Seventh General Report - 1934

THE SEVENTH GENERAL REPORT

OF

THE RAMKRISHNA MISSION

(1931-1933)

(With some up-to-date information)

September, 1934

ISSUED BY THE GOVERNING BODY,

FROM BELUR MATH, HOWRAH.

THE SEVENTH GENERAL REPORT

: OF :

THE RAMKRISHNA MISSION

(1931-1933)

The national ideals of India are Renunciation and Service. Intensify her in those channels and the rest will take care of itself.

Swami Vivekananda

INTRODUCTION

After the passing away of Sri Ramakrishna Deva, the Prophet of the harmony of all religions, in 1886, a monastic Order bearing his name was organised by some of his Sannyasin disciples headed by Swami Vivekananda. After some years spent in intense spiritual practices, the ideal that gradually shaped itself before the vision of the Order had a twofold character : —

1. To bring into existence a band of Sannyasinsdevoted to leading a life of renunciation and practical
   spirituality, from among whom teachers and workerscould be sent out to spread Vedantic and religiousideas as illustrated in the life of Sri Ramakrishna.
2. In conjunction with the lay disciples to carry on missionary, philanthropic and charitable
   work, looking upon all men, women and childrenirrespective of caste, creed or colour as veritablemanifestations of the Divine.

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For some time the philanthropic and missionary work was carried on through the medium of an Association called the Ramkrishna Mission Associa­tion started by Swami Vivekananda in May, 1897, shortly after his return from the West. In the year 1899 a Math or monastery was started at Belur, in the District of Howrah, Bengal, and Swami Viveka­nanda made over its management to a number of Trustees by a Deed of Trust in 1901, the main objects of the Math being the training of a band of monks for Self-realisation and for the acquisition of a capacity to serve the world in all possible ways. Soon after this Math was established as the central seat of the monastic order, the Ramkrishna Mission Association ceased to function, as an independent organisation, and the Math authorities themselves carried on the philanthropic and charitable work originally under­taken by the Mission Association.

In course of time, with the growth of its scope and public responsibilities it was felt that for the efficient carrying on of the philanthropic, charitable and missionary work, as well as for giving it a legal status, it was better to have a separate organisation known as the Ramkrishna Mission. Accordingly in the year 1909 a Society under the name of the Ramkrishna Mission was registered under Act XXI of 1860. (Appendix A gives extracts from the Memorandum of Association and Appendix B extracts from the Rules.) The management of the Ram­krishna Mission was henceforth vested in a Governing Body consisting of the Trustees of the Belur Math for the time being. The registration of the Mission was undertaken to keep^: the Math activities, viz., the training and maintenance of a band of Sannyasins to carry on religious work, distinct from the Mission activities.

The activities of the Belur Math extended, and in course of time various branch Maths sprang up in

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different parts of the country. These branch Maths and the Math at Belur were from their very inception treated as part of a single organisation. Side by side with the springing into existence of the branch Maths, the Ramkrishna Mission extended its sphere of activities, and the various philanthropic and charitable institutions that had already been started by it in different parts of India were gradually incorporated into the registered Society known as the Ramkrishna Mission, and new centres also began to be started.

Though the Ramkrishna Mission and the Rama-krishna Math with their respective centres are distinct institutions, there has been a close association between the two bodies as the Governing Body of the Mission is identical with the Trustees of the Math, and the principal workers of the Mission are members of the Ramakrishna Math, and both have their headquarters at the Belur Math.

The name of the Ramkrishna Mission has, however, come to be loosely used by people in connection with all Math activities also. Under the headquarters at Belur there were, at the end of the year 1933, 93 centres distributed as follows : 30 in Bengal, 2 in Assam, 8 in Behar and Orissa, 11 in the United Provinces, 1 in Delhi, 2 in the Bombay Presidency, 1 in Central Province, 19 in the Madras Presidency, 4 in Ceylon, 2 in Burma, 1 in Straits Settlements and 12 in the United States of America. One centres was added in 1934.

It is necessary to point out that the mere use of the name of Sri Ramakrishna or Swami Vivekananda with any institution does not necessarily imply that it is managed or controlled by either the Trustees of the Belur Math or the Governing Body of the Ramkrishna Mission, or that the Central organisation at Belur is responsible for their activities.

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In furtherance of the objects of the Math and the Mission, trained members of the Order are sent out to countries outside India for the preaching of Vedanta in order to bring about a closer relation and better understanding between India and foreign countries.

The Math and the Mission, which, as pointed out, are independent of each other in their respective spheres of activities, own separate funds and keep separate accounts of them. The Math fund consists of private subscriptions and donations from friends and devotees ear-marked for worship, maintenance of the monks undergoing spiritual discipline, celebrations of anniversary festivals, etc. In several Maths this fund is strengthened by the proceeds of the publication of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature. For conducting the work of the Mission, subscriptions and donations are collected from the general public. These constitute the Mission fund, which is annually audited by auditors appointed in the General Meeting of the Association.

It is gratifying to note that through the grace of the Lord and the active co-operation of the generous public, the various activities of the Mission have shown an all-round progress during the period under review, and that our countrymen have been evincing a greater interest in our movement, which is recog­nised as one of the nation-building forces in India.

The activities of the Math and the Mission havebeen described in this Report in five sections. Section I deals with the Math and Mission head­quarters, Section II with the group of Mission centresonly, classified into (A) Institutions of GeneralService and (B) Institutions mainly Educational,Section III with combined Math and Mission centres,Section IV with Math centres alone, and Section Vwith centres outside India. We shall take themup in order. The descriptions

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given here are short, as most of the centres publish separate Reports of their activities, to which reference may be made for details.

The Math and the Mission have sustained an irreparable loss at the passing away of Srimat Swami Shivananda, the President of the Order, on the 20^th February, 1934. He had been holding this office since 1922, when he succeeded Srimat Swami Brahmananda, the first President. Under his able guidance and leadership the Math and the Mission grew steadily till they attained their present proportions. He was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, and his pure life, selfless love and untiring service of humanity will always be a source of inspiration to thousands of men and women.

SECTION I

The Math and Mission Headquarters. THE RAMAKRISHNA MATH, BELUR

It was the aim of Swami Vivekananda to found an institution where thousands of young men would be provided with the means of attaining their own liberation and of effectively preparing themselves for the good of humanity. The first and the foremost of all the Maths and Ashramas started for the realisation of this object is the central Math at Belur situated on the right bank of the Ganges, three miles to the north of Calcutta, in full view of the temple of Dakshineswar. Associated with the holy lives and a thousand sacred memories of Swami Vivekananda and his brother disciples—who have done so much for the spiritual regeneration of India and the whole world—the Belur Math, with its spacious grounds and serene atmosphere, is a place of pilgrimage to all seekers of Truth. It has been yearly attracting larger sections of our countrymen and an ever-increasing number of interested visitors from foreign countries.

With a view to disseminating the ideas and ideals of the Sanatana Dharma, the Swamis of the Order undertook, during the period under review, lecturing tours in different parts of the country, where they were received with great enthusiasm. These were too numerous to mention in detail. Four Swamis have been sent out to foreign lands as preachers of Vedanta.

The course of training in the Math went on with­out a break, and several young men had the privilege of being initiated into the vows of Brahmacharya and Sannyasa. Regular classes were held throughout

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the period under review. In the attached Chatush-pathi or Sanskrit Lyceum there were four or five daily classes, some under a qualified teacher, and the others under capable monks of the Order. In these classes various philosophical and religious books were studied. A general class was maintained for the study of the religious literature of the Order, Which was open to the public.

A commodious shed with side-rooms was constructed in 1933 to serve as a kitchen and store on the occasion of Sri Ramakrishna’s birthday festival, which is attended by a lakh and a quarter or more of people of both sexes, some twenty thousand of whom are served with Prasada or sacramental food.

The need of a Guest House for devotees and admirers who want to pass a few days with their families near the precincts of the Math in order to profit by its spiritual atmosphere or to study at first hand the workings of the Mission at its chief centre, is being more and more keenly felt. The estimated cost of the land and building is Rs. 25,000. It is earnestly hoped that before long this particular want of the head-quarters will be removed by generous friends and well-wishers of the Order.

THE MISSION HEADQUARTERS AT BELUR

The Belur Math, as already mentioned, is also the headquarters of the Ramkrishna Mission, from which the activities of its different branch centres are regulated. Besides this work of supervision, the Mission headquarters conducts the following works:—

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1. The Ramkrishna Mission Charitable Dispensary, Belur.

This outdoor Dispensary was founded in the year 1913. Besides rendering medical relief it also supplies at times diet, warm clothing and pecuniary help to the needy. The physician in charge also attends patients in their own homes free of charge whenever necessary, and in serious cases the services of expert physicians are called in. The Dispensary has grown quite popular and draws patients from good distances. It treated 8555 new cases in 1931, 8714 in 1932 and 8969 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 81. It however requires proper accommodation and equipment.

2. Mass Education Work.

Through the generosity of some American friends, the Mission headquarters at Belur started in the year 1928 a number of Primary Schools for the removal of illiteracy among Indian children. Five Day Schools with a total average of 250 pupils were conducted in 1931. Two of them-one at Brahmankitta, in Dacca, and another at Mankhanda, in 24-Paraganas-were for girls. The rest-those at Charipur, in Sylhet, and at Belda and Garbeta, in Midnapur-were mixed schools. The schools at Belda and Brahmankitta were U. P. schools, while the rest were L. P. schools. A Night School at Basirhat, in 24-Paraganas, and a Day School at Daharkundu, in Hooghly, were also given aids. Lantern lectures were also organised in the villages for the spread of general knowledge among adults regarding sanitation and various useful pursuits so as to make them fitter for the struggle for existance. The receipts of this fund for 1931 together with previous

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balance amounted to Rs. 1,535-1-10 and the expen- diture to Rs. 1,266-4-6.Owing to the shortage of funds, however, the amount of aid for schools was gradually reduced in the next two years, the total expenditure being Rs. 530-12-6, out of an income of Rs. 554. The balance in hand at the end of 1933 was Rs. 292-0-10. It is gratifying to note that even without the aid from the Mission all the schools except the one at Brahmankitta are in existance, having become self-supporting in the course of the last five years. When more funds are available, other schools will be added to the list. To those who believe, with Swami Vivekananda, that the well-being of a nation depends on the condition of its asses, we earnestly appeal for contributions to this Fund.

Temporary Relief Work.

1. Famine Relief Work : (a) In the Rangpur and Nadia Districts from May to August, 1931. Altogether 964 mds. 26 srs. of rice, 230 mds. of paddy and 1923 pices of cloth were distributed among 5792 recipients belonging to 102 villages.

(b) In the Mymensing and Pabna Districts from January to April, 1932. In all 998 mds. of rice, 600 pieces of cloth and 90 vests were distributed among 2046 recipients belonging to 74 villages.

2. Flood Relief Work:- (a) In the Pabna and Mymensing Districts from July to December, 1931. Altogether 4546 mds. 23 srs. of rice and 3629 pieces of new and 3140 pieces of old were distributed among 8100 recipients of 222 villages.

(b) In the Cuttack, Puri and Midnapur Districts from August to December, 1933. Altogether 7990 mds. 1 sr. of rice and 7003 pieces of new cloth were

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distributed among 13,738 recipients belonging to 482 villages. Besides these, hut-building materials to 211 families, enough seed-frains to cultivate 70 acres of land to250 families, and 2642 mds. of bran as fodder were supplied, and medical relief also was undertaken.

The headquarters contributed Rs. 600/- to the Flood relief work organised by the Dacca centre in 1931-32.

The total receipts for the above works amounted to Rs. 51,987-13-3, and the total disbursements to Rs. 54,181-12-6. The additional expenditure was met from the Provident Relief Fund.

3. Fire Relief Work:― (a) At Ketag in the Puri District, and at Kankradara in the Bankura District in 1932; at Brahmapur and Gopalpur in Jessore, at Kumarpur in Murshidabad, at Majuhati in Birbhum, at Kantabari in Bankura, at Panchgram in Puri and at Kanarah in Manbhum in 1933. The total expenditure for these, amounting to Rs. 908-7-9, was met from the Provident Relief Fund.
4. Tornado Relief Work in the Mymensing District from May to June, 1932. Altogether 211 mds. 30 srs. of foodstuffs and 100 pieces of cloth were distributed among 577 recipients. The total receipts for this work were Rs. 358-2-3, and the total disbursements Rs. 525-7-0, the deficit being met from the Provident Relief Fund.

4. Help to the Poor.

The Mission headquarters also maintained a Poor Fund for the redress of individual distress, out of which it helped a number of helpless widows and gave small stipends to some deserving students.

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Besides a Permanent Fund of Rs. 6,000 in Government securities, the total receipts of this Fund from 1931 to 1933 including previous balance was Rs. 4,483-15-11, and the total expenditure Rs. 3,937-5-5, and the total expenditure Rs. 3,753-13-6, leaving a meagre balance of Rs. 183-7-11. Urgent attention of the sympathetic public is respectfully invited towards the improvement of this Fund.

Detailed accounts of the Provident Relief Fund, the Mass Education Fund, the Poor Fund and the General Fund, along with the audited Balance Sheet of the Mission headquarters, are published separately.

We are glad to announce that after a prolonged litigation and payment of all costs and incidental chargers, the Mission has received so far a sum of Rs. 90,654-6-0 from the Khaira Estate. A Permanent Fund called the Kumar Guruprasad Singh Endowment Fund has been statrted with it. All further proceeds from that Estate will be added to this Fund, only the interest of which will be spent for the Mission work.

SECTION II

Mission Centres.

A. INSTITUTIONS OF GENERAL SERVICE

The Ramkrishna Mission Home of Service, Benares.

This is the largest Sevashrama of the Mission, and its services to the sick and poor irres­pective of caste, creed or sex, have won the admiration of all. Started in 1900, it was handed over to the Ramkrishna Mission in 1902, and was formally made a branch centre of the Mission, after its registration, in 1909. It has been occupying its present premises at Laksa since 1910. The work has grown at a steady pace, and a branch Outdoor Dispensary was opened in July, 1931, at the Shivala Quarter of the City. The present activities may be divided under the following heads :—

(1) Indoor General Hospital: It contains 145 beds and takes care of those helpless sufferers who are picked up from the roadside or bathing-ghats, besides those who seek admission into it. The Female Hospital is segregated from the Male Hospital and is conducted exclusively by lady workers. All three systems of treatment—Allopathic, Homoeopathic, and Ayurvedic—are made use of. The total number of new indoor cases was 1668 in 1931, 1607 in 1932 and 1795 in 1933, the daily average attendance for the three years being 124. The total number of surgical cases in those years was 312, 207 and 197 respectively.

