Fifth General Report - 1929

THE FIFTH GENERAL REPORT

OF

THE RAMKRISHNA MISSION

(1925—1927)

(With which is incorporated some up-to-date information.)

March, 1929.

ISSUED BY THE GOVERNING BODY, FROM BELUR MATH. HOWRAH.

CONTENTS.

The Governing Body of the Ramkrishna Mission ... v

Introduction ... ... ... ..„ I

Section I.—Maths and Ashramas.

permanent institutions for missionary works :—

1. The Ramkrishna Math, Belur ... ... 8
2. The Ramkrishna Math, Baghbazar, Calcutta ... 10
3. The Gadadhar Ashrama, Bhowanipur, Calcutta ... 10
4. The Ramkrishna Advaita Ashrama, Benares City 10
5. The Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, Almora ... 12
6. The Ramkrishna Math, Mylapore, Madras ... 13
7. Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Bangalore ... ... 14
8. The Brahmananda Ashrama, Trivandnim ... 15
9. Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama Tiruvella (Travancore) 15(10) The Vivekananda Ashrama, Shamlatal ... 15(u) Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Khar, Bombay ... 16

12. Sri Ramakrislma Ashrama, Patna ... ... 17
13. Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Ootacamund ... 18
14. The Ramkrishna Ashrama, Mysore ... ... 18

permanent institutions for missionary work—(contd.) Other Maths and Ashramas,

1. Sri Ramkrishna Math, Muthigunj, Allahabad ... 19
2. Sri Ramkrishna Kutir, Almora, Himalayas ... 19
3. Sri Ramkrishna Math, Dacca ... ... 19
4. Sri Ramkrishna Math, Bhuvaneswar ... ... 19
5. Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Kishenpur, Dehra-Dun 20
6. Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Morabadi, Ranchi ... 20
7. Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Jamtara, Santhal

Parganas ... ... ... ... 20

11

(8) Matrimandir, Jayarambati, Bankura ... ... 20

(g) Sri Ramkrishna Ashramas at Alleppey and other

places (Travancore) ... ... ... 20

(10) Sri Ramkrishna Ashramas at Quilandy and

Ottapalam (British Malabar) ... ... 21

(u) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Ponnampet, Coorg. ... 21

(12) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Nattarampally, North

Arcot Dt. ... ... ... ... 21

13. The Ramkrishna Ashrama, Rajkot ... ... 21
14. The Ramkrishna Math, Delhi ... ... 22
15. Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Nagpur ... ... 22

Foreign Centres.

1. The Vedanta Society, New York, U. S. A. ... 22
2. The Vedanta Society, San Francisco, U. S. A. ... 23
3. The Shanti Ashrama, California ... ... 23
4. The Vedanta Society, Portland, Oregon ... 23
5. The Vedanta Centre, Boston, Mass ... ... 23
6. The Ananda Ashrama, Ix>s Angeles, California ... 24
7. Sri Ramkrishna Math, Kuala Lumpur, (Federated

Malay States) ... ... ... 24

(8) Vedanta Society, Providence ... ... 24

Sri Ramkrishna and Swami Vivekananda Birthday

Celebrations ... ... ... 25

Publications ... ... ... ... 25

Section II.—Mission Proper.

•

A.—headquarters at belur.

1. Charitable Dispensary, Belur ... ... 28
2. Temporary Relief Works ... ... ... 29
3. Other Philanthropic Activities ^ ... ... 30

The Ramkrishna Mission Industrial School,

Belur, Howrah ... ... . ... 30

iii

15.—permanent institutions for philanthropic work. (affiliated to the Mission).

1. The Ramkrishna Mission Home of Service, Benares 31
2. The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Kankhal

(Hardwar) ... ... ... 34

3. The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Rangoon ... 35
4. The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Brindaban,

Muttra ... ... ... ... 36

(5) The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Muthigunj,

Allahabad ... ... ... 37

(6) The Ramkrishna Mission Branch Centre, Dacca 38<7) The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Narayan-

gunj, (Dacca) >••••'•'."/" ... ... ... 38

~~ {8) The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Barisal ... 39(9) The Ramkrishna Mission Outdoor Charitable Dis­
pensary, Bhubaneswar, Puri ... ... 40

<io) The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Koalpara,

(Bankura) ... ... ... 40

•(n) The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, I/ucknow ... 41 <i2) The Sri Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Baliati

(Dacca) ... ... ... ... 41

{13) The Sri Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama,

Sonargaon ... ... ... 42

{14) The Sri Ramkrishna Mission Seva Samity, Sylhet 42 {15) The Sri Ramkrishna Mission Seva Samity Habi-

gunj (Sylhet) ... ... ... 43

(16) The Sri Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Bharukati 44 {17) Sri Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama. Contai,

(Midnapore) ... ... * ... 45

permanent institutions for educational work (affiliated to the Mission)

1. The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama Sargachi ... 46
2. The Ramkrishna Mission Student's Home, Myla-

pore, Madras ... ... ... 46

IV

(3) The Ramkrishna Mission Students' Home,

Calcutta ... ... ... 49

4. The Sister Nivedita Girls' School, Calcutta ... 51
5. The Ramkrishna Mission Vidyapith, Deoghar ... 53(6) Sri Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Baranagore

(Calcutta) ... ... ... 54

(7) The Ramkrishna Mission Free School, Dacca ... 54

(8) The Sri Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Sarisha ... 55

(9) Sri Ramkrishna Ashramas in Ceylon ... ... 55

(10) Vivekananda Society, Jamshedpur ... ... 56

somb institutions likely to be affiliated to the ramkrishna mission

(i) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Bankura ... ... 57

(2) The Ramkrishna Ashrama, Sheila (Assam) ... 57

(3) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Dinajpur ... ... 58

(4) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Malda ... ... 58

(5) Sri Ramkrishna Sevashrama and Sarada Pith

Garbeta (Midnapore) ... ... ... 58

(6) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Mymensing ... 58

(7) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Faridpur ... ... 58

(8) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Singapore ... ... 59

The different mission Funds kept open for public contribu­tion ... ... ... 59

Thanks of the Mission and its appeal ... ... 61

Appendices.

Appendix A.—The Memorandum of Association ... 62

„ B.—Rules and Regulations of the R. K. Mission 66

,, C.—Statement of Accounts ... ... 75

„ D.—Summary of Accounts ... ... 101

The Governing Body

of the Ramkrishna Mission (1928)

1. swami shivananda, President.

2. „ akhandananda, Vice-President.
3. „ StJDDHANANDA, Secretary.
4. ,, sankarananda, Joint Secretary.
5. „ sharvananda, Joint Secretary.
6. „ dhirananda, Treasurer.
7. „ amriteswarananda, Accountant.
8. „ abhedananda.
9. ,, BODHANANDA.

10. „ VlRAJANANDA.
11. „ achalananda.
12. ,, mahimananda.
13. ,, VlSUDDHANANDA.
14. „ madhavananda.

Principal Banker. (192 8)

the chartered bank of india, australia & china, calcutta.

Auditors (1928)

messrs. saha majumdar & Co. babu B. N. sanyal.

THE FIFTH GENERAL REPORT

OF

THE RAMKRISHNA MISSION

(1925-1927)

INTRODUCTION

The advent of Sri Ramkrishna - ushers in a new era in the—

history of the world. He lived a glorious life of intense Sadhana culminating in the highest spiritual realisations, and imparted his invaluable teachings to a group of devoted disciples of whom Swami Vivekananda was the chief. From his personal experiences he re-established the truths of the Vedas in a form suitable to the modern age, and imposed _upon his followers the divine trust to perpetuate the ideals of the one universal religion for the good of humanity. To carry out this trust Swami Vivekananda, with his brother disciples, founded the Ramkrishna Order of Sannyasins with its Headquarters finally fixed in 1899 at the Belur Math in the District of Howrah in Bengal. To this monastic institution a legal status was given by the Swamiji through a deed of trust executed by him early in 1901, and the Math since then has been carrying on the mission of the Master, preaching those truths which he had demonstrated in his life, and helping people to follow them in their lives for their temporal and spiritual advancement.

The Math has been spreading the message* of Sri Ramkrishna for the establishment of fellowship among the followers of different religions, knowing them to be so many forms of the one universal arid eternal religion. Renunciation is the basis of all religions and without it all forms of Sadhana—whether Jnana or Karma,

[ 2 ]

Bhakti or Yoga—are futile. Monasticism is the culmination of renunciation. It implies that tremendous concentration of spiritual life which is so indispensable for the proper fulfilment of the divine trust that Sri Ramkrishna had placed upon the shoulders of his Sannyasin disciples.

The Ramkrishna Math is, therefore, a monastic institution having several branch Maths and Ashramas for the training of Sannyasins and Brahmacharins in the life of practical spirituality. While possessing a legal aspect in that it administers its affairs through a Board of Trustees with a President as the head, it also preserves all the traditional character and policy of a Monastic Order and has its own methods of spiritual discipline, training and culture.

The members of the Order, however, often step out of the isolation of individual spiritual pursuits and associate themselves with the public in the sphere of service to humanity. This spirit of service, along with renunciation, forms, as 55wami Vivekananda has observed, the true national ideal of India. Thus arose the Ramkrishra Mission. The Trustees of the Belur Math form the Governing Body of the Mission which invites the public to co­operate with the Monastic Order as members and associates of the Mission in humanitarian and missionary activities. The Mission is thus a collateral and dependent development of the Math calculated to supply to the latter that proper scope and public aspect which it requires for realising its ideal of service. The Mission is, therefore, quite a public institution with its own body of rules and bye-laws, and its various affiliated centres in different parts of India and abroad.

The formal name of the Ramkrishna Mission was first given to the Association, started by Swami Vivekananda, in 1897 mainly with the object of bringing about a closer co-operation between the monastic members of the Order and the public who were willing to co-operate with the Association in all its activities, both spiritual and philanthropic. With the extension of its scope

[ 3 ]

and the increase of its public responsibilities, this Body was registered in 1909 under Act XXI of 1860 (Appendix A gives the Memorandum of Association, and Appendix B gives the rules and bye-laws, of the Mission).

The objects of the various Indian monasteries or Maths and Ashramas as.well as of the Mission may be briefly described thus :—

1. To impart, and promote the study of the universalreligion of Vedanta as propounded by Sri Ramkrishna andpractically illustrated in his own life, along with comparative
   theology and philosophy in their widest form, by means ofpreachers trained for the purpose.
2. To look upon all men, women and children, irrespectiveof caste, creed or colour, as veritable manifestations of Divinity
   and worship them by removing their physical, intellectual, moraland spiritual wants.

To work out these objects abroad trained members of the Order are sent to countries outside India as well for the preaching of Vedanta in order to bring about a closer relationship and create a better understanding and sympathy between India and foreign countries.

The Math and the .Mission, which are independent of each other in their respective spheres of activities, own separate funds and keep separate accounts. The Math funds consist of private donations and subscriptions from friends and devotees of the Order of Sri Ramkrishna, earmarked for worship, maintenance of monks undergoing spiritual disciplines, celebrations of sacred festivals etc. In several Maths this fund is strengthened by the proceeds of the publication of the Ramkrishna-Vivekananda literature. For conducting the work of the Mission, casual donations as well as permanent subscriptions are collected from the general public. These contributions meant for the various activities of the Mission go to constitute the Mission fund, which is annually audited according to the bye-laws of the Mission.

During the period under review, the Math and the Mission

[ 4 ]

have made considerable progress in the various spheres of their activities. It is gratifying to note that the movement is being gradually recognised as one of the nation-building forces in India. The centres of our activities have increased to over one hundred -_t the number of Sannyasins and Brahmacharins has been increasing day by day. Most of the Mission centres own lands, buildings and other assets valued altogether at several lakhs of rupees and the work carried on by them has naturally .increased in equal proportions.

The varied activities of the Math and the Mission having largely expanded both in India and abroad, it was deemed necessary to hold a conference for discussing the ideas and ideals of the Mission in order to devise means for better co-operation and co-ordination among the various centres and for drawing out definite schemes to properly fulfil its different objects. Accor­dingly a Convention of different centres of the Math and the Mission was held in April 1926 at the Belur Math. A classified list of 121 institutions represented at the Convention is given in Appendix II of the Ramkrishna Math and Mission Convention Report. A description of the various centres and their relationship with the Headquarters will be found on page 237 of the same Report. The Convention was attended by about 250 monastic members of the Order and over 1000 members, friends and sympathisers of the Mission. It sat for eight days from the ist to the 8th of April. Swami Shivananda, Swami Akhandananda, Swami Saradananda and Swami Suddhananda acted as its President, Vice-President, Ch'airman of the Reception Committee and Secretary respectively. Instructive addresses on the aims and objects of the Mission were delivered and reports from all the centres read out. For the details of the proceedings of the Convention we refer our readers to the Convention Report. Soon after the Convention, the Trustees of the Belur Math and the Governing Body of the Ramkrishna Mission appointed a Working Committee to assist'them in the management of the affairs of the Math and the Mission in such manner as would be prescribed by them from time to time.

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It is our painful duty to record here the passing away of Swami Saradananda on the igth August 1927. He was one of those direct disciples of Sri Ramkrishna, who at the sacred call of the Master gave up the world and devoted their whole life to realise the Self and spread his message. He came into contact with the Master in the year 1882. He acted as the Secretary of the Mission •since its very inception till the last day of his life. As an ideal monk and religious preceptor whose central theme of life was stern renunciation, divine realisation, and loving service; as the inspired author of the immortal biography of the Master, entitled " Sri Ramkrishna Lila Prasanga," which is the most authentic, scholarly and philosophical work on the subject; and as one of the dynamic personalities who brought the Mission into being, nourished it with their life's blood and developed it into a great organisation in India and abroad ;—Swami Saradananda has left behind him a memory which will be always cherished by those who knew him as a source of inspiration and strength, and will evoke, for ever, their .sincere admiration and heartfelt devotion.

Another unfortunate and irreparable loss was sustained by the Mission when Swami Prakashananda passed away on the I3th of February 1927 at San Francisco in America after working there for about twenty years, spreading the message of Vedanta, consolidating the Mission work there and starting a new centre at Portland, Oregon, with the assistance of Swami Prabhavananda. He was also the editor of the Prabuddha Bharata at Mayavati for four years from 1902 to 1906 and had joined the Order in 1896 at the early age of twenty-two responding to the clarion call of Swami Vivekananda for renunciation and service of the motherland.

