Sixth General Report - 1931

THE SIXTH GENERAL REPORT

OF

THE RAMKRISHNA MISSION

( 1928–1930 )

October, 1931

ISSUED BY THE GOVERNING BODY,

FROM BELUR MATH, HOWRAH.

THE SIXTH GENERAL REPORT

OF

THE RAMKRISHNA MISSION

(1928-1930)

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

SWAMI VlVEKANANDA

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 idea] 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 workers;could 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

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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 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 1930, 83 centres distributed as follows : 27 in Bengal, 2 in Assam, 5 in Behar and Orissa, 10 in the United Provinces, 1 in Delhi, 2 in the Bombay Presidency, 1 in Central Province, 18 in the Madras Presidency, 4 in Ceylon, 2 in Burma, 1 in Straits Settlements and 10 in the United States of America. Five centres have been added in 1931.

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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.

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.

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

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. The Math sent its representative to the religious convention organised by the Brahmo Samaj on the occasion of its centenary in 1928. Radio talks were given on the lives and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda

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and the Holy Mother. Four Swamis have been sent out to America 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 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.

The foundation-stone of the temple of Sri Rama-krishna was laid with becoming ceremony on the grounds of the Belur Math by Swami Shivananda, the President of the Order, on the 13th March, 1929, the Master's ninety-third birthday. There was a dis­tinguished gathering of monks and lay disciples. As conceived by Swami Vivekananda, the temple would have shrines in it dedicated to all the Prophets of the world. And in front of it there would be a big hall where a thousand devotees, irrespective of caste or creed, would be able to sit together and offer their prayers. In short, the Swami desired to make it a temple of the Universal Spirit. The fulfilment of his desire depends on the response the devotees and admirers of the great Master will make.

The congestion of accommodation in the Math was partly removed by the purchase in 1930 of a contigu­ous plot of land measuring about 2½ bighas with a building attached to it.

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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:—

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 9980 new cases in 1928, 9322 in 1929 and 9416 in 1930. It however requires proper accommodation and equipment,*

2. Mass Education Work.

The Mission headquarters at Belur has also been conducting, with the help of some branch, centres, since the year 1928 a number of Primary Schools for the removal of illiteracy among children, and been organising lantern lectures for the spread of general knowledge among adults regarding sanitation and various useful pursuits so as to make them fitter for

* An Annual Report of the Dispensary is separately published.

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the struggle for existence. Five Day Schools with a total attendance of 250 pupils have been running successfully. Two of them—one at Brahmankitta, in Dacca, and one at Mankhanda, in 24 Parganas — are for girls. The rest—those at Charipur in Sylhet, and at Garbeta and Belda in Midnapur—are mixed schools. The schools at Belda and Brahmankitta are Upper Primary Schools, while the rest are Lower Primary Schools. There is also a Night School at Basirhat in 24-Parganas. The total monthly expendi­ture on salaries of teachers for these schools was Rs. 1ll/-, which was met from the Mass Education Fund started in May, 1928, through the generosity of some American friends, and supplemented since by the kind contributions of our countrymen. The total receipts of this fund during the period under review amounted to Rs. 5,196-7-7, and the total expenditure Rs. 4,736-3-9, leaving a balance of Rs. 460-3-10 only at the end of the year 1930. The Swamis of the Order visited several villages in the Districts of 24-Parganas, Midnapur and Bankura, lecturing to interestedaudiences with the help of the magic lantern, towhich the Radio contributed its charm. Magiclanterns with accessories have been supplied by theheadquarters to some of the Mission centres forsimilar educational work among the villagers. The
average monthly expenditure, including travellingexpenses etc., is Rs. 30/- per lantern. To these mustbe added some incidental expenses in connection withthe Primary Schools. Thus the total monthly expen­-diture from the Mass Education Fund comes up toabout Rs. 150. To all those who believe, with SwamiVivekananda, that the well-being of a nationdepends on the condition of its masses, we earnestlyappeal for contributions to this Fund.

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Temporary Relief Work.

The Mission headquarters at Belur also undertook various temporary relief activities during the years 1928-30, separate reports of which have already been published. We give here only their barest outline.

1. Famine Relief Work in the Bankura and Dinajpur Districts of Bengal from May to November, 1928. Altogether 9470 people belonging to 266 villageswere helped with 3108 mds. 29 srs. of rice andsome 2680 pieces of new cloth, besides other things.The total cash receipts of this relief work were
Rs. 25,771-2-3, and the total expenditure Rs. 21,786-10-6.

2. Fire Relief Work in the District of 24-Parganas(Bengal) at a cost of Rs. 100, in the District ofManbhum (Bengal) in April, 1930, at a cost of Rs.376-5-6, and in the District of Howrah in May, 1930,at a cost of Rs. 129-11-9.
3. Flood Relief Work in the Cachar, Sylhet andNowgong Districts of Assam from June to October, 1929, and in the Midnapur District of Bengalfrom August to November, 1929. Altogether 8398people belonging to 305 villages were helped with4996 mds. 33 srs. of rice and some 2260 pieces ofcloth, besides other things. The total cash receiptsof this relief work were Rs. 40,735-7-9, and the totalexpenditure Rs. 33,770-7-3.

4. Cholera Relief Work in the Burdwan Districtof Bengal in March, 1929, at a cost of Es. 624-0-3, andin the Purnea District of Bengal in May, 1930, at acost of Rs, 148-14-6,

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5. Medical Relief in the Kumbha Mela of Alla­-
   habad from January to February, 1930. Altogether6210 patients were treated, and some inoculation workwas done. The total receipts as well as the expen­-diture of this work were Rs. 1,693-5-6.
6. Riot Relief Work in the Dacca and MymensingDistricts of Bengal from June to November, 1930.Altogether 1172 mds. 22 srs. of rice, besides otherthings, were distributed among 1202 recipients belong­ing to 34 villages. Moreover 56 families at Daccawere given 19 mds. 8 srs. of rice. The total receiptsof this work amounted to Rs. 8,121-15-9 and the total
   expenditure to Rs. 7,627-6-9.

The balances of the above relief operations were Credited to the Provident Relief Fund at the head­quarters. The expenses of the Fire and the Cholera Relief Work (items 2 and 4) were also met from the same 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. Besides a Permanent Fund of Rs. 6,000 in Government securities, the total receipts of this Fund from 1928 to 1930 including previous balance was Rs. 4,483-15-11, and the total expenditure Rs. 3,750-5-0, leaving a meagre balance of Rs. 733-10-11. 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

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General Fund, along with the audited Balance Sheet of the Mission headquarters, are published separately.

The Mission greatfully acknowledges the receipt, in February, 1930, from the Executor to the Estate of the late Jadupati Chatterjee of Calcutta, 31% G. P. Notes of the face value of Rs. 2,75,000, which, after providing a reserve of Rs. 35,000 for completing the administration of the Estate, was equally divided between the Mission Home of Service at Benares and the Mission Sevashrama at Kankhal.

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 Narayanas, 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 its 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 cases was 1860 in 1928, 1562 in 1929 and 1569 in 1930. The total number of surgical cases in those years was 232, 228, and 343 respectively.

2. Refuge for Invalid Men: There are 25 bedsin it, seven of which are at present occupied bypermanent invalids.
3. Refuge for Women Invalids : There were 14inmates on an average in this Refuge, which is locatedat the Dasaswamedh Ghat.

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4. Girls' Home : Seven girls have been accom­-modated in this Home and are receiving educationin the local Schools and Colleges under a ladysuperintendent and help the work of the FemaleHospital.
5. Home for Paralytic Patients : It accommo­-
   dated 26 patients in 1928, 8 in 1929 and 14 in 1930.