2. Refuge for Invalid Men: There are 25 bedsin it, three of which were occupied bypermanent invalids at the end of 1933.

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2. Refuge for Women Invalids : There were 8inmates on an average in this Refuge, which is locatedat the Dasaswamedh Ghat.

4. Girls' Home : Six girls on an average accom­modated in this Home and received educationin the local Schools and Colleges under a ladysuperintendent and help the work of the FemaleHospital.
5. Home for Paralytic Patients : It accommo­-
   dated 15 patients in 1931, 11 in 1932 and 18 in 1933.

(6) Dharmasala for poor grangers : It gave tem­porary shelter and food to 600 people during the period under review.

7. Outdoor help to Invalids and poor Ladies of res­-pectable families : Foodstuffs, pecuniary help, clothes,blankets, etc., were given from this department to165, 137 and 126 permanent recipients during 1931,1932 and 1933 respectively.
8. Outdoor Dispensary (including the Shivala Branch): It treated 34,217 new cases in 1931, 41,409 in 1932 and 44,765 in 1933. The number of surgical cases in the Outdoor Dispensary was 413 in 1931, 334 in 1932 and 328 in 1933.
9. Special and occasional relief : In the threeyears under review 784, 685 and 842 persons respec­-tively were helped in various ways from this depart­-ment.

The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Kankhal (Saharanpur).

This Sevashrama has been doing admirable service ever since its establishment in 1901. It was

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for­mally made a branch centre of the Mission in 1911. Its activities may be summed up as follows :—

1. The Indoor Hospital admitted 928 patients in 1931, 822 in 1932 and 870 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 21.
2. The Outdoor Dispensary treated 18,569, 15,144 and 16,655 new cases respectively in the threeyears under review, the daily average attendance being 91. It also supplied some patients with diet and clothing.
3. The Night School attached to the Sevashrama
   had 32 boys belonging to the depressed classes on itsrolls at the end of 1933.
4. The Library containing 1669 religious booksand the Reading Room were open to the Sadhus andVidyarthis of Kankhal and the surrounding places.

During the Ardha Kumbha Fair held at Hardwar in March-April, 1933, the Sevashrama treated 58 indoor and 6237 outdoor cases, opening an outdoor branch for the purpose, in addition to the travelling section.

The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Rangoon.

It is situated on Merchant Street, East Rangoon, on an extensive plot of land lent by the Government, the structures being provided by the Corporation of Rangoon. It was started in 1921 and was made a branch centre of the Mission in the next year. Its services to thousands of sick, poor people hailing from distant places and speaking diverse tongues are being increasingly appreciated both by the Government and by the public. His Excellency the Governor of Burma opened the Surgical Room of

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the Hospital in June, 1932, and paid a glowing tribute to the work of the institution.

The Indoor Hospital of the Sevashrama admitted 2614 cases in 1931, 2778 in 1932 and 3176 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 96.

The Outdoor Dispensary treated 60,625 new cases in 1931, 66,095 in 1932 and 66,053 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 398. A separate Female Ward is maintained under the supervision of a lady doctor.

The Ramkrishna Mission Society, Rangoon.

After twenty years of existence in different forms, the Society was made over the Mission in 1921. The growing popularty of the Library and Reading Room conducted by the Society necessitated its removal in 1932 to more commodious quarters at 253 Dalhousie Street. The average daily attendance of the Reading Room for the three years under review was 110. The Library had 5609 books on varied subjects in 1933 and 161 periodicals in different languages. Two Ladies’ Library, one Tamil and another Bengali, Were managed by ladies and were very popular.

The Guest House, known as "Shashi Niketan" was useful to casual visitors to the city. Regular classes and occasional lectures were arranged, and the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and the Holy Mother were celebrated.

The Society undertook Flood Relief Work in the Pegu and Toungoo Districts from August till the middle of October, 1932. Rice and clothes were distributed to the suffers, and pecuniary help was given to build huts. The receipts of this work

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amounted to Rs. 903-5-9 and the ecpenditure to Rs. 724-7-0. The Society collected nearly Rs. 4,000 and a few bundles of clothes for the Flood Relief Work undertaken by the Mission in North and East Bengal in 1931.

The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Brindaban (Muttra).

The Sevashrama at Brindaban was strarted in 1907 and was handed over to the Ramkrishna Mission in the following year. It was formally made a branch centre of the Mission in 1911. Although it has done excellent service to thousands of pilgrims to this holy place, it has always had to work against great financial difficulties. A new Female Ward was constructed in 1931, and Workers’ quarters in 1933.

Considerable damage was done to the Sevashrama buildings by the heavy floods of the Jumna in October, 1933, when it was necessary to remove the indoor patients and some of the workers to the interior of the town.

The Indoor Hospital treated 331 patients in 1931, 347 in 1932 and 410 in 1933.

The Outdoor Dispensary treated 12,810 new casesin 1931, 14,955 in 1932 and 14,560 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 103.

During the Cholera epidemic of 1932 the Sevashrama treated 19 cases with fair success.

Pecuniary aid was given to a few respectable ladies.

The Ramkrishna Mission Sevasharama, Lucknow.

This Sevashrama had its inception in the year 1914. It was removed to its permanent quarters at

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Aminabad in 1924 and was converted into a branch centre of the Ramkrishna Mission in 1925. The total number of new cases treated at the Outdoor Dispen­sary was 15,440 in 1931, 13,100 in 1932 and 15,646 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 141. The Indoor Hospital, which has only two beds, treated 8 emergency cases during the period. Among other things, a number of helpless widows and orphans were given monthly allowances.

A night School is conducted by the Sevashrama mainly for the boys of the labouring and depressed classes, with an average of 60 boys on its rolls. The Library attached to the Sevashrama contains 1377 books, and 11 periodi-cals are regularly placed in the Reading Room.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Delhi.

The centre at Delhi was started in the old city in 1927 as a Math, doing preaching work. In 1929 an Outdoor Dispensary was added to it and in the latter part of the year a Students' Home. The institution was made a branch centre of theMission in 1930. In 1931 a permanent site, measuring 2 acres, on Ibbetson Road, New Delhi, was secured for it from the Government, which was increased by a further grant of one-third of an acre in 1932. The institution was removed in 1932 to a rented house at 1 Mutiny Memorial Road in New Delhi, close to the Mission land, which occupies a centreal position between New and Old Delhi. Necessary buildings are being constructed to accommodate the institution on its permanent site.

In October, 1933, through the voluntary services of two efficient doctors a free Tuberculosis Dispensary was started at Paharaganj, one on the most

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congested quarters of Delhi, which treated 86 new cases up to the end of the year.

During the three years under review the Delhi centre conducted about 950 daily and weekly religious classes in different parts of the city. Public lectures totalling 140 were also delivered in Delhi, Simla and other places of Northern India. The Library attached to centre was well utilised by the public.

The Outdoor Dispensary treated 2,500 new cases in 1931, 2129 in 1032 and 1211 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 8.

The Students' Home provided 8 College Students with board and lodging. But it had to be dissolved in July 1931, on account of financial stringency. The Delhi centre also helped the temporary relief activities undertaken by the headquarters from time to time through collection of funds.

The Ramkrishna Mission Sisumangal Pratishthan, Calcutta

This institution, located at 104, Bakul Bagan Road, Bhowanipur, was started in July, 1932, with the object of safeguarding the maternal and infantile health of the country against the appalling rate of mortality. This is sought to be attained by giving regular hygienic instruction and efficient pre-natal care to expectant mothers through Sunday clinics, providing skilled aid during confinement either in the homes of the patients or in the hospital of the Pratishthan, taking systematic care of new-born babies up to the school-going age through home visits and bi-weekly clinics, and training women of good families in midwifery, obstetrical nursing and infant care. A very efficient staff looks after the work of the institution, the management being

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placed in the hands of an influential Local Committee.

From September, 1932, to the end of 1933 the Pratishthan made 6,914 home-visits, registered 476 expectant mothers, conducted 270 deli­veries and registered 366 children. It is gratifying to note that during this period there was not a single case of maternal or infantile death withine month of delivery, while septic cases since July, 1933, were less than 3 per cent. This result can compare favourably with that of the best clinics and maternity hospitals in the world and is attributable, to the special care taken by the staff and the spirit of service actuating them.

In December, 1933, an Indoor Hospital, fitted with up-to-date appliances, was opened, which has 7 beds for mothers and an equal number of isolated beds for babies.

The institution has, within the very short period of its existence, succeeded in winning, universal admiration as an ideal child welfare centre, and much of the credit is due to Swami Dayananda, its organiser and Secretary. The Corporation of Calcutta has shown its appreciation of the work done by an annual grant of Rs. 6,000.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Cawnpore

This is a growing institution which was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1931. The Ashrama undertakes different types of humanitarian activity. It conducts regular worship, Bhajana and religious classes, observance of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda with great eclat, and other festivities. It conducts an M. E. School with over 100 boys on its rolls, two Schools

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with 120 boys, a school for the depressed classes, with an evening class for adults, and a Night School for labourers. In the Students’ Home attached to the Ashrama there were 30 inmates, both young and grown up, in 1933. In addition to their studies, special stress was laid on the moral and spiritual growth of the members, physical exercise was compulsory, and vocational training in book-binding etc. was also provided.

The Ashrama has organised an efficient Scouts Corps called the Vivekananda Vrati Sangha, which is affiliated to the Seva Samity Boy Scouts Association and has been highly spoken of by its officials. The Ashrama also maintains two small Libraries. There is a Debating Society for the Ashrama students, who conduct an illustrated manuscript magazine in vernacular.

The Ramakrishna Seva Sadan (Home of Service) attached to the Ashrama treated 6820 new outdoor cases in 1931, 6646 in 1932 and 5908 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 81. In December, 1932, an Indoor Hospital with 5 beds was opened, which admitted 60 patients up to the end of 1933. Occasional tours were made in rural areas to render medical relief to the villagers. This group also organised lantern lectures and talks on rules of hygiene.

The Ashrama has been supervising the work of the Dukhia Seva Sadan, an asylum with 30 seats for the old and disabled. In times of emergency such as the Burhanpur Fire and the Cawnpore Riot of 1931 or the Gangetic Flood of 1932, as well as in Melas, it organised Relief Camps to help the distressed or offered the services of its volunteers.

The Vivekananda Insitute attached to the Ashrama has a well-equipped Gymnasium for young men, and also provides indoor games for them. It

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also conducts the Saraswati Sangit Samity, which has earned a good name for its musical concerts. A Gymnasium for the depressed classes, opened in November, 1932, has become quite popular, the daily attendance being about 45.

The Ashrama needs a building of its own, for which it appeals to the public.

The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Midnapore

This Ashrama has been in existence since 1914, and was recognised as a branch centre in 1931. The Indoor Hospital attached to it admitted 69 patients in 1931, 63 in 1932 and 83 in 1933. The Outdoor Hospital treated 7,605, 9,132 and 17,655 new cases respectively in those years, the daily average attendance being 63. During this period 78 dead bodies were cremated. The Ashrama conducted a Primary School for the depressed classes, which had 51 and 48 students on its rolls in 1931 and 1932 respectively. In 1933 another school was added, the total strength of the two schools being 108. The Ashrama has a small Library, which is open to the public. During the period under review 128 religious classes were held, and occasional lectures were organised. Two students were provided with free board and lodging, and a few persons were given pecuniary help.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Katihar

(Purnea).

This Ashrama was started in 1926 and was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1931. It conducts two outdoor Charitable Dispensary, one at the Ashrama, and the other at another locality of the

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town, which treated 16,330 new cases in 1933, the daily average attendance being 167. During an outbreak of smallpox in the town in that year, the Ashrama started relief work, and treated 305 cases with considerable success.

Regular religious classes were held, and the birthdays
of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda were cele­-brated, when essay-competitions and outdoor games wereorganised.

The Ramkrishna Mission Seva Sadan,

Salkia (Howrah)

This institution has been in existence since 1924. It was recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in April, 1931. It conducts an outdoor Charitable Dispensary, which treated 2669 new cases in 1931, 5223 in 1932 and 7198 in 1933, the average daily attendance being 51. It also maintains an Orphanage. which had 9 boys on an average during this period. They were given general education in the local High School.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Ranchi

This Ashrama, situated at Morabadi, a secluded quarter of the town, was started in 1927, and was recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in 1930. During the period under review 218 religious classes were held, and a few lectures were organised in different parts of the town. The total number of patients treated from the Outdoor Dispensary during the period under review was 1767. The Ashrama maintains a small library, which is open to the public.

B. INSTITUTIONS MAINLY EDUCATIONAL

The Ramkrishna Mission Students' Home,

Madras.

This premier educational institution of the Mission was started in 1905 to provide free boarding and lodging to indigent students of approved merit. It was recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in 1918. Its growth through­out has been phenomenal. In 1921 it was established in spacious buildings of its own. In 1922 a Residential High School was, added, and in 1925 an Industrial School.

In June, 1932, the institution sustained a great loss in the death of Rao Sahib C. Ramaswami Aiyengar, its organiser and Secretary from inception.

The period under review saw the construction of a shed, a building for the staff quarters, and the Jubilee Workshop for Automobile Engineering, at a total cost of nearly Rs. 40,000.

The number of students in the Home at the end of 1933 was 138, of whom 100 were studying in the Residential High School, 20 in the Industrial School, 1 in the School of Arts and 17 in the different colleges of the city. Several of the students won distictions and prizes. Amongst the old boys, one took a Ph. D. and one secured the Tata Scholarship for special study in England. In 1933 the first place in the Presidency in philosophy Honours and in Physics Honours went to Home students.

The Home also paid proper attention to the physical, moral and religious training of the boys. The Master, many of whom are old boys of the Home, continued to give their best to carry on and

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promote its noble traditions. The Old Boys' Association also did very useful work by publishing a quarterly magazine, and by trying to keep alive a spirit of fellowship among the old boys.

The Residential High School continued to produce good results at the public examinations and maintained several extra-curriculum activities. Manual training was com­pulsory, and each boy had to learn either carpentry, weav­ing or rattan work.