Swami Subhananda passed away on the 16th April, 1926 and Swami Sachchidananda on the 22nd of the same month. The former Swami organised in Benares a small brotherhood called " The Poor Men's Relief Association " in 1899 when he was a lay friend of the Mission for rendering relief to the sick and the poor. By his deep love for suffering humanity and intense self-sacrifice, he won the admiration of all. He devoted over 20 years of his life to this

[ 6 1

humanitarian work, ultimately building it up into the present Ramkrishna Mission Home of Service, Benares, which is now accommodating over 100 indoor patients and treating over 250 outdoor patients daily. Swami Sachchidananda who was eighty-five years old at the time of his passing away, had joined the Order at the age of 50 and taken an active part in constructing the buildings of the Belur Math, the Mayavati Ashrama and the Benares Home of Service in their early stages. He had also acted as the manager of the Belur Math for a number of years.

Before proceeding with the report of the activities of the Math

and Mission centres, we deem it necessary to point out that the

mere association of the names of Sri Ramkrishna or Swami

Vivekananda with any Ashramas, Homes, Societies or Institutions

does not necessarily imply that they are really managed or con-

"TrolTed'by the" Belur Hath or the Ramkrishna Mission. As a

matter of fact these central organisations at Belur do not maintain

a uniform relationship with them.

With regard to the relationship existing between the Belur Math and other Maths and Ashramas that are working along the same line, as well as between the Ramkrishna Mission and other insti­tutions devoted to the similar philanthropic, missionary or educa­tional activities, the reader is referred to pp. 237-239 and Appendix II of the Convention Report.

The activities of the Math and the Mission have been described under two separate sections. Section I deals with Permanent institutions (Maths and Ashramas) for Missionary Work, viz., . preaching and publishing of literature in the form of books and periodicals in different languages. Section II deals with the acti­vities of the Mission Proper, which are mainly Philanthropic and Educational. An account of these activities which are being carried on by the Headquarters at. Belur, as well as by the affiliated institutions at other places has been given under three heads, viz.,

(A) Headquarters at Belur—(z) Philanthropic (permanent and temporary) and (ii) Educational.

I 7 ]

2. Permanent Institutions for Philanthropic work (Affiliatedto the Mission)
3. Permanent Institutions for Educational work (Affiliatedto the Mission) i

Besides, there are some institutions which, though not for­mally affiliated to the Mission, are likely to be done so. These have been dealt with separately after section II.

[ 8 ] SECTION I

Maths and Ashramas

Permanent Institutions for Missionary Work

(I) The Ramkrishna Math, Bclur

It was the dream of Swami Vivekananda to train thousands of young men in lofty ideals of renunciation and service—young men who would travel throughout the length and breadth of the country, inspired by Jove of God as manifest in His creation, holding aloft the torch of education and spiritual culture. With this object in view he started a few Maths and Ashramas in some prominent places and of these the Belur Math is the first and the foremost. The Headquarters of the Ramkrishna Math and Mission* having the great privilege of being associated with the holy life of Swami Vivekananda and his brother disciples, the Belur Math has become the fountain-head of all inspiration not only for the followers of Sri Ramkrishna and Swami Vivekananda but also for many other seekers of truth.

The Math is visited by all sections of our countrymen and by foreigners from all over the world. Among the notable visi­tors during the period under review, mention may be made of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Belgium and Their •" Highnesses the Maharaja and the Yuvaraja of Mysore. His -Excellency Lord Lytton, the Governor of Bengal, and the Countess of Lytton also visited the Math more than once.

The Swamis frequently went on tour to various parts of the country to disseminate the ideas and ideals of the Sanatana Dharma, and they were received with great warmth and enthusiasm wherever they went. As before, during the period under review, Swami Shivanandaji, the President of the Math and the Mission, undertook a long tour lasting for about a year in Madras, Bombay, Nagpur and Benares. Wherever he stayed, hundreds of earnest people appeased their spiritual hunger by receiving instructions from him. The missionary tour of the other Swamis are too

[ 9 ]

numerous to be described in detail. Besides carrying on tempo­rary preaching activities, various permanent centres were supplied with teachers and preachers, and four Swamis were sent to America to meet its immediate demand.

The course of training in the Math went on as regularly as before. Several cultured young men were initiated into the vows of Brahmacharya and others into the life of Sannyasa. Practice of meditation, study of scriptures, Seva, Bhajana and worship formed the principal items of discipline as usual. Regular scriptural and other classes were held in the tol as before. There is a good library containing a rich and useful collection of Sanskrit, Bengali and English books.

A commodious building for accommodating 20 Sadhus and the Math Library was built at a cost of Rs. 23,000, chiefly through the munificent donation of a devotee named Srimati Benodini Devi, widow of the late Babu Chandra Kanta Mazumdar of Siliguri. A new cowshed was erected at a cost of about Rs. 1,700. A tube well has been sunk in the Math premises for irrigation purposes.

The Math had to face a great difficulty during the period under report. The E. I. Ry. land acquisition project at Belur for the exten­sion of its workshops and godowns upto the Ganges included some portion of the Math premises, and the sanctity and seclusion of this holy place was therefore greatly at stake. Thanks to the earnest protest which our sympathetic countrymen made in all provinces disapproving the encroachment on the Math grounds 'and thanks also to the kind sympathy of the Government of Bengal, the project had to be abandoned.

* •

- The birthday anniversaries of Sri Ramkrishna, Swami Viveka-nanda, Lord Buddha, Acharya Sankara, Sri Gauranga and the saints and saviours of other religions were celebrated. Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Sri Ramanavami, Sivaratri, Durgapuja, Kalipuja and Saraswatipuja and other festivals were also performed with proper rites" and ceremonies. Among the celebrations, that of the anniversary of Sri Ramkrishna deserves special mention.

[ 10 ]

Although the crowd has been increasing year after year, facilities afforded by the special steamer service opened for the occasion by the Port Commissioners and by Messrs. Hoare Miller & Co., have proved sufficient to cope with the overwhelming number of passengers. The extensive premises of the Math and the open spaces near about it would be filled up to the utmost of their capacities and the whole field would look like a sea of human heads. The congregation used to consist of over a lakh of persons every year with innumerable Bhajana and Sankirtan parties.

(2) The Ramkrishna Math, Baghbazar, Calcutta

Associated with the unique life of the Holy Mother, from whom thousands of devoted souls received spiritual inspiration, the Baghbazar Math or the house of the Holy Mother as it is called,"has become "a place of pilgrimage to many. At present several monks live there and daily Puja and spiritual practices are performed. This is one of the important publication centres of the Mission. It has published the entire works of Swami Vivekananda and Swami Saradananda in Bengali and several other books in English and Bengali. It is also publishing the "Udbodhan", a Bengali monthly magazine, started by Swami Vivekananda in the year 1899.

(3) The Gadadhar Ashrama, Bhowanipur, Calcutta

The chief features of the Ashrama work are the performance of daily worship, meditation, scriptural classes, occasional Bhajanas, celebrations of anniversaries and Pujas on special occasions. The Swami in charge also delivers lectures. A Veda-Vidyalaya has been established under the guidance of able Pundits and regular classes are held on Vedanta, Nyaya and other branches of Sanskrit studies in which the public are invited to join. The Ashrama has a pretty good library.

(4) The Ramkrishna Advaita Ashrama, Benares City

Situated in the holy atmosphere of the spiritual capital of India,

[ 11 ]

this Ashrama attracts to itself many monks and Brahmacharins for Sadhana, the number sometimes rising to 50 and more.

The worship of Sri Ramkrishna Deva is performed everyday. Ramanama Sankirtan is sung in chorus to the accompaniment of music on the new moon and full moon days in the chapel dedicated to Sri Mahavir. Besides, there is devotional music every now and then as well as on the occasions of the birthday celebrations of Sri Ramkrishna and his disciples.

Local devotees gather in the Ashrama on the occasion of the celebration of Sri Ramkrishna's birthday every year and spend the day in singing devotional songs and reading holy books. Prasadam is distributed to all present. On the following Sunday, the local Sadhus are fed and a public meeting is convened, in which speeches are delivered on the life and teachings of Sri Ramkrishna. The Holy Mother's birthday celebration is another important function of the year. The special feature of Swami Vivekananda's birthday is the feeding of a large number of ''Daridra Narayanas." On this occasion also a public meeting is held every year in which prominent gentlemen take part.

There are regular classes in which the Gita, Vedanta, Upanishads and the Works of Swami Vivekananda &c. are studied. It is held six days a week, for about nine months in the year. These classes are open to the general public as well as to the members of the Ashrama.

Attached to the Ashrama is a library and reading room. It has more than 1200 books in Sanskrit, Bengali and English, which are mostly religious and philosophical, historical and scientific. The reading room has on its table monthly magazines and weekly and daily papers in Hindi, Bengali and English. They are open, free of all charges, to the general public.

Some additions have been made to the Ashrama building. The present shrine of the Ashrama being too small to accommo­date the increasing number of inmates and devotees during the hours of Puja and meditation, a more spacious temple has to be erected, the cost of which is estimated at Rs. 20,000.

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(5) The Advaita AsKrama, Mayavati, Almora

This Ashrama was established by Swami Vivekananda in 1899 in the cool and contemplative 'atmosphere of the snow-clad Himalayas with the special object of studying and practising the Advaita Vedanta. Since its establishment, the Ashrama has avoided all performance of dualistic rituals and has strictly followed its ideal by the practice and propagation of Advaita. Regular classes on Vedanta are held, in which all the inmates join.

"The Prabuddha Bharata" or "The Awakened India," an English Vedanta monthly, ably conducted by the Ashrama, completed its thirty-second year in 1927. The Hindi monthly "Samanwaya," which was'started in 1921, has in the course of a few years of its existence gained the admiration of eminent Hindi scholars. But TrfsTa matter of .regret that the support of the Hindi readirig~public is not yet up to expectation.

The Ashrama has published various English and Sanskrit books, such as the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda in seven volumes, Life of Swami Vivekananda in four volumes, the Life of Sri Ramkrishna, the Gita, Viveka-chudamani, and various other books. The increase of work in the publication department necessitated its shifting from Mayavati to Calcutta. Accordingly a branch Ashrama has been established at 182A, Muktaram Babu Street, Calcutta, and from there the entire publication work is being managed with greater facility and advantage.

Owing to the sudden passing away of Swami Prakashananda, President, Hindu Temple, San Francisco, U. S. A., Swami Madhavananda, President, Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, has been sent to America to take charge of the work at San Francisco. Swami Vireswarananda has succeeded him as the President of the Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati.

A charitable dispensary was opened by the Ashrama in 1903 for the benefit of the poor of the surrounding villages. The total number of indoor and outdoor patients treated in 1925, 1926 and 1927 was 3197, 1102 and 1583 respectively. Their Highnesses

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the Thakur Sahebs of Limbdi and Morvi have been kindly contri­buting Rs. 350 each, per year, towards its expenses.

The Ashrama expresses its sense of deep gratitude to His Highness the Maharaja Rana Saheb of Porbandar for promising a munificent donation of Rs. 20,000 of which His Highnefs has already paid Rs. 8000 in two instalments of Rs. 4000 each.

(6) The Ramkrishna Math, Mylapore, Madras

As the readers of our previous reports know, the work of the Madras Math, which is one of the premier institutions of the Ramkrishna Order, has been varied and extensive. Besides conducting classes, Puja, meditation and other activities of the Math, the Swamis held regular classes in different places of the town and undertook lecture tours throughout the province. During the period under report Swami Shivananda, the President of the Ramkrishna Math and Mission, stayed for some time in the Madras Math, giving spiritual inspiration to hundreds of earnest seekers of truth. Swami Sharvananda, who, in 1911, had succeeded Swami Ramkrishnananda of revered memory, as the President of this centre, handed over the charge to Swami Yatiswarananda in 1926. During his fifteen years of service the Swami worked heart and soul for the progress of the institution in various directions. He pushed on its literary activities and made extensive, lecture tours in the Madras and Bombay Presidencies, Ceylon, Burma and other parts of India, as well as in the far off Federated Malay States and Bali.

Swami Sharvananda, however, continued his missionary work and delivered lectures on Indian philosophy in the Universities of Mysore, Bombay and Nagpur at their invitation, which were well attended and appreciated.

During the period under report Swami Yatiswarananda conti­nued the normal work of the Math as well as its propaganda work in and outside the city. He was invited to various places in South India to deliver lectures and hold conversations. All the

[ 14 ]

lecture tours were successful and his speeches and religious talks created great enthusiasm and fervour.

The Madras Math is also an important publication centre. It has published the works of Swamis Ramkrishnananda, Saradananda and Abhedananda in English. Besides the English translations of. several important Upanishads by Swami Sharvananda and some Tamil and Telugu translations of the works of Swami Viveka-nanda and others, it has also brought out the Sayings of Sri Ramkrishna in English and the local vernaculars.

"The Vedanta Kesari," the English monthly journal, and "Sri Ramkrishna Vijayam," the Tamil monthly, are being ably con­ducted, though both had to overcome financial difficulties. The publication department made a steady progress during this period 'and attempts were made to place it on a strong footing.

The work of the Sri Ramkrishna National Girls' School conti­nued under the supervision of Mr. P. Manikkaswami Mudaliar, B.A.

The Math also is carrying on in its own premises the work of a charitable outdoor dispensary which was started in 1925. The average daily attendance of patients in 1926 and 1927 was 60.

For six weeks from the 7th November, 1927, the Mission in Madras also conducted Cyclone Relief work in Nellore Dt. Rice, cloths and blankets were distributed free to the helpless sufferers, and aid was rendered in hut-building by way of recon­struction or repair, the total expenditure being more than Rs. 6,622-1-1.

(7) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Bangalore

This Ashrama was founded in 1908. It is an important centre for meditation. Daily Puja is being observed and Bhajana per­formed once a week. The birthday anniversaries of Sri Ramkrishna and Swami Vivekananda are celebrated with great eclat and Durga Puja and similar festivals observed as in other Ashramas.

The Ashrama has done immense service to the local people

[ 15 ]

by publishing several books in Canarese, the vernacular of the place.

During the period under review, the work of the Students' Home showed much progress.

The various branch centres outside Bangalore did commendabll work and many young men were inspired by the influence of Swami Nirmalanandaji, the President of the Ashrama. The Swami made several tours throughout Malabar and roused the spiritual zeal of all who came in his contact by his brilliant conversaziones. The Swami made an extensive tour also in North India. Swami Somananda held regular weekly classes in the Central Jail, Bangalore.

(8) The Brahmananda Ashrama, Trivandrum

It was started by Swami Nirmalanandaji in 1916. The Ashrama building is a beautiful structure on a hill overlooking the sea. Five or six monks live there a life of meditation and prayer. Classes are held every day in the Ashrama and once a week in the town.

