodai
68 students from 02 schools
6. 25.11.2000 - Vivekananda Girls’ Vidyalaya , Kallady-Uppodai
72 students from 07 schools
The workshops included bhajan, meditation, lectures (Swamiji’s Message), group activities,games, questions and answers.
Swamiji’s book and picture, Swamiji’s Messages in three pamphlets, certificate of participation, eight-page bhajan handouts and an exercise book were distributed to students, while the 39 participating schools were presented with mementos by Shri N. Krishnamoorti on behalf of the Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari.
Swami Yuktatmananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, Mysore, India was here in connection with the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations from 3rd to the 8th March 2001.
On his arrival in the company of Swami Atmaghanananda, he was received at the clock tower junction of Ramakrishnapuram, Kallady and conducted in procession to the Ashrama. The Swami, after worshipping in the Shrine blessed all those who were present. On the 4th March morning at 9.30 a.m. he declared open the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Handicapped Children in the premises of the Shivananda Vidyalaya Hostel. That evening, Swami Yuktatmananda was taken in procession from the Arasady clock tower junction to the Mahajana College for a public meeting.
On the 5th March around 8.15 a.m. he was accorded a reception at the Arayampathy Pradeshiya Sabha Grounds en route to Kaludavalai . At Kaludavalai the Swami was warmly welcomed by the villagers. A seminar for school students around Kaludavalai area was held at the Kaludavalai Maha Vidyalaya
That evening the Swami presided over the Annual Athletic Meet of Shivananda Vidyalaya
On the 6th March from 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. the Swami conducted a seminar for Advanced Level Students at the Vipulananda Memorial Hall, Ramakrishnapuram.
On the 7th March, Swami presided over the Sri Ramakrishna Cultural Programme at the Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidhyalaya , Kalmunai.
Two hundred and forty Hindu and Christian senior students of the Kalmunai Educational Zone together with leaders of religious organisations, priests from temples, Reverend Brothers and Sisters of the Catholic Church, officials from the Department of Education, teachers from schools and village leaders packed the hall.
The Swamis of the Ramakrishna Mission were welcomed at the Main Street with oriental band by the public of Kalmunai and conducted in procession. The traders of the bazaar received the Swamis with poorna kumbams and garlands. When the procession reached the venue of the meeting the Swamis were accorded a grand reception in the traditional Hindu manner. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Principal of the School, Mr. N. Nagarajah. Swami Jivanananda gave his blessings and Swami Ajaratmananda introduced the visiting Swami Yuktatmananda which was followed by the speech of the Chief Guest.
On the 8th March after visiting Shivananda Vidyalaya, National School around 8.00 a.m., Swami presided over the 166th Birthday celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna at Ananipanthy Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidhyalaya. He left for Colombo on the same day around 1.00 p.m.
One of the activities in connection with the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations is the conducting of free medical camps in areas where medical care is not available. The first such camp was held on 24.12.2000 at Mandur Ramakrishna Vidyalaya . 13 medical officers and 02 para medics conducted the camp where 798 patients were treated. They came from far off places like divisions 1,2 and 3 of Mandur Village, Palamunai, Thambalavattai, Ganeshapuram, Maringaiadipooval, Kurumenveli, Vellavali, Karaitivu, Kalmunai, Ollimadu and Sinnavattai. Rs.22,580/- worth of medicines were used at this camp. The members of the Ramakrishna Manram, Mandur were of invaluable assistance.
The 2nd medical camp was conducted at the Maha Vidyalaya, Vakarai on 18.02.2001. 13 medical officers and 02 para medics and 08 nurses served this camp. 1395 patients from Vakarai, Kadiraveli, Paalchenai,Vammivettuwan, Thattumunai, Mankerny, Uryankattu, Kandalady, Ambathanveli, Puliyankandadi, Vellaiadimadu and other villages were treated. The cost of drugs used at this camp amounted to Rs.25,000/=. The Divisional Secretary, Mr. Balasubramaniam rendered valuable service for the success of this camp.
The 3rd medical camp was held at the Mahilavedduvan Maha Vidyalaya on 29.04.2001. 12 medical officers and 10 nurses served this camp. 1750 patients from the villages of Nellur, Pavatkodichchenai, Karaveddy, Thandiyadi, Navatkadu, Mahilavedduvan, Naripulthottam, Ayithiamalai, Karadianaru, Vilavedduvan, Manipuram, Unnichchai, Pankudaveli, 6th Mile Post, Eachanthivu, Paalakkadu, Siruwamunai, Mullamunai, Vavunathivu, Kurinchamunai, Annainagar, Kannankudah and Kelithimadu benefited. The cost of medicines used at this camp amounted to Rs.80,000/=. Mr. P. Sangar the Divisional Secretary rendered all assistance to make the camp the success it was.
CONCLUSION
The Home by its services has improved the living conditions of many who came under its wings. It has helped inter-community understanding and fostered harmony among them. The direct benefits of the Home are well understood by the words of gratitude expressed by the inmates.
Today the Home celebrates its Platinum Jubilee. As predicted by Swami Bigyananandaji Maharaj, it is indeed growing as an institution, dedicated to the service of humanity, transcending all human-made barriers, spreading the gospel of selfless service.
On this historic occasion we thank all for their kind-hearted co-operation without which such an achievement of the Home would not have been possible.