A branch school was started at Mambalam, a suburb of Madras. It had about 300 students on its rolls in 1933. A plot of land was purchased with a view to putting up necessary buildings.

The Industrial School provided a course in Mechanical Engineering. It is contemplated to start new classes in automobile engineering from June, 1934.

The general Library had 6,780 books and the School Library 6,488, both of which were well utilised by the boys.

The Ramkrishna Mission Students' Home,

Calcutta

This Students' Home was started in 1916 with the object of imparting to poor and deserving young men an efficient home-training to supplement University education by building up their character and developing their potentiali­ties. The experiment so far has been quite encouraging, and the institution was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1919. The Home was removed in 1932 to its own residence at Gauripur (P.O. Dum-Dum), close to the Jessore Road, six miles from Calcutta. Some buildings have been put up, and others are under construction. A new bus has been purchased for the

[ 25 ]

conveyance of the students to Calcutta colleges and back.

There were 22 students in the Home at the end of 1933, a small percentage of whom were paying students. Thirty students appeared in the University examinations, of whom 27 passed, one standing first class first in M. A. in Philosophy, and another in B. A. in History.

Scriptural classes were held thrice a week, excluding the vacations, and several religious festivals were celebrated, which, being social gatherings on a religious basis, afforded the students a healthy recreation while intensifying their spiritual aspirations. A monthly manuscript magazine was conducted by the students. Saturday classes were held, when the students met to discuss socio-religious topics and read papers and extracts on various subjects. All house­hold duties except cooking were managed by the students, and the duties were distributed every month by a representative committee of the students. The Home has been recognised by the Calcutta University as a college students' Hostel.

The Sister Nivedita Girls' School and Sarada Mandir, Calcutta

This Girls' School at 5, Nivedita Lane, Baghbazar, was started by Sister Nivedita in 1902, to give proper education to Hindu girls. She wanted each of them to be loyal to the ideals of the race and filled with a passion for service. While keeping intact her tender­ness and humility, her great power of service and her silent self-effacement, which go to make her the centre of the Hindu home, the school has all along been endeavouring to make her more efficient in the household duties and the arts and crafts auxiliary to them. It is the aim of the

[ 26 ]

institution to train the students in such a way that they will be able to solve their own future problems.

The institution was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1918, and its usefulness is amply borne out by the ever-increasing number of applications for admission. The school teaches up to class VIII of the High School standard, and is taken care of by eighteen lady teachers, six of whom are honorary workers. The teaching is entirely free. Along with Bengali, Sanskrit, mathematics, history and geography, were taught drawing, music, needlework, rules of hygiene, and house-keeping. Religious training was an important part of the curriculum. Special scriptural classes and occasional lectures were arranged from time to time for the inmates. The strength of the school was 411 in 1931, 501 in 1932 and 471 in 1933. In The Sarada Mandir or Hostel there were 46 inmates at the end of 1933, of whom 7 were honorary workers, 8 free boarders and 2 half-free boarders. Many of these were ex-students. The school has got a decent Library and Reading Room. It also possesses a bus and a motor car.

The Ramkrishna Mission Vidyapith, Deoghar (Sonthal Parganas)

The Ramkrishna Mission Vidyapith is a Residential High School for young boys, conducted of the model of the ancient Gurukula system, which, while not precluding the assimilation of academic knowledge, seeks to lay the main stress on the development of character and a religious spirit, through a combined process of self-restraint and self-development. It was started in 1922 and was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1924. It is situated on an open plot of land amid picturesque natural scenery, away from the bustle of the town. Most of the teachers are monks of

[ 27 ]

the Ramakrishna Order. A few self-sacrific­ing graduates have also volunteered to serve the institutionon a nominal pittance.

During the period under review the institution was able to expand its activities in various department. The average number of students on its rolls was 84 in 1931, 88 in 1932 and 92 in 1933, most of them being paying boarders. The Calcutta University has kindly permitted the boys to appear at its Matriculation examination as private candidates. The number of successful candidates was 2, 4 and 6 respectively in the year under review.

A dinning-hall was constructed in 1931, and a guest house and a two-storied dormitory were added in 1933. A school-building, a medical ward and a dormitory were under construction. During the period elaborate arrangements for drill and exercise were made, with a new shed and athletic appliances.

The Library and Reading Room got some valuable additions. The boys conducted the periodical "Vidyapith'' and organised themselves into various groups for debates, festivals and other social activities.

Since 1933 practical classes have been opened in type­writing, tailoring and gardening. Eighteen boys joined these classes.

The institution treated local patients with homeopathic medicines.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Patna.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Patna, was started in 1922 and was recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in 1930. During the period under review 25 scriptural classes were held in the Ashrama and 16 in other parts of the city. Special discourses were

[ 28 ]

arranged from time to time by the Ashrama. The swami in charge delivered 31 lectures in Assam, Bengal and Bihar. The Ashrama conducted the Vivekananda Boys' Association for supplementing the education of the schoolboys with moral, intellectual and physical training. The Association met every evening, the average daily attendance being 35. Devotional music was one of the subjects taught. The Ashrama conducted five Night Schools for the masses and one Girls’ School in the villages.

The Students' Home attached to the Ashrama is a College Students' Hostel run on the lines of a Brahmacharya Ashrama. It had 12 inmates in 1931, 5 in 1932 and 8 in 1933, about half the number being free boarders.

The Ashrama organised the Vivekananda Social Service League, which, in co-operation with local youths, undertook various humanitarian activities.

Owing to financial difficulties, the publication of the Morning Star, an English monthly organ of the Order, was suspended in 1932, after it had completed its seventh year.

The urgent need of suitable buildings to accom-modate the different activities of the Ashrama has been intensified by the damage of the existing struc-ture caused by the recent terrible Earthquake in Bihar. The attention of the generous public is in-vited to this promising institution in the capital of Bihar.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Sarisha

(24-Paraganas)

This excellent institution, situated 26 miles south of Calcutta on the Diamond Harbour Road, devotes itself to the task of village reconstruction

[ 29 ]

through an all-round education of the right type. Started in December 1921, it was recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in 1924. In the Upper Primary School for boys at the Ashrama, which had one class added in 1933, there were 191 students at the end of that year, mostly recruited from the poorer classes. A building for the School was completed in 1931. The Girls' School was raised to Class VIII of the High School standard in 1933, and had 85 students on its rolls. The students of both the school were supplied with daily tiffin. The Girls’ Schools at Mankhanda was raised to the U. P. standard in 1931, and had 38 students on its rolls at the end of 1933. The L. P. School at Kalagachhia for girls of the depressed classes had to be discontinued in October, 1933.

The results in public examinations of the Schools at the Ashrama and at Mankhanda, particularly of the Girls’ Schools, have always been brilliant, cent. per cent. of the boys passing and almost all in the first division, and twelve of the girls securing scholarships during the period under review.

In December, 1933, the Ashrama took charge of an L. P. School in a precarious state of existence at Jangalpara, and converted it into a mixed U. P. School.

In 1932 a Boy Scouts Association was organised by the Ashrama, consisting of about 40 school and college students, who conducted three Night Schools, taking their turns at teaching. The senior girls of the Ashrama School similarly conducted four Night Schools for girls of the depressed classes. The total aggregate of students in these schools was 150 in 1933.

The Students’ Home attached to the Ashrama had 7 boys during the period under review, the

[ 30 ]

majority of them being free boarders. For the benefit of the student workers a Training Camp was organised in May, 1933, when distinguished educationists addressed the boys and girls for four days.

In 1931 a Gymnasium was set up at the Ashrama under the supervision of an expert teacher. The boys and girls have shown great skill in drill and sports. The Ashrama started in 1933 an inter-school Athletic Sports Association, which organises annual competitive sports for young men of the Sub-division.

On an average 13 deserving school and college students were regularly given stipends, and many were supplied with books, examination fees, etc. A number of families were given regular pecuniary help, and some persons occasional help and clothes.

Since 1931 a Boarding House has benn started in Calcutta for college students connected with the Sarisha Ashrama. Three of its ten inmates received prcuniary help from the Ashrama.

The Library attached to the Ashrama had 845 books in 1933. There are separate school libraries for the boys and girls.

The Outdoor Dispensary in the Ashrama treated 1528 new cases in 1931, 1265 in 1932 and 923 in 1933. Two tube-wells were sunk in two villages in 1933 at a cost of nearly Rs. 1,760. The Boy Scouts Association together with local volunteers did good relief work every year at the Jayrampore Fair.

The Ashrama received a Government grant of Rs. 1,307-8-0 and District Board grant of Rs. 225 for the Day Schools in 1933. For the rest it had almost entirely to depend on the generosity of our countrymen, notably some Bhatia and Gujrati merchants of Calcutta. The institution deserves the active co-operation of the benevolent public.

The Ramkrishna Mission Industrial School,

Belur (Howrah).

This is the only Industrial institution run by the Mission in Northern India. Started in the year 1921 as part of the Mission headquarters work, it was made, a branch centre of the Mission with a Local Committee in September, 1930. Considering the economic depression of the country during the last few years, the growth of this institution has been remarkable. It has secured greater recognition from the Department of Industries, Bengal, as also from many who believe the spread of the Industrial and Agricultural education in the country to be of national importance. This is no longer an experiment, by a living institution steadily tackling, with encouraging results, the vexed question of giving suitable employment to our young men. Situated close to the headquarters of the Mission and the Belur Math, it has attracted many distinguished visitors from all parts of the country.

During the period under review the insititution showed rapid progress in all its departments. One Bigha of contiguous land was secured for it in 1933. The construction of a separate workshop for the carpentry section was completed in 1932.

The number of students on the rolls of the School has 56 in 1931, 59 in 1932 and 61 in 1933. the course of study comprises cabinet-making, weaving, dyeing and calico-printing, and tailoring. The standard of training in all sections has improved under competent teachers. Better articles were turned out in the workshops, and they commanded a ready sale.

In 1932 the authorities of the headquarters placed 20 Bighas of agricultural land at the disposal of the

[ 32 ]

school with a view to widening its scope by opening an agricultural section with a demonstration farm. The students received training principally in industrial subjects, supplemented by a subsidiary course of instruction and practical work in agriculture, so that they might be fully equipped for an independent career in rural areas.

In the attached Students’ Home, most of the boys, being poor, were given free board and lodging. The indigent among the day scholars were also helped with stipends. In the morning and evening some general education was imparted to the younger boys of the Home. The studies and activities of the boys of the after school hours were under the close supervision of the Warden. Almost the whole of household work and management was in the hands of the sturdents, They had an Association of their own in which they discussed, every week, industrial and other subjects of interest. Twice they staged dramas, which were much appreciated by the audience. Along with regular religious training and physical exercise, music also received proper attention. The health of the inmates during the period was satisfactory.

The Ramkrishna Mission, Barisal.

This institution was started in 1904 and was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1911. It was removed to its own premises in 1930. During the period under review, temporary help or monthly aid was given to 526 persons, 76 patients were nursed in their own homes, and a few were treated with medicine and diet, or were taken to the local hospital. Thirty smallpox cases were treated in a villages of the District in 1933. A local Girls' School was helped with monthly contributions. Weekly religious classes were conducted in and outside the Ashrama, the outside classes having an average

[ 33 ]

attendance of 50 in 1933. Thirty public lectures were also organised on the occasions of the birthday celebrations of the great Teachers of the world, which were very successful.

In the Students' Home attached to the centre there were 16 boys in 1933, of whom 7 were free and 7 part-free boarders. Out of 21 students appearing in the University examinations during the period under review, 15 passed. All attempts were made to make them active, self-reliant youths with a taste for service and sacrifice. The centre maintains a Library, which is open to the public. The opening of a Circulating Library for the benefit of the residents of villages was a new feature of the acitivities of the institution.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Baranagore, Calcutta.

Started in the year 1912 as an Orphanage, this institution has during the last few years added to it many other activities. It was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1924. It runs a Primary School, which was 33 boys on its rolls at the end of 1933, including 10 out of the 18 belonging to the Ashrama. Vocational training was given to the boys in spinning, weaving, cane-work, tailoring and agriculture. Grown-up boys were sent to the local High Schools. A Sanskrit Chatushpathi, under a competent teacher, was opened in the Ashrama with 10 students in 1931, which has grown in popularity. It was attended by 25 students in 1933. The boys showed good results in the public examinations held in 1932 and 1933. There is a Library and Reading Room attached to the Ashrama. The Library had 1618 books at the end of 1933. The Children’s Library, managed by young boys, is becoming more and more popular.

[ 34 ]

Rendering medical aid, nursing the helpless and the sick of the locality in their own homes and giving occasional doles of rice to the needy were some other activities of the Ashrama. The outdoor Dispen­sary attached to the Ashrama treated 1,553 new cases in 1931, 1,740 in 1932 and 1,738 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 17.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Sargachhi (Murshidabad).

This is the oldest Ashrama of the Ramkrishna Mission, having been started in the year 1897 by Swami Akhandananda, the present President of the Ramakrishna Order. All these years the Swami devoted himself to the improvement of education and sanitation in the villages. The Ashrama was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1911. It maintains an Orphanage, which had 10, 8 and 6 orphans in 1931-33. It also conducts a Day and a Night School, which had 34 and 29 students respectively on their rolls at the close of 1933. The out door Charitable Dispensary treated 16,227 new cases in 1931, 14,814 in 1932 and 12,846 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 65. The patients were served with free diet and injections, whenever required. Through the munificence of a Mahomedan gentleman of the District, the dispensary got a new building of its own in 1933.

The Vivekananda Society, Jamshedpur (Singhbhum).

This is one of the popular institutions of the town, doing mostly educational and some philanthropic work. Started in the year 1919 it was recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in 1927. The Society runs two Day Schools and a Night School.

[35]

All three are Primary Schools, which had an average of 158 boys on their rolls in 1933. In the Students' Home there were 6 inmates at the end of that year, of whom 4 were reading in the local schools, and two were getting vocational training. One boy passed the Matriculation Examination in 1932.

In the Workers' Home the number of inmates on an average was 12. The Jamshedpur Manila Samity held weekly meetings and classes as well as the annual meeting and Exhibition in the Society's Hall. The Vivekananda Libraries and Reading Room, situated in the Society's premises and its branch at the Ashrama, on the bank of the Subarnarekha, away from the din of the town, were maintained as usual. The Libraries had 1719 books in 1933.

