CLOSING CEREMONY

125^th Anniversary Celebrations of Ramakrishna Mission closing ceremony was held. The program started in the morning with puja, Vedic Chanting. Sri Vishnu Sahasranama parayanam, bhajans, and later pushpanjali was done. Swami Sukritananda, ashrama Secretary presided the meeting. He told that Swami Vivekananda is like Hanuman. He told Bala Gangadhar Tilak said that Swami Vivekananda is like Adisankaracharya. Swami Vivekananda wants see our country Bharath as Vishwaguru. He called upon everybody should be united for the development of the society. Dr. Rani Sadasivamurthy, I/C Vice Chancellor, Sri Venkateswara Vedic University, Tirupati was the chief guest and Swami Bhithiharananda ji, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna mission, Kadapa was Guest of Honor. Sri PV Reddy inaugural speech about Ramakrishna Mission and Smt. G. Sreedevi, ashrama member spoke about role of Sri Sarada Matha in the development of Ramakrishna Mission. Vote of thanks proposed by Swami Vishwarajanandaji. In his inaugural speech Sri PV Reddy told how Mahatma Gandhi praised Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna’s Spirituality, spiritual journey and his service.  Sister Niveditha used to tell that Swami Vivekananda as Indian Mind of highest Order. There are three things to learn from Swami Vivekananda 1. His learnings of sastra, 2. His learning from guru’s feet and 3. His devotion to motherland. He asked the people to do service to the humanity.

Dr. Rani Sadasiva Murthy, VC sung a song written by him ‘O..Yuga Purusha..O Pavana Charitha…..” on Swami Vivekananda. As Swamiji said we need spiritual patriotism. Dharma Marga, Bhakthi Marga and Jnana Marga are the three ways to attain moksha. ‘Daridra Narayanoo Bhava..” we have to see the God in every human being and do service to man. He said Swami Vivekananda is Fourth Jagadguru. He asked Ramakrishna mission authorities to open ashrama in every civilised country to do service to the humanity.  Swami Bhithiharananda ji asked every person should practice doing service. Sadhus and devotees should have aim to reach the lotus feet of the god by doing good deeds. Ramakrishna mission is doing service activities through its ashramas and educational institutions. Mission services in the tribal regions are very much appreciable. He asked to practice what Bhagawan Ramakrishna preached. Smt. G. Sreedevi gave lecture on the role of Sri Sarada Matha in the development of Ramakrishna Mission. She told how Mathaji encouraged swami Vivekananda and other sadhus to do service as preached by Sri Ramakrishna. Bhojan prasad was given to devotees after Pushpanjali. Dr. GS Prasad, Dr. Leela, Dr. Nirmala, Dr. Ramesh Nath, Prof. Sundara Murty, Sri Jayarama Prasad and other devotees participated in this program.

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION ASHRAMA, TIRUPATI

A Brief Report on Azadika Amrit Mahaotsav (commemorating 75 years of Indian Independence) dedicated to Swami Vivekananda.

Ramakrishna Mission, Tirupati celebrated Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav from 6^th August to 9^th August ‘22 by organizing the following functions.

1.  Elocution Competitions for Degree college students: Elocution competitions were conducted for college students in English and Telugu languages separately. The subject of the completion in English was; Swami Vivekananda and His call to the Nation and in Telugu; Bharatha Jathiki Na Hitavu.

Competition was conducted at two levels. Initially all the participating 18 different institutions were requested to conduct completion at their level and depute three toppers to the second level. Final competitions were conducted on 27^th and 28^th July in the Ashrama premises. About 1000 students participated at first level screening and 250 students in the second level. A total Rs. 11,000/- worth prize money was awarded to each category winners.

2.  Workshop for Teachers: A workshop was organized for teachers in the Ashrama premises on 6^th August 22. About 120 teachers participated in the workshop. Smt. Prasanthi, Director, SVETA, TTD, inaugurated the programme. Swamis Vimokshananada, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Yelagiri and Raghunayakananda, Director, Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Chennai and Sharad Vivek Sagar, CEO & Founder, Dexterity Global Inc. foundation addressed the teachers  explaining the ideas of Swami ViVekananda on holistic education.

3.  Student Convention for women students: A convention was organized for women students at Annamacharya Kala Mandir of TTD, from 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. on 8^th August 22. Swamis Vimokshananda, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Yelagiri, addressed the students by inaugurating the convention. Swami Bodhamayananda, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad exhorted the students with a motivational talk. Pravrajika Bhavaniprana Mataji and Pravrajika Thyganishtaprana Mataji of Ramakrishna Sarada Mission spoke on the role of Swami Vivekananda and Sister Nivedita in Indian independence. About 250 women students participated in the convention.

4.  Student convention for Men Students: A convention was organized for men students in the same venue on 9^th August’22. The convention was inaugurated by Sri Venkatramana Reddy, IAS, District collector and magistrate, with an inspiring talk on Swami Vivekananda’s ideas for youth. Swamis Vimokshananada, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Yelagiri, and  Swami Bodhamayananda, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad, Raghunayakananda, Director, Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Chennai and Sharad Vivek Sagar, CEO & Founder, Dexterity Global Inc. foundation addressed the gathering. A total of 150 devotees and students participated.

Some relevant photographs of the aforesaid programmes can be found in the following Links:

Teachers Workshop(06-08-22) : https://photos.app.goo.gl/W3SKgBap82yPTaVT6

Youth Convention for Women (08-08-22) https://photos.app.goo.gl/MjXaUZX5R1eJUYtW7

Youth Convention for Men (09-08-22) https://photos.app.goo.gl/5myQecbfzDUre9ZBA