(6) D karma sola for poor grangers : It gave tem­porary shelter and food to 593 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, 213 and 195 permanent recipients during 1928,1929 and 1930 respectively.
8. Outdoor Dispensary : It treated 28,706 newcases in 1928, 31,526 in 1929 and 29,074 in 1930. Thenumber of surgical cases in the Outdoor Dispensarywas 668 in 1928, 704 in 1929 and 306 in 1930.
9. Special and occasional relief : In the threeyears under review 975, 1235 and 714 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 for­mally made a branch centre of the Mission in 1911. Its activities may be summed up as follows :—

(1) The Indoor Hospital admitted 791 patients in 1928, 812 in 1929 and 783 in 1930.

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2. The Outdoor Dispensary treated 38,402, 39,639and 39,589 new patients respectively in the threeyears tinder review, besides supplying 122 of thepatients with diet and clothing.
3. The Night School attached to the Sevashrama
   had 35 boys belonging to the depressed classes on itsrolls at the end of 1930.
4. The Library containing 1514 religious booksand the Reading Room were open to the Sadhus andVidyarthis of Kankhal and the surrounding places.

The Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama, Rangoon.

The Sevashrama was started in 1921 and made a branch centre of the Mission in the next year. It is being more and more highly appreciated both by the Government and by the public. Two new Wards for the treatment of women and children were opened in 1929. The Observation Ward was also converted into an Eye Ward. Unfortunately in January, 1931 the office with almost all records and furniture was destroyed by a fire the cause of which was unknown.

The Sevashrama maintains an Indoor Hospital which admitted 1646 new cases in 1928, 2240 in 1929 and 2472 in 1930.

The Outdoor Dispensary treated 44,402 new cases in 1928, 48,042 in 1929 and 41,455 in 1930. A separate Female Ward is maintained under the supervision of a lady doctor.

The Sevashrama organised, on behalf of the Eamkrishna Mission, Flood and Famine Belief Work in Arakan for a period of eight months commencing

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from July, 1929. Among other things 4007 bags of rice, 1922 pieces of clothing, 2750 blankets and Es. 946-3 in cash were distributed to 10,611 persons, and 1775 huts were built. The total cash receipts amounted to Es. 52,873-0-9 and the total expenditure to Es. 51,454-13-6. The public and the Government of Burma greatly helped the Mission in carrying on this work.

In the Pegu Earthquake Relief Work undertaken in 1930 some 250 families were relieved and 120 sheds constructed. The total expenditure for this work amounted to Es. 4185-12-3.

The Ramkrishna Mission Society, Rangoon.

As early as 1901 a small Society called the Ramakrishna Sevak Samity was formed at Rangoon by Sj. Kalipada Ghosh, a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, where the local Bengalee community regularly per­formed worship and Bhajana. In the year 1911 another Society named the Ramakrishna Society was started in the city which organised weekly religious classes and occasional lectures by eminent speakers, particularly on the occasion of the birthday anniver­saries of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. In 1916, at the instance of Swami Sharvananda both these institutions were amalgamated under the name of Sri Ramakrishna Society. When the Ramkrishna Mission Sevashrama was started at Rangoon in 1921, the Society was handed over to it.

From 1922 the Society showed a continued record of progress. Since 1924 its office and library are located at 317 Dalhousie Street, Rangoon. The Society conducts a Library and Reading Room, which has grown very popular, the average daily attendance

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being 115. The Library contains 3022 books on variedsubjects and 170 periodicals in different languages.A Tamil Library for ladies has been started at 70,47th Street since December, 1930. It is managed byladies and is becoming quite popular.

The Society also manages a Rest House known as "Shashi Niketan" at 121 Bigandet Street, East Rangoon, for casual visitors to the city, which was built in 1919 on a plot of land kindly given to the Ramkrishna Mission in 1918 by Sj Stashi Bhushan Neogi, a merchant of Rangoon, together with a sum of Rs. 10,000 towards the building fund. The Society has also been maintaining a number of students since 1926. Regular classes and occasional lectures as well

The Society always takes an active part in raising funds for any Relief Work undertaken by the Mission in the Province.

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 Cholera Ward was added to the Sevashrama in 1928 and a Phthisis Ward in 1929. The Indoor Hospital has 23 beds, and treated 270 patients in 1928, 274- in 1929 and 303 in 1930.

The Outdoor Dispensary treated 10,046 new casesin 1928, 12,449 in 1929 and 12,735 in 1930.. Pecuniary aid was given to twelve respectable
poor ladies and a few students.

3

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The Ramkrishna Mission Sevasharama, Lucknow.

This Sevashrama had its inception on the year 1914. It was removed to its permanent quarters at 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 3560 in 1928, 4319 in 1929 and 9849 in 1930. The Indoor Hospital, which has only two beds, treated 11 emergency cases in 1930. Patients were treated in their own homes whenever required. 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 depressed classes, with an average of 58 boys on its rolls. The Library attached to the Sevashrama contains 1000 books, and 8 periodi-cals are regularly placed in the Reading Room.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Delhi.

The Ramakrishna Math, Delhi, was started in 1927in a rented house at 996 Garstin Road, where it isstill located. Among other things it has been con-ducting a Charitable Dispensary at the Paharganjquarter of the city since 1929. In that year aStudents' Home was also started near the NigambodhGate, Delhi. The Math along with the Dispensaryand the Students' Home has been incorporated sincethe 1st September, 1930, as a branch centre of theRamkrishna Mission and named the RamkrishnaMission Ashrama. A plot of land measuring 2 acreson Ibbetson Road, near Paharganj, has been secured,where the Ashrama is to be removed as soon as thebuildings have been erected.

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During the period under review besides the holding of 743 weekly discourses on Hindu scriptures at different parts of Old and New Delhi, the Swamis of the Mission delivered over a; hundred public lectures at the invitation of various organisations in the city. In April, 1930, Swami Sharvananda similarly delivered a series of lectures in Lyallpur, Sargodha and Eawalpindi in the Punjab. At the birth­day celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna representatives of various religions were invited to speak on their own religions, so as to promote a spirit of harmony among all religions.

The Charitable Dispensary at Paharganj treated, during 1929 and 1930, 4385 patients, mostly belonging to the depressed, classes. The Students' Home is a College Students' Hostel, which had 18 inmates at the end of 1930. The Ashrama also maintains a Library.

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 March, 1930. During the period under review 110 religious classes were held in different parts of the town. The total number of patients treated from the outdoor Dispensary was 528 in 1930. The Ashrama maintains a Library which is open to the public.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Bharukati-Narayanpur (Barisal).

This Ashrama, which had its inception in 1908, was formally recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in 1926. During the period under review it main­tained a School for boys, a Charitable Dispensary and

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a Library. Regular religious classes were also held in the Ashrama premises. Occasionl help was rendered to poor people, and 12 students wereregularly helped. Relief Work was undertaken
during the fairs.

Owing to financial difficulties this Ashrama hasceased since April, 1931, to be a Mission centre undera decision of the Governing Body. It continues itsuseful work, but not as a branch centre of the Ram-krishna Mission.

B. INSTITUTIONS MAINLY EDUCATIONAL

The Ramkrishna Mission Students'. Home Madras,

This is the largest educational institution of the Mission. Started at Mylapore in 1905, it was formally recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in 1918. For an institution dependent largely on charity, its growth has been remarkable. It is being recognised more and more as an up to date educational institution in India. It conducts a Residential High School and an Industrial School.

During the years under review the Home showed uniform progress in all departments. The construc­tion of the Teachers' Quarters was completed in 1929. The most noteworthy event of the period under review was the celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the Home on the 16th February, 1930. His Excellency the Governor of Madras presided over the functions, and Sir P. S. Sivaswamy Aiyer delivered the Commemo­ration Address. An Exhibition was arranged, which was visited by hundreds of ladies and gentlemen. At the end of the year 1930 there were 134 students in

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the Home. Of these 45 were studying, in the Lower Secondary classes, 51 in the Residential High School, 16 in different' colleges of the city, and 22 in. the Industrial. School. The boys have done well in their examinations, a good many of them securing scholar­ships. Two old boys of the Home have gained distinction in foreign countries, one having secured a Ph. D. degree in Chemistry from the Manchester University and the other coming out successful in the I, C. S. examination held in London in 1930.