(9) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Tiruvella (Travan-core)

This Ashrama is one of the oldest in Travancore. Daily Puja is observed and occasional religious discourses are held by the inmates. "The Prabuddha Keralam," the monthly in Malayalam, has been recently shifted to this centre from Alleppey. The Ashrama has secured a new plot of land on which it intends to erect a new building, the old one being insufficient to provide the necessary accommodation.

(10) The Vivekananda Ashrama, Shamlatal

Being situated in the cool climate of the Himalayas the Ashrama gives facilities for spiritual culture and meditation. The attached outdoor charitable dispensary which has indoor arrange­ments for cases of emergency, treated about 1,200 patients during the period under report.

I 16 ]

The Ashrama also conducts a primary school for boys, which receives substantial contribution from the District Board for its maintenance. The average number of students on the roll has-been 14.

(II) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Khar, Bombay

Since its establishment in the year 1923, the Ashrama, as mentioned in our previous report, has been doing very good work in the city as well as outside. The Swamis regularly held classss on religious and philosophical subjects in the Ashrama as well as in the city. During the period under report 709 such classes were held in 10 different places. Public lectures and discourses were often delivered under the auspices of the different societies and institutions, and were highly appreciated by all.

Besides, the Swamis went on lecture tours to Poona, Kolhapur, Ahmedabad and Thana creating considerable interest among the public and started some societies.

The charitable dispensary attached to the Ashrama treated about 200 patients monthly.

The free primary school for poor children has 40 students on the roll.

Swami Shivanandaji, the President of the Ramkrishna Math and Mission, paid his second visit to Bombay in December 1926. His presence created much religious enthusiasm among all classes of people. He laid the fondation stone of the building .for the charitable dispensiry and the free primary school attached to the Ashrama.

Swami Yatiswarananda, the head of the Ashrama, was trans­ferred to Madras in May 1926 and Swami Viswananda .succeeded him. As already mentioned, Swami Sharvananda delivered a series of lectures on Indian philosophy and religion at the invita­tion of the Bombay University, which proved very popular.

The Ashrama has cleared off the debt incurred for the cons­truction of the building and has been able to make considerable

addition to its compound 'through the generous support of its
devotees and friends. . ,

The Ashrama also conducted Flood Relief work in Guzerat in 1927, and was assisted • by the Ashrama at Rajkot. The relief, party worked over an extensive area of 600 square miles com^ prising 120 villages and built more than 1,000 houses of corru-i gated iron sheets for the homeless.

(12) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Patna '

The Swamis held weekly religious classes in the Ashramaas well as in three other places in the town, and thesewere attended by Behari and Bengali gentlemen. Public lectureswere arranged from time to time. The Swamis went to differentmofussil towns on lecture tours. Besides attempting to popularisethe teachings of the Shastras through classes and discourses, theAshrama held Bhajan which greatly stimulated the religiousfeeling of the people. Regular music classes were conducted forboys and young men. ~^J

"The Morning Star," an English weekly journal, was started,in 1925 by the Ashrama with a view to preach the principles ofthe universal religion of Vedanta, showing its bearing on allphases of life, art, science, literature, &c. The Ashrama has alsopublished the " Giti Guchchha," a collection of Bengali and Hindidevotional songs. Small pamphlets too were occasionally publishedfor free distribution. ... ^

At present the educational activities of the Ashrama are confinedto; (i) a free night school for poor Behari boys, (2) The Viveka'-nanda < Boys' Association, (3) The Turiyananda Library, and(4) a students' home. The night school consists of 15 studentsunder a paid teacher. The Vivekananda Boys' Association supple­ments the school education of the boys by moral, physical andaesthetic lessons, thereby giving them opportunities to utilise theirrecreation hours by profitable exercises. The Association meetsevery day under different instructors, the average daily attendancebeing 15. The boys have got a small 'library of their own. The
Turiyananda Library lends books to .the public. . '. I

2

I HM

The Students' Home was started in 1927. At present it maintains 10 boarders, mostly Behari, and is supervised by the Swami in charge. A few boarders pay their own expenses while the Ashrama maintains the poor and deserving students by public subscriptions. The Ashrama was shifted to a more commodious rented house in 1927.

In the course of a few years of its existence, the Ashrama has roused a good deal of interest and sympathy among .the cultured people of Behar. The time has come for its further expansion for which a permanent house of its own is an imperative necessity.

(15) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Ootacamund

It was started in 1926. The Swamis deliver occasional lectures in the Panchakshara Hall which has been recently handed over to the Mission. A Swami supervises the management of a TiosteT~ for boys of the Badaga hill-tribe and holds moral and religious classes.

The Ashrama is sincerely thankful to His Highness the Maharaja of Jodhpur for his kind donation of Rs. 5,000 towards the building expenses, and to all the other donors and contributors who have rendered similar help.

(14) The Ramkrishna Ashrama, Mysore

It "was started in 1925. Besides the preaching of Vedantic ideals, the Ashrama is also working among the student community of Mysore City. Recognising its usefulness, the City Improve­ment Trust of Mysore has made a gift of a plot of land for the Ashrama and the Government has promised substantial help. The Ashrama building is under construction.

Permanent Institutions for Missionary Work (con/d.) Other Maths and Ashramas

Besides the Maths and Ashramas mentioned above, there are Other permanent centres associated with the name of Sri Rama-krishna or Swami Vivekananda, all over India. All such Ashramas

[ 19 ]

have been doing good work by way of preaching the universal religion of Vedanta, by doing social and educational service and in some cases, by conducting village reconstruction work as well. As it is not possible to give a full report of their activities, we add below a brief account of their work.

(1) Sri Ramkrishna Math, Muthigunj, Allahabad

The Math is under the supervision of its founder, Swami Vijnanananda, one of the senior monks of the Order, and maintains a dispensary.

(2) Sri Ramkrishna Kutir, Almora, Himalayas

It was founded by the late Swami Turiyananda, one of the •direct disciples of Sri Ramkrishna. It accommodates a few Sadhus and has a small library. -The inmates devote their time to medita­tion and study.

(3) Sri Ramkrishna Math, Dacca

The Math and the Mission at Dacca are located in the same premises. Weekly religious classes in the Math and other parts of the town, lecture tours in different places of the district, anniver­saries of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Krishna, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Sankaracharya and other saints and saviours as well as Durga Puja and other Hindu festivals are the general features of the Math activities. The senior Swamis of the Belur* Math visited the place from time to time and infused spiritual ardour into all sections of the people who came into contact with them. The library and reading room had 33 periodicals on the table, and the total number of books was more than 2,000.

(4) Sri Ramkrishna Math, Bhuvaneswar

It was founded by the late Swami Brahmananda, the first President of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Its spiritual, atmosphere renders it helpful for spiritual practices. The library and the religious classes held in the Math are open to the public.

i 20 j

Some poor students are given monthly help. In times of local distress such as famine, fire &c., the Math organised relief work.

(5) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Kichenpur, Dehra-Dvn

It is a small retreat at the foot of the Himalayas which can accommodate some Sadhus who want to retire after strenuous work or require a change during time of illness. It has a pretty good library.

(6) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Morafcadi, Ranchi

This Ashrama has been recently started and it holds regular religious classes. There is a charitable dispensary attached to it.

(7) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Jamtara, Santhal
Pargaisas

It was started chiefly as a health, resort for the sick members of the Order. At the time of. famine that broke out in the locality. the Swamis organised relief work.

(8) Matrimandir, Jayarambati, Bankura

Being situated in the birth-place of the Holy Mother, it has become a place of pilgrimage to many. In order to remove the illiteracy of the local people, a primary day school and a free night school are being conducted by the Swamis. There is a Charitable Dispensary attached to the institution.

(9) Sri Ramkrishna Ashramas at Alleppey and otherplaces (Travancore)

The Ramkrishna Ashrama at Alleppey was started in 1925. The publication centre of the "Prabuddha Keralam" was shifted to this Ashrama from Trrvandrum. Since then four or five monks have been living here and carrying on the work of the Ashrama. Besides the journal mentioned above, the Ashrama has also published Malayalam translations of some books of the Ramkrishna-Vivekananda literature.

[ 21 ]

: There are also Ashramas at Haripad and Muttom. A few monks live here and perform daily worship. The Ashrama at Haripad was started about 15 years ago. It has a small weaving school attached to it in which weaving is taught to some boys. There is also a small village school for low caste children.

Ashramas are under construction at Kayamkulam, Meenachil and Kulathoor.

All the Ashramas have contributed to some extent to the socio-religious uplift of the people.

(10) Sri Ramkrishna Ashramas at Quilandy andOttapalam (British Malabar)

In the Ashrama at Quilandy in North Malabar, regular Puja is done and occasional religious discourses held. A new building for the Ashrama is under contemplation.

(11) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Ponnarapet, Coorg.

This Ashrama was started in 1927. Three monks live here, performing daily Puja and holding religious discourses occasionally.

(12) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Nattrampally, NorthArcot Dt.

The foundation of this quiet rural Ashrama was laid in 1911 by Swami Sharvananda who was the President of the Ramkrishna Math and Mission at Madras. Religious classes are held and lectures delivered in the local vernacular in and outside the Ashrama and cheap pamphlets containing translations of extracts from the Ramkrishna-Vivekananda literature are published partly for sale and partly for free distribution.

In 1926 the Village Panchayat made an endowment of a plot of 8 acres on which to erect an Industrial school.

(13) The Ramkrishna Ashrama, .Rajkot

The Ashrama was started in 1927 in order to spread the message •of Sri Ramkrishna in Kathiawar. Since its very inception it

[ 22 ]

has been holding religious classes. Lectures also are delivered occasionally by the Swamis. During the recent Guzerat floods it co-operated with the Bombay centre in rendering relief to the poor sufferers.

(14) The Ramkrishna Math, Delhi

It was started by Swami Sharvananda in 1927 and has been able to create some interest among the local people of different communities. Religious classes are held in different parts of the-city.

(15) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Nagpur

Swami Sharvananda during his lecture tour in 1924 visited' Nagpur and created some interest in the Catholic religious ideas and'

ideals propounded by Sri Ramkrishna and Swami Vivekananda. The-President of the Order also visited the place and laid the foundation stone of the Ashrama in 1925. Religious classes are held and the •work of the Ashrama is progressing.

Foreign Centres

(I) The Vedanta Society, New York, U.S.A.

As usual the work of the Society went on smoothly under the. able, guidance of Swami Bodhananda, its President. The activities-consisted mostly of regular public lectures, class talks, interviews-and practical training in meditation and other spiritual disciplines. Swami Raghavananda conducted all the lectures and classes of the brinc'i society at Philadelphia, Pa. Besides conducting regular ledures and class talks in the Vedanta Society, the Swamis from time to time responded to invitations from other societies-to lecture on Indian philosophy and religion, and their work was much appreciated. Swami Raghavananda returned to India in 1927-to recuperate his health and Swami Gnaneswarananda was sent to-New York to assist Swami Bodhananda.

,: [ 23 ]

(2) The Vedanta Society, San Francisco, U.S.A.

Owing to the untiring labour of Swami Prakashananda the work of the Society was much consolidated. His simple exposi­tions of the Hindu philosophy, his lively class talks and above all his warm and genial temperament attracted many earnest souls to become ardent followers of Vedanta. Some of them came over to India to join the monastic order and are leading the life of renunciation and service. Swami Prakashananda passed away on 13th Feb., 1927, and as mentioned before, Swami Madhava-nanda, the late President of the Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, is in charge of the centre.

(3) The Shanti Ashrama, California

This is attached to the Vedanta Society, San Francisco. The Ashrhma is a beautiful retreat situated in the midst of the grandeur of the coast ranges about too miles from San Francisco. The students of the Society retire, from time to time, to this Ashrama to practise meditation away from the disturbances of city life. The classes are conducted by a Swami of the San Francisco centre.

(4) The Vedanta Society, Portland, Oregon

Swami Prabhavananda is in charge of this new centre. During the years under report he delivered two public lectures every week in the society hall. His lectures and classes are highly appreciated and many people have become interested in the Vedanta philosophy. Being invited by other societies, colleges and clubs, he delivered a number of lectures on religious and philosophical subjects, some of which have been published in book form. His lectures at St. Louis have created much interest and the students of Vedanta there have formed a Society.

(5) The Vedanta Centre, Boston, Mass.

Regular public lectures were delivered and classes held in the centre which were largely attended and much appreciated. Individual

24 .]

instructions and practical training in meditation were given to .many seekers of truth. Swami Paramananda, the President .of the Society, made extensive lecture tours throughout the Continent and created lively interest wherever he went. The literary works of the Swami have gained for him the recognition of many eminent critics and writers throughout the country and have served as a powerful vehicle for the propagation of Vedantic ideas.

"The Message of the East," the Vedanta Monthly, is being regularly published.

Swami Paramananda came to India in 1926 and represented the American centres at the Ramkrishna Math and Mission Convention.

(6) The Ananda Asbrama, Los Angeles, California

It is situated high on the hills far away from the bustle of city life. It was started by Swami Paramananda. With its buildings and cloisters, the Ashrama serves as an excellent hermitage for the Vedanta students to practise meditation. The Swami occasionally visits Los Angeles and delivers lectures there.

(7) Sri Ramkrishna Math, Kuala Lumpur (FederatedMalay States)

The Math has recently been shifted to its present 'site. The Swami in charge is assisted in the work by another Swami sent from India.

(8) Vedanta Society, Providence

This centre has been recently started in 1928 by Swami Akhilananda who accompanied Swami Paramananda to assist him in his work. His classes are being attended by some persons interested in Vedanta.

In short the Vedanta work in America has been slowly and steadily expanding and in the course of the last few years five

[ 25 ]

Swamis had to be sent from India to meet the growing demand of the students for learning the universal religion of Vedanta. There are seven monks of the Order at present in the U. S. A., and still there is a demand for more. The Swamis have succeeded not only in vindicating the religious and cultural ideas of India, but have also influenced many to become ardent admirers and sincere followers of Vedanta. In this connection we are glad to mention that America has given us two Swamis who are working for the Mission in India.

Sri Ramkrishna and Swami Vivekananda Birthday Celebrations

As it is impossible to give a detailed account of the celebrations observed by fEe~MalfeS~~snd~ Ashraimreall overfndia-and abroad,— we give here only a. brief and general account of the same. On these occasions, special worship, Homa, chanting of sacred texts, Bhajans and Sankirtans, offering of Prasad to Bhaktas, feeding of the "Daridra Narayanas" in large numbers, lectures on the lives and teachings of Sri Ramkrishna and Swami Vivekananda by eminent speakers and in some places, holding of industrial exhibi­tions, sports, music and recitations, and lantern lectures on health and hygiene form the general programme according to the circum­stances and local needs.

