EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
A girl of our Home successfully completed her Post Diploma Course in music at the Kalakshetra Foundation–College of Fine Arts, Thiruvanmiyur,Chennai and is due to obtain her Master’s Degree in music at the University of Madras. During her stay at Kalakshetra she qualified for the prestigious R. Venkataraman Award in 1996. The child’s entire expenses for education in music was met by Mrs. Kamala Krishnan of Malaysia. She left Sri Lanka on 06.12.1992 for the Course.
The two illustrious daughters of Shri Ramachandra of “Religious Digest” fame – Thanalakshimi and Bhuvaneswary released an audio cassette of their melodious rendition of devotional songs termed “Shivanjali”. The entire proceeds from the sale of this cassette were donated to the Homes (Orphanages).
On 23.12.1992 Swami Ajaratmananda joined the Batticaloa Centre as its worker.
RELIEF WORK
The 10-houses project at Akkaraipattu was completed on 22.01.1993 and handed over to 10 deserving families by Swami Atmaghanananda. A sum of Rs. 240,000/= had been expended on this project. One of the families in this group with three dumb and deaf members was presented with a sewing machine too.
23.01.1993 – a Committee was formed to commemorate the Centenary of the Chicago Address made at the Parliament of Religions, Chicago.
06.06.1993 – a booklet, titled “Swami Vivekananda and World Parliament of Religions in Chicago 1893” was published.
13.09.1993 – as 11.09.1993 was a Saturday, the commemoration in schools was celebrated on Monday the 13th September 1993, by reading the Message of Swami Vivekananda at the school assemblies.
02.12.1993 – Swami Prabhananda, Trustee, Ramakrishna Math & Member of the Governing Body of the Ramakrishna Mission was here in connection with the Centenary celebrations of the Chicago Address. Dignitaries of various religions addressed the gathering where the Swami was the Chief Speaker.
- (i) The Right Reverend Kingsley Swampillai, Bishop of the Diocese of Trincomalee – Batticaloa
- (ii) The Chief Incumbent of the Managalaramaya , Batticaloa, Ven. Yatiyane Gnananda Thero
- (iii) Reverend Anandarajah of the Methodist Church, Batticaloa
- (iv) Moulavi Buhary, Federation of Mosques in Kattankudy.
21.03.1994 – 24.03.1994 – Flag Day was organised for 05 days where the Schools, Government Departments, Non-Governmental organisations took an active part.
Norad, the Funding Agency of the Royal Norwegian Embassy gifted the Sarada Girls’ Home with a Cultural Centre costing Rs.1,492,794/= . This was declared open on 03.12.1993 by Swami Prabhananda, Trustee, Ramakrishna Math & Member of the Governing Body of the Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math.
Mr. S. Mahenthiran, Managing Director Mascons Limited brought out a beautiful and well-laid out brochure about the Homes with a view to enlisting support. This brochure was circulated widely and the response, especially from overseas has been very encouraging.
26.05.1994 – Swami Atmasthananda, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission arrived in Batticaloa. The leading citizens of Batticaloa Town received him at the Batticaloa Airport and conducted him to the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Ramakrishnapuram. The traditional reception at the Ramakrishnapuram Junction, Kallady was accorded to him. The same day evening a public reception was accorded to the Swami at the Hindu College Hall and an Address of Welcome was presented. The Swami replied to suit the occasion.
On 27.05.1994 morning ,Swami visited Sarada Girls’ Home and proceeded to Karaitivu. En-route he was accorded receptions at Arayampathy, Kurukkalmadam, Kaluthawalai and Kaluwanchikudy. He was received at the entrance to the village of Karaitivu and conducted in procession to Kannagiamman Temple to pay his obeisance. From there he went to our Girls’ Home at Karaitivu where the new building of the Home was ceremonially declared open. He bestowed his benediction to the gathering. The same evening , Swami visited Mattikkaly where a housing scheme was being planned. The next day morning he left for Colombo.
Swami Gautamananda, President, Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai was in Batticaloa from the 14th October 1995 to the 17th October 1995. He took part in the concluding sessions of the Chicago Address Centenary Celebrations.
BOOK EXHIBITIONS
In order to disseminate the knowledge of Ramakrishna - Vivekananda literature among the public, book exhibitions were organised in the following schools in connection with the Centenary Celebrations of the Chicago Address:
- (i) Mahajana College, Batticaloa
- (ii) Hindu College, Batticaloa.
- (iii) Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Karaitivu
- (iv) Araipattai Maha Vidyalaya
- (v) Ramakrishna College, Akkaraipattu
- (vi) Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Sittandy
- (vii) Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Kalmunai
- (viii) Thambiluvil Madhya Maha Vidyalaya
- (ix) Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Vantharamoolai
A book: “ Nootandu Vizha Kaanum Swami Vivekananda Chicago Chotpozhivukal” ( “Ehw;whz;L tpoh fhZk; Rthkp tpNtfhde;j rpfhNfh nrhw;nghopTfs;”)written by Shri Pe. Su. Mani of Chennai was released on 03.04.1994 at Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya, Anaipanthy. Swami Atmaghanananda presided at this meeting. Mr. J. Visvanathan, District Judge, introduced the book. Subsequently this book was ceremonially released in Karaitivu and Kalmunai.
08.09.1994 – Swami Sridharananda, Head of the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Lucknow, participated in the concluding sessions connected with the commemoration of the Centenary of Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago Address. He was received at the Ramakrishnapuram Junction and conducted in procession to the Ashrama where he gave dharshan to the devotees. He attended the meeting held that evening at the Hindu College Hall. Swami Atmaghanananda, Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) translated the Swami’s speech to Tamil. Next day the Swami visited the Karaitivu Girls’ Home.
Swami Gokulananda came to Batticaloa on 01.10.1996 to participate in the Public Celebrations of Swami Vivekananda’s 134th birthday. On 02.10.1996 morning he declared open the Vivekananda Bhavan (Monks’ quarters) in the Ashrama premises.
On the same day he took part in the Universal Children’s Day observances at Arayampathy conducted by the Pradeshiya Sabha. That evening a public meeting was held in Devanayagam Hall, Batticaloa presided over by Mr. K. Thiyagarajah, Secretary, Ministry of Education, Cultural Affairs and Sports, North-East Provincial Council. The Swami addressed the large gathering that packed the hall.