The supervision of the students was vested in the hands of the Ward Masters and the Warden, who took care to develop the character of the boys. Along with religious and moral training, physical culture also received proper attention. The students conducted the quarterly Our Home Magazine, organised lantern lectures for the benefit of the poor people of the locality, and sold articles produced in the manual training classes of the Home. The Library received important additions of books, the total number coming up to 10,970.

The manual training section attached to the Residential High School did satisfactory work. Instruction was provided in carpentry, weaving, cane-work and tailoring.

In the Industrial School new classes in carpentry and cabinet-making as well as in Mechanical Foreman and Fitter's work were opened. The number of students on the rolls of the Industrial School at the end of 1930 was 30, including 10 day scholars. The occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebration was utilised in laying the foundation of a well-equipped Workshop providing practical instruction in Motor Mechanism to the students of the Industrial School.

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The Ramkrishna Mission Students'Home, Calcutta.

This Students' Home was started in 1916 with-the object of imparting to poor and deserving youngmen 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 has been formally recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in 1919. A beautiful stretch of land about 28 acres in area at Gauripur, close to the Jessore Road, six miles from Calcutta, was secured for the Home in 1928 and 1929, and is being developed as its future permanent location.

There were 24 students in the Home at the end of 1930, a small percentage of whom were paying students. Scriptural classes were held thrice a week, and several religious festivals were celebrated, which, being social gatherings on a religious basis, offered 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 Agricultural and Dairy Farm, at Gauripur helped to demonstrate how vocational education might best be combined with general education. The Dairy has a fair prospect of making the entire Farm self-supporting.

The Home is located at 7/1 Abhay Haldar 'Lane,Bowbazar, and has been recognised by the CalcuttaUniversity as a College Students' Hostel. . .

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The Sister Nivedita Girls School and Sarada

Mandir, Calcutta.

The Sister Nivedita Girls' School, at 5 Nivedita Lane, Baghbazar, was started by Sister Nivedita in 1902 to give a practical shape to her ideas about the proper education of Hindu girls. She wanted to give them that kind of education which would make them loyal to the ideals of the race and fill them with a. passion for Service—an education which would be truly national in type, practical and industrial to a certain extent according to necessity, and productive of strength of character and self-determination, by combining the modern Western methods with what are purely Indian. While leaving undisturbed the place and influence of the woman in Hindu society and 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 .been endeavouring for the last two decades and a half to make .her more efficient in the household duties and the arts and crafts auxiliary to them. It is the aim of the school to equip the students in a comprehensive way with the ideas and ideals of the time, which will enable her to become a vital and dynamic unit of society, able successfully to solve the various problems which she may have to face in her life.

.With the collaboration of Sister Christine and later Sister Sudhira, the School grew steadily. In 1914 the Sarada Mandir was added to accommodate the women workers and students. 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, It has a

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beautiful three-storied building completed in 1927. The School teaches up to class VII of High School standard, divided into ten classes, taken care of by thirteen lady teachers, five of whom are honorary workers. The education is entirely free. Along with Bengali, Sanskrit, mathematics, history and geogra­phy, were taught drawing, music, needle-work, rules of hygiene and house-keeping. Religious training was an important feature or the curriculum. The strength of the School was 265 in 1928, 260 in 1929 and 271 in 1930. The Sarada Mandir had 37 inmates at the end of 1930, of whom 7 were honorary workers, 6 free boarders and 24 paying boarders. Twenty-seven of these were students of the School. 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).

It is a Residential High School, run on the lines, of a Brahmacharya Ashrama, which, while not pre- cluding the assimilation of academic knowledge, seeks to lay the main stress upon the development of character and a religious spirit through a combined process of self-restraint and self-devolopment. It was started in 1922 and made a branch centre of the Mission in 1924. It is situated on an open plot of land measuring about 20 acres amid, picturesque natural scenery, away from the bustle or the town. Most of the teachers are monks of. the Ramakrishna Order. Only boys of the age of twelve and under are admitted into the institution. A few self-sacrificing graduates have volunteered to serve the institution as honorary teachers or on a nominal pittance,

[ 25 ]

The average number of students on the rolls was57 in 1928, 70 in 1929 and 77 in 1930, most of them
being paying boarders. The Matriculation Class was
opened in 1929. The Calcutta University has. kindlypermitted the boys to appear at its Matriculation
Examination as private candidates, and three studentssuccessfully availed themselves of the oppportunityin 1930.

With more accommodation, the Vidyapith, with its present staff of teachers, could easily extend the facilities of its system of training to as many as 125 boys. We bring this fact to the notice of those who are bestowing their serious attention on the problem of the education of our young folk on national lines.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Patna.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Patna, was started in 1922 in a small rented house at Moradpur. . In 1927 a Students' Home, was added to its activities. In October, 1930, the Ashrama was recognised as a branch centre of the Mission, and three months later it was shifted to its permanent site, measuring 3 bighas with a small building purchased for it. Renting, a small adjoining hut the Ashrama has been conduct­ing its present activities with great difficulty. During the period under review a number of classes every week were held in the Ashrama as well as at Moradpur, Gardanibagh and the High Court quarters.

The Morning Star, an English monthly organ of the Order, completed its fifth year in 1930. Special-lectures and discourses were arranged from time to time by the Ashrama. It conducted the Vivekananda Boys' Association for supplementing the education of the schoolboys with moral, intellectual and physical

4

[ 26 ]

training. The Association met every evening, the average daily attendance being 20. Devotional music was one of the subjects taught. Four Wight Schools for the boys of the depressed and labouring classes and one Day School for cooks and servants are also conducted. The Students' Home attached to the Ashrama is a College Students' Hostel run on the lines of a Brahmacharya Ashrama. In 1930 there were six Beharee and six Bengalee students in it, about half the number being free boarders. With adequate support from the public, the institution has a great future before it.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Sarisha

This excellent institution, situated 26 miles south of Calcutta on the Diamond Harbour Road, devotes its entire energy to the imparting of an all-round education free of charge to our village children. Started in the year 1921, it was recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in 1924. In the Upper Primary School for boys there were 145 students at the end of 1930, mostly recruited from the poorer classes. The Girls' School was raised to the Middle English standard in 1930, and had 70 pupils on its rolls. The students are supplied with daily tiffin free of charge. There are two Primary Schools for girls in the neighbouring villages of Mankhanda and Kalagachia, where 47 and 25 girls respectively were taught in 1930. The results of the girls' schools at Sarisha and Mankhanda. have been particularly brilliant. The Ashrama maintained a Night School for those who could not attend the Day School. Seven boys were accommodated in the Ashrama,

[ 27 ]

and regular stipends were given to a number of deserving poor boys studying in different High Schools and Colleges. The Library contained 865 books at the end of 1930. The outdoor Dispensary treated 1714 cases in 1928, 1915 in 1929, and 1695 in 1930 including repetitions. The Boy Scouts Association organised by the Ashrama did good relief work every year during the Chaitra Sankranti Fair at Jayrampur.

The Ashrama has been in a position to carry on its beneficent activities through the generosity of some kind-hearted Bhatia and Gujarati merchants of Calcutta.

The Ramkrishna Mission, Barisal.

This institution was started in 1904 and was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1911. During the period under review temporary help or monthly aid Was given to 298 persons, 99 patients were nursed in th.eir~6wn homes, 62 were treated with medicine and diet, and 49 were picked up from street, corners and taken to the local hospital. Occasional Small-pox Relief Work was also undertaken in some villages of the district. A local Girls' School was helped with monthly contributions. Weekly Gita classes and occasional lectures were also organised.

In the Students' Home attached to the centre there were 20 boys in 1930, of whom 6 were free and 9 part-free boarders. All attempts were made to make them active, self-reliant youths with a taste for service and sacrifice. The centre maintains a Library. A plot of land measuring about 71 bighas has been secured for the permanent location of the Institution. A tank was excavated, and a few thatched houses were constructed. The Mission was removed to this new site in 1930,

[ 28 ]

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 and shifted to its new buildings in 1929. It runs a small School which was raised to the Middle English standard in 1930. Vocational training was given to the boys in spinning, weaving, cane-work, tailoring and agriculture. The number of boys in the Ashrama was 18 in 1930. Grown up boys were sent to the local High Schools.