These occasions also afford great opportunities to the different centres td invite senior Swamis and preachers and thus the message of Sri Ramkrishna and Swami Vivekananda is steadily propagated all over the country. They bring many young and ardent souls into a closer touch with the principles and ideals of the Mission and some of them have already dedicated their lives for the cause by joining the monastic order, while some others have become friends and supporters of the Mission.

Publications

We have already mentioned about the publications of the

[ 26 ]

Ramkrishna-Vivekananda literature, scriptural texts with transla­tions and annotations, and several periodicals, carried on by different Maths and Ashramas. For the convenience of the reader we give below a list of the important centres which conduct the-publication work.

1 The Ramkrishna Math, Udbodhan Office, i, Mukherji Lane_r

Baghbazar, Calcutta; English and Bengali publications:' and the Udbodhan, a monthly magazine in Bengali.

2 Advaita Ashrama (Publication Dept.), 182 A Muktaram Babu-

Street, Calcutta : English and Hindi publications and scriptural texts; the Praluddha Bharata or A wakened India, a monthly in English ; and the Samanwaya, a. monthly in Hindi.

3 Sri Ramkrishna Math (Publication Dept.), Mylapore,

Madras: English, Tamil and Telugu publications and scriptural texts; the Vedanta Kesari, a monthly in-English ; and the Sri Ramkrishna Vijayam, a month!}' in Tamil.

Besides, some books in Hindi have been published by the Ramkrishna Advaita Ashrama, Luxa, Benares City, and the Ram­krishna Math, Muthigunj, Allahabad ; some books in Canarese by Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Basavangudi, Bangalore City, and Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Mysore City ; and some books in Malaya-lam and the Prabuddha Keralam, a monthly in the same vernacular by the Ramkrishna Ashrama, Tiruvella, Travancore. Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Patna, publishes the Morning Star, a weekly in English.

[ 27 ] SECTION II

Mission Proper

The distinction between the Ramkrishna Maths and Ashramas and the Ramkrishna Mission has, however, been made clear in the foreword and the preceding section has given the readers a fair idea of the scope, functions and activities of the former. We now give the readers a separate account of the activities of the Mission proper viz., the various permanent philanthropic and educational institutions started by, or affiliated to, the Mission as well as its other activities, in the form of temporary relief work undertaken in co-operation with the public at the time of flood, famine, fire, epidemic diseases or other providential mishaps.

It is, however, necessary tn nntp that though in some centres both the Mission and the Math are located in the same premises, and their activities combined with regard to workers, separate accounts of the funds and activities of .these two sections are kept, as has been previously mentioned.

We have given in Appendices C and D a statement of accounts of the General Fund, the Provident Relief Fund and the Poor Fund only, as the Charitable Dispensary and the Ramkrishna Mission Industrial School at the Headquarters at Belur have published separate reports. Appendix C gives the list of donations and subscriptions received at the Headquarters during the period under report, and Appendix D contains the summary of accounts and balance sheet for the period. As for the accounts and other details of the affiliated centres, the readers may refer to the reports of the respective institutions.

(A) Headquarters at Belur

Besides guiding the activities of the affiliated institutions which are branch centres of the Mission, the Headquarters of the

[ 28 ]

Mission at Belur Math has the following Philanthropic {permanent and temporary) and Educational activities.

(i) Philanthropic Activities

(I) Charitable Dispensary, Belur

The dispensary has separate rooms in the Math premises and is being managed by two whole-time monastic workers who are qualified for the work. In case of necessity they consult eminent physicians and surgeons of Calcutta and the locality. The popu­larity of the dispensary has grown beyond expectations and people from a distance as far as Serampore to the north and Howrah to the south and from Alambazar and other villages on the other side of the Ganges come here to receive medical aid. Sometimes the Swamis visit the patients at their own homes and in cases of extreme poverty supply them with diet, proper clothing and monetary help. • The visits always afford our workers opportu­nities to give the poor and ignorant people practical advice in domestic hygiene, neatness and cleanliness; and 13,297 cases in 1925, 12,226 in 1926, and 22,063 in 1927 were treated during the period under report.

We take this opportunity to offer our hearty thanks to Messrs. B. K. Paul & Co., Calcutta, who supplied the dispensary with medicines free of charge. Our thanks are also due to the Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works, Ltd., the Indian Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works, Ltd., the Bactro-Clinical Laboratory Ltd., Messrs. S. C. Roy & Co., and Sir Omkarmull Jatia, Calcutta, for rendering us similar services. We express our indebtedness to the Bally Municipality for their annual grant of Rs. I5o/- and also to Doctors B. B. Ghose, m.b., D. P. Ghose b.a., m.b., Haran Chandra Banerjee, l.m.s., S. P. Mukherjee, m.b., Jivananda Mukher-jee, l.m & s., K. C. Bakshi, m.b., A. N. Mukerjee, m.d., J. N. Majumdar, m d., Hari Charan Banerjee, Homeopath and Suresh Chandra Dutta, m.b., (Homeopath) and Kaviraj Mahamahopadhyaya Shyamadas Vachaspati, Kaviraj Bimalananda Kavyatirtha and

[ 29 )

Kaviraj Kalibhusan Sen, who gave us services free, whenever required, in the midst of their busy hours. (2) Temporary Relief Works

As a detailed account under this head forms the subject of a separate report, already published, we only enumerate below such relief works as were undertaken during the period under report with expenditure shewn against them :—

names	amount
	Rs. a. p.
Kamakhya — fire relief	20 O O
Navadwip — lunar eclipse mela relief ...	16 9 6
Jayarambati (Dt. Bankura) — smallpox relief	50 2 o
Ghopita (Midnapore Dt.) — cholera relief	50 o o
Batanal (Hooghly Dt.) — do	65 o o
Manbhum — fire relief and cholera relief	643 13 o
Araria (Purnia Dt.J — do	407 $ "6
Gangasagar — mela relief ...	629 12 6
Brindaban — flood relief	825 o o
Total for 1925	Rs, 2,707 13 6
	Amount
-	Rs. As. P.
Bhuvaneswar — fire relief	410 o a
Sonargaon — tornado relief	100 o o
Malda — cholera ,,	64 q 9
Madaripur — tornado „	... 1,331 6 6
Jamtara and Paikmajhita — famine relief	- S.-997 3 o
Midnapore — flood relief	... 18,441 7 7!
Total for 79.26.	Rs. 24,344 10 i of
	Amount
	Rs. As. P.
Andharia (near Bhuvaneswar) — fire relief	355 2 3
Parbatipur (24 Parganas) ,, ,,	323 o o
Orissa — flood relief	... 10,173 J° 9

Total for /p27 Rs. 10,851 13 o

[ 30 ]

Besides these, the Headquarters co-operated with the branch centres at Rangoon, Madras and Bombay during Akyab Flood Relief, Nellore Cyclone Relief and Guzerat and Cambay Flood Relief.

(3) Other Philanthropic Activities

Many poor students of different schools and colleges were helped with books, fees and regular monthly stipends. Regular monthly pecuniary help was given to a number of widows and orphans and to some invalid people. The scope of the work may be widened if more funds be forthcoming. The amount spent under this item during the period under report will be found in Appendix D.

(ii) Educational Activities

The Ramkrishna Mission Industrial School, Belur, Howrah

The Industrial School completed its seventh year at the close of 1927. The School was so long located in a hut within the Math premises. But now it stands on its own plot of land adjacent to the Math. There are 15 boys on its roll. The boys are given general elementary education together" with a course of practical training in weaving, dyeing, tailoring and carpentry. Further,, the boys are given free boarding and lodging. So far 23 boys have finished their course in spinning and weaving and have started independent work in this line.

The institution stands in need of: (i) a permanent *building for the school and another for the boarding house; (2) funds for additional looms, tailoring outfits, tools for carpentry &c.; (3) funds for the maintenance of the boarders.

Accounts: The total receipts in 1927 amounted to Rs. 5.955-13-3. including the previous year's balance and a grant of Rs. 96 from the Bally Municipality. The total expenditure

[ 31 ]

•was Rs. 4,938-13-3 and the balance was Rs. 1,017 at the close of the year.

(B)

Permanent Institutions for Philanthropic Work (Affiliated to the Mission)

(I) The Ramkrishna Mission Home of Service, Benares

The Home completed its twenty-seventh year at the close of the period under report and the unique success it has achieved •during these years is amply shown by the record of service

through various channels of its activities: The—woi k of Home may be divided into the following heads :—

(/) Indoor General Hospital: During the period under report, the Home maintained 108 beds in its various wards, yet sometimes extra beds had to be arranged for in times of •emergency. The hospital accommodates without distinction of caste, creed or race all poor, helpless and suffering people picked up from roadside or bathing ghats and also those who themselves seek admission into it. The total number of new cases was r,456 in 1925; 1,679 in 1926; and 1720 in 1927. The number of surgical cases admitted into the newly constructed surgical ward was 183 in 1927.

(2) Refuge for Aged Men: This section of the Home, located in a separate building in the Ashrama premises, maintains 25 beds for the poor and aged men who come to spend their last days at Benares, but who through ill luck or unforeseen circum­stances are unable to meet their expenses.

(j) Refuge for Women Invalids: The Refuge is located in a house near Dasaswamedh ghat, a gift of the late Babu Nibaran Chandra Das, for accommodating helpless, aged and invalid

[ 32 ]

women. The present house which is a small one can accommo­date only 12 such invalids. Efforts are being made to secure an additional plot of land adjoining the Female Ward of the Home through the assistance of the Government under the Land Acquisition Act, for making new extensions of the work.

4. Girls' Home: Seven orphan girls of respectable familiesare being trained by a competent lady superintendent to lead thelife of renunciation and service. In the Womens' departmentof the Home, there is a hospital entirely run by honorary ladyworkers of respectable families under the supervision of the LadySuperintendent.
5. Home for Paralytic Patients: This section of the Home,created by the trust fund of Babu Radha Charan Sahib, makesspecial arrangements for the treatment of paralytic patients.During the period under report 55 cases were treated.
6. Dharamshala for Poor. Strangers: It affords temporaryshelter and food to the helpless poor strangers in the city and, 496people received such help during the period of three years from 1925to 1927. The Home has been able to carry on this work of charityfrom the annual income of Rs. 300 from the estate of MussamatChandri Bibi.

(7) Outdoor Help to Invalids and Poor Ladies of respectable
Families: Poor and needy families which were once well-to-doand would not seek public help on account of their social positionwere helped in their own houses privately. Sometimes they weretaught some home-industry to enable them to earn a part of theirliving, and 167, 172 and 180 permanent recipients obtained such
help during 1925, 1926 and 1927 respectively.

(8) Outdoor Dispensary: It supplies free medicine (Allopathicand Homeopathic) and sometimes diet; and 17,374 new cases in'1925, 20,975 in 1926 and 23,267 in 1927 were attended to bythe Dispensary. The number of surgical cases in the out-doordispensary came up to 624 in 1927.

[ 33 ]

(p) Special Relief: Various cases of casual distress prevailing amongst travellers and pilgrims and sometimes amongst Vidyarthis come to the notice of the Home. Occasional relief in the shape of passage, school fee and food or clothing was given to 923 such persons in 1925, 1,148 in 1926 and 1,037 in 1927.

(to) Emergency Segregation Ward: At the time of the epidemic of pox in Benares in 1926, 93 cases of smallpox and chicken-pox were treated in a separate ward. A new surgical ward with 12 beds, constructed by Mr. S. N. Bannerjee, Bar-at-law, and his brothers, in memory of their beloved mother, has been opened in 1927.

Accounts: During the year 1927, the subscriptions amounted to Rs. 7,856-2-0; donations. Rs. 8,709-1-9!; interest on Endow­ments and other funds, Rs. 9,266-0-9 ; the Paralytic and Dharam-shala Fund, Rs, 539-13-0; the sale of garden products etc., Rs. 2,192-12-6; the guests, contributions, Rs. 1,372-2-0; house rent and land revenue, Rs. 308 ; and the Endowment Fund, Rs. 4,401.

The total income amounted to Rs. 34,644-0-^ The total expenditure from

the general funds uuder

various heads was " 33,803-13-5^.

The closing balance is Rs. 840-2-7

The Present Needs of the Home

A permanent source of income to meet the heavy monthly ex­penditure of the Home, suitable quarters for workers, a good kitchen and a store-room for the female department, and a land and buildings for the Invalids' Home for Women are the immediate and impera­tive necessities of the Home for which funds are wanted. In this connection we thankfully acknowledge the generous gift of

3

[ 34 ]

Rs. 25,000 for the land and Rs. 25,000 for the buildings, by the Government. The Home of Service is making an earnest appeal to the public for their generous support.

(2) The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Kankhal (Hardwar)

It was started at Kankhal (Hardwar) in 1901 with a view to serve the pilgrims, Sannyasins, Brahmacharins, Vidyarthis and other helpless sufferers. Since its establishment the work of the Seva­shrama has been steadily growing in various directions.

(/) Indoor Hospital: There are 60 beds in the Indoor Department, and 602 patients were admitted in 1925, 668 in 1926 and 781 in 1927.

(2) Outdoor Dispensary: During the years 1925. 1926 and 1927, 19,966. 19,017 and 21,000 new patients-respectively" were treated in this department, and 1,572 and 304 Sadhus were given medical aid from the Outdoor and indoor departments respectively in 1927 and a number of patients were also supplied with diet and necessary clothing.

(j) Night School: With a view to impart primary education to the children of the local depressed classes, a free Night School is being conducted by the Sevashrama. There were 41 boys in 1925, 34 in 1926 and 34 in 1927. A paid teacher has been engaged for teaching Hindi, the vernacular of the province.

(4) The Free Public Library: It has 1,828 books in different languages, viz., Sanskrit, Hindi, Bengali and English. The number of periodicals received during the year 1927 was 37.

During the year 1927 about 10 lakhs of pilgrims visited Hardwar on the auspicious occasion of the Kumbha Mela. Special arrange­ments were made by the Sevashrama. The Indoor Hospital was divided into two sections, viz., the General Ward with 40 beds and the Infectious Ward with 20 beds. There were 136 patients in both the Wards. During the Mala time, the Outdoor Dispensary

[ 35 ]

treated 17,316 cases and a temporary dispensary at a place midway between Hardwar and Rishikesh registered 981 cases. Besides, 616 patients were given medical aid by the travelling dispensaries. Further, the local authorities of the Sevashrama supplied 125 Sannyasins and devotees with free board and lodging during the Mela, for which they raised separate funds. It is also gratifying to note that several other relief organisations rendered invaluable service and gave medical and other aids to the pilgrims on this memorable occasion.