The philanthropic activities of the Society included nursing of the sick in their own homes, cremation of the dead and free supply of firewood for this purpose. During the epidemic outbreak of smallpox in the town in 1931, the volunteers of the Society did excellent nursing work in the Isolation Hospital.

Regular religious classes and occasional lectures were organised, and the birth day anniversaries of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Viveka­nanda duly celebrated.

SECTION III

COMBINED MATH AND MISSION CENTRES

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Madras.

The Madras Math, situated on Brodies Road, Mylapore, is one of the premier institutions of the Ramakrishna Order, as it is one of the earliest, having been started in the year 1897 with the late Swami Ramakrishnananda in charge. It has all along shown a brilliant record of activities mainly in the direction of preaching and publication. Regular worship, scriptural classes and Bhajana were con­ducted by the Swamis during the period under review at the Math premises as well as outside. Moral and religious instruction was given to the students of the Ramkrishna Mission Students' Home, Mylapore, and up to the end of 1931 at the Pachai-yappa's College and at the Vaisya Hostel, Chetput. The Swamis of the Math delivered religious lectures and discourses at the invitation of several Societies and Associations not only in and about the city, but also in distant places of South India.

The publication department has continued to flourish. Vedanta Kesari, the English monthly, reached its twentieth year in 1933 and Rama­krishna Vijayam, the Tamil monthly, its thirteenth year. The Math has published a good number of English, Tamil and Telugu books, some of which were reprinted during the period under review. The Spiritual Teachings of Swami Brahmananda, Universal Prayers, a com­prehensive Life of Sri Ramakrishna in Telugu and one volume of the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda in Tamil, were important additions during the period.

[ 37 ]

The Math has also been conducting a free Elemen-tary School called the Ramakrishna National Girls' School located at 6 Krishnappa Naiken Agraharam Street, George Town, Madras, with about 150 students on its rolls. There are six lady teachers. The financial position of the School needs sufficient improvement.

In October, 1933, Swami Yatiswarananda, the President of the Math, was deputed to Wiesbaden Germany, as a preacher of Vedanta.

The Charitable Dispensary attached to the math has been progressing steadily. It has now two attending doctors, and has attracted patients even from distant suburbs. In 1933 a building adjoining the Math was purchased for it, and it was removed to its new premises in the present year. The number of new cases treated by it during the period under review was 23,442, 21,405 and 26,537 respectively, the daily average attendance being 163.

MISSION WORK.

In addition to the Math described above there has also been since the year 1926 a Mission centre at Madras which undertakes occasional relief activities. In February, 1931, it completed the Flood and Cyclone Relief Work in the Tanjore and Chingleput District. Some details of the work were publishied in the last General Report.

In the Colony named Ramakrishnapuram which came into existence after the Fire Relief Work by this Mission centre in 1928, a plot of land measuring 50 square ft. was assigned by the Government to the Ramakrishna Mission. Here the Mission has erected a large shed with a shrine in it for common worship. Weekly Bhajana is conducted, and simple

[ 38 ]

class-talks on religion are given once a week to the people, who are Harijans. A Night School has also been established for the adults and boys who are compelled to earn their livelihood by day on account of their poverty. Two other Night Schools for the Harijans are also being conducted by the Mission since 1932. The three schools together had about 80 students in 1933. Lessons were also given to them on a variety of useful subjects.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Bombay.

This Ashrama, situated at Khar, a growing suburb of Bombay, has, since its inception in 1923, been doing good work in the city and suburbs, and its influence is being felt throughout the Presidency. In 1932 a branch of the Mission was opened at Khar, and the Charitable Dispensary and Library attached to the Ashrama were placed under it. The Dispensary treated 4,010 new cases in 1931, 3,612 in 1932 and 3,954 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 31. The Library, which is a decent one containing a large number of philosophical and theological books, was accessible to the public.

In 1933 a Students’ Home was started with the object of supplementing University education by cultural and spiritual education. There were 15 students in the Home studying in the different college of Bombay. Opportunities are created to influence the students of the city through this of the Home invited distinguished Professors of Bombay to deliver lectures.

In 1931 the Ashrama conducted Flood Relief Work in the Rantnagiri District on behalf of the Ramkrishna Mission, and collected funds for the Flood Relief Work in Bengal started by the headquarters.

[ 39 ]

It also organised in the same year an Exhibition of Indian Arts and Industries in the Ashrama premises.

The Ashrama conducted regular worship. The shrine-room was remodelled in 1932, and looks beautiful in its present form. The Swamis of the Ashrama held religious classes in the Ashrama and different parts of the city. They were also invited by different Associations of the city to deliver lectures. In response to an invitation from the devotees of Karachi the Swami in charge went there in 1931 and aroused considerable interest amongst the public for the Mission. He was also invited by the Viveka-nanda Society of Poona on several occasions. Another Swami was invited by the Vivekananda Society of Kolhapur and delivered a series of lectures in Marathi, which were highly appreciated. He was also invited by the Ahmednagar public. During the period under review the Swamis altogether delivered 75 lectures, and held 336 classes.

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Dacca,

The activities of the Dacca centre date back to 1899, when the first preachers were sent there. The Seva department was added in 1908, and the monastic workers took charge in 1914. It was recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in 1916.

The Mission centre at Dacca conducts an outdoor Dispensary, which treated 2537 new cases in 1931, 1971 in 1932 and 3130 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 21. During the period under review 248 mds. of rice was distributed to a number of needy families as monthly doles. Pec-uniary help to the poor amounted to Rs. 327-4-0, and that to students to Rs. 179-12-6.

The centre organised Cholera Relief Work in a few villages of the District in 1931, treating 84

[ 40 ]

cases administering inoculations and other preventives to 1153 persons, and disinfecting 487 houses and 133 wells. During the heavy Floods in 1932, the Dacca Mission organised relief work in the Dacca and Faridpur Districts, distributing 1036 mds. 26 srs. of rice and 1319 pieces of new and some old clothes to the distressed. The expenditure came up Rs. 5,243-12-9.

Weekly religious classes were held in the Mission premises and other parts of the town, and lecture tours were undertaken in different places of the District as well as in other Districts of Bengal. The Library and Reading Room had 2373 books and 25 periodicals in 1933. It has also a small branch at another locality of the town.

The Primary School attached to the centre had an average of 137 students on its rolls during the period under review. Due attention was given to the moral training of the boys.

The Mission centre at Dacca also supervised the L. P. Girls' School at Brahmankitta, which had an average of 22 girls on its rolls during the period. The Vivekananda Gymnasium for young men was discontinued in 1932.

Regular worship and Bhajana and the celebra­-
tion of religious festivals as well the birthdays ofthe great Teachers of the world were the principalMath activities of this centre.

The Ramakrisnna Ashrama and Mission Seva Samity, Sylhet.

This institution has been in existence since the year 1916, but the Seva Samity was made a branch centre of the Ramkrishna Mission in 1926. In 1931 the Samity conducted one M. E., four Primary and three Night

[ 41 ]

Schools in the neighbouring villages, one of these being a Girls’ School. In 1932 the charge of one Primary School was given up, and one Night School was discontinued, but in 1933 one Primary School was added. The average number of students in these schools during the period under review was 179.

At the Charitable Dispensaries at Devpur managed by this centre, the number of new cases was 2276 in 1931, 2691 in 1932 and 2764 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 28. The Samity did Cholera Relief Work in some near-by villages in 1933, treating 42 patients with fair success.

The Samity maintains three Libraries accessible to the public at Sylhet, Devpur and Agna.

The Ashrama devoted itself mainly to holding regular Bhajana and religious classes, organising lectures, and celebrating the anniversaries of the great Masters.

The Seva Samity at the Karimganj Sub-centre conducted one L. P. School in 1931 and two in the next two years, which had an average of 45 students on its rolls in 1933. In December, 1933, a Night School for the depressed classes was added, which had an attendance of 24 students. The outdoor Dispensary attached to the centre treated 461 patients in 1931 and 506 in 1932 and 464 in 1933. During this period 223 pieces of cloth were distributed to destitute persons.

The Ramakrishna Math and the Mission

Charitable Dispensary, Bhubaneswar (Puri).

This monastery was founded under the auspices of the late Swami Brahmananda, the first President of the Order, in the year 1919. The atmosphere

[ 42 ]

of the place is highly conducive to spiritual exer­cises. Regular religious classes were held. The Swamis occasionally went out to the villages, pro-pagating the message of the Master. The birthday of Swami Brahmananda was celebrated with great eclat.

This. Math also supervises the Ramkrishna Mission Charitable Dispensary, started by the Mission in 1920, which has been doing good to thousands of sick people, including pilgrims. The popu­larity of the Dispensary will appear from the number of new outdoor cases treated in the years 1931 to 1933, which were 10,428, 10,203 and 20,661 res­pectively, the daily average attendance being 58.

In May, 1933, a Primary School was started, which had about 40 pupils on its rolls. In July of the same year a Sanskrit Charushpathi was opened at the Math for the monks of the Order, under a qualified teacher.

Lantern lectures were organised at Cuttack and in some villages of the District, on the occasions of the birthday celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna and the Holy Mother

The Math took an active part in the Flood Relief Work undertaken by the Mission headquarters in the Cuttack and Puri Districts in 1933.

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission

Bankura

The Math was started in the year1917. The Charitable Dispensary attached to it was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1932. Its growing popularity may be judged from the fact that it treated 6,253 new cases in 1931, 10,690 in 1932 and 15,092 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 44,109 and 114 respectively. Pecuniary help was given to

[ 43 ]

poor people, particularly students. The Math cond-ucted regular worship and religious classes. The Library was open to the public. Lectures were arranged on the birthdays of the great Founders of religions.

In the middle of 1933 two Primary Schools were started, which had 60 boys on their rolls.

The Ramakrishna Math and the Mission Sevashrama, Allahabad.

The Math, situated at Muthigunj ever since its inception in the year 1908, has been presided over by Swami Vijnanananda, a disciple of Sri Rama­krishna, whose spiritual advice is a source of perennial comfort to those who associate with him.

The Mission Sevashrama at Allahabad was started in 1910 and has since been rendering useful service to the poor and helpless. The Indoor Hospital is yet to be completed. The Outdoor Dispensary treated 8,147 new cases in 1931, 6,713 in 1932 and 4,395 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 70.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Mymensing.

This Ashrama was started in the year 1922. Situated in a solitary corner of the town, it is a fit place for devotional practices. Besides daily worship and Bhajana, scriptural classes were conducted in and out of the Ashrama premises. The birthday anniversaries of the great Masters were also duly observed.

A Mission centre was opened in April, 1931. The Outdoor Dispensary attahced to it treated 311 patients in 1931, 780 in 1932 and 1968 in 1933, with a daily average attendance of 6. It has also a Library, which is open to the public.

[ 44 ]

In July, 1933, the nucleus of a Students’ Home was started with three college students, who were all free boarders.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama and Mission Sevashrama, Contai (Midnapur).

The institution had its origin in the year 1913, but the Sevashrama was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1927. The Sevashrama maintains a Charitable Dispensary, which treated 5862 new cases in 1931, 5,380 in 1932 and 4,625 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 35. Besides, many sick persons were nursed in their own homes. The Manasadwip branch of the Dispensary, opened in 1933, treated 418 new cases.

In 1931 and 1932 the Sevashrama con­ducted one Lower Primary school for girls and three Upper Primary schools for boys in the villages, with an aggregate of 246 students on the rolls in 1932. In 1933 the U. P. School at Manasadwip was raised to the M. E. standard and the Girls’ School was discontinued. The total strength of the three schools for this year was 225. The Sevashrama undertook Cholera Relief Work in the villages in 1932, treating 60 cases with fair success, and also took part in the Flood Relief Work of the Mission in the Sub-division in 1933.

The Sevashrama maintain a Students’ Home, which had five Students at the end of 1933, and has a Library, which is open to the public.

The Contai Ashrama, among other things, con­ducted regular worship and religious classes and undertook preaching work in the villages through lantern lectures.

[ 45 ]

The Ramakrishna Ashrarna and Mission Sevashrama, Narayanganj (Dacca).

Although an institution of thirteen years' standing, the Sevashrama was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1922. The Sevashrama conducts two Charitable Dispensaries, one at the Ashrama and another at the Bhagavanganj quarter of the town, which together treated 2590 new outdoor cases in 1931, 447 in 1932 and 2,570 in 1933. A new building for the Dispensary was constructed at the Ashrama in 1931. A number of patients were nursed in their own homes. During the period under review the Sevashrama distributed 19 mds. 3 srs. of rice as doles. It also organised relief operations during the Langalband Fair in 1931.

The Durgacharan Library, which bas 2,000 books and the Reading Room were used by a large number of readers. The Primary School, which had 19 students in 1931, was discountinued in 1932.

The Ashrama at Narayanganj, like other Math cen tres, conducts regular worship, religious classes, anniversary celebrations, etc.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama & Mission Sevashrama, Sonargaon (Dacca).

This centre (Tajpur, P. 0. Aminpur) was started in 1915. The Sevashrama was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1925. During the period under review 55 students were supplied with books and school fees. The number of patients treated at the Outdoor Dispensary from 1931 to 1933 was 1,828, 1,625 and 1,865 respectively. Many poor families were given monthly or occasional help. Ten lantern lectures were arranged in 1931. The Sevashrama has got a free Library, which is open to the public.

[ 46 ]

The Ashrama conducted regular classes, worship, Bhajana, etc., and organised occasional lectures.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama & Mission Seva Samity, Habiganj (Sylhet).

This institution was started in the year 1920, but the Seva Samity was formally recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in 1926. The main activities of the Seva Samity consist in imparting education, secular and religious, to cobblers and members of other depressed classes in the District, and in organising suitable home industries for the improvement of their econ­omic condition.

The Samity, in addition to treating outdoor patients at its own premises, conducted Charitable Dispensaries at Charinao, which treated 828, 653 and 441 new cases respectively in the three years under review. A quantity of rice and some pieces of cloth were distributed to the poor. Of the three Night Schools conducted in the villages for the benefit of the depressed classes, one had to be abolished in July, 1931, for want of funds. There is also a Primary School at Charipur. Altogether 56 students, including 20 girls, received education from the three schools in 1933.

Two Shoe Factories are being managed by the Samity at Sylhet and Habiganj to provide a better training ground for the local cobbler boys, who are turning out fine work. Two Co-operative Society for the benefit of the cobblers are also being run by the Samity.

