SARADA GIRLS’ HOME. ANAIPANTHY
Sri Sarada Girls’ Home (Orphanage) was opened on 9th May 1951 by Swami Natarajananda (the then Manager of the Mission Schools) at Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Anaipanthy, Batticaloa. It was housed in the building called Vipulananda Mandir which was built by the enthusiastic efforts of Mr. V. Nalliah and Dr. C. Sabapathy in the years 1940-41. Twenty two children from the Ramakrishna Mission Karaitivu Girls’ Home were transferred to the newly started Home. The Home aimed at providing in a more comprehensive manner, all the facilities needed for the building up of a modern Gurukula for girls.
Swami Vireswarananda, Assistant General Secretary of the Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission visited the Batticaloa Centre on 5th July 1951.
Swami Asangananda succeeded Swami Siddhatmananda as Vice-President of the Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) and Swami in-charge of the Colombo Mission on 12th November 1951.
Swami Sarvatitananda who was a worker in the Colombo Centre was posted to Batticaloa in July 1952 to assist the Swami-in-charge .
Swami Natarajananda who was General Manager of Schools left for India on transfer on 27th April 1953. He was succeeded by Swami Kutasthananda who was again succeeded by Swami Natarajananda on 9th August 1954.
Swami Prematmananda succeeded Swami Asangananda as Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) on the 5th September 1954.
BIRTH CENTENARY OF THE HOLY MOTHER
The year long celebrations of the Birth Centenary of the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi from December 1953 to December 1954 were conducted with due solemnity. The highlight of the celebrations was in Akkaraipattu where the portrait of the Holy Mother was carried ceremonially in procession on an elephant.
In July 1957 Swami Sarvatitananda was posted to the Ramakrishna Mission Madam, Katharagama.
Swami Avyayananda arrived in Batticaloa in mid 1956 to assist the Swami-in-Charge.
A new hostel for girls was begun in 1958 at Anaipanthy meant for upcountry children seeking admission to English Schools in Batticaloa.
FLOODS AND RELIEF WORK
In the last week of December 1957 there were heavy floods in Ceylon, causing heavy damage to life and property. The Mission undertook relief work in the worst affected areas of Kangaianodai, Unnichchai,Mahilavedduvan, Ichanthivu, Navatkadu, Palugamam, Sittandi, Araipattai, Akkaraipattu, Kaluthavalai, Karaitivu, Kalmunai, Sethukudah, Kalladi-Uppodai, Nochchimunai, Kattankudy, Pillaiyarady,Uppodaimunai, Mandur and Kokkotichcholai in the Batticaloa District.
One lorry load of provisions sent by the Colombo Mission Headquarters was distributed in 35 villages. Financial assistance to the tune of Rs.4,000/- was given to each of the 200 families for the repair and renovation of their damaged dwellings.
The Ramakrishna Mission Schools in the flood-affected areas were closed in order to accommodate the homeless and to function as relief camps.
All the teachers and senior students readily responded to the Mission’s call and made the relief measures a grand success. The relief programme lasted for about two months during which period relief was extended to 4668 families comprising 9983 members in 35 villages.