Accounts: The General Fund came to Rs. 4,580-15-9; the Building Fund, Rs. 2,100-0-0 ; the Permanent Fund, Rs. 26,500-0-0 ; and the total receipts during the year 1927, with the opening balance of Rs. 469-1-9, to Rs. 33,576-1-6. The total expenditure was Rs. 4,693-6-6. The closing balance is Rs. 28,882-11-0, in­cluding the Permanent Fund.

New Extensions : The Sevashrama has recently purchased an adjoining plot of land, measuring about three acres at a cost of Rs. 1969-1-6, which will be utilised for the erection of the Workers' Quarters, a Rest house, a Guest house and a Night School.

The Present Needs of the Sevashrama : Funds are necessary to -erect the above-mentioned buildings in the new plot, without which the work of the Sevashrama is greatly handicapped. A permanent endowment fund for maintaining the heavy recurring expenditure of the Ashrama is also urgent. The Sevashrama appeals to all, irrespective of caste, colour, or creed, to send their contributions as a mark of love for the service of suffering fellow-men.

(3) The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Rangoon

The readers of our former reports are aware of the history of the foundation and steady growth of this institution. Passing through many obstacles and financial difficulties, it has been able to amply convince the public of its usefulness by its various activities.

I 36 ]

Indoor Hospital: There were 45 beds in the Indoor Hospital in 1925. But the accommodation has been much increased by the erection of three new buildings for in-patients in 1926. There are at present 76 beds, and 1,262 patients were treated in the Indoor Hospital in 1,925, 1,754 in 1926 and 1556 in 1927.

Outdoor Dispensary : As many as 24,055 new cases were treated in (925, 29,065 in 1926 and 42,310 in 1927. These patients were generally given medicines jdiet and pecuniary and other help were also given to deserving persons. Our thanks are due to many quali­fied doctors of the town, who very kindly lent their valuable services regularly to the indoor and outdoor sections of the Sevashrama. A separate female ward has been opened which is under the supervision of a lady doctor.

Cyclone Relief: During the heavy disaster caused by the cyclone and tidal waves in the coast of Akyab"in 1926, the Seva-~ shrama with the co-operation of the Headquarters at Belur opened relief work. The Government of Burma very generously helped the Mission in its activities. The work had to be continued for about six months incurring an expenditure of Rs. 22,049-15-6.

Accounts: In the year 1927 the total receipts of the Sevashrama. came up to Rs. 32,511-2-3! which included a loan of Rs. 1,350 and the previous year's balance of Rs. 543-15-9. The total expend! ture was Rs. 29,547-12-3, leaving a balance of Rs. 2,963-6-^ at the close of the year.

(4) The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Brinda-ban, Muttra

Although during the period under report the Sevashrama had to struggle against great difficulties owing to the heavy loss caused by the Jumna floods of 1924, the work has been slowly and steadily progressing. During this period Brahmachari Harendranath, its founder and Swami Vedananda, who succeeded him as the monk in charge of the Sevashrama, passed away. Both of them faced formidable difficulties in raising the institution to its

I 37 ]

present position. The institution still remains handicapped for want of necessary funds. An outdoor dispensary building, a general ward for in-patients, workers' quarters, a guest house a rivetment wall to protect the Sevashrama premises from the erosion of the Jumna, and a bathing ghat are the immediate needs of the Sevashrama.

The activities during the period under review consisted of the following:—

(a) Indoor Hospital Relief: The indoor department contains

15 beds. It treated 221 patients in 1925, 232 in 1926 and 269 in 1927.

(b) House to house Medical Relief: The number of cases

treated in houses was 15 in 1925, 19 in 1926 and 12 in 1927.

(c) Outdoor Dispensary: Altogether 33,510 new and

repeated cases were treated in 1925, 30,126 in 1926 and 27,986 in 1927.

(d) Pecuniary Aid to Pardanashin Poor Ladies: Five such

cases received help during the period.

Special arrangements were made in February and March of 1927 to help the pilgrims during the Vaishnava Kumbha Mela held in Brindaban.

Accounts: The General Fund Rs. 4,500-15-9, the Building Fund Rs. 2,100-0-0, the Permanent Fund Rs. 26,500 and the previous year's balance Rs. 469-1-9. The total receipts amounted to Rs. 33,576-1-6. The total expenditure during the year 1927 was Rs. 4,693-6-6, leaving a balance of Rs. 28,882-11-0, including the Permanent Fund.

(5) The Ramkrishna Sevashrama, Muthigunj, Allahabad

The institution has so long been distributing medicine from the Outdoor Dispensary only. The Indoor Hospital buildings

[ 38 ]

which are under construction have not yet been completed for want of funds. Occasionally the Sevashrama has to accommodate-some extremely helpless cases as indoor patients.

The Outdoor Dispensary treated 7,923 new cases in 1925, 9,933 in 1926 and 7,544 in 1927. With the balance of the previous year, the total receipt amounted to Rs. 3,578-9-4, and expenses to Rs. 3,472-15-2, leaving a balance of Rs. 105-10-2 at the end of the year.

(6) The Ramkrishna Mission Branch Centre, Dacca

Besides conducting missionary activities and educational work which have been separately mentioned in their respective places, this Ashrama is carrying on humanitarian service by rendering medical and other aids to the poor and the needy.

The Indoor Hospital which is used only in emergent cases admitted 9 patients on an average. The Outdoor Dispensary has been rendering medical aid to the poor people of the neighbourhood.

On an average 35 families were helped with regular monthly doles of rice and 76 poor persons were supplied with a blanket each.

This centre organised smallpox and cholera relief in Bikram-pur in 1926, and Mela relief work in 1925 and 1926, at Langal-band and cholera relief at Ashugunj in 1926. The Mission also conducted relief in 1925 and 1926, in co-operation with other organisations, at the time of the Janmashtami Procession.

The centre badly requires a permanent fund to maintain its humanitarian activities. Moreover, the construction of a pucca drain and the purchase of the permanent right in respect of a piece of land within the Mission compound are of equal importance.

(7) The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Narayan-gunj, Dacca

This institution has long been working to minister to the needs of the locality in its own humble way. For want of a.

[ 39 ]

permanent building of its own, the Sevashrama had to be accommodated in a small rented house, Recently, the Seva­shrama has received a gift of a plot of land and by the purchase of portions of the adjoining lands, the area has come up to an acre. It is now urgently required to construct the necessary buildings to facilitate the various activities of the Sevashrama. No less important is a Permanent Fund for giving the work a stable basis.

In the Ramkrishna Mission Free Pathsala poor boys are taught. Books and other requisites are sometimes supplied free. The average number of students on the roll was 16 during the years under report. In the Durgacharan Library there are 2,004 books and 9 periodicals, which are available to the public.

Helpless patients are sometimes picked up and removed to hospitals, and 79 families received regular aid during the years under report. The Outdoor Charitable Dispensary treated 1,623 cases in 1925, 2,327 in 1926 and 2,173 ^m *9²7- Tn^e workers of the Sevashrama nursed at their respective quarters 20 / patients in 1925, 194 in 1926 and 43 in 1927. The Sevashrama organised Kaoraid Cholera Relief Work in 1926 and Langalband Mela Relief Work in 1925-27.

The total receipts in 1927 amounted to Rs. 2,677-12-9, includ­ing Rs. 439-11-0 obtained from the sale proceeds of Mushti Bhiksha. The total expenditure was Rs. 1,282-13-3 and the balance Rs. 1,394-15-6 at the end of the year.

(8) The Ramkrishna Mission Ashram a, Barisal

During the period under review Rs. 816-7-9 were given as regular aid to 55 families including casual help to several other families. In the year 1927 the centre helped about 75 persons by giving them temporary and monthly aid. Another notable work of this centre is nursing and medical aid rendered at their own. houses to 64 persons in 1925, 85 in 1926 and 92 in 1927. A local girls' school was helped with monthly contribution. Among other

r 40 ]

activities mention may be made of the bi-weekly lectures and weekly Gita classes.

• A Students' Home was opened in a temporary building in the year 1927. It admitted 8 students, 5 of whom were free. It gives facilities 10 its imates to supplement their University education with moral and religious training.

Accounts: With the previous year's balance the total receipts in 1927 amounted to Rs. 11,746-9-3. The total expenditure was Rs. 1,870-5-9, leaving a balance of Rs. 9,876-3-6.

(9) The Ramkrishna Mission Outdoor CharitableDispensary, Bhubaneswar, Puri

The work of this dispensary has developed steadily for

the benefit of the extremely poor people of the locality and the pilgrims in general. The number of patients treated during the years 1925, 1926 and 1927 was 5,763, 9,079 and 10,056 respectively. Even people from distant places travelling by railway or on foot take advantage of this dispensary. Besides giving medical relief, the local Math, with the co-operation of the Headquarters a: Belur, renders all possible help in the province at the time of famine, flood, fire and other calamities.

Account: The amount of money received in 1927 was Rs. 646-7-9, including the previous year's balance. A sum of Rs. 358-9-9 was spent during the year, leaving a balance of Rs. 287-14-0.

(10) The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Koal-para, Bankura

This rural centre has been doing various kinds of constructive village work from the year 1906. Besides spreading religious, agricultural, industrial and hygienic knowledge amongst the ignorant masses, the Sevashrama also distributes medicines free to the poor patients.

[ 41 ]

(11) The Ramkrishna Mission Scvashrama, Lucknow

The Sevashrama which now possesses its own land and building occupies a central position in the city and lately an upper room has been added. The attached Outdoor Dispensary distributes medicines free to poor patients and their number is about 8,000 per year. In cases of necessity,, the patients are treated at their own houses and sometimes they are provided with accommodation in the Sevashrama premises. A number of helpless widows and poor men obtained monthly allowances. Temporary relief in cash or kind was granted to destitute persons. Some strangers in the city were given temporary shelter in the Sevashrama. On special occassions the "Daridra Narayanas" are fed. A free primary Night School is conducted by the Sevashrama, Th which special care is taken of the students" belonging to the untouchable and depressed classes. The total number of boys on the roll was 26 on the average. Three students obtained monthly stipends and 30 were temporarily helped with books and school fees etc. The free Public Library attached to the Sevashrama contains 644 books which are mainly religious, and a number of magazines. Sunday classes are organised from time to time and religious discourses given.

The poor people of the city were fed on more than one occasion, and new clothes and blankets were distributed amongst 559 deserving persons.

(12) The Sri Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama,Baliati, Dacca

This is situated in a rural area and is popularising the ideas of Hinduism and ministering to the educational and other needs of the village population. The Charitable Dispensary distributes medicines free. The Sevashrama conducts two Schools, one for boys and another for girls, in which 27 boys and 28 girls receive education. Besides these, it has got a Free Library which lends books to the public. Religious classes are held and occasional lectures are delivered.

[ 42 ]

(13) The Sri Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama,Sonargaon, P. O. Tajpur, Dacca

The Sevashrama conducts a free Primary School in which there are 14 students on the roll. It has got a free Public Library in which books and periodicals are kept and issued to the reading public. A few poor school boys are accommodated in the Seva­shrama and given free board and lodge. Their number was 5 in 1927. Some boys were also helped with school fees, books etc. Poor families were given regular monthly doles of rice, while three received pecuniary aid. Temporary help was rendered to 5 persons for the construction of huts and 21 persons were helped with clothes. Poor patients were given medicine free from the attached Outdoor Dispensary. The work of this useful village centre is badly suffering for want of funds. With more resources at its disposal, the scope and extent of its useful­ness may be much increased.

(14) The Sri Ramkrishna Mission Seva Samity,Sylhet

The institution has been conducting various forms of religious and social service for the last 10 years. It was formally affiliated to the Ramkrishna Mission in 1926. In addition to its activities in the town of Sylhet, the Samity has extended its work of service by opening branches in certain villages. The following is a short account of the work done by the Samity in 1926 and 1927 from its chief centre at Sylhet as well as from the different rural branches.

The Samity maintains three Public Libraries, one at Sylhet, another in the village of Devpur and the third at Maulvi Bazar.

Regular classes on the Bhagavat Gita and other religious books were held, and occasional public lectures and discourses arranged in the head-centre as well as in the branches.

Three Primary Schools for girls and four for boys are being: conducted, in which about 100 boys and girls are receiving free education.

[ 43 ]

The Samity conducted the Cholera Relief works at Rangia (Gauhati), Madangauri, Bainka, Daspara, Nayagram, Thelipara, South Kachar and Akalia.

The Samity maintains three Outdoor Charitable Dispensaries— one at Sylhet and the others at its branches. The total number of cases including old and new, treated from all these centres was 6,934 in 1926 and 8,923 in 1927. Some poor persons were given occasional help according to their needs. The Samity, moreover, has inspired some young men who have already dedicated their lives to the service of the Order.

With the previous year's balance, the total receipts in 1927 amounted to Rs. 1,470-2-6, which included Rs. 857-5-9 ^{as tne} proceeds from the sale of rice collected in the locality. The _Jotal expenditure was Rs.—1^424—a*^—&&—balance Rs. -46-2-6-only. The Samity appeals for Rs. 4000 for the extension of its buildings.

(16) The Sri Ramkrishna Mission Seva Samity, Habigunj, Sylhet

• The Samity which has been in existence for the last six years was affiliated to the Ramkrishna Mission in 1926. The main activity of the centre consists in spreading education, ideas on sanitation, and the broad principles of the Sanatana Dharma amongst the cobblers (Rishis) and members of other depressed classes in the subdivision and in organising suitable home industries for the improvement of their economic condition.

The Samity held religious classes and arranged occasional discourses and public lectures, specially on the occasion of the anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, conducted four Night Schools for the depressed classes in four different villages and in a fifth village opened a Library and a Reading Room, and 68 students of the Rishi and Namashudra classes have been receiving education. The special feature of all these institutions is that the elders of the villages assemble there to hear about religion

[ 44 ]

from the Sadhus and settle their quarrels and disputes. It is gratifying to note that many have given up the habit of drinking by the influence of the Samity.

A Shoe Factory has been opened by the students of the Gossainagar Night School and the cobbler students are being taught to make all kinds of well-finished shoes of up-to-date fashion, which have gained much popularity among the gentry of the locality. The Factory has been awarded a silver medal by the Habiganj Industrial Exhibition Committee.