The Ashrama conducted regular worship and religious classes and organised occasional lectures and discourses, besides celebrating the birthday anniversaries of the great Masters.

[ 47 ]

The Ramakrishna Ashrama & Mission

Sevashrama Baliati (Dacca).

This centre completed its twenty-second year in 1933. The Sevashrama, which was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1925, conducts a Boys' School and a Girls' School, both of the primary standard, which had an average of 30 and 27 pupils respectively on their rolls in 1933. The outdoor Charitable Dispensary treated 319 new cases including Kala-azar cases, during the period under review. The Library and the Reading Room were used by a good many readers.

The Ashrama, in common with other Math centres, conducts regular worship, scriptural classes, Bhajana, etc.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama & Mission

Sevashrama, Tamluk (Mfdnapur).

This is one of the popular institutions of the town. Started in the year 1914, It was recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in 1929. The Sevashrama maintains an Indoor Hospital, which admitted 72 new cases in 1931 and 61 each in the next two years. The Outdoor Dispensary treated1,119 new cases in 1931, 980 in 1932 and 935 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 14. During these three years the Sevashrama nursed 80 patients in their own homes, distributed cloth, blankets and rice to 156 persons, small cash to 46 persons, and stipends to 28 students on an average.

Cholera Relief Work was undertaken in some villages of the Sub-division in 1932 and 1933, when 55 houses and 64 tanks were disinfected and 98 patients were treated. The Sevashrama took part in the Flood Relief Work started by the headquarters in

[ 48 ]

the Midnapur District in 1933. It conducts a free Circulating Library and Reading Room, which has grown very popular, 4,528, 3,380 and 4,677 books being respectively issued in the three years under review. Extensive preaching work was undertaken in the Sub-division with the help of the Swamis from the Belur Math. Eighteen lantern lectures were arranged in different places of the District, which were well attended.

The Ashrama conducts daily religious classes as well as worship and Bhajana and celebrates the anniversaries of the great Masters.

The Matrimandir and Sarada Sevashrama, Jayrambati (Bankura).

The Matrimandir, established in 1920 to perpetuate the blessed memory of the Holy Mother in the village of her nativity, continued its good work during the period under review. Daily worship is conducted in it and, among other things, the Holy Mother's birthday and two other festivals are celebrated.

The Sevashrama, made a branch centre of the Mission in September, 1930, conducts an outdoor Charitable Dispensary, which treated 2,461 new cases in 1931, 2,499 in 1932 and 3,425 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 27.

SECTION IV

MATH CENTRES

The Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati (Almora).

It was the cherished object of Swami Vivekananda
to found an Ashrama in the heart of the Himalayas,where the Advaita, or the doctrine of the oneness ofall existence, might be taught and practised in itspure form, free from all compromises. For this
purpose the Advaita Ashrama was established byhim in 1899 at Mayavati, in the District of Almora,TJ. P. Discarding all ceremonials which teachdependence, the Ashrama, though in full sympathywith all other systems, is specially dedicated to
Advaita. Regular classes on Vedanta are held, andthe Ashrama seeks to produce strong and self-reliantcharacters through study, reflection and meditation.

Prabuddha Bharata (Awakened India), an English Vedanta monthly, ably conducted by the Ashrama, completed its thirty-eighth year in 1933. It has acquired a distinct place in Indian religious journalism.

During the period under review the Ashrama published a new edition, in two volumes, of The Life of Swami Vivekananda, and reprinted many of its English and Sanskrit works, the most notable among them being The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda in seven volumes, and the Gita. The Publication Department of the Ashrama is now located at 4 Wellington Lane, Calcutta.

[ 50 ]

A Charitable Dispensary, opened in 1903 by the Ashrama, has been doing excellent service to the poor of the surrounding villages within a radius of 15 miles. The total number of indoor cases treated during the years 1931-33 was 149, 149 and 140 respectively, and that of new outdoor cases was 4,697, 6,193 and 6,173 respectively, the daily average attendance being 18.

The Ramakrishna Math, Baghbazar, Calcutta.

The nucleus of this Math was laid in the year 1899 in a rented house. It was removed to its perma­nent site at 1 Mukherjee Lane in 1909. Since then it was the Calcutta residence of the Holy Mother, and it was here that she finally entered Mahasamadhi. The place is therefore an abiding source of spiritual inspiration to hundreds of devotees. In addition to the usual routine of a monastery, two weekly religious classes were held, which were open to the public and were well attended. This is one of the chief publication centres of the Ramakrishna Order. It has published most of the works of Swami Vivekananda and the Bengali translations of most of his English works, as well as the works of Swami Saradananda and others, some of which were reprinted during the period under review. Udbodhan, a Bengali monthly magazine started by Swami Vivekananda, completed its thirty-forth year in 1933.

The Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama, Benares.

This Ashrama, started in 1902 at the Laksa quarter of this premier holy city of India, contiguous to the Home of Services, provides facilities for spiritual

[ 51 ]

advancement to the monastic members of the Rama-krishna Order, a good number of whom are maintained by the Ashrama. Regular scriptural classes were held during the period under review, which were fairly attended.

There is a Library with a Reading Room in the Ashrama, which were utilised by a good number of readers. The Library contains about 2500 books on religious, scientific and historical subjects, besides a valuable collection of Sanskrit philosophical works.

During the period under review the Ashrama celebrated the important Hindu festivals and the birthday anniversaries of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. An imposing temple to Sri Ramakrishna, begun in 1932, is nearing completion.

The Gadadhar Ashrama, Bhowanipur, Calcutta.

This Ashrama, started in 1921 at 86A, Harish Chatterjee Street, continued its spiritual activities. Regular worship and scriptural classes were con­ducted by the Swami in charge for the benefit of the inmates of the Ashrama as also of the lay devotees. The Veda Vidyalaya, which was established in 1926 for the dissemination of Sanskrit culture among the people, arranged regular classes on Vedanta, Nyaya and other allied branches of Sanskrit learning. It had about 40 students on its rolls in 1933. Twelve students came out successful in public examinations during the period under review, three of whom obtained scholarships and special prizes, and one a gold medal. The Ashrama and the Veda Vidyalaya have Libraries with a good collection of valuable scriptural and philosophical works together with a few choice books on Hindu culture.

[ 52 ]

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bangalore.

This Ashrama was founded in 1903 under theauspices of the late Swami Ramakrishnananda, andwas removed to its present site at Basavangudi in1908. Situated in a healthy locality, the Ashrama;provides a congenial place for meditation and prayer.Regular worship and Bhajana are performed andthe birthday anniversaries of the great Masters arecelebrated with appropriate ceremonies.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Nagpur.

Though the foundation stone of the Ashrama was laid in 1925, the actual work began in 1928. In 1927 A temple to Sri Ramakrishna was constructed in 1932. The Charitable Dispensary conducted by the Ashrama made notable progress. It treated 1,927 new cases in 1931, 4,249 in 1932 and 5,693 in 1933, the daily average attendance being 20, 33 and 52 respectively. Diet also was given to some. The local Municipality made an annual grant of Rs. 500 in appreciation of its services.

Five weekly religious classes were held in four localities of the town, and 58 public lectures were delivered, besides others in different towns of the Province. In 1932 the Ashrama started a public Library, which has 1,555 selected books, and was gradually patronised by 172 regular readers.

The same year also saw the opening of a Student’s Home, which had 7 inmates at the end of 1933, of whom 2 were free boarders and 1 half-free. Two of the inmates appeared successfully in the University Examinations in 1933. Bi-weekly religious classes were held for them. The inmates of the Home run an organisation called the “Students’ Study Circle,” which arranged fortnightly debates

by students, and public meetings, to discuss important prob-lems of life.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysore.

The Mysore Ashrama is situated in one of the best extensions of the city. It was started in the year 1925, and was removed to its new premises in Frbruary, 1931. Besides regular worship and Bhajana, the Ashrama conducted weekly religious classes in and outside the Ashrama, notably in five Students’ Hostels of the City. Moral and religious instruction was imparted to the fifth and sixth form boys of two local High Schools, as also occasionally to the prisoners in the Mysore District Jail and the inmates of the local Tuberculosis Sanatorium. A weekly Gita class was taken at Krishnaraja Sagara, 12 miles from Mysore. Lantern lectures were arranged for the labourers in a local mill.

The birthdays of the great Teachers and Founders of religions were observed with due solemnity. The Swamis of the Ashrama addressed various loca institutions and associations and undertook lecturing tours in the Province, as also in Coorg and South Canara.

The Ashrama Libarary, which has about a thousand books, was well utilised by the public, specially students. During the period under review the Ashrama published, among others, the following books: Drig-Drishya-Viveka, translated by Swami Nikhilananda, The Life of Swami Vivekananda (in Canarese) by Mr. K. V. Puttappa M. A., and Bhakti-Marga (Canarese translation of Swami Paramananda’s Path of Devotion).

In June, 1932, through the munificence of three friends the Sri Ramakrishna Students’ Home was

[ 54 ]

started with 14 paying boarders, in a building close to the Ashrama. The number has since increased to 17. the Home is looked after by a Swami, who is the Resident Superintendent. Every care is taken to see that the students learn uprightness of conduct and dignity of labour. Their physical and intellectual growth is attended to, and a religious class is held for them. They have a Debating Society and a Students’ Garden. The Home has already become popular. In 1933 and adjacent site was purchased for it.

Through the generous help of His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore, who takes a keen interest in the Ashrama, an arrangement for Study Circles has been made since 1932 to give the monks of the Ramakrishna Order a course of training in Eastern and Western Philosophy, Sociology and Comparative Religion, with a scientific outlook. Six Swamis have already availed themselves of the opportunity, for which some eminent Professors and scholars of Mysore are to be thanked.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Ootacamund.

The Ashrama is situated in one of the beauty spots of the “Queen of Hill Stations” and was started in the year 1926. During the period under review it conducted regular worship, and two weekly classes for the public, one at the Ashrama and another in a temple three miles away. Occa­sional lectures and discourses were arranged in and outside the Ashrama, and propaganda tours were undertaken in the Nilgiri and Coimbatore Districts. One of the Swamis frequently visited the Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, a residential Primary School at Podanur, and gave religious and moral instruction to the boys.

[ 55 ]

The Library and Reading Room attached to the Ashrama has more than 1,500 volumes of selected works in English and Tamil, and was attended by nearly 4,000 persons during the period under review.

The birthday anniversaries of the great Founders of religions and some important religious festivals were observed.

The Ashrama also undertook uplift work for the local Harijan boys, for whom it conducted weekly classes.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Malda.

This Ashrama, started in the year 1924, has been steadily growing in popularity. Regular scriptural classes and Bhajana were held, and occasional festivals were celebrated. The Ashrama conducted three Night Schools for the lower classes, which had 61 students on their rolls in 1933. The Dispensary attached to the Ashrama treated 704 new cases in 1931, 588 in 1932 and 498 in 1933. A number of patients were nursed in their own homes, and 26 dead bodies were creamated. Public lectures and discourses were arranged in the town and villages, and 22 lantern lectures were organised in the villages.

Volunteers were organised to look after the con-venience of the pilgrims in the last Ramkeli Fair of 1932, and anti-malaria work was taken up in several villages. The Ashrama is pushing on the work of village reconstruction in different parts of the district through five local Ramakrishna Societies. These Societies have been running three Primary Schools and one Night School, three Dispensaries and three Libraries. The Ashrama has a Library, which was utilised by the public.

[ 56 ]

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Trichur (Cochin).

The beginning of this Ashrama dates from the starting of the Vivekodaya Samajam in 1915, but it was recognised by the Math headquarters in 1929.

Since 1924 the Ashrama has been conducting a Gurukul or Students’ Home, a Vidya-Mandir or day school, at Puranattukara, a suburb of Trichur, both named after Sri Ramakrishna and devoted to the uplift of the depressed and backward classes, the “untouchables” of Malabar. The number of students on the rolls of the school was 277 in 1933, of whom 162 were Harijans. The school, which is free, had 6 standards in 1933, but additional forms are being opened every year, with a view to making it a High School. The mother-tongue, Malayalam, and Sanskrit are compulsory, and a working knowledge of Hindi as the common language of the national is also imparted to all the boys. The aim of the management is to make the school do for these poor people what the famous Tuskegee Institute is doing for the Negroes of America.

In the Industrial section vocational training is given to the boys in spinning, weaving, carpentry, mat-making, masonry, etc. The want of a well-equipped workshop, however, is a great drawback. The agricultural section gives practical training to the boys in agriculture, gardening, dairying, bee-culture and other farm work. The boys also run a small provision store for selling necessaries at cheap rates to the villagers. They also hold the Childrens’ Republican Court, its decisions being subject to the approval of the teacher in charge.

In the Gurukul there were 26 boys at the end of 1933, as against 8 in 1930, of whom 18 were Harijans. The boys, who were all free boarders, lived

[ 57 ]

under the supervision of ten highly qualified resident teachers, all belonging to the higher castes, who also taught in the Day School. The inmates live a simple open-air life, following a daily routine of self-help and study. Due attention is paid to their spiritual development through daily religious classes, worship and prayers. The boys attend to all kinds of work under the guidance of the teachers, including the erection of buildings, weaving their own clothes and making their own furniture. This enables them to get a practical training in these arts and crafts. They learn to love labour and feel its dignity.

The Night School for adults proved a failure, for want of sufficient recreational inducements. A teacher of the Gurukul, who is a Vaid, prescribed indigenous medicines to over 30 patients daily, but funds were lacking to supply the medicines free. The Gurukul celebrates Sri Ramakrishna’s birthday with great entuhsiasm. This institution, which is in need of accommodation, deserves the special notice of all philanthropists.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Dinajpur.

The Ashrama completed the tenth year of its existence in 1933. Religious classes were regularly conducted in and out of the Ashrama premises. During the anniversaries of the great Masters lectures were organised. The Charitable Dispensary attached to the Ashrama treated 8,420 new cases in 1931, 7,430 in 1932 and 6,523 in 1933, including 290 Kalazar cases, the daily average attendance being 63. The Ashrama also conducts three mixed schools, two of them teaching up to Class VI, and the other, started in December, 1933, and L. P. School. At the end of 1933 there were altogether 110 boys and

[ 57 ]

142 girls on the rolls of these schools. It also conducts a small Library.