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 of the activities of the Ashrama. The outdoor Dispen­sary attached to the Ashrama treated 4189 new cases in 1928, 5195 in 1929, and 4170 in 1930. Since 1930 a Library is being specially maintained for the children of the locality. It has a membership .of 150 children.

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, a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. All these years the Swami has been going on with his labour of love for the improvement of education and sanitation in the villages. The Ashrama was formally made a branch centre of the Mission in 1911. It maintains an Orphanage, which had 9 orphans at the end of 1930. The Ashrama also conducts a Day and a Night School, which had respectively 44 and 27 students on their rolls at the close of

[ 29 ]

1930, The outdoor Charitable Dispensary treated 4637 new cases in 1928, 12,140 in 1929 and 13,235 in 1930. The patients were served with free diet and injections, whenever required. The necessity of erecting a separate suite of rooms for the exclusive use of the Dispensary is being keenly felt.

The Vivekananda Society, Jamshedpur (Singhbhum).

It 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 fully equipped Day Schools and a Night School. All three are Primary Schools, which had an average of 142 boys on their rolls in 1930. In the Students' Home there were 10 students at the end of that year. In the Workers' Home the number of inmates on an average was 14. The Jamshedpur Manila Samity held weekly meetings and classes in the Society's Hall. The Vivekananda Free Libraries and Beading Rooms, both in the Society's premises and at the Ashrama, situated on the Subarnarekha, away from the bustle of the town, were maintained as usual.

The philanthropic activities of the Society include nursing of the sick in their own homes, cremation of the dead and free supply of firewood for this purpose. A readiness for service, whenever required, has won for the Society the sympathy and co-opera­tion of the management of the Tata Steel Company and its officers.

Regular religious classes were held, and birthday anniversaries of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Viveka­nanda duly celebrated.

[ 30 ]

The Ramkrishna Mission Industrial School. Belur (Howrah).

This institution, since its very inception in 1921, was being run as part of the Mission headquarters work, but was made, a branch centre of the Mission with a Local Committee in September, 1930. A building to accommodate the office, show-room and tailoring department was completed and opened in 1930. The number of students on the rolls of the School was 32 in 1930. The School has got weaving, dyeing, tailoring and cabinet-making departments. Only boys who have completed the Middle English standard are admitted. 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.

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, at the Pachai-yappa's College and at the Vaisya Hostel, Chetput. Swami Yatiswarananda, the President, 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 and in Ceylon.

The publication department has continued to flourish. Vedanta Kesari, the English monthly, reached its seventeenth year in 1930 and Rama­krishna Vijayam, the Tamil monthly, its tenth year. The Math has published a good number of English, Tamil and Telugu books, some of which were reprinted during the period under review, A com­prehensive Life of Sri Ramakrishna in Tamil.and a volume of the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna in Telugu were. Important additions made during the period under review. A Life of Sri Ramakrishna in Telugu was in preparation,

[ 32 ]

The Math has also been conducting the Rama-krishna National Girls' School, located at 6 Krish-nappa . Jsfaiken Agraharam. Street, George Town, Madras, with about 150 students on its rolls. It has been recognised by the Government as an Elementary School. There are six lady teachers. Fees are not charged since January, 1928. The financial position of the School needs sufficient improvement.

The Charitable Dispensary, started in the Math premises in 1925, has progressed steadily. Its increasing usefulness will be manifest from the number of new cases treated by it, which was 18,222 in 1928, 30,932 in 1929 and 54,567 in 1930. The Dispen­sary has attracted patients even from distant suburbs.

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. It conducted Fire Belief Work in a suburb of the city for a few weeks commencing from the end of July, 1928. Altogether 952 poor people were helped with food, clothing, hut-building materials, cash, etc., at a total cost of Rs. 2,155-10-5. The total receipts amounted to Rs. 2,333-6-4.

From October, 1930 to February, 1931 the Mission in Madras also undertook Flood and Cyclone Relief Work in the Tanjore and Chingleput Districts of the Madras Presidency. Altogether 3989 families belong­ing to 215 villages were helped with rice, cloth and hut-building materials at a total expenditure of Rs. 20,949-10-9. The total receipts for this work were Rs.. 26,833-2-5. Details of both the relief operations will be found in Reports published separately by the centre.

[ 33 ]

Adult Education.

In the Colony named Ramakrishnapuram which came into existence after the Fire Relief Work in 1928, a plot of land measuring 50 ft. by 50 ft. was assigned by the Government to the Ramkrishna Mission. Here the Mission has erected a large shed with a shrine in it for common worship. Weekly Bhajana is conducted, and simple class talks on religion are given once a week to the people. 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. It had a total strength of about 30 students at the end of 1930. Lessons were also given to the students on a variety of useful subjects.

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Dacca,

Dacca is an old centre of the activities of the Ramakrishna Order, which date back to 1899, when the first preachers were sent there. The Seva department was added in 1908, and the monastic workers were put in charge of the centre at the end of 1914. It was recognised as a branch centre of the Mission in 1916.

The Mission centre at Dacca conducts an outdoor Dispensary, which treated 1871 new cases in 1928, 3464 in 1929 and 1919 in 1930. The marked fall in the attendance of 1930 was due to the severe riots which broke out that year in and outside the city. The Ashrama members took part in nursing a number of patients in their own homes and in cremation of the dead, whenever required.

5

[ 34 ]

On an average 33 poor families were helped with regular monthly doles of rice, and 96 deserving persons were given pecuniary help.

The centre organised Cholera Belief Work in a few villages of the District in 1928 and assisted in the Cholera inoculation work during the Kumbha Mela of 1930. During the terrible riots mentioned above the Ashrama lent a helping hand in the relief operations undertaken by the headquarters.

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. The Library and Reading Boom had 2300 books and 30 periodicals atihe end 1930.

The Primary School attached to the centre had an average of 61 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 42 girls on its rolls at the end of 1930.

To create a taste for physical culture in the younger generation, the Vivekananda Gymnasium was started some years back in the Mission com­pound. It was regularly utilised by the young men of the locality, the average daily attendance being 15.

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.

[ 35 ]

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. The Samity, in addition to its various activities in the town of Sylhet, has done good extension work by opening small nuclei of allied activities in some villages of the District. It conducts nine Primary Schools in the neighbouring villages. Of these, two are Girls' Schools, three, including a Middle English one, are Boys' Schools and four Night Schools. The average number of students in. these schools was 180 in 1930.

At the Charitable Dispensaries at Devpur and Dulali managed by this centre, the total number of new cases treated was 5206 in 1928, 4649 in 1929 and 2285 in 1930. In 1928, 177 patients were

treated from two other places. The Samity did Cholera and Small-pox Relief Work in some near-by villages and also took part in the Flood Relief Work organised by the headquarters in the Sylhet District in 1929.

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

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

In 1929 the Seva Samity at Karimganj was recog­nised by the headquarters as a sub-centre of the Sylhet Seva Samity. It conducted one L. P. School with an average of 28 students on its rolls. Three

[ 36 ]

High School students were accommodated in the Samity. The outdoor Dispensary attached to the centre treated 1091 patients in 1929 and 1176 in 1930. 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 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 growing popu­larity of the Dispensary will apear from the number of new outdoor cases treated in the years 1928 to 1930, which were 11,289, 13,804 and 12,664 res­pectively. Relief work was undertaken in the neighbouring villages during a period of great scarcity of food in the year 1928, when 100 bags of rice, 76 bags of dal and 800 pieces of cloth were distributed among the needy.

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

[ 37 ]

by Swami Vijnanananda, a disciple of Sri Rama­krishna, whose spiritual advice is eagerly sought by those who know him.