In the Outdoor Charitable Dispensary 480 patients in 1926 and 380 in 1927 received treatment and during these years 30 persons •were treated and nursed in their respective houses. Occasional help was also rendered to needy and helpless persons.

Accounts:—The total receipts including the previous year's balance amounted to Rs. 1,274. Out of this sum Rs. 1,103-14-6 was spent, and a balance of Rs. 170-1-6 was left at the end of the year.

The Samity badly requires a permanent house of its own with necessary endowments to meet its regular expenses. It is needless to say that if funds be forthcoming, the quality and extent of the •work may be much improved.

(16) The Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Bharukati, Narayanpur, Barisal

Some young men of the village established this Ashrama about 18 years ago and gradually developed its scope, "in 1926 the Ashrama was formally affiliated to the Mission. Besides holding regular religious classes, the Ashrama maintains a Free Library and a Charitable Dispensary. It also conducts a free Primary School for boys and another for girls, the number on the roll being so and 20 respectively. Occasional help was rendered to poor families and destitute persons.

Accounts:—The total receipts for the year amounted to

r 45 ]

Rs. 944-11-3, and the expenditure Rs. 876-4-3. A balance of Rs. 68-7 was left at the end of the year.

Sri Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Contai, Midna-pore.

, The Sevashrama was started m 1913 and was formally affiliated to the Ramkrishna Mission in 1927. There is a Students' Home attached to the Sevashrama, in which poor students are provided with free board and lodge. The Dispensary supplies medicines free to poor patients. The Midnapore District Board has granted the Sevashrama an annual grant of Rs. 300 for purchase of medicines. A free Primary School is also conducted.

Permanent Institutions for Educational Work (Affiliated to the Mission)

It hardly requires any mention that no permanent result can be achieved in any sphere of national work without the right kind of education of men and women at the background. Swami Vivekananda laid the utmost emphasis upon a " life-building, man-making education " for all classes of people. He fully realised that the system of education obtaining at present in this country is not in keeping with the cherished ideals and evolved instincts of the race. It was his great desire to found a full-fledged University, where secular and spiritual education would be imparted side by side. There are, however, practical difficulties in the way like dearth of workers and want of necessary funds. There is a great and urgent call for men who will devote their lives to the task of carrying real education with a true missionary zeal to the ignorant masses in far off villages. Accordingly, we have established some institutions for boys and girls which will, in course of time, supply the country with such teachers. With the co-operation of our generous countrymen, they will, we hope, ultimately give us faci­lities for giving a practical shape to Swami Vivekananda's great idea about the most important item of work in our national reconstruction.

t 46 J

With the limited means at our disposal, we have deemed it proper to make up the deficiencies of the present system of educa­tion by supplementing it with the requisite moral and spiritual training.

In the preceding section, we have described the educational work that is being done by the institutions which are primarily philanthropic. The prominent educational activities of the Mission are given below in this section.

(1) The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama (Orphanage),Sargachi, Murshidahad

This Ashrama was started in 1898 by Swami Akhandananda. During a famine which broke out in Berhampur in 1897, the Swami went there to render relief to the suffering people. Touched by the miserable condition of some orphan boys, who had become help­less owing to the calamity, he started an Ashrama with the co­operation of the local people for giving them shelter. This has grown into the present institution at Sargachi, and has been working silently for the last quarter of a century. During the period under report, 12 orphans, taken from all sections of the people, were maintained and given general education. A Free Secondary School with 25 boys and a Free Night School with 14 boys are also being managed by the Ashrama. Besides, a Chari­table Dispensary is attached to the latter. A branch has been opened in the town of Berhampur which conducts a Day School and a Night School as well as a Charitable Dispensary.

(2) The Ramkrishna Mission Students' Home,Mylapore, Madras

The institution was started in 1905 with the object of providing a Home to poor and deserving boys, where they could get free board and lodge and receive a moral and religious training. From a small beginning, the Home has grown into a big institution whose assets are valued at several lakhs of rupees, with its work expanding from year to year. It conducts a Residential High School and an Industrial School,

I 47 J

During the years under report the Home showed improvement in all its departments. At the end of the year 1927, there were 122 students on the roll. The students are taken from both the Brahmin and the non-Brahmin communities. Of the 122 students, 23 were studying in the different Arts Colleges ; 77 in the Residential High School; 3 in the Medical College ; 5 in the Government Technical Institute; and of the - remaining 16 in the Industrial School, and one in the Govt. School of Arts. The boys of the Home have done very well in various examinations, a good many of them securing scholarships. Due care is taken of the religious and moral training of the boys, who also show a keen interest in athletics, sports etc. The general Library consists of about 5000 volumes, and the boys are success­fully conducting a manuscript magazine in Tamil and in English, and also an art magazine.

Trie Residential High School has now got a separate building with sufficient accommodation for all the classes, and the laboratory has been better equipped. Manual training has continued to be ' compulsory for all the boys of the school the step having proved very successful. The Management acquired, during the period, a plot of land on the southern side of the High School. The cost was Rs. 28,530, of which Rs. 14,265 was kindly met by the Government of Madras.

The Industrial School which was started in 1925 has been recognised by the Department of Industries. It now teaches (i) Carpentry and Cabinet-making, and (2) Mechanical Foreman and Fitter's work. A shed for the Workshop was erected at a cost of about Rs. 15,000 and plant and machinery were fitted up at a cost of Rs. 4,005. The Government have sanctioned a grant of Rs. 2,000 for the equipment of the Workshop; besides Rs. 1,000 for its maintenance. The opening of the Industrial Section has been possible largely owing to the active sympathy and keen interest of Mr. Alladi Krishnaswamy Aiyar, who has also been paying a monthly subscription of Rs. 100 towards the cost of running this section. Articles of furniture and models

[ 48 ]

made by the boys in the Workshop were exhibited in the All-India Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition held in December 1927. The exhibits elicited appreciation from the public and the Exhibition Committee awarded a silver medal.

The Tutorial Staff consists of the resident warden and resident teachers who are mostly, old boys of the Home, The Warden has directly under his guidance the whole of the College Section and supervises the work of the resident teachers, each of whom is in charge of 15 boys. The household management of the institution is completely in the hands of the boys themselves, and has proved satisfactory under the general care of the teachers. The health of the boarders was generally good. The number of in-patients in the Bobbili Medical Ward of the Home was ,,2 in 1927 against 141 in the previous year. A weight chart is kept and the boys who show deficiency in weight for their age :are closely watched and looked after.

Special endeavours are being made to stimulate in the heart of the boys the spirit of various healthy activities. As for example, they manage the feeding of 3 to 4 thousand poor people on the occasions of the birthday celebrations of Sri Ramkrishna and Swami Vivekananda and every Saturday evening the poor people of the neighbourhood are invited to attend the lantern lectures arranged by the boys themselves.

For purposes of religious and moral instructions, the .boys •are divided into three groups, according to their age and mental .development. Religious classes are held daily in the mornings and evenings. The compulsory study of Sanskrit up to the fourth form the use of the vernacular as a medium of instruction, the medical inspection and the inclusion of manual training are the chief features of the Home. The boys are specially encouraged •*> mix with the poor people of the locality and stimulate among •them various healthy ideas for their hygeinic, sanitary, econom.c .-and moral improvements. Besides giving moral and religious .instructions to the students of the Home, S^ami Saswatananda,

[ 49 :.j

• the Resident Warden, also held religious classes in the Penitentiary ^: and some other parts of the city.

For the consolidation and further improvement of the work, the Home requires more help and sympathy from the generous public. The construction of the staff quarters, the development of the Industrial School, the strengthening of the Permanent Endowment Fund, to place the Home on a stabler basis—these are the most pressing needs of the institution at present.

Accounts:—The subscriptions and donations amounted to Rs. 15,295-11-8. The boarding expenditure - of the boys was Rs. 19,294-8-7, giving an average of Rs. 14-14 8 per head per month. The running of the School and the manual training classes cost Rs. 5,766-1-5, of which the sum of Rs. 5,376 was

' received as a grant from the Government. The Industrial School entailed an expenditure of Rs. 8,920-3-11, of which Rs. 4,870 came from the (Government. A sum of Rs. 38,424-9-4 was added to the Permanent Fund raising it to a total" of

"Rs. 2,15,042-9-0,

, A new plot of land has been .acquired for the construction ofquarters for the staff. • ,

(3) The Ramkrishna Mission Students' Home, Calcutta

This institution was started with the idea of supplementing the education that obtains in the University. It maintains poor and deserving boys. There is provision for a small number of paying students who intend to take advantage of the Home. It is being managed by some Sannyasins of the Mission.

Religious classes are held regularly in the Home in which the students generally take part. There is a Shrine Room -attached to the Home where daily Puja is performed and the boys attend the morning and evening prayers. The senior Swamis of the

Belur Math often visit the institution, which gives the students a

I M J

opportunities to come into closer contact with them. Besides, the students themselves attend many of the religious festivals of the Bdur Math and take active part in them. 7'hey form themselves into a band of volunteers and render considerable service in feeding the poor, regulating the crowd etc. The birthday anniversaries of Sri Ramkrishna and Swami Vivekananda are celebrated in the Homi as also other Hindu religious festivals, such as the Kalipuja, Saraswatipuja, Sivaratri, Janmashtami etc., which maintain the spiritual atmosphere of the institution.

The Home has been recognised by the University as a College Students' Hostel. It has already attracted the attention of the prominent educationists and other leading men of the city. The students generally khow proficiency 'in the University Examinations.

Great care is being taken to foster among the students a spirit^ of harmonious development of their head, hand and heart. Special attention is given for the improvement of their physique by regular exercises. The institution stimulates a spirit of self-help and self-reliance by giving the boys themselves the internal management of the institution. The students are required to perform all the manual works such as sweeping, washing, cleaning, marketing etc.-.There is no servant in the Home excepting a cook who is also assisted by the students themselves on holidays and other occasions. The same standard is maintained among the inmates as regards boarding and lodging arrangements, and no distinction is made between the paying and non-paying boarders. The non-paying boarders, who are generally recruited from the poorer section of the community, are never made to feel the pinch of poverty. A physician daily visits the Home and looks after the health of the students. The sick boys are carefully attended to and nursed by the inmates. Special care is also being taken to coach the students at the examination time in order to make up their deficiencies, 'ihe attached Library helps the students to enhance their general stock of knowledge. The boys themselves conduct a monthly manuscript magazine. Sometimes lantern lectures

[ 51 ]

are arranged to make them conversant with the various educational and sanitary developments of the time. The students are given opportunities to utilise their leisure hours by tailoring, book-binding and type-writing work.

In 1925 and 1926 there were 24 and 25 students respectively in the Home. In 1927, there were 17 free, 4 part-paying and 2 full-paying students. It is contemplated to have a permanent building for the Home in the suburbs, in which it can accommodate at least ico students who may get, in addition to their University education, a training in agriculture, dairy farm, and some useful home industries. The Institution is at present housed in a rented building, but for the permanent house according to the above scheme a Building Fund has been started and the donations, so far received, have amounted to Rs. 16,941-5-3 only.

Accounts: The total receipts in the year 1927 including the p'revious year's balance amounted to Rs. 11.324-11-9. The total disbursements went up to Rs. 6918-12-6, leaving a balance of Rs. 4,236-14-3.

(4) The Sister Nivcdita Girls' School, Nivedita Lane, Calcutta

The present Sister Nivedita Girls' School in Calcutta is the development of the Childrens' School started by Sister Nivedita in 1902, in order to materialise the long cherished object of her Life. She wanted to impart that kind of education to the Hindu Girls, which would make them loyal to the ideals of the race and fill them with a passion for Seva (Service)—an education which would be truly national in type, praciical and industrial to a certain extent according to necessity, and productive of strong character and self-determination on the part of the educated by combining the modem western methods with what are purely Indian. While leaving undisturbed the place and influence of the woman in Hindu society and keeping in tact her tenderness and humility, great power of service and silent self-effacement

^: [ 52 ]

•which go to make her the centre of the Hindu home, the School has been endeavouring for the last two decades to make her more efficient in the household duties and the arts and crafts auxiliary to them. It is the aim of the school to equip the students in a comprehensive way with the ideas and ideals of the time which will enable her to become a vital and dynamic unit of society able to successfully solve the various problems which she may have to face in her life. The practical usefulness of the Institution has been amply evidenced fiom the fact that guardians of the students are asking for more admissions and demand is being made from some quarters to lend trained teachers of the School for founding similar institutions in other places.

The Institution follows its own standard as chalked out by Sister Nivedita and is not affiliated to any University. It teaches up to the standard which approximately corresponds to the Third Class or Class VIII of the University affiliated High Schools. The education is entirely free. The strength of the school during the period under review has been 220 to 250 in 1925, 271; to 290 in 1926 and 278 to 300 in 1927. The average attendance was from 80 to 90 per cent. The maximum number of students that can be admitted into the School is 300. It has got a decent Library furnished with 2,500 volumes of books as well as a large number of magazines. Besides, in order to teach practical lessons, the Institution is equipped with such accessories as magic lanterns, series of educational cinema projectors, globes, maps etc.

The School possesses a bus and a motor car of its own and the girls who avail themselves of these have to pay a charge of Rs. 3 per month.

The boarding house which is called the Sarada Mandir, in memory of the Holy Mother, is a Home for Hindu girls who want to consecrate their lives for the Sister Nivedita Girls' School, as well as for girl students who, coming from places outside Calcutta, may avail themselves of the opportunity of studying

[ 53 ]

in the School. The boarding charges in the Sarada Mandir are Rs. 12 per month. The number of boarders in the Sarada Mandir was 30, 40 and 45 in the years 1925, 1926 and 1927 respectively. The maximum capacity of the boarding house is 50, and 10 girls were maintained in the boarding house in 1927 free of charge. Besides there are some resident teachers who maintain themselves as well as the free students of the boarding house by tailoring, needle-work, sewing etc.

Accounts: The receipts in 1927 amounted to Rs. 4605-2-10, including the previous year's balance, and the expenses to Rs. 4,445, leaving a balance of Rs. 160-2-10 at the end of the year.

The School building which was under construction has been completed.

(5) The Ramkrishna Mission Vidayapitha, Deoghar, (Santhal Parganas)

It is a Residential Brahmacharya Vidyalaya, teaching up to the second class of the Calcutta University and its main feature is that the teaching work is done chiefly by the monastic members of the Mission.

At the end of the year 1926 and 1927 there were 63 and 58 boys respectively on the roll, but there is a growing demand for more admissions. The students pay their boarding expenses. . The boys' routine includes, among other things, compulsory atten­dance at prayer time in the Shrine Room attached to the institution. Physical exercise is compulsor}'. Special care is taken of every individual boy and the young boys are made.to feel quite at home.