The Ramakrishna Math, Conjeeveram.

This new Math in the heart of the ancient holy city of Conjeeveram was started through the generosity of a friend in the year 1932. It is steadily growing in popu-larity, making its healthy influence-felt all round. It has a decent building of its own. During the period under review regular religious classes were held by the Swamis, and occasional lectures and discourses were given in and outside the Math premises.

The public Library and Reading Room attached to the Math is the only one of its kind in the city, and is doing valuable work by way of educating the public. The Library contain about 2,00 choicest books, and 18 periodicals are placed on the table of the Reading Room.

The birthdays of the great religious Teachers and Prophets were observed. Two poor students were supported from the funds of the Math during the period.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Rajkot.

This centre in the heart of Kathiawar was started in 1927 and has made good progress. It has succeeded in winning the sympathy of some of the Ruling Princes of Kathiawar. The Swamis conducted regular religious classes in and outside the Ashrama and arranged occasional lectures and discourses. Bhajana was an important part of the activities of the Ashrama.

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The Ashrama Library contains over a thousand well-chosen books and is quite popular. The Read­ing Room attached to it is well attended by the public. The Ashrama helped a good number of students with monthly stipends. The birthday anniversaries of almost all the great World Teachers were celebrated. The Ashrama has also published a few Gujarati books.

In 1932 a plot of land was secured for the Ashrama, where buildings are under construction.

The Ramakrishna Math, Nattarampalli

(N. Arcot).

This Math completed twenty-three years of its useful life in 1933. Regular worship, religious classes and Bhajana were conducted, and occasional lectures and discourses were arranged in and outside the Math premises. Moral instruction was imparted to the school children once a week at Vaniyambadi, 10 miles off, and twice a week in a local school. Rural uplift work was carried on in ten adjoining villages through weekly visits to each one of them and lantern lectures every other week. Occasional visit were also made to a group of twelve villages on Etagiri Hills, 7 miles off. Along with talks on useful subjects religious instruction was also given.

A Night School for adults was conducted at the Math, Which had 20 students on its rolls.

The Math has a Library attached to it with about a thousand books, and two Reading Rooks, one at a the Math and another at a place three miles off. Books were distributed to the villagers once a week.

During an outbreak of cholera in some distant villages the Math arranged to inoculate 130 persons. Seven school boys were accommodated in the Math, and their studies were looked after.

[ 60 ]

The Saradashrama, Ponnampet (Coorg).

This Ashrama, situated among the hills of Coorg,was started in 1927. The work of the Ashrama has grown steadily, and has won the appreciation of the Government and the public. Regular worship and religious classes are conducted. Lantern lectures were organised in different parts of the Province, which were well attended. The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda were elaborately celebrated. The Ashrama has been teaching scientific methods of bee-culture to rural people. A cheap Extractor has been designed by the Ashrama for removing honey without destroying the combs, which was awarded a silver medal by the Mysore Dussera Exhibition. An association has been formed for the uplift of the Harijans, which did good work in 1933. The Ashrama has a small Library.

Travancore and Malabar Centres.

In the Travancore State, there is a network of Ashramas, following the usual routine of Ashrama life, brief descriptions of which are given below : -

The Brahmananda Ashrama, Trivandrum, was started in 1916 and is situated on a hill overlooking the sea. The Ramakrishna Mandiram, Tiruvalla, was started in 1912, and is one of the oldest Ashramas in Travancore. The publication of Malayalam transla­tions of some Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature as also of a Malayalam monthly, called Prabuddha Keralam, is carried on from this centre. The Yogananda Ashrama at Alleppey was started in 1925. There are also Ashramas at Kayangulam, Kulathur and Meenachil, all within the State.

There are two Ashramas at Quilandy and Ottapalam in Malabar, conducted on similar lines.

[ 61 ]

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Chandipur

(Midnapur).

This Ashrama (P.O. Iswarpur), started in the year 1916, is situated in the rural areas of the Midnapur District. Daily worship, Bhajana and scriptural classes were held, and occasional religious lectures were arranged. The number of outdoor patients treated by the Dispensary attached to the Ashrama was 1470, 1284 and 1148 respectively in the years under review. A number of patients were nursed in their own homes. The Ashrama organised Cholera Relief Work in the villages, treating altogether 71 cases, and inoculating 2277 patients. Occasional relief work was under taken in local fairs.

The Ashrama maintains an L. P. School for boys and one for girls, which had an average of 28 and 18 students respectively on their rolls. There is a small Library in the Ashrama, which is open to the public.

The Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora.

This Himalayan centre was founded in the year 1918 under the auspices of the late Swami Turiyananda, a disciple of the Master. Situated amidst beautiful surroundings, with a healthy climate, it provides excellent facilities for meditation and study. It has a small Library.

The Vivekananda Ashrama, Shyamalatal (Almora).

This is another retreat on the Himalayas (P. O. Deori, Dt. Almora), founded in the year 1915. The Charitable Dispensary, called the Ramakrishna Sevashrama, atta-ched to the Ashrama has proved a boon to the poor, sick hill-people for many miles

[ 62 ]

around. In the three years under review it treated 36 indoor cases, and 5146 outdoor cases, including repeated ones.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bagerhat (Khulna).

This centre was started in 1926. During the period under review scriptural classes were regularly held in and outside the Ashrama. The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and the Holy Mother were celebrated with proper ceremonies. The special feature of the last-named celebration was that ladies took a prominent part in it. There is a small Library in the Ashrama.

The Ramakrishna Math, Puri.

This new centre in the holy city of Puri was opened in May, 1932. It is directly on the sea, of which it commands a magnigicent view. Being situated at a considerable distance from the congested quarters, the Math is an ideal place for leading a contemplative life. It has got a nice building, and arrangements are under way to make it a decent monastery.

The Ramakrishna Sevashrama, Garbeta

(Midnapur).

This Ashrama completed its sixteenth year in 1933. It conducts an outdoor Dispensary, which treated 1130 new cases in 1931, 1022 in 1932 and 1405 in 1933. The Primary School attached to the Ashrama had 35 boys and 21 girls on its rolls at the end of 1933, and the Night School had 28 students. In 1931 the Ashrama celebrated the birth-

[ 63 ]

day of Sri Ramakrishna in an elaborate manner, in which some thirty thousand village people took part, of whom many thousands were fed.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Jamtara

(Sonthal Parganas).

This monastery was started in the year 1921 and on account of its dry climate has been a health resort for the sick members of the Order. Regular worship is performed. There is a small Charitable Dispensary attached to the Ashrama, as well as a small Library.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Kishenpur (Dehra-Dun).

This Ashrama (P.O. Rajpur) was started in 1916 in a picturesque valley five miles above Dehra-Dun, on the way to Mussoorie. It is a good place for medita-tion as well as for the recruiting of health. It has a pretty good Library. A small Outdoor Dispensary has been started in the Ashrama since 1931. A worship- room and some cubicles are under construction.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Jahndi (Faridpur).

This Ashrama was started in 1918 and was recog-nised as a Math centre in 1931. It maintained two Primary Schools in 1931, with an average of 66 students on their rolls. Since 1932 only one school, with an average of 19 students on its rolls, has been running. There is a daily scripture class.

[ 64 ]

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Koalpara (Bankura).

This old Ashrama, situated on the road to Jayrambati at a distance of four miles from it, is a quiet retreat, where regular worship, Bhajana, etc., take place.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Salem.

At Salem, in the Madras Presidency, there is a centre in the making. Land and buildings have been obtained through the munificence of a friend, and the work is awaiting development in the near future.

SECTION V

Centres outside India.

The Ramkrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch).

In the year 1924 three Ashramas were started in Ceylon, viz., at Trincovnalie, Jaffna, and Batticaloa, which did mostly educational work. In 1929 an Ordinance incorporating the Ramkrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) was passed by the Ceylon Legislative Council.

The headquarters in Colombo (Wellawatta), which was started in 1930, conducts regular classes and talks on religious subjects, maintain a small shrine and observes the birthday anniversaries of the great Masters. It also has a Library and a Reading Room.

Lectures were delivered by the Swamis of the Mission under the auspices of different local bodies. They also went on tours to different parts of the Island and delivered public lectures. Monthly Radio talks were also given, and articles were published in the local papers on popular and cultural subjects.

The Mission conducts an English School and a Tamil School at Truncomalie. In 1933 the English school got the valuable addition of a building worth over Rs. 5,000.

At Batticaloa the Mission is running eight Tamil Schools and one English School, to which is attached an Orphanage consisting of 26 boys.

5

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Besides these, one Tamil school and one English school in Jaffna are being managed by the Mission with the help of the local people.

All the schools showed steady progress. The total number of the students in the 13 schools mentioned above is 2200, who are looked after by 75 teachers.

A Library and a Reading Room are conducted at Batticaloa in the Vivekananda Hall, and the birth day anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is observed. this centre also runs the Shivananda Library and Reading Room.

In Kalmunai the Mission has got a plot of land and a building, where the birthday of Sri Ramakrishna is celebrated, and occasional lectures are arranged.

Moral and religious instruction was given to the inmates of the Mantivu Leper Asylum and the Batticaloa Jail.

The Ramkrishna Mission, Singapore

(Straits Settlements).

The Mission centre at Singapore was started in 1928, in response to a growing demand on the part of the local public for the ideas of the Ramkrishna Mission, to which an impetus had been given by the visit of Swami Sharvananda in 1919. The centre has been steadily progressing. Swami Adyananda, who was in charge of the centre till April, 1933, conducted classes every Sunday in the Mission premises and delivered frequent lectures under the auspices of different Societies and Associations, besides contributing occasionally to the local press to propagate the ideas and ideals of the Mission. Thanks to his unremitting zeal, the centre got a

[ 67 ]

building of its own at 9 Norris Road, which it occupied in February, 1932. In the same year he went on a lecturing tour to the Federated Malay States.

In August, 1932, the Vivekananda school was started to impart vernacular education to Tamil boys and girls. Afterwards an English class also was added. There were 21 boys and 14 girls on the rolls at the end of 1933, of whom 6 were free students. At the end of 1933 the number increased to 44 boys and 45 girls, of whom 19 were free students. Moral and religious instruction formed an essential part of the school teaching. The birthday anniversaries of the great Masters were duly observed.

In July, 1933, a Night School was started for the depressed classes. It had 18 adult students in November, when the local Indian Association handed over its own Night School to the Mission. At the close of the year three were 65 students on the rolls of the amalgamated school, of whom 52 were given free tuition.

IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Vedanta Society, New York.

This is the first Vedanta centre in the UnitedStates of America, started in 1894 as a result of theenthusiasm created by Swami Vivekananda by hisepoch-making lecture on Hinduism at the Parliamentof Religions, Chicago. It was incorporated in 1898. The Society is located at 34 West 71st Street, close to the Central Park.

[ 68 ]

The season's work begins in October and endsin June. During the period under review asermons were preached every Sunday, and scrip-tural classes were held twice a week. Practical training in meditation was given, and interviews are arranged in which individual instructions are given to the students to assist them in leading a religious life. These are features common to all the Vedanta centres in America. Swami Bodhananda is in charge of the centre. He was assisted by Swami Devatmananda up to the end of 1931.

During the season of 1932-33 the work of the Society received a great impetus from the activities of Swami Nikhilananda. He and Swami Bodhananda were invited to speak before different Churches and Associations of the city. The Society, among other things, celebrated the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, when notable speakers addressed the audience, and Hindu dinners were arranged.

The Society has been conducting a small monthly maga­zine called Vednnta Darpana or Mirror of Vedanta, since 1931.

The Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Centre,

New York.

Feeling the need for a greater development of the work of the Ramakrishna Mission in this premier city of the United States, a number of students and ad-mirers of Vedanta decided to organise a new centre in New York, whereby an increasing number of people might be attracted to this philosophy. Accordingly in May, 1933, a chapel was arranged for in a centrally located building at 200 West 57^th Street, and Swami Nikhilananda was invited to act as the leader

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of the centre. The opening service was well attended, and the interest evoked has since been maintained.

In addition to his Sunday lectures on general topics the Swami conducted classes on Tuesday and Friday evening, on the Gita and Raja-Yoga respectively, the latter class being preceded by a period of meditation. Questions were answered after both classes. Swami Nikhilananda also spoke before numerous cultured groups in the city.

During the autumn recess, the Swami gave a series of Sunday lectures on Hindu Culture, which were much appreciated.

The Centre also celebrated the Durga Puja and the birthdays if Buddha, Christ, Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, with appropriate speeches by many notable speakers including some of the Swamis of the Ramakrishna Order, and there was Hindu music, generally followed by Hindu dinners.

The Centre has a great future before it.

The Vedanta Centre, Boston (Massachusetts).

The first nucleus of this centre, now located at 32 Fenway, was laid in 1909 by Swami Paramananda, who is still in charge of it. He is a successful preacher of Vedanta and lectures in different places to appreciative audiences in his frequent journeys across the country. He is also the reputed author of many Vedantic books. During the period under review two Sunday services and two weekly classes were conducted, one of the Sisters taking charge of the work in the absence of the Swami. The Ashrama observed the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and Buddha, to mention a few.

The Vedanta monthly, The Message of the East, which completed its twenty-second year in 1933, is conducted from this Ashrama.

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The Vedanta Centre, Cohasset (Massachusetts).

This is a lovely retreat attached to the Boston centre, about 23 miles from the City. Started in 1929, it affords students of Vedanta opportunities to devote themselves, to study and contemplation. The activities of the centre were suspended during the winter months.

The Vedanta Society, Providence (Rhode Island).

This Society was started by Swami Akhilananda in the September, 1928. Making very good progress, it dedicated its magnificent home, the Hindu Temple, at 224 Angell Street, 1931. Services were conducted by the Swami every Sunday and classes on Tuesdays and Fridays in the chapel. There is a shrine room for regular worship, meditation and devotional practices. The classes on Fridays are mostly devoted to the practice of meditation, which is followed by the study of the scriptures. A Library is open for the use of the students. Interviews and individual instructions are given.

As Swami Akhilananda opened a new centre on Washington, D. C., in 1930, Swami Nikhilananda was sent by the headquarters to Providence in October, 1931. In 1932, during Swami Akhilananda’s frequent absence in Washington, Swami Nikhilananda conducted the Sunday services and weekday classes in Providence, besides his own regular classes, till the end of the season, June.