The Mission Sevashrama at Allahabad was started in 1911 and has since been rendering useful service to the poor and helpless. Occasionally the Seva­shrama had to accommodate some extreme cases as indoor patients. The new Indoor Hospital is not yet complete. The Outdoor Dispensary treated -6421 new cases in 1928, 6260 in 1929 and 6486 in 1930. During the Kumbha Mela in 1930 a Dispensary was opened on the Mela grounds for rendering first aid to the pilgrims. It treated 198 new cases.

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 7248 new cases in 1928, 4832 in 1929 and 6236 in 1930, and many sick persons were nursed in their own homes. It con­ducts one Lower Primary and three Upper Primary Schools. The number of students on the rolls of the Contai L. P. School was 35, the Belda U. P. School 98, Mogra U. P. School 50, and Manasadwip U. P. School 75, at the end of 1930. The last two schools are situated in the Sundarbans. The Seva­shrama maintains a Students' Home, which had five students at the end of 1930, and has a Library.

The Contai Ashrama, among other things, con­ducted regular worship and religious classes and undertook preaching work in various Sub-divisions of the District,

[ 38 ]

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

Although an institution of ten years' standing, the Sevashrama was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1922. The Charitable Dispensary treated 1790 new outdoor cases in 1928, 2082 in 1929 and 1855 in 1930. A number of helpless patients were picked up from the streets and carried to the local hospital for treatment. Occasional relief was rendered to about 68 patients annually in •their own homes. The Sevashrama helped a few persons and families with occasional doles of rice and some money. It also organised relief operations every year during the Langalband Fair. Relief work was also done in a village named Tholakandi during a fever epidemic.

There were 30 students on an average on the rolls of the Ramakrishna Free Pathshala. The Durgacharan Library, containing 2300 books, and the Reading Room were used by a large number of readers.

The Ashrama at Narayanganj, like other Math centres, 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. In the attached Students' Home ten poor schoolboys were accommodated free, five pf whom were also supplied with their school fees,

[ 39 ]

Owing to financial difficulties, however, the Home was dissolved at the end of 1929, five of the boys being provided for in other educational institutions of the Mission. The average number of patients treated annually at the outdoor Dispensary was 780. Many poor families were given monthly or occasional help. A few huts were also built for some distressed people. Fifteen magic lantern lectures were de­livered in and outside the Mission premises, which were well attended. The Sevashrama has got a free Library which is open to the public.

The Ashrama conducted regular classes, worship, Bhajana, etc.

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 Ramkrishna Mission in 1926. The main activities of the Seva Samity consist in imparting education secular as well as religious to the cobblers and members of other depressed classes in the sub-division, and in organising suitable home industries for the improvement of their econ­omic condition.

The Samity conducted in 1928 and 1929 two homoeopathic Charitable Dispensaries at Charinao and Uttarkul, which together treated 660 and 1963 cases respectively in those two years, including repetitions, while the Dispensary at Charinao treated 1146 cases in 1930. A quantity of rice and some pieces of cloth were distributed to the poor. Three Night Schools are conducted at Gosainagar, Daulatpur

[ 40 ]

and Jangal for the benefit of tiie depressed classes. There is also a Primary School at Charipur. About 98 students, including 30 girls, received education from all these schools.

A Shoe Factory is managed by the Samity to provide a better training ground for the local cobbler boys. A Co-operative Society for the benefit of the cobblers was started during the period under review.

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

The Ramakrishna Ashrama & Mission Sevashrama Baliati (Dacca).

This centre completed its nineteenth year in 1930. The Sevashrama, which was made a branch centre of the Mission in 1925, aims at village reconstruction work, for which purpose it conducts a Boys' School teaching up to Class V, and an L. P. Girls' School. These had an average of 32 and 36 pupils respectively on their rolls during the period under review. The outdoor Charitable Dispensary treated 433, 408 and 420 patients respectively in the years 1928 to 1930 and gave injections to 362 Kala-azar patients during the period. Medicine was administered to 65 small-pox patients, of whom 96 per cent, were cured. Anti-cholera injections were given to 358 persons at Baliati and adjacent villages, and 21 wells and a number of houses were disinfected. A Village Workers' Conference was organised to discuss the educational, sanitary and religious problems of the

[ 41 ]

neighouring villages. 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 institution had its origin in 1914. It was removed to its own permanent quarters in 1922, Although the institution had been in close touch with the Belur Math for many years, the Sevashrama was made a branch centre of the Mission in November, 1929. It admitted 222 indoor patients in 1930, and treated 811 and 908 new outdoor cases in 1929 and 1930 respectively. During these two years the Sevashrama nursed 40 patients in their .own homes, distributed cloth and rice to 65 and 77 persons respec­tively, small cash to 46 persons, and stipends to a few students. Cholera Relief Work was undertaken in the affected villages of the Tamluk Sub-division in 1929, when 26 houses and 13 tanks were disinfected and 18 patients treated. The Sevashrama took part in the Flood Relief Work started by the headquarters in the Midnapur District in 1929. It has a small Library, from which books are weekly distributed to and collected from the public. Extensive preaching work was done in the Sub-division through lectures by the Swamis from the Belur Math, and lantern lectures were organised.

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

6

[ 42 ]

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 2396 new cases in 1930. There is also a small Primary School for the village children.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama and Mission Sevashrama, Koalpara (Bankura).

This Mission centre, started in the year 1918, distributed medicines to poor patients, and maintained a Primary School at Barimukha, with an average of 23 students on its rolls. It was dissolved by the Governing Body in April, 1930. The Ashrama con­tinues as a Math centre, where regular worship, Bhajana and study of the scriptures take place.

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-sixth year in 1930. It has acquired a distinct place in Indian religious journalism. The size of the magazine was increased in 1929. The Hindi journal Samanway ( "Harmony" ) however had to cease publication at the end of 1930 for want of financial support, though in its short career of eight years it had gained the admiration of eminent Hindi scholars.

During the period under review the Ashrama reprinted many of its English and Sanskrit works, the most notable among them being The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda in seven volumes, Life of Sri Ramakrishna and the Gita. The Ashrama

[ 44 ]

also published in 1930 and 1931 the latest work of M. Remain Holland in two volumes, Ramakrishna the Man-Gods and The Universal Gospel of Viveka-nanda. The Ashrama had given much help to M. Holland by supplying him with valuable material and information. The Publication Department of the Ashrama is now located at 4 Wellington Lane, Calcutta.

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. We are glad, to note that the scope and usefulness of this institution have been increasing from day to day. The total number of indoor and outdoor patients treated in 1928, 1929 and 1930 was 4072, 7641 and 5205 respectively.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bombay.

This Ashrama, situated at Khar, a suburb of the city, has, since its inception in 1923, been doing good work in the city and suburbs, and its influence is being felt throughout the Presidency. Regular classes were held on religious and philosophical subjects in, and outside the Ashrama premises. In the three years under review 649 such classes were held in ten different places. The Swamis of the Ashrama delivered public lectures and. discourses under the auspices of different Societies and Institu­tions, sometimes hundreds of miles away from Bombay.

The Charitable Dispensary attached to the Ashrama treated 611 patients in 1928, 1564 in 1929 and 3060 in 1930. The Ashrama has a decent Library, which is accessible to the public.

[ 45 ]

On behalf of the Ramkrishna Mission the Bombay Ashrama in 1930 conducted relief operations over an area of about 125 miles in length comprising 136 villages. Of these 41 villages were affected by flood and 95 by loot. In all 4143 persons were helped with corn, seeds, utensils, clothing, blankets, building materials, fodder for cattle, and cash, at a total expenditure of Rs. 19,414-10-9. The total receipts for this work amounted to Rs. 19,639-10-9. The Flood Relief Work in Gujarat, which was completed in February, 1928, at a total expenditure of Rs. 48,820-15-7, has already been noticed in the previous General Report. Separate Reports of both have been published from the Bombay Ashrama.

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, regular classes are held, some of which are open to the public. 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-first year in 1930.

[ 46 ]

The Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama, Benares.