At present the school has got three buildings of its own in an
•open space of about 20 acres of land, but its immediate demandsare to have some more rooms and halls for proper facility of the•work. A well-equipped library and a permanent fund to meet therecurring expenses of the Institution are also some of its urgentneeds .

; [ 54 ]

Accounts.—The total receipts during 1927 amounted to-Rs. 14,863-12-11 and the expenses came to Rs. 12,045-15-6, leaving a balance of Rs. 3,986-5-5 at the end of the year. The Building Fund went up to Rs. 8.316-13-0 of which the sum of Rs. 5.489-2-9 has been spent for a dormitory, a dining hall and other improve­ments, leaving a balance of Rs. 474-10-3 at the end of the year.

(6) Sri Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Baranagore, Calcutta

It was originally started as an orphanage and has during the last few years extended its activities. In 1927, 21 boys in the Ashrama received lessons in spinning, weaving, cane-work, tailoring and carpentry, in- addition to their general and moral education. Some of the boys have been admitted in the local H. E. and M. E. Schools. The grown-up boys work In the Charitable DisperreaTy,. attached to the Ashrama under the direction of a qualified doctor as well as in the agricultural farm for ubich a big plot of land measuring about 2-5 acres has been made over to the Institution as a free gift by Srijut Dhirendra Nath Roy, Bar-at-law and his brothers, zemindars of Narail, Jessore. In the year 1927, 3970 cases ware treated in the Dispensary and some destitute men and women were given pecuniary and other help. The sale proceeds of the agricultural farm showed remarkable increase rising from Rs, 192 in 1926 to Rs. 847 in 1927. Ths Ashrama received 139 maunds 13 seers and 8 chattaks of rice from Mushti Bhiksha (house to house collection).

Accounts:—The total receipts in 1927 including the previous year's balance amounted to Rs. 5,483-11-7 and the total expendi­ture Rs. 3,902-10-9, leaving a balance of Rs. 1,581-0-10 at the end of the year.

(7) The Ramkrishna Mission Free School Dacca

The Sri Ramkrishna Mission Free School attached to the Ashrama. at Dacca taught in the years under report up to the Fifth Standard

[ 55 ]

of the Secondary English School. Besides, there were two infant .sections. The monks constituted the teaching staff. The number of boys on the roll was 113 in 1925, 75 in 1926 and 96 in 1927.

(8) The Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Sarisha, DiamondHarbour, 24-Parganas

It was started in 1921. It conducts an Upper Primary School for girls and an U. P. School for boys with a weaving class attached to the latter, the number of students on the rolls being 69 and 173 respec­tively. The students are mainly recruited from the poorer classes and all of them are given tiffin daily free of charge and some of them are maintained by the Ashrama. The Ashrama runs a Chari­table Dispensary, and gives relief to the villagers in various other ways. The number of cases treated in the Dispensary was #27 in 1925, 1,446 in 1926 and r,8oo in 1927. The Ashrama helps two families with regular supply of provisions and in the yars under review maintained 18 poor boys of the U. P. School and 84 stude'nts of the local High School. In 1925 and 1926, 293 pieces of blankets, 44 Dholies and some other clothings were distributed among the poor people of the surrounding villages. The Ashrama organised Mela Relief Works and during a smallpox epidemic in 1926 nursed a number of helpless patients. It has also organised a Boy Scouts' Movement and has been maintaining a Free Library. It is mainly through the generosity of a kind gentleman of Bombay that the Ashrama has been able to organise and extend its activities.

Accounts:—The total receipts of the year 1927, including the previous year's balance, were Rs. 5.264-6-9, and the total expendi­ture was Rs. 4,955-3-0. The balance at the end of the year was P-s. 309-3-9 only.

(9) Sri Ramkrishna Ashramas in Ceylon

The people of Ceylon have shown keen interest in the Ram­krishna Vivekananda movement. As a result of tne interest, various societies have sprung up here and there to work on the

[ 56 ]

lines of the Ramkrishna Mission. In 1924 the Ramkrishna Math at Madras sent one of its monastic members to work there, and within a short period three Ashramas at Trincomali, Jaffna and Batticalao have been started in Ceylon, which, besides doing some preaching work, have organised 9 schools, English and Tamil, in different parts of the island, 2 in Trincomali, 2 in Jaffna, and 5 in Batticalao with 1,358 students on .he rolls. '1 he English school at Trincomali has been registered as a higher grade school, working up to the Cambridge Senior School Certificate Examination and the Matriculation Examination of the University of London. It is contemplated to turn the English school in Jaffna into a full-fledged free Residental Educational Institution, and as a beginning, a Students' Home for orphans and poor students has been started in 1926.

ffO) Vivekananda Society, Jamshedpur

Some enthusiastic young men who are mainly emploj'ees of the Tata Iron Works organised some years ago a small society at Jamshedpur which, in course of time, has developed into the present institution. It was visited now and then by the monks of the Belur Math whose presence created an active interest among the local people for the work. The philanthropic activities of the Society, such as nursing, free distribution of medicines, and night schools for the children of the poor workmen there have won the sympathy and co-operation of many officers of the Tata Company which, to a great extent, contributed to the present success and development of the Institution. Religious c'asses are held and birthday anniversaries of Sri Ramkrishna and Swami Vivekananda are celebrated with d.ue ceremonies. On the latter occasion the poor are fed and meetings organised. The Society was formally affiliated to the Ramkrishna Mission in 1927.

Some Institutions likely to hs Affiliated to the Ramkrishna

Mission

• We have done with the activities of the different centres formally affiliated to the Mission (vide rules I and II of the

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Mission's 'Bye-laws-). Besides these, there are several Ashramas or Societies which, though not formally affiliated to the Mission, are being conducted by the monastic members of the Order in their individual capacity on the same principles as the . centres of the Mission, with or without the collaboration of a local committee. In some cases the landed properties of such Maths, Ashramas, or Societies have been made over to the President of the Ramkrishna Order as free gifts by the donors. The Governing Body of the Mission is in full sympathy with such institutions, but the public is clearly informed that they are not to be regarded as branch centres of the Ramkrishna Mission which is a registered body. We give below a short description of a few such institutions which are likely to be affiliated to the Mission in the near future. :

(I) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Bankura

^:- The Ashrama has been shifted to a new site in a solitary part -of the town. The Charitable Dispensary which is conducted by a qualified monk, distributes medicine free among poor patients. There is a Students' Home attached to the Ashrama which maintains about half a dozen students on an average every year.

(2) The Ramkrishna Ashrama, Sheila, Khassia Hills, Assam

It was opened in 1924 with the object of diffusing a knowledge of Hinduism amongst the members of the Khassia hill-tribe. The Ashrama has become very popular and the need for its expansion is bein ^keenly felt by the local people. The Khassia State kindly gives an annual grant of Rs*. 500 for the 'upkeep of a free M. E. School which our workers are conducting. Three L. P. Schools, a Night School and two Boarding Houses are also being managed. The Charitable Dispensary treated - a total number of 1,147 and 3,845 patients in 1926 and 1927 respectively. The Swamis held weekly religious classes and Sankirtans. Discourses and public lectures were given in the Khassia language

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•which the Swamis have learned. The publication of religious literature in the vernacular is being taken up. In short, the workers are trying their level best to improve the religious, social and educational conditions of the ignorant hill tribe of the Khassia who were converted into Christianity on account of our exclusive social laws and the propaganda of the Christian missionaries.

(3) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Dinajpur

Scripture classes are held. Daily worship is performed and occasional relief works are organised. There is also an outdoor Charitable Dispensary in the Ashrama, wherefrom Kalaazar injections are given free of charge by a qualified doctor.

(4) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Malda

The principal items of work of the Ashrama are the scriptural classes, organisation of occasional lectures, a Charitable Dispensary and a Free Primary School run by the Swamis.

(5) Sri Ramkrishna Sevashrama and Sarada Pi(h.Garbeta (Midnapore)

The Ashrama was started some years ago by a member of the Order. Since its inception the Ashrama has been distributing Homceopathic medicines to the poor people of the locality. There is a Day School up to the M. E. Standard attached to the Ashrama with boarding arrangements.

(6) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Mymensing

The Ashrama now possesses its own building as well as a ' free Public Library. It holds religious classes and celebrates the birthday anniversaries of Sri Ramkrishna and Swami Vivekananda. It organised relief work during cholera epidemic at Sherpur.

(7) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Faridpor

This Ashrama was originally started in 1921 under the name of Sri Ramkrishna Seva Samity. A Students' Home has beer)

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recently attached to it. The Ashrama does occasional relief to the poor and the needy.

(8) Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Singapore

A Swami has recently gone to continue the work that has been inaugurated by Swami Sharvananda (luring his lecture tour in F. M. .S, in 1919. The place was visited from time to time by the Swarm's from the Ramkrishna Ashrama at Kuala Lumpur, as well as by Swamis Ahhedananda, Bodhananda, Prakashananda and Paramananda, who delivered lectures and discourses.

Besides these, there are Ashramas at the following places :—

r. Chandipore (Midnapore)

2. Daharkundu (Hooghly)
3. Jandi (Faridpore)

4. Harinagar (Midnapore)
5. Dharchula (Almora)

These are as yet loosely connected with the Ramkrishna Order but there is a prospect of their becoming recognised centres of the Mission some day.

The different Mission Funds kept open for Public Contribution

Apart from the monastic life and discipline of the Maths and Ashramas, the Ramkrishna Mission affords opportunities for the wider public to co-operate with the members of the Ramkrishna Order in carrying out various items of work chalked out by Swamf Vivekananda for serving our countrymen in different ways. Generally speaking, such co-operation may consist in an active participation in the work of the Mission as its member or associate, or in pecuniary contribution lo its diffjrent funds, or in both. Persons who sympathise with the objects of the Mission but are unable to actively participate in its activities are always welcome to co-operate with the Mission in other ways by sending contributions, however small, to one or more of the following funds :—

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(?) Funds for the support of the Permanent Philanthropic and Educational Institutions.

(if) The Provident Relief Fund, for keeping the resources ready to some extent against the sudden scourges of nature such as pestilence, famine, flood, fire etc.

(Hi) 'The Poor Fund, for alleviating individual distresses of various kinds that claim urgent help from the Mission at its Headquarters.

Contributions may kindly be sent to the Headquarters of the Mission, Belur-Math P. O., Dt. Howrah, Bengal, with a clear specification as to the name of the particular institution or the kind of work for which they are meant. Contributors may also send their money direct to the institutions of the Mission, which they •desire to help.

(it!) The General Fund for defraying the general expenses of the Mission, such as are incurred for the inspection of centres, the holding of meetings of the Mission, Missionary work, postage, printing, stationery etc.

It has come to our notice that persons other thin accredited representatives of the Mission often approach the sympathetic public and raise funds by taking advantage of their charitable •disposition towards the Mission activities. Very often the con­tributors are deceived in this way as the money thus collected never reaches us. The generous and sympathetic public are therefore clearly warned that no contribution should be made to any person or persons who approach them in the name of the Ramkrishna Mission without possessing a Letter of Authority duly •signed and sealed by the President of the Ramkrishna Mission, Belur-Math. The Mission authorities will be highly obliged if any case, causing the slightest suspicion regarding the bonafide character cf the collector of subscription or donations, be immediately reported to them. In doubtful cases contributions may be with­held or sent directly to the President of the Ramkrishna Mission,

[ 61 ]

for distribution to the particular centre of which the collector of such funds claims to be the representative.

Thanks of the Mission and its Appeal

We take this opportunity to express our deep sense of gratitude to all the kind donors, subscribers, friends and sympathisers who by their ready assistance, financial or otherwise, have placed the different centres of the Mission on a working order, as well as to those who, in response to our appeals for funds during various providential mit-haps such as flood, famine, fire, etc., have helped us to carry on successfully these occasional relief works. The thanks of the Mission are also due to the proprietors arid editors of the English and vernacular periodicals in India for the kindness they have shown in publishing its appeals and reports, as also to the local gentry, official or non-official, in the various affected areas, whose co-operation has materially helped the Mission in conducting the relief operations in those parts on different occasions. We also express our gratefulness to the local physicians of the different centres who cheerfully lent us their services when­ever they were approached.

We hope the generous public all over India and abroad will continue to give the Mission the same kind of co-operation and help which they have given it so unstintedly in the past, so that we may realise the Truth by carrying out the ideal of Work and Worship, the gospel of the new era wherein lies the hope of the future. All well-wishers of India can find here a golden opportunity to do their bit towards the amelioration of the condition of their suffering brethren and be sharers in the uplift of humanity.

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APPENDIX A

Memorandum of Association

OF

THE RAMKRISHNA MISSION

Registered on the 4th of May, 1909

(Incorporated, under Act XXI of 1860 of the Governor General of India in Council)

1. the name of the Association is THE RAMKRISHNAMISSION.
2. the objects of the Association are: —

(a) To impart and promote the study of the Vedanta

- and its principles as propounded by Sri Ramkrishna and practically illustrated by his own life, and of Comparative Theology in its widest form.

(b) To impart and promote the study of the arts, science*

and industries.

(c) To train teachers in all branches of knowledge above

mentioned and enable them to reach the masses.

4. To carry on educational work among the masses.
5. To establish, maintain, carry on and assist schools,

colleges, orphanages, workshops, laboratories, hospitals, dispensaries, houses for the infirm, the invalid and the afflicted, famine relief works, and other educational and charitable works and institutions of a like nature.

(/) To print and publish and to sell or distribute, gratuitously or otherwise, journals, periodicals, books or leaflets that the Association may think desirable for the promotion of its objects.

(g) To carry on any other work which may seem to the Association capable of being conveniently

63 ]

carried on in connection with and calculated directly or indirectly to promote any of the before-mentioned objects.

(h) To purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire property movable or immov­able and any rights or privileges which may be deemed necessary or convenient for the purposes of the Association and to improve, develop, manage, sell, lease, mortgage, dispose of, turn to account or otherwise deal with all or any part of the property of the Association.

(i) To construct, maintain or alter any house, buildingsor works necessary or convenient for the purposes of the Association.

(;) To accept any gift of property whether subject, or not, to any special trusts or conditions in favour or furtherance of any of the objects of the Association.

(fe) To take such steps by personal or written appeals, public meetings or otherwise as may from time to time be deemed expedient for the purpose of procuring contributions to the funds of the ^; Association in the shape of donations, subscrip­tions or otherwise.

(/) For the purposes of the Association to borrow and raise money in such manner as the Association may think fit.