During the season of 1932-33 the report of the Christian Foreign Mission Enquiry Commission, presided over by Dr. Hocking of Harvard University, created much agitation in the United States. The Society organised a series of lectures, renting

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a big public hall, to clarify many misunderstandings regarding the Indian social and religious systems and to establish a better understanding and harmony. Swami Akhilananda gave five lectures, which were well attended and highly appreciated.

During the season of 1933-34 the Swami gave a course of seven lectures on Practical Psychology, which were also well attended. They were very constructive and helpful to the audience, as many pseudo-psychologists were creating a great deal of confusion in American minds.

The Swami was invited to speak by many Churches, Societies and Clubs in Providence and other cities. He lectured every month before the Universal Club of Brown University, an association of ministers in Rhode Island, and three or four times every year at the University, besides giving many interviews to newspaper representatives.

In July, 1932, the Swami was invited by the Ministers’ Association to speak over the radio, at the station WEAN, on Universal Religion. Then the Station WPRO invited him early in 1933 to give a series of lectures. As his lectures were appreciated by the public, the authorities of WPRO requested him to give a lecture every week, which he is still doing.

The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and Buddha as well as Christmas and other special days were observed. Receptions, social activities and dinners were also held. The Society had the pleasure of entertaining all the Swamis in America, who gave many interesting lectures in its chapel. It has made many distinguished friends amongst highly cultured sections of the country.

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The Vedanta Society, Washington (D. C.)

The nucleus of the Society was formed in 1930, when Swami Akhilananda came from Providence and gave a series of lectures at one of the Capital's well-known hotels, Inch were well appreciated. He continued the work by visits, and in 1931 rented a house at 1712 N Street, N.W. to put it on a Permanent basis. Here, in the first half of 1932, he lectured and held classes every month, staying for ten or twelve days at a time.

In November of that year Swami Vividishananda, who had been in San Francisco, was placed in charge of the work, and since then he has been trying to organise and build it up. During the season, from November to June lectures are given every Sunday evening, and scriptural classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday evening, preceded by a short meditation. The Society also celebrated the Christmas and the birthday anniversaries of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, and had guest speakers like Swami Akhilananda and Swami Gnaneswar-ananda, who spoke before large and appreciative audiences.

Over and above the regular work, Swami Vividishan-anda had several outside engagements, which contributed not a little to the spread of the message of Vedanta. In May, 1933, he spoke at the Unity Centre at one of the conventions of the local advanced groups of thought, and in the beginning of the current season he spoke twice before the League for Larger Life. He also spoke once at the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Centre of New York, twice at the Vedanta Society of Chicago, and several times at the Vedanta Society of Providence.

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The Society owes a great deal to Swami Akhilananda,who has been an unfailing source of encouragement invarious ways.

The Vedanta Society, Chicago (Illinois)

This Society was started by Swami Gnaneswarananda, and is situated at 120 East Delaware Place, in a very respect­able locality near the Lake. During the period under review it has made appreciable progress, and there has been a great increase in its membership.

The Sunday services have grown exceedingly popular, the average attendance being 160, as against 90 in the opening year. Weekday classes have been organised into a four years' regular course, to which only registered students are admitted. There are 40 such students on the rolls of the two regular classes.

Students who do not want to join the above classes avail themselves of short courses given to small groups. There were as many as eight such special classes in a week.

Swami Gnaneswarananda is invited by other organisa­tions to give public lectures on Hindu Philosophy, Art and Culture, which help to spread the message of India amongst many educational and cultural groups outside the member­ship of the Society.

During the summer of 1933, on the occasion of “A Century of Progress Exposition of Chicago”, a special Convention of all the Vedanta centres in the United States of America was held under the auspices of the Society, in which almost all the Swamis of the Ramakrishna Order in America took part. It was a great success, which renewed the happy memory of Swami Vivekananda’s triumph

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at the Parliament of Religions in this very city, forty years ago. An attractive booklet entitled “Hinduism comes to America,” Containing a brief review of the Vedanta work in America since the time of Swami Vivekananda, was widely circulated throughout the United States, which was highly appreciated by the general public.

The Vedanta Society, San Francisco (California).

This Society owed its origin to the inspiring visit of Swami Vivekananda to the city in the year 1900. It is located in the Hindu Temple, the first of its kind in the West, situated at 2963 Webster Street, within a few minutes' walk of the San Francisco Bay. The Society was formally incorporated in 1928.

Swami Dayananda was the head of the centre up to the beginning of August, 1931, when he left of India, making over charge to Swami Vividishananda. He with the assistance of Swami Ashokananda, who had joined the centre in July, ably conducted the work of the Society for more than a year. But unfortunately Swami Vividishananda fell ill and had to leave the centre, handing over charge to Swami Ashokananda.

Under the guidance of the new Swami the activities of the Society had an all-round expansion. Attendance in the services and classes increased considerably, which necessitated one of the services being held at a very prominent place in the business district. The Swami was frequently invited to deliver lectures in intellectual circles, which were well attended and much appreciated.

Successful extension lectures and classes once weekly were begun by the Swami in December, 1931, at Oakland, a growing city across the Bay, and another course of weekly lectures in the adjacent University town of Berkeby, in October, 1933.

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The Swami also gave practical instruction for spiritual development to a large number of earnest seekers.

The Shanti Ashrama, San Antone Valley (California).

This is a Peace Retreat attached to the VedantaSociety, San Francisco. It is situated amidst beautifulmountain scenery, about a hundred miles from theCity, and has since 1900 been an ideal place for
meditation to the students of the Society. Occa­-sionally, as opportunity permits, the Swamis of SanFrancisco have helped groups of earnest students to lead anintensive life of spiritual practice and study in thecongenial atmosphere of this Ashrama.

The Ananda Ashrama, La Crescenta (California).

This Ashrama, situated in a beautiful spot on the hills, seventeen miles from Los Angeles, was started as an extension of the Boston centre in. 1923. Away from the din of city life, the Ashrama, with its spacious grounds, serves as a model hermitage for the Vedanta students of America. Swami Paramananda has succeeded in attracting a devoted group of followers of both sexes, who live and work in this Ashrama as one family. Regular services and classes are held by the Swami, or in his absence by the Sisters.

The Ashrama observed, among other things, the Durga Puja and the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. It has an Arts and Crafts department.

On the night of the 22nd November, 1933, a devastating forest fire roared down the Canyons at La Crescenta and swept over the Ashrama, threaten-

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ing its very existence. Fortunately, through the strenuous efforts of the Firemen and the inmates, no life was lost, and almost all the buildings as also the garden trees and the bee hives were saved.

Following in the wake of this great catastrophe, another disaster of no less magnitude overtook the Ashrama. On the night of the 31^st December, 1933, a terrific flood caused by incessant rain rushed down the mountain slopes, carrying everything before it. Though the Ashrama was engulfed by the torrents, the inmate as well as the buildings escaped unhurt. The Ashrama members acquitted themselves well in both these great ordeals.

The Los Angeles centre, which was started by the Ashrama in 1930 for the convenience of the city people, had to be closed in the course of the next year owing to financial difficulties.

The Vedanta Society, Portland (Oregon).

This centre was started by Swami Prabhavananda in November, 1925, and he was in charge till December, 1929, when he was succeeded by Swami Vividishananda, who had been sent out from India. The work continued under the new Swami’s guidance, but on account of financial difficulties it had to be suspended from June, 1930. A few ardent members of the Society, however, continued their study of Vedanta during the years 1930 and 1931, and held regular weekly study classes in the Public Library building.

Swami Prabhavananda came from Hollywood in February, 1932, followed shortly after by Swami Devatmananda of the New York centre. Through their efforts the work was reorganised, and Swami Devatmananda was placed in charge of

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it. A large and comfortable residence was rented in one of the best districts of the city, as the home of the Society and its leader. For about eight months all the activities of the Society were carried on in this house. In October, 1932, the Sunday evening service and the Tuesday study class were taken downtown for the convenience of the public. Besides the regular activities, the birthday anniversaries of all the World-Teachers were celebrated with special devotional services. To stimulate independent thinking, Forums were organised from time to time, in which the members and friends discussed important practical subjects under the chairmanship of Swami Devatmananda. Social gatherings and musical entertainments were frequently arranged with a view to fostering a spirit of fellowship and amity among them.

Swami Devatmananda was also invited to address different churches and clubs. At the close of the season he went in August, 1933, to Chicago to attend the Swami Vivekananda Memorial Convention. He spoke there twice and on his return journey he stopped at Hollywood and San Francisco, where he addressed large gatherings. The new season was opened with an additional service on Sunday mornings in the Masonic Temple. This proved to be very successful on account of its being intensely devotional.

In spite of acute financial stringency among the general public, the Society has made remarkable progress within the last two years. It has succeeded in securing a home of its own, called the Vedic Temple, located in a very respectable district, at 1206 N. W. 25^th Avenue. It was occupied on the 20^th April, 1934. Since then all the classes and the Sunday morning services are being held in its beautifully

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decorated auditorium, the evening services being continued in the Masonic Temple.

The Vedanta Society, Hollywood (California).

This centre was started by Swami Prabhavananda in the year 1930. Since that time it has been steadily growing. It possesses a house of its own, called the Vivekananda Home, at 1946 Ivar Avenue. It is a lovely spot, with half an acre of land, situated at a slight elevation in the heart of the city.

Sunday services and weekday classes were held by the Swami, and the attendance in all of them was satisfactory. Under the auspices of the Society the Swami held classes in different suburbs of the city of Los Angeles, and occasionally lectured in the outlying towns. The celebration of the birthday anniversaries of some of the great Teachers of the world amid appropriate settings was also a part of the centre’s activities. Swami Prabhavananda is an attractive personality, and the Hollywood centre is drawing very respectable people to the study of the Vedanta philosophy.

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IN ARGENTINA (SOUTH AMERICA)

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Buenos Aires.

The call of the Vedanta has reached the farthest corner of the earth. South America has applied for and got a Vedanta preacer. In response to an invitation of some friends interested in philosophy in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina and the largest city in the southern hemisphere, Swami Vijoyananda was sent from the Mission headquarters in October, 1932, to preach the message of the Vedas in that distant land. Spending a few months in Europe, he arrived at Buenos Aires in December of that year – the first Indian preacher to visit South America. He was accorded a warm reception, and by his lectures and class-talks, conducted in English, he succeeded in arousing considerable enthusiasm among the cultured sections of the city. As a result of this, a Ramakrishna Ashrama was started in March, 1933, which is at present located at Larrea 1367. The attendance at the lectures and classes has been very encouraging, and the Swami is now able to conduct his classes in Spanish, the language of the country. The Ashrama, through his steady efforts, has every chance of becoming a permanent centre for the propagation of Vedanta philosophy and Indian culture throughout Latin America.

IN GERMANY

The Study Circle at Wiesbaden.

Europe, which had hitherto no representative of the Ramakrishna Mission, has now got one in the person of Swami Yatiswarananda. At the earnest request of a group of Vedanta students at Wiesbaden

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in Germany, who wanted to study the philosophy with an eye to its practical bearings, the Swami, who was the President of the Madras Math, was deputed by the Mission in October, 1933, to teach Vedanta in that land of Sanskrit culture. He arrived at Wiesbaden, a beautiful watering-place in the Rhineland, in November, and has already made himself thoroughly appreciated by his students, for whom he holds several classes every week in that city at Adolfsalle 13. He is gradually coming into contact with scholars, and is receiving invitations to speak before cultural groups in other countries on the Continent. Swami Yatiswarananda ha an amiable personality, and through him the message of Vedanta is sure to spread slowly in Europe.

IN SOUTH AFRICA

Vedanta Work at Johannesburg.

Yet another land has requisitioned a preacher of Vedanta from the Ramakrishna Mission. At the request of some respectable Hindu settlers of Johannesburg, in South Africa, the Mission sent Swami Adyananda, formerly Head of the Singapore centre, S. S., in January, 1934, as a preacher. The Swami reached the African shore in February, and since that day he is being given rousing receptions everywhere. He has, upon invitation, delivered a good number of lectures on the religion and culture of India, some of them in very exclusive circles, and already a formal proposal has been made for starting a Mission centre at Johannesburg. The warmth with which the Swami is being greeted in that far-off land leaves no room for doubt that before long a permanent Vedanta centre in that country will be an accomplished fact.

OTHER ASHRAMAS

There are a few other centres which are con­ducted on the same principles as the institutions of the Ramakrishna Order, but are not formally con­nected with it. Five of them deserve mention.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Sheila (Khassia Hills).

This Ashrama, which has been in existence for the last nine years, was started with the object of diffusing a knowledge of Hinduism among the Khassia hill-tribes, about one-sixth of whom have forsaken their own faith, adopting everything alien as good.

The Ashrama conducts one U. P., one M. E. and one High School (up to Class IX), with a total of 215 students on their rolls. Some season schools were conducted from time to time. Besides these, three Students' Homes have been opened. Attached to the Ashrama there is an outdoor Dispensary.

The workers conduct regular classes and give discourses in different places on the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, the Gita, and other scriptures as well as educational and health talks with the help of the magic lantern. The birthdays of the Founders of Religions and many Hindu religious festivals were duly celebrated at the Ashrama.

The Ashrama has two Libraries and has taken up the publication of religious literature in Khasi. A beautiful site has recently been purchased at Shillong for the headquarters of the work.

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The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Faridpur.

This Ashrama was started in 1921 and conducts a small Students' Home, and an M. E. School for girls, with 50 students on its rolls, and a Primary School for the depressed classes with 59 pupils on its rolls. Anti-malarial and Kala-azar injections used to be given twice a week, but in 1933 a Charitable Dispensary was opened in the Ashrama premises, which treated 3168 patients in that year. There is also a Library open to the public. Religious classes were held on Sundays. Doles of rice and some pecuniary help were given to the needy persons of the locality. The workers of the Ashrama nursed some patients in their homes, and cremated dead bodies when required. The Ashrama conducted Flood Relief operations on a small scale in the District in 1931-32.

The centre was made a branch of the Mission in March, 1934.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Asansol (Burdwan).

The Ashrama was started in 1926. It conducts a Students’ Home with 8 boys, and M. E. Girls’ School with 110 students, and L. P. School with 20 boys, and a Night School with 25 pupils, many of them belonging to the depressed classes. The Outdoor Dispensary attached to the Ashrama treated on an average 5 new cases daily. Relief in other forms was also given. Religious classes and lectures were organised from time to time.