This Ashrama, started in 1902 at the Laksa quarter of this premier holy city of India, provides facilities for spiritual advancement to the monastic members of the Ramakrishna 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.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Nagpur.

Though the foundation stone of the Ashrama was laid in 1925, the actual work began some years later. In 1927 Swami Sharvananda visited Nagpur and delivered a course of University Extension Lectures on Vedanta Philosophy at Nagpur and Amraoti, which evoked considerable enthusiasm among promi­nent citizens for the activities of the Math and Mission. In September, 1928, the Belur Math deputed three monastic members to work out the ideals of the organisation in this historic city. During the three years under review the Charitable Dispensary conducted by the Ashrama treated 279, 2436 and 3504 new patients respectively, and also gave diet to

[ 47 ]

the most deserving among them. Altogether 216 weekly religious classes were held in four localities of the town, and 40 public lectures were delivered to propagate the ideals of the Sanatana Dharma. An essay competition among all High School students of C. P. and Berar was also organised by the Ashrama. A substantial part of the building has been constructed and is in use since 1930.

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. Many of the students who were sent up for public exami­nations came out successful. The Ashrama and the Veda Vidyalaya have Libraries with a good collection of valuable scriptural and philosophical books along with a few choice books on Hindu culture.

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.

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The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysore.

The Mysore Ashrama is situated in one of the best extensions of the city. Started in the year 1925, it has already made its healthy influence felt all around. The building work is still in progress. His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore has been taking a very kind interest in the Ashrama from its very inception.

In 1928 Swami Sharvananda gave a series of lectures at the Ashrama on the Bhagavad-Gita. He also spoke on Hinduism at the Shiah Mosque in Urdu and addressed a few other meetings at the Town Hall and elsewhere. Since the middle of 1930 Swami Nikhilananda held daily classes at the Ashrama. He also held classes in the University Library on the Katha Upanishad under the auspices of the Mysore Philosophical Association. Discourses were given at Mercara and Napoklu in Coorg and Shimoga, Sivasamudram and a few other places in the Mysore State, on the ideals of the Ramkrishna Mission. The Swamis have also been regularly conducting classes at three local Hostels. Every Sunday a group of labourers employed in the Railway Workshop conduct Bhajana at the Ashrama in which the members of the Adi Karnataka community also join. The birthdays of the great Prophets and Acharyas were observed at the Ashrama.

The Ashrama has a Reading Room as well as a small Library where books and periodicals of interest to the students of religion and philosophy are available for the public.

During the period under, review the Ashrama was running a Rover Troop called the Vivekananda

[ 49 ]

Rover Troop. The services of the Troop on different occasions have been appreciated by the public. They conducted a small Physical Culture Institute and a Gymnasium.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Ootacamund.

This is another new Ashrama (established in 1926) which is doing good work. During the period under review regular religious classes were held and occa­sional lectures and discourses arranged in and outside the Ashrama premises.

The nucleus of a good library has been formed with a thousand volumes, the Tamil section being located in the Panchakshara Hall, which is centrally situated. There is a Reading Room attached to the English section of the Library in the Ashrama itself.

The birthday anniversaries of the great Founders of religions, as also some important religious festivals, including the Gita Day, were observed.

A Night School for adults is being conducted in the village Nanjanad solely for the benefit of illiterate Badagas, who belong to the Nilgiri hill-tribes. The average attendance of the School was 50. Another Night School was organised in the same village, and the management handed over to the villagers themselves.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Malda.

This Ashrama, started in the year 1924, has been steadily gaining in popularity. The construction of a residential building and a decent shrine was

7

[ 50 ]

completed, and they were opened in 1930. Regular scriptural classes and Bhajana were held, and occasional festivals celebrated, during some of which the Swamis from the Belur Math were invited and delivered lectures before appreciative audiences.

Anti-malarial and Cholera Relief Work was taken up in several villages whenever the situation demanded it. Volunteers were organised to look after the convenience of the pilgrims in the last Ramkeli Fair. The Ashrama is pushing on the work of village reorganisation in different parts of the district through five local Ramakrishna Societies. These Societies have been running four Night Schools, four Dispensaries and four Libraries. The Ashrama has succeeded in uniting the disorganised carpenter community by offering them a common platform.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Dinajpur.

The Ashrama completed the seventh year of its existence in 1930. Religious classes were regularly conducted in and out of the Ashrama premises. During the anniversaries of the great Masters lectures were organised. In 1930 the Charitable Dispensary attached, to the Ashrama treated 17,730 cases of which 6263 were pew cases and the rest repetitions of the same, while 82 Kala-azar injections were given to the patients. In March, 1930, the Ashrama started a Lower Primary School, which had 17 students on its rolls. It also conducts a small Library.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bankura.

This Ashrama completed its thirteenth year in 1930. The Charitable Dispensary attached to the Ashrama.

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treated 6304 patients in 1928, 2689 in 1929 and 3055 in 1930. Pecuniary help was given to poor 'people, particularly students. The religious classes and the Library are open to the public. Lectures were arranged on the birthdays of the great Founders of religions, and they were much appreciated by the public.

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.

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.

The Ramakrishna Ashrarna, Nattarampalli (North Arcot).

This Ashrama completed twenty years of its useful life in 1930. Regular classes on the scriptures and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda were held, and lectures delivered in and outside the Ashrama premises. The Swamis

[ 52 ]

occasionally visited the surrounding countryside to instruct the villagers to improve their sanitary and economic condition. Every Sunday the students of the village schools gathered together in the Ashrama and performed Bhajana. The workers of this centre took part in the Flood and Cyclone Relief Work undertaken by the Ramkrishna Mission, Madras, in the Districts of Tanjore and Chingleput in 1930.

The Saradashrama, Ponnampet (Coorg).

This Ashrama, situated among the hills of Coorg,was started in 1927. Besides daily worship andweekly Bhajana, discourses on religious subjects werearranged in and outside the Ashrama. The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda were celebrated, and 14 lantern lectures were delivered with the object of educating the masses. One important item in the programme of rural uplift specially suited to the Province is the introduction of scientific methods of bee-keeping.

Malabar Centres.

In Malabar, particularly 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

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Keralam, is carried on from this centre. The Yoga-nanda Ashrama at Alleppey was started in 1925. There are also Ashramas at Kayangulam, Kulathur and Meenachil, all within the State, as well as at Mattom, in Cochin.

There are two Ashramas at Quilandy and Ottapalam in British Malabar.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Trichur (Malabar).

The beginning of this Ashrama dates from the starting of the Vivekodoya Samajam in memory of Swami Vivekananda in the year 1915. But the local activities were formally recognised by the Math headquarters in 1929.

The main centre is situated at Puranattukara, a suburb of Trichur. The Kamakrishna Gurukul Vidyamandir, a Primary School, devotes special atten­tion to the uplift of the depressed and backward classes, the 'untouchables' of Malabar. The number of students on its rolls was 237 in 1930. 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 in America. The are at present seven teachers and one industrial assistant on the staff.

In the Gurukul (Students' Home) attached to the School there were 8 boys at the end of 1930, of whom all but one came from the 'unapproachable' classes. The Ashrama also conducts a Night School for adults, a Store for supplying necessaries at cheap prices, a Credit Society to remove indebtedness and a Dispensary to provide medical relief. Occasional feeding of the poor and Bhajana are other activities of the Ashrama.

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The Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora.

This Himalayan centre was founded in the year 1918 under the auspices of the late Swami Turiya-nanda, 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 Eetreat on the Himalayas (P. O. Deori, Dt. Almora), founded in the year 19] 5. The Charitable Dispensary, renamed the Ramakrishna Sevashrama, conducted by the Ashrama has proved a boon to the poor, sick hill people for many miles around. In the three years under review the total number of cases treated was 4000. A spacious two-storied house for the Sevashrama is just complete.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Chandipur

(Midnapur).