(m) To invest the moneys of the Association not immediately required upon such securities and in I such manner as may from time to time be determined.

(n) To undertake and execute any trust or any agency-: business which may seem directly or indirectly

conducive to any of the objects of the Association either gratuitously or otherwise,. .

(o) For the purpose of the Association to make, accept, ; .. endorse and execute Promissory Notes, Bills of Exchange, Hundis and other negotiable instruments.

(p) To incorporate any institutions, societies or associa­tions having objects wholly or in part similar to any of those of the Association and to co-operate with any person or persons in aid of such objects.

(q) To do all or any of the above things either as principals, agents, trustees or otherwise and' by or through trustees, agents or otherwise and either alone or in conjunction with others.

' (r) To do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.

3. The names, addresses and occupations of the Governing Body of the Association are: —

Swami Shivananda, Belur Math, Hindu Missionary. )

,, Akhandananda „ .,

,, Abhedananda ,, ,,

,, Subodhananda ,, ,.

,, Suddhananda ,, ,,

Being the present Trustees of the Belur Math.

,, Bodhananda ,, ,. .

,, Dhirananda » »

,, Virajananda . „ '. - ' .

,, Achalananda ,, ,,

,, Sankarananda ,, " ! ,,

,, Mahimananda „ „

,, Sharvananda ,, ,, .

„ Madhavananda „ ,,

,_v Visuddhananda ,, ,,

Amriteshwarananda ,, ,,

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4- the income and property of the Association whence-soever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the Association as set forth in this Memorandum of Association and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit to any of the members of the Association provided that nothing herein contained shall • prevent the payment in good faith of remuneration to any officers or servants of the Association who may also be members thereof in return for any work done or services actually rendered to the Association nor prevent the payment of interest at aerate not exceeding six per cent per annum on moneys borrowed from any members of the Association.

5. No person or persons in whom for the time being any funds or money or any other property movable or immovable of the Association may be vested shall be answerable for any loss arising in the administration or application of the said trust funds or sums of money or for any damage to or deterioration in the said property unless such loss, damage or deterioration shall happen by or through his or their wilful default or neglect.

6. if upon the dissolution of the Association there shall remain after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Association or any of them but shall be given cr transferred to some other association or associations, institution or institutions having objects similar to any of the objects (a) (b) (c) (d) and (e) above mentioned of this Association to be detern ined by the votes of not less than three-fifths of the memberb present personally or by proxy in meeting at or before the time of the dissolution or in default thereof by the High Court of Judicature at Fort William ia Bengal in its ordinary original jurisdiction.

[ 66 ]

APPENDIX B ... Rules and Regulations

OF

THE RAMKRISHNA MISSION

OBJECTS

1. The Association is established for the purposesexpressed in the Memorandum of Association.

MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES.

2. All followers, whether lay or monastic, of theParamahamsa RAMKRISHNA may be members of theAssociation if elected at a meeting of the Association ornominated by the Governing Body hereinafter mentioned.
3. All persons irrespective of colour, creed or caste,sympathising with all or any of the objects of the Associationmay be associates if elected or nominated as mentioned in rule2, regarding the election of members.
4. Monastic members shall not be required to pay anyadmission fee or any subscription.
5. Every lay member and every associate, unless exempted
   therefrom in writing by the Governing Body, shall payan admission fee of Rs. 5 and an annual subscription of Rs. 5payable by two half-yearly instalments in advance. TheGoverning Body may exempt any member or associate frompayment of all or any fees or subscriptions.
6. The annual subscription shall be commuted by apayment of Rs. 100.
7. Connection of members and associates with theAssociation shall cease by resignation or non-payment of duesfor two years but shall be capable of renewal in such manneras the Governing Body may from time to time determine.

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8. Members shall be entitled to : —

(a) Vote at all meetings of the Association, use the

Library attached to the Math at Belur in the district of Howrah and reside at the Math temporarily subject to rules and regulations prescribed by the Math authorities.

(b) Attend all classes formed by the Association for the

.instructions of its members and receive individual instructions whenever practicable.

(c) Receive all publications of the Association at a

special discount of 25 per cent on the published price.

(d) Mofussil members shall be entitled to receive English

or Bengali proceedings, reports and leaflets published by the Association on payment of postage dues.

9. Associates shall have all the privileges of membersexcept the right to vote at meetings.

MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION.

10. There shall be one ordinary meeting of the Associa­tion in every year to be held at such place and time as thePresident shall from time to time determine.
11. Extra-ordinary general meeting of the Association maybe convened either by the President or by a requisition signedby not less than five members of the Governing Body or by
    a requisition signed by not less than eight members of theAssociation. The time and place of such extra-ordinarymeetings shall be determined by the President or Requisitionistswith the sanction of the President.

12. (a) Each member shall have a single vote, in all. meetings of the Association except the President,

who shall have a casting vote in case of a tie.

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(b) In the absence of the President a member of the Governing Body of the Association will be elected to preside at any of its meetings.

(c) The Secretary shall duly notify to the members the time and place of the meetings of the Association at l°asl: twenty-four hours before such a meeting takes place.

(d) The Treasurer will collect all funds, dues, donations, contributions and deposit the same in a Bank, in the name of the Ramkrishna Mission.

13. (a) Not less than five members shall form a quorum,

in any meeting of the Association, competent to proceed with the business of the meeting.

(b) The Accountant shall keep clear accounts of the income and expenses of the Association and report the same at the meetings of the Governing Body.

THE GOVERNING BODY.

14. The management of the Association and its affairsshall vest in the Trustees for the timo being of the Indenture
    of Trust dated the soth day of January igoi usually called the
    Trust Deed of the Belur Maih, who shall form the GoverningBody of the Association. If at any time there shall be noacting Trustee of the said Belur Math, the Association ingeneral meeting may appoint a Governing Body of theAssociation, constituted as the Association in such meetingshall determine.
15. The Governing Body shall frotLi among its memberselect a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary or Secretaries,a Treasurer and an Accountant of the Association and assignto them their respective duties and they shall form theExecutive Committee of the Association.

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16. The Governing Body shall be competent from timeto time to frame rules for the conduct of its business and also
    to make, bye-laws for the mamgement of the Association andfor the management, conduct and carrying on of its businessand affairs and also from time to t'me to vary or repeal anysuch rules or bye-laws.
17. The Association in general meeting may disallow,rescind, cancel or alter any such rules or bye-laws and maymake rules or bye-laws for any of the purposes aforesaid.
18. (a) The Governing Body shall bo competent to

delegate by a certificate in writing and bearing the seal of the Association to any person or persons or body or bodies such portions of their authority as they shall from time to time think £t and at pleasure to revoke the authority so delegated.

(b) The Governing Body may confer the honorary position of an associate upon any one who has distinguished himself by educational and philan­thropic works or otherwise.

19. (a) The Governing Body shall cause proper records

and accounts to be kept of the Association, its affairs and property.

(b) The Governing Body shall dect workers from among the members and associates of the Association and .authorise and empower them to raise subscriptions, donation etc., from the public, for furthering any object of the Association by giving them certificates in writing bearing the seal of the Association and take accounts from. them of the same.

(c) The President, or in his absence the Vice-President, or in the absence of both, the Treasurer, or in his absence, the Secretary of the Mission shall

[ 70 ]

have power to withdraw money, to draw interests on Government Promissory notes and other securities for money, to renew, consolidate or sell such securities belonging: to the Ramkrishna Mission, Belur, and in doing so, he shall quote the resolution of the Governing Body authorising' him in that behalf.

(d) Three of the office-bearers of the Ramkrishna Mission, one of whom must be the President, if he shall be present within 20 miles of Belur, shall be competent to sell all immovable property belonging to< the Mission and execute and register all instruments of sale in respect thereof.

AUDIT

20. The accounts of the Association shall be annuallyaudited by an auditor or auditors to be appointed by theAssociation in meeting.

SEAL

21. The Association shall have a common seal of suchmake and design as the Governing Body shall decide.
22. The seal shall be affixed to all formal documents inthe presence of two members of the Governing Body of whom
    one shall be the President, the Vice-President or the Secretary.

CONTRACTS.

23. All contracts shall be made by two members of theGoverning Body and the President or in his absence theSecretary.

MISCELLANEOUS

24. The rules and regulations for the time being of theAssociation may from time to time be altered, added to orrescinded by the Association in general meeting.

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BYE-LAWS

1. Philanthropic, charitable or any other kind of workstarted by the Governing Body of the Ramkrishna Mission inco-operation with the interested people of any locality outsideof Belur shall be regarded as Branch Centres.
2. (a) These will be managed by local committees and

office-bearers or by a single individual or indivi­duals selected from among the local members and associates by the Governing Body.

(b) The duties and powers with which a local committee or any of its office-bearers is hereby entrusted, shall, so far as applicable, be performed and exercised by a single individual or individuals, authorised to manage a branch centre, the monthly detailed account of the work done in the centre and the sums drawn and disbursed for carrying on the work being submitted directly by such individual or individuals to the Governing Boby of the Mission.

3. The local committee shall direct the business of those
   centres, by rules and bye-laws framed by the Governing Bodyin consultation with the local members and associates or thepeople of the locality interested in those works.
4. Every such centre shall contribute when capable a sum ofRupees twelve annually to the Governing Body in considerationof its affiliation with the Association.
5. The sources of income of such institutions shall besubscriptions and donations from the public: and the moneyraised by such means shall be exclusively used for the welfare
   of such institutions.

••-••• 6. Subscribers to such an institution, its bona fide workers and medical men and other persons who render

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substantial and gratuitous service to such an institution are eligible for election as members and office-bearers of the local committee and shall be associate members of the Ramkrishna Mission.

7. The Governing Body of the Ramkrishna Mission shallappoint a chief Supervisor and a local committee with office­
   bearers for the management of affairs of every branch centre,which is not managed by a single individual or individuals.
8. The Governing Body of the Ramkrishna Mission shallhave power to remove and dissolve such Supervisor and local
   committee and appoint others in their places.

9. The local committee shall consist of not less than_ eight members including the chief Supervisor and the Secretary

and each member shall have equal power to vote.

10. Subscriptions and donations shall be received by the
    Secretary or the Assistant Secretary who shall grant a receiptfor the same.
11. All moneys and deposit accounts, GovernmentPromissory Notes and other Securities approved by theGoverning Body shall stand in the name of the RamkrishnaMission with the name of the local centres attached to it.The local Treasurer shall have power to withdraw money, todraw interest on such securities and to renew or consolidateGovernment Promissory Notes at the requisition of the localSecretary or the Local Assistant Secretary who shall quote the
    resolution of the Local Committee authorising him to do so.
12. The local Secretary or the local Assistant Secretaryshall call a meeting of the local Committee every month, givingdue notice of the business to be brought forward before themeeting to all the members of the Committee and shall submitthe proceedings of such and other meetings to the GoverningBody of the Ramkrishna Mission.

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13- The Local Secretary shall publish an annual report •of the work of his Committee or branch centre.

14. In all meetings of the local Committee the presence•of five members shall form a quorum. In the absence of thelocal President or the local Vice-President, the meeting shall-elect a President from amongst the members present.
15. All questions before a meeting of the local Committeeshall be decided by a majority of votes. In cases of equaldivision, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
16. The local Secretary or the local Assistant Secretary•shall have power to call a meeting of the local Committee atany time at the request of four members of the local Committee.
17. The local Secretary and the local Assistant Secretaryshall receive representations from the public and select thebusiness to be taken up by the local Managing Committee atits sittings, and shall hold communications on behalf of the.Committee.
18. The local Secretary with the local Assistant Secretaryshall keep a record of the proceedings of the meetings underthe signature of the Chairman, and a detailed account of thework done in the centre and of the sums drawn and disbursed
    "by him, for carrying on the work and shall place them beforethe monthly meeting of the local Committee.
19. The local Committee shall have power to frame newrules at any future time for the furtherance of the object ofsuch an institution with the sanction of the Governing Bodyof the Ramkrishna Mission.
20. The Secretary or the Assistant Secretary of the local
    Committee should apply to the President of the GoverningBody of the Ramkrishna Mission to empower with propercertificate bearing his own signature and the special seals ofthe Ramkrishna Mission, the workers elected by the Committee

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for raising subscriptions and donations in aid of the institution. Such workers should produce them, if wanted, before all donors for their satisfaction.

21. Such workers should carry receipt books to enter the sums donated with the signatures of the donors in their own handwritings. They should remit their collections to the local Secretaries with the names and addresses of the donors at the end of every week without fail, and the local Secretaries or the local Assistant Secretaries should send acknowledgments of the sums thus received, to the donors by return of post.

Certified that the foregoings are the correct copy of the rules and regulations of the Society.

(Sd.) subodhananda, Math, Belur, Dt. Howrah-(Sd.} shivananda, Math, Belur, Dt. Hoivrah. (Sd.} premananda, Math Belur, Dt. Howrah.

Dated, ist May, igog.

f ^{75 ]}

APPENDIX C.

Donations and Subscriptions received at the Head­quarters of the Ramkrishna Mission, Belur Math, in the years 1925, 1926 and 1927.

(a) General Account, 1925

names amount

Rs. a. p. Subscription and admission fees

Sj. Haripada Mitra ... ... ... 15 o o

,, Dwijendranath Paramanik ... ... 500

,, Amulya Ch. Rai Chaudhuri ... ... 500

,, Nibaran Ch. Mukherjee ... ... 15 o o

,, P. Krishna Menon _m ... 10 o o

,, Narendra Kumar Bose ... ... 400

,, Panchanan Chandra ... ... ... 15 o o

,, Bepin Behary Dey ... ... ... 500

,, Yatindra Nath Ghosh ... ... 500

,, Hariballav Rai Chaudhuri ... ... 500

,, Bejoy Kumar Bose ... ... ... 10 o o

,, Haricharan Das Dutt ... ... ... 10 o o

„ Ashutosh Mitra ... ... ... 500

,, Nagendra Nath Chatterjee ... ... . 500

,, Jogesh Chandra Ghosh ... ... 10 o o

,, Govinda Nath Chongdar ... ... 280

„ Girindra Nath Sirkar ... ... 500

,, Prassanna Kumar Bhattacharya ... ... 10 o o

,, Narayan Chandra Rudra ... ... 400

,, Bhupendra Kumar Bose ... ... 1500

,, Hrishikesh Mukherjee '.:. ... 15 o o

„ Haridhan Dutt ... ... ... 200

,, Kshirode Prasad Vidyabinode ... ... 10 o o

Carried over ... ... . ••• 187 8 o