The Ramakrishna Sevashrama, Silchar (Cachar).

This institution has been doing good work among the hill-tribes of the District since 1924. It conducts a mixed Night School for the depressed classes with 65 students on its rolls. There is a Library attached to it, which is patronised by the public.

The Vivekananda Silpi Sangha

Cossipur, Calcutta.

This is an institution started by a Swami of the Ramakrishna Mission in 1929 to solve the unemployment problem of the middle-classes in our country. It teaches young men to earn their livelihood by developing such cottage industries as can be conducted with small capital, e.g., weaving, dyeing, bleaching, clay-modelling, toy-making, leather embossing and painting, fretwork and other crafts. A techno-industrial school conducted under its auspices and managed by one of its students, is doing very useful work at Jharia. The Swami with the help of his students has given successful demonstrations before many an Industrial Exhibition which were awarded a number of medals by the organisers.

The Sangha, which is at present situated at 31-B, Barrackpur Trunk Road, is greatly handicapped for want of funds and deserves substantial help and encouragement from the generous public.

CONCLUSION

Obituary

During the period under review the Mission has sastained the loss of some valued friends and co-workers. We make here only a passing reference to them.

Mrs. Francis B. Leggett, one of the most ardent American admirers of Swami Vivekananda, passed away on the 1^st October, 1931, at her English home at Stratford-on-Avon. Ever since her meeting the Swami in 1895, she was a devoted supporter of his cause. In her the Ramakrishna Order has lost one of its best friends and helpers.

Dr. P. J. Mehta, Bar-at-Law, the President of the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Rangoon, from its very origin, also died in the same year. In him the Sevashrama always found a sincere friend and well-wisher.

Srimat Swami Subodhananda, a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, entered Mahasamadhi on the 2nd December, 1932. He was a member of the Governing Body, and since 1930 Treasurer of the Mission. He was one of those who had nurtured the infant organisation to its present stature.

Sjt. Mahendranath Gupta, better known as Master Mahasaya or M., the famous writer of the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, left his mortal body on the 4th June, 1932. He was a staunch supporter of the Mission in all its stages. His vivid reminiscences of his divine Master were an unfailing source of inspiration to its member.

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Rao Sahib C. Ramaswami Aiyangar, the Organiser and Secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission Students’ Home, Madras, from its very inception, breathed his last on the 17th June, 1932. He had completely identified himself with the institution, and much of its present prosperity is due to him.

Sj. Shivaram Chattopadhyaya, better known as Shibudada to the monks and devotees of the Order, passed away in December, 1933. He was a nephew of Sri Ramakrishna, with whom he had come in close personal touch in his early days.

The Mission also lost during the period three lay members and four monastic members, among whom were Sjt. Haripada Mitra, a disciple of Swami Vivekananda, and Sjt. Bhudev Prasanna Mukherji, a life member of the Mission, and Swamis Sridharananda, Videhananda, and Parananda.

May their souls rest in eternal peace!

Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda Birthday Celebrations.

As it is impossible to give a detailed account of the celebrations observed by the Maths and Ashramas all over India and abroad, we give here only a brief general account of the same. On these occasions, special worship, Homa, chanting of sacred texts, Bhajana and Sankirtana, offering of Prasada to the devotees, feeding of the "Daridra Narayanas" in large numbers and lectures on the lives and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda by eminent speakers, form the general programme according to

These occasions also afford great opportunities to the different centres to invite the senior Swamis

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of the Order as preachers, and thus the message of Sri Ramakrishna 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 to the cause by joining the monastic order, while others have become friends and supporters of the Mission.

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 Ramakrishna Order in carrying out various items of 'work chalked out by Swami 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 members or associates, or in pecuniary contribution to its different funds, or in both. Persons who sym­pathise with the objects of the Mission but are unable actively to participate in its activities are always welcome to co-operate with the Mission by sending contributions, however small, to one or more of the following funds, which need their support :—

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

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

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(iii) The Poor Fund, for alleviating individual distress of various kinds that claims urgent help from the Mission at its headquarters.

(iv) The Mass Education Fund—which speaks for itself.

(v) 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.

Contributions may kindly be sent to the President of the Mission, Belur Math P. 0., Dt. Howrah, with a clear specification as to the name of the particular institution or the kind of work for which they are meant, on they may be sent direct to the institutions concerned.

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 mishaps such as flood, famine, fire, etc., have helped us to carry on success­fully these occasional relief operations. Our thanks are also due to the proprietors and editors of the English and vernacular periodicals in India for the kindness they have shown in publishing our 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

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relief activities 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 co-operation and help as they have given 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.

APPENDIX A

Extracts from the Memorandum of Association of the Ramkrishna Mission.

Registered in May, 1909, under Act XXI of 1860 of the Governor General of India in Council.

1. . The name of the Association is THE RAMKRISHNA MISSION.

The objects of the Association are :—

1. 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.
2. To impart and promote the study of the
   arts, sciences and industries.
3. To train teachers in all branches of knowledge above-mentioned and enable them to reach the masses.
4. To carry on educational work among themasses.
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 carried on in connection with and calculated directly or indirectly to promote any of the before-mentioned objects.

appendix: b

Extracts from the Rules and Regulations of the Ramkrishna Mission.

Objects.

1. The Association is established for the purposes expressed in the Memorandum of Association.

Members and Associates.

2. (a) All followers whether lay or monastic of the Paramahansa Ramkrishna may be members of the Association if elected at a meeting of the Association or nominated by the Governing Body herein­after mentioned provided that the total number of the members shall not at any time exceed 700.

(b) A person intending to be a member shall sign the declaration, form annexed herewith arid sub­mit to the Secretary an application, in a form pre­scribed by the Association, and he shall be proposed by a member of the Association and seconded and sup­ported by at least two members of the Governing Body.

Members' Declaration Form.

(i) I look upon Sri Ramkrishna as an Illus­tration and Embodiment of the Religion Eternal, whose life and teachings help one to understand, the plan and purpose of all the religions of the world and their underlying truth and harmony.

(ii) I look upon all religions as paths to God, and shall try to live in peace and fellowship with the followers of all religions.

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(iii) I regard the realisation of God as the highest objective of life, and renunciation and Service as the central means to this realisation.

(iv) I entertain feelings of love and reverence towards the holy Order of Sri Ramkrishna founded by Swami Vivekananda and shall try my best to serve it.

(v) I have full sympathy with all the objects of the Ramkrishna Mission as set forth in the Memo­randum of Association, and I will actively co-operate with the work of the Mission.

3. All persons irrespective of colour, creed orcaste, sympathising with all or any of the objects ofthe Association may be associates if elected ornominated as mentioned in rule 2, regarding theelection of members.

4. Monastic members shall not be required to
pay any admission fee or any subscription.

5. Every lay member and every associate, unlessexempted therefrom in writing by the GoverningBody, shall pay an admission fee of Rs. 5 and an annualsubscription of Rs. 5 payable by two half-yearlyinstalments in advance. The Governing Body mayexempt any member or associate from payment of all
   or any fees or subscriptions.
6. The annual subscription shall be commutedby a payment of Rs. 100.

7. (a) Connection of members and associates withthe Association shall cease by resignation, death,removal or non-payment of dues for two years butshall be capable of renewal in such manner as theGoverning Body may from time to time decide.

(b) The Governing Body on a requisition signed by forty lay members of the Association may remove

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a lay member from the rolls of the Associa­tion, provided, the connection of such member be deemed by the Governing Body after enquiry as detrimental to the interests of the Association.

3. If in the opinion of the Governing Body
   the conduct and behaviour of any member have been
   such as to be detrimental to the objects and work ofthe Association, the Governing Body may after notice
   to such member and hearing his explanation, if any,
   suspend him for a period not exceeding six months,
4. It shall be competent for the Associationto remove any lay member from the rolls of theAssociation by a majority consisting of at least three-fifths of the votes cast at a meeting of the Association.
5. The Governing Body shall be competent toremove any monastic member from the rolls of theAssociation by a majority of votes cast at a meeting
   of the Governing Body specially convened for thatpurpose, provided that no one shall be removedexcept when not less than five votes are cast in favourof his removal.

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.

2. Attend all classes formed by the Association
   for the instruction of its members and receive individ­-ual instructions whenever practicable.

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2. Receive all publications of the Association ata special discount of 25% on the published price.
3. Mofussil members shall be entitled to receiveEnglish or Bengali proceedings, reports and leaflets
   published by the Association on payment of postagedues.

9. Associates shall have all the privileges ofmembers except the right to vote at meetings.

APPENDIX C

Temporary Relief Work undertaken in the past.

1. Famine Relief Work : —

In Murshidabad in 1896 ; in Dinajpur, Sonthal Parganas and 24-Parganas in 1897 ; at Kishengarh (Rajputana) in 1899-1900 ; at Khandwa (O. P.) in 1900 ; in Tippera, Sylhet, Noakliali and 24-Parganas in 1906-07 ; in Puri and Murshidabad in 1908 ; in Bankura, Balasore, JSToakhali, Tippera, Cachar, Midna-pur, Mymensingh, Faridpur and Dacca in 1915-16 ; in Manbhum, Sonthal Parganas, Puri, Tippera and

-Bankura in 1919 ; in Puri in 1920 ; in KliuTna in 1921 ; in Sonthal Parganas and Midnapur in 1926.

Z. Flood Belief Work :—

In Bhagalpur in 1899 ; in 24-Parganas in 1900 ; in Midnapur and Hooghly in 1909; in Bankura, Hooghly, Howrah and Midnapur in 1913-14 ; in Cachar, Noakhali and Tippera in 1915; in Benares, Ballia, Burdwan and Faridpur in 1916 ; in Burdwan and Cachar in 1917 ; in Rajshahi in 1918 ; in Muttra in 1918-19 ; in Midnapur, Cuttack and Puri in 1920 ; in Amherst (Burma) in 1920-21 ; in Rajshahi, Midnapur, Faridpur, Hooghly and Bankura in 1922 ; in Patna and Arrah in 1923 ; in Dehra-Dun, Saharanpur, Muttra and Bhagalpur in 1924 ; in Tanjore, Trichinopoly, Coimbatore, Salem, British Malabar, Cochin and Travancore in 1924 ; in Akyab (Burma) and Midnapur in 1926 ; in Kaira and Balasore in 1927.

3. Plague and Sanitary Relief Work :—

(a) Plague : In Calcutta during the epidemic of 1899-1900 ; at Bhagalpur in 1904-5 and 1912 ; at Lahore and Rohtak in 1924.

(95)

(6) During the Ganga-Sagar Mela in Saugor Is­lands in 1912, 1914—1925.

3. Influenza: In Benares, Balasore, Puri andNoakhali in 1918-19.
4. Cholera : In Tehri in 1913 ; in Howrah in 1917 ;in Jalpaiguri in .1924; in Purnea and Hooghly in 1925;in Malda and Purnea in 1926.

4. Cyclone and Tornado Belief Work :—

In Dacca, Barisal, Faridpur and Khulna in 1919 ; in Ganjam in 1923-24 ; in Faridpur in 1926 ; in ISTellore in 1927.

5. Fire Belief Work :—

In Puri in 1915, 1916, 1920, 1923^ 1926, 1927_;_iiL Murshidabad and Muttra in 1927 ; in Midnapur in 1919 ; in Jessore in 1922 ; in Manbhum in 1923 and 1925 ; in 24-Parganas in 1923, 1927 and 1928 ; in Burd-wan, Birbhum and Kamrup in 1924.

6. Earthquake and Landslip Relief Work :—
At Darjeeling in 1899.

At Dharamsala (Punjab) in 1905.

7. Coolie Belief Work :—

At Chandpur (Tippera) in 1921.

8. Water Scarcity Belief Work :—In Faridpur in 1920-21.
9. Cloth Belief Work :—

In many districts of Bengal in 1919.

Besides these, temporary relief work of various kinds was organised by the Branch Centres of the Mission from time to time.

APPENDIX D

List of Centres according to Province (1934).

Bengal : Calcutta (5 centres), Baranagore, Salkia,

Belur (2 centres), Sarisha, Midnapur, Tamluk,

Cliandipur, Garbefca, Contai, Bankura, Jayrambati,

Koalpara, Sargachhi, Bagerhat, Barisal, Malda,

Dinajpur, Dacca, Narayanganj, Sonargaon, Baliati,

Jahndi, Mymensing and Katihar.

Assam : Sylhet and Habiganj.

Behar & Orissa : Patna, Banchi, Jamshedpur, Deoghar,

Jamtara and Bhubaneswar.

U. P. : Allahabad, Benares (2 centres), Lucknow,

awnpore, Brindaban, Almora, Shyamalatal, Kankhal and Kishenpur.

Delhi : Delhi.

Bombay : Bombay and Rajkot.

C. P. : Nagpur.

Madras Presidency : Madras (2 centres), Conjecveram, Nattarampalli, Bangalore, Mysore, Ponnampet, Ootacamund, Quilandy, Ottapalam, Trichur, Mattom, Trivandrum, Alleppey, Haripad, Tiruvalla, Kayangulam, Kulathur and Meeiiachil.

Ceylon : Colombo, Batticaloa, Trincomalie and Jaffna.

Burma : Rangoon (2 centres),

Straits Settlements : Singapore.

United States of America.

Neiu York : New York (2 Centres).Massachusetts : Boston and Cohasset.Rhode Island : Providence.

District of Columbia : WashingtonIllinois : Chicago.

California : San Francisco, San Antone Yalley, Hollywood and La Crescenta.

Oregon: Portland.

THE

Governing Body of the Ramkrishna Mission

(1934)

1. Swami Akhandananda, President.

2. „ Vijnanananda, Vice-President.
3. „ Vishuddhananda, Treasurer.
4. „ Virajananda, Secretary.
5. „ Sankarananda, Asst. Secretary
6. „ Sharvananda, ,,
7. „ Madhavananda, ,,
8. „ Amriteswarananda, Accountant.
9. „ Abhedananda10. „ Suddhananda

11 . ,, Bodhananda

12. „ Dhirananda
13. „ Achalananda
14. „ Mahimananda
15. „ Santananda
16. ,, Yatiswarananda
17. „ Prabodhananda
18. „ Asimananda
19. „ Atmaprakasbananda

20. „ Nirvanananda
21. „ Atmabodhananda
22. „ Vireswarananda
23. „ Nirvedananda

24. „ Omkarananda.