This Ashrama, situated on a beautiful spot in the rural areas of the Midnapur District, devotes itself to village reconstruction work. Daily worship, Bhajana and scriptural classes are conducted by the inmates of the Ashrama. From the Charitable Dispensary attached to the Ashrama 1660 patients were treated in 1928, 1490 in 1929 and I960 in 1930. The Ashrama organised Cholera and Small-pox Relief Work in the neighbouring villages. It has also been running a Lower Primary School for the village children. There is a small Library with a Reading Room in the Ashrama.

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The Ramakrishna 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 has been opened at Mymensing since April, 1931.

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 raised the funds for it from among them­selves and organised a well-attended meeting of their own. There is a small Library in the Ashrama. A small brick-built house was completed in 1928.

The Ramakrishna Sevashrama, Garbeta (Midnapur).

This Ashrama completed its thirteenth year in 1930. It conducts an outdoor Dispensary, which treated 1007 patients in 1928, 1200 in 1929 and 1150 in 1930. There is a Primary School attached to the Ashrama, which had 43 pupils on its rolls at the end of 1930,

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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-Dim).

This Ashrama was started in 1916 in a picturesque valley five miles above Dehra-Dun. It is a good place for meditation as well as for the recruiting of health. It has a pretty good Library.

SECTION V

Centres outside India.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashramas in Ceylon.

In the year 1924 three Ashramas were started in Ceylon, viz., at Trincovnalie, Jaffna, and Batticaloa, which did mostly educational work. On the 4th July, 1929, an Ordinance incorporating the Ramkrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) was passed by the Ceylon Legislative Conncil and came into operation a few days later.

To co-ordinate the activities of the different centres, an Ashrama was started at the instance of Swami Sharvananda at Colombo (Harmer's Avenue, Wellawatta) in October, 1930, as the headquarters of the Ramkrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch). It conducts regular classes and organises occasional lectures in the city and elsewhere. The centre has a great promise before it.

At Trincomalie the Hindu School building was completed and formally opened by His Excellency the Governor of Ceylon in 1929. A Science Labora- tory was added to the School. The Ashrama building was also completed.

In Jaffna the Vaidyeswara Vidyalaya (English School) and the Vivekananda Tamil School made steady progress. The former was converted into a mixed school to provide English education to girls as day scholars. The average number of girl students on its rolls was 50. Weekly religious discourses were, given to the inmates of the Jaffna Jail. The Kal-munai Y. M. H. A. was transferred to the Mission

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and became a local centre in January, 1930. Inthe spacious compound of this centre a building isnearing completion. A new school at Kallar andanother at Thanipalawattai were opened in 1930.A small Reading Room and Library was opened forthe benefit of the inmates of the Mantivu LeperAsylum.

In Batticaloa the Sree Sarada Vidyalaya, the first Girls' School of the Mission in Ceylon, was started early in 1929. The Shivananda Vidyalaya, an English school, and two Tamil schools, with land and build­ings, were handed over to the Mission by the pro­prietors. The Ramkrishna Mission Students' Home was transferred from Jaffna to Batticaloa and is being run in connection with the Shivananda Vidyalaya.

The Mission in Ceylon conducts altogether four­teen schools—ten in Batticaloa, two in Jaffna, and two in Trincomalie. The total number of pupils in the schools was just over 2000 at the end of 1930, and the number of teachers 69.

The Ramkrishna Mission, Singapore (Straits Settlements).

The Mission centre at Singapore (now located at 32 Norris Road) was started in July, 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 is in charge of the centre, conducted classes every Sunday in the Mission premises and delivered frequent lectures under the auspices of different Societies and assq-

[ 59 ]

ciations. Occasional contributions were also made to the local press in order to propagate the ideas and ideals of the Mission. The birthday anniversaries of the great Masters were duly observed. A building for the Mission is under construction on a plot of land gifted by the local Arya Sangam in 1929.

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 under thelaws of the State of New York in J898. The Societyis located at 34 West 71st Street, close to the CentralPark.

The season's work begins in October and endsin June. During the period under review twosermons were preached every Sunday, and classeswere held thrice a week. Practical training in medi-­tation is given, and interviews are arranged in whichindividual instructions are given to the students toassist them in leading a religious life. These arefeatures common to all the Vedanta centres inAmerica. Swami Bodhananda is in charge of thecentre. He was assisted by Swami Gnaneswaranandaup to October, 1930, when Swami Devatmananda tookhis place.

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

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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 in his frequent journeys across the country. During the period under review weekly services and classes were conducted, one of the Sisters taking charge of the work in the absence of the Swami. Swami Paramananda is the reputed author of many Vedantic books.

The Vedanta Centre, Cohasset (Massachusetts).

This is a lovely Retreat attached to the Boston centre, about as miles from the City. Started in July, 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 on the 9th September, 1928, and has since made not­able progress. It has already secured a permanent home of its own, called the Hindu Temple, at 224 Angell Street, which was dedicated on the 22nd February, 1931. Services were conducted by the Swami every Sunday and classes on Tuesdays and Fridays. Interviews were given by appointment. The Swami was invited to speak once a month in the Universal Club of the Brown University, Providence, and often in the local Christian churches and clubs. He also gave many interesting interviews to news­paper representatives. The birthdays of Sri Rama-

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krishna and Swami Vivekananda were observed with great enthusiasm. A Library was opened for all who wished to study Vedanta.

To extend the activities of Vedanta to Washington (District of Columbia), Swami Akhilananda delivered a series of lectures in April, 1930, at the Washington Hotel, which proved a success. At the request of friends he visited Washington monthly and continued his lectures and interviews in May and June, 1930. Owing to increased activities in Providence, the work in Washington was suspended for the time being and was resumed in April, 1931. A permanent centre is shortly going to be organised there. Swami Nikhilananda has been deputed to take charge of the Providence centre to enable Swami Akhilananda to devote himself wholly to the work in Washington.

The Vedanta Society, Chicago (Illinois).

Late in December, 1929, Swami Gnaneswarananda arrived at Chicago from New York, with the object of starting a Vedanta centre in this historic place. On the 19th January, 1930, at a mass meeting presided over by Prof, Archibald Baker of the University of Chicago, the Vedanta Society of Chicago was duly inaugurated with great enthusiasm. Since then Swami Gnaneswarananda is holding regular services every Sunday at the New Masonic Temple, and the interest of the people is gradually increasing. The average attendance during the first season (January to June, 1930) was 60, and that of the second season (October, 1930 to June, 1931) was 90. During the first season three classes were held every week, interviews

[ 62 ]

and individual lessons were given, and a Beading Room was maintained for the benefit of the members. The classes grew considerably within a very short time, and the, class room proving too small, the meditation class had to be divided into two batches meeting at different times, thus making the number of classes four. Besides the two classes on meditation, a class was held for the systematic study of Hindu philosophy and another for teaching the Sanskrit language. More than fifty persons joined these classes during the first season and twenty more during the second.

Since February, 1931, the Society has moved to a much bigger and more convenient house in a very, respectable neighbourhood near the Lake, at East Delaware Place, where all the classed, s activities, birthday celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, and other such functions are held,

Over and above these regular activities in connec­tion with the Society, Swami Gnaneswarananda was invited by various Churches, Clubs, Forums and Universities to speak on India and her philosophy and culture. Some of these lectures were broadcast over the radio. As many as 48 such lectures were given during the season from October, 1930 to June, 1931.

In the course of its very short period of existence, the Society has gained for itself a wonderful circle of friends drawn from highly cultured sections of the American people. With their interest increasing and spiritual need supplied, the Society has a vast field of work before it.

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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.

The work of this centre consists, among other things, of two services and two classes every week, and frequent interviews.

The services of Swami Madhavananda, who was in charge of this centre from 1927, being required in India, he was succeeded in his office in April, 1929, by Vividishananda, continued the work of the Society. Swami Ashokananda, the able ex-editor of Prabuddha Bharata, was sent to work in this centre in May, 1931. Swami Dayananda handed over charge of the centre to Swami Vividishananda in August 1931, preparatory to his return to India, where he intends to start a Child Welfare Work under the auspices of the Mission. Already he has got sympathetic response from American friends for this work.

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 help groups of earnest students to lead anintensive life of spiritual practice and study in thecongenial atmosphere of this Ashrama.

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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 conducts a Reading Room at Pasadena where classes are also held.

A temple of the Universal Spirit was dedicated atthe Ananda Ashrama in October, 1928. The Vedantamonthly, The Message of the East, which completedits ninteenth year in 1930, is conducted from thisAshrama.

The Vedanta Centre, Los Angeles (California).

To give the busy people of the city of Los Angeles an opportunity to come in touch with Vedantic ideas nearer home, a centre was started by Swami Parama­nanda in January, 1930, at 745 West Adams Street, where, too, services, classes, etc., are held.

The Vedanta Society, Portland (Oregon).

This centre was started by Swami Prabhavananda in 1926, and he was in charge of it till December, 1929, when he was succeeded by Swami Vividisha-nanda, who had been sent from India. During the period under review two Sunday services and two to three weekly classes were conducted, which were

[ 65 ]

well attended. Swami Prabhavananda lectured in different places to appreciative audiences. His visit to St. Louis (Missouri) in 1928 gave a great impetus to the study of Vedanta in that city, and led to the formation of a Vedanta Society which worked for about a year.

Owing to financial difficulties, however, the Port­land centre had to be closed from June, 1930.

The Vedanta Society, Hollywood (California).

Swami Prabhavananda came to Hollywood in December, 1929, at the invitation of friends. He began lecturing to a distinguished audience in February, 1930, and organised the Society. A perma- nent home has been dedicated in the name of Swami Vivekananda for the work 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 a midweek class are held, and the attendance in all of them has been very encouraging. Under the auspices of the Society, the Swami holds a weekly class at San Gabriel, and fortnightly classes at Pasadena and Long Beach. Swami Prabhavananda is an attractive personality, and the work at Holly­wood has great potentialities of expansion.

NEW CENTRES IN 1931

Four centres which have been in existence for varying lengths of time were incorporated into the Ramkrishna Mission as branch centres in 1931. We briefly notice them here.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Cawnpore.

This Ashrama, started in 1922, was made a branchcentre of the Mission in, April, 1931. It has a recordof many useful activities, the following being someof them :—

(1) An outdoor Dispensary with an average daily attendance of 150 patients; (2) Help to men and women of poor respectable families ; (3) Belief work in time of famine, flood, etc. ; (4) Three Elementary Schools for the depressed classes ; (5) A Students' Home, where eight students are maintained free of charge, four of them being college students ; (6) A public Gymnasium with 60 members ; (7) Daily and weekly religious classes ; and (8) A Library and Reading Room.

The Ashrama has earned the approbation of all who have known its activities.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Midnapur.

This Ashrama has been in existence since the year 1914 and was recognised as a branch centre in April, 1931. Its chief activities are as follows :—

(1) An indoor hospital with 8 beds ; (2) An out­door Dispensary treating on an average 17 new cases daily ; (3) Treating patients in their homes ; (4) A Primary School with 50 children of the lower classes ;

[ 67 ]

and (5) Occasional lectures 011 religious and secular subjects.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Katihar (Purnea).

This Ashrama was started in 1926 and was made a branch centre in June, 1931. It conducts an out­door Charitable Dispensary with an average daily attendance of 85 patients.

The Ramkrishna Mission Seva Sadan, Salkia (Howrah).

This institution has been in existence since 1924. It was recognised as a branch centre in April, 1931. It conducts an outdoor Charitable Dispensary with an average daily attendance of 40 patients, and maintains 9 orphans.

A Math centre has also been added :

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Jahndi (Faridpur).

This Ashrama was started in 1918 and was recog­nised as a Math centre in 1931. It maintains two Primary Schools and a Night School with a total of 82 students on their rolls. There is a daily scrip­ture class.

And there is a prospective centre :

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.

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 six 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 three Lower Primary, one Upper Primary, one Middle English and two Night Schools. Besides these, two 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, in Khasi, the language of the people. The Hari Sabha attached to the Ashrama had weekly sittings. The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda and many Hindu religious festivals were duly celebrated at the Ashrama. Extensive lecture tours were also under­taken during the period.

The Ashrama has a Library and has taken up the publication of religious literature in Khasi.

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The Ramakrishna Sevashrama, Silchar (Cachar).

This Ashrama has been doing very good work among the hill-tribes of the District since 1924. It main­tains a Home for poor students including some hill-tribe boys. The Library attached to the Sevashrama is very popular, being regularly patronised by about 30 readers daily.

The Ramakrishna Tapovan, Dharchula (Almora).

This Ashrama in the Himalayas completed its seventh year in 1930. It conducts a small Charitable Dispensary, and a Rest House for the accommodation of pilgrims to Mt. Kailas.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Asansol (Burdwan).

This, Ashrama was started in 1926 and conducts a small Charitable Dispensary, a Night School, a Primary School for boys and one for girls, with an average total of 137 students on their rolls.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Faridpur.

This Ashrama was started in 1921 and conducts a small Students' Home, and an M. E. School for girls, with 56 students on its rolls. Anti-malarial and Kala-azar injections are given twice a week. There is also a Library open to the public. Doles of rice and some pecuniary help were given to the needy persons of the locality. The workers of the Ashrama nursed people in their own homes and cremated dead bodies whenever required.

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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 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.

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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.

(if) 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.

(Hi) 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,

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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 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 RAM-KRISHNA MISSION.

The objects of the Association are :—

1. To impart and promote the study of theVedanta and its principles as propounded by Sri Ram-­krishna 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 knowl-­edge above-mentioned and enable them to reach themasses.
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 in­
   valid and the afflicted, famine relief works, and othereducational and charitable works and institutions of
   a like nature.

(/) To print and publish and to sell or distribute,
gratuitously or otherwise, journals, periodicals, booksor leaflets that the Association may think desirablefor 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 ofthe Paramahansa Ramkrishna may be members of theAssociation if elected at a meeting of the Asso-ciation or nominated by the Governing Body herein­-after mentioned provided that the total number of themembers 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,

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

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(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 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.

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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,
3. Eeceive all publications of the Association ata special discount of 25% on the published price.
4. 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 fmembers 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.

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(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 (1931).

Benyal : Calcutta (4 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, Alaaor-aj

Shyamalatal, Kankhal and Kishenpur.

Delhi : Delhi.

Bombay : Bombay and Rajkot.

C. P. : Nagpur.

Madras Presidency : Madras (2 centres)

palli, Bangalore, Mysore, Ponnampet, Ootacamund, Quilandy, Otfcapalam, Trichur, Mattom, Trivan drum, Alleppey, Haripad, Tiruvalla, Kayangulam, Kulathur and Meeiiachil.

Ceylon : Colombo, Batticaloa, Trincomalie and Jaffna.

Burma : Eangoon (2 centres),

Straits Settlements : Singapore.

United States of America:.

Neiu York : New York,Massachusetts : Boston and Colmsset.Rhode Island : Providence.Illinois : Chicago.

California : San Francisco, San Antone Yalley, Los Angeles, Hollywood, La Crescenta.

THE

Governing Body of the Ramkrishna Mission (1931 )

1. Swami Shivananda, President.

2. „ Akhandananda, Vice-President.
3. „ Subodhananda, Treasurer.
4. „ Suddhananda, Secretary.
5. „ Sankarananda
6. „ Sharvaiianda Asst. Secretaries.
7. „ Madhavananda
8. „ AmritesJiwarananda, Accountant.
9. „ Abhedananda10. „ Bodhananda

11 . ’’ Virajananda

12. „ Dhirananda
13. „ Achalananda
14. „ Mahimananda
15. „ Vishuddhananda
16. „ Santananda
17. ’’ Yatiswarananda
18. „ Prabodhananda19- „ Asimananda

20. „ Atmaprakasbananda
21. „ Nirvanananda
22. „ Atmabodhananda 23- „ Vireswarananda

24. „ Nirvedananda
25. „ Omkarananda.