Third General Report - 1922

THE GENERAL REPORT

OF

THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION.

(1917-1922)
INTRODUCTION.

"The national ideals of India are Renunciation and Service. Intensify her in these channels, and the rest will take care of itself". These words of the Great Swami Vivekananda furnish the key-note to the underlying spirit of the Rarr.akrishna Order of Monks at Belur, in the District of Howrah, Bengal, which rose out of the small brotherhood of all-renouncing disciples of Bhagwan Sri Ramakrishna Deva.

Soon after his return from the West on ist May, 1897, Swami

Vivekananda established an Association to unite the monastic and

lay disciples of Sri Ramakrishna Deva in a common organised

effort for the service of humanity. The objects of the Association

. were as follows :—

- (i) To conduct in the right spirit the activities of the move­ment inaugurated by Sri Ramakrishna for the establish­ment of fellowship among the followers of different religions, knowing them to be so many forms only of One Eternal Religion.

(2) To train men so as to make them competent to teach

such knowledge or science as is conducive to the material and spiritual welfare of all persons,

3. To promote and encourage arts and industries.
4. To introduce and spread among the people in general

Vedantic and other religious ideas in the way in which they were elucidated in the life of Sri Ramakrishna.

(5) To establish Maths and Ashramas in different places of

India for the training of Sannyasins and such house­holders as may be willing to devote their lives to the teachings of others.

(6) To send trained members of the Order to countries out-

side India, to start centres there for the preaching of Dharma and for creating a close relationship and a spirit of mutual help and sympathy between the foreign and Indian centres.

! This Association which had been named the RamakrishnaMission ceased to exist after about three years, but it bequeathedits name to the Ramakrishna Brotherhood, which carried en itsmissionary and philanthropic activities with the help of the follow­ers of Sri Ramakrishna and the sympathetic public. As the Mission
thrived and its activities widened, it was faced with some difficultiesfor which a legal status was given to it on the 4th May, 1909, byregistering it under Act XXI of 1860 of the Governor General ofIndia. Memorandum of the Association and its rules and regula­tions as registered are given in the appendices A and B. Distinction
should, however, be made between the Ramakrishna Math and theRamakrishna Mission. The former is a purely religious andmonastic institution with its branch Maths and Ashramas for thetraining of Brahmacharins and Sannyasins in the life of practical
spirituality and is managed by a Board of Trustees, whereas the latter •is a .philanthropic body consisting of monastic as well as laymembers engaged in works of charity and public good and guided
by the Governing Body composed of the Trustees of the Rama­krishna Math at Belur, according to a different set of rules andregulations. When the monastic order steps out of the isolaton ofindividual pursuits, and associates with the public in the sphere of
service to humanity, it becomes the "Ramakrishna Mission". TheMission is, therefore, a collateral and dependent development of the.Math itself; and these twin institutions thus illustrate the principlesof renunciation and service respectively. .

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The works of the Mission may, roughly speaking, be classified under the following heads :—

(1) Missionary work (Preaching and publication of religious

literature).

2. Philanthropic work.
3. Educational work.

We shall take up these sections in order.

SECTION A.

The Maths and Ashramas.

Permanent Institutions for Missionary Work. (I) The Ramakrishna Math, Belur,

Various monasteries associated with the hallowed name of Sri Ramakrishna Deva or otherwise, and established in different parts of India and outside it, properly constitute the permanent institu­tions for training missionaries for preaching the eternal truths of the Hindu religion as illustrated in the lives of Sri Ramakrishna Deva and his great disciple, Swami Vivekananda. These centres also form the fountain-head of all inspiration for the various philan­thropic and educational works of the Mission. They have thus a permanent and intimate connection with the Ramakrishna Mission although they do not form a legal part of the same.

Of these, the first and foremost is the monastery at Belur in the district of Howrah, known as the Ramakrishna Math, which was started in the year 1899 and has been the parent of all other .Ashramas that have subsequently developed. As result of its being the head-quarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, it has naturally become an object of great attraction for all. Visitors in ever-increasing numbers daily resort to this place to imbibe its holy^:>

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'influence and profit by the life that is lived there. Sometimes, the-Swamis go out on tours to different parts of Bengal and India to-popularise the catholic teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami
Vivekananda. One such tour was undertaken by the late SwamiPremananda in 1917 through many districts of East Bengal, andhis influence over the people there was very great. The late SwamiBrahmananda, in company with Swami Shivananda, went to-Southern India in 1921 and visited Madras, Bangalore and someother places, leaving a lasting impression upon the people.Swami Abhedananda who returned to India after preach^;ng theideals of Vedanta for many years in the West, undertook a tour
through Northern India in the following year and delivered some
important lectures at several places. Swamis Suddhananda and
Vasudevananda similarly went on tour during the period underreview to several districts of Bengal and delivered many public
lectures. As in previous years, a free distribution of the booklet"Ramanam Samkirtan" was made. The tol or lyceum for Sanskritstudy which was started in 1916 with funds supplied by Sj.Jadupati Chatterji (since deceased) and supplemented by Sj. M. C.Bhattacharya and others, has been regularly going on under the
guidance of a paid teacher. The public also are allowed to takeadvantage of these classes. [During the period under review, amemorial temple has been erected on the Math ground dedicated
to the Holy MotheAand a decently big sized hall for the accommo­
dation of the|inmates of the Math has been built in memory of thelate Swami Premananda. The building work of the SwamiVivekananda Memorial Temple begun long ago was continued and
brought near completion during the years under review. SwamiBrahmananda, who was the President of the Ramakrishna Mission. since its inception, passed away on the loth of April, 1922. lA temple
t& perpetuate his memory was begun shortly after his demises. Theconstruction of the uppr story 'of the guest-house (through thekind donation of|Miss J. MacLeod, an ardent admirer of the SwamiVivekananda,) was also taken up during this period. ..,

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(2) The Ramakrishna Math, Baghbazar, Calcutta,

The Ashrama owes its importance to its being the Calcutta residence of the Holy Mother during her life-time wherefrom she brought spiritual light into the lives of hundreds of men and women and where she finally entered into Mahasamadhi on the' 2oth July, 1920. A seat of regular worship and religious exercises, it is also one of the chief publishing centres of the Ramakrishna Order. It is'situated at i, Mukherji Lane, Baghbazar, Calcutta, and is under the .supervision of Swami Saradananda, Secretary of the Mission. The Udbodhan, the Bengali monthly organ of the Ramakrishna Order is conducted from this centre. The Ashrama has published almost all the English works of Swami Vivekananda with their Bengali translations as well as all the Bengali writings of the other Swamis of the Belur Math, such as, Swamis Brahniananda, Ratnakrishnananda, .Saradananda,' Prajnananda etc. and most of those by the late Sister Nivedita. Besides it has published other Bengali and Sanskrit .books by different authors, such as Sj. Debendra Nath Bose, Sj. :Sarat Chandra Chakravarty etc.

(3) The Gadadhar Ashrama, Bhowanipur, Calcutta,

In December 1920, Babu Jogesh Chandra Ghose of Bhowanipur made a gift ol&pucca house to the Trustees of the Ramakrishna Math, Belur, with a view to establish a permanent monastery in the southern quarters of Calcutta in loving memory of his late son Gadadhar Ghose. It has since grown up to be a regular centre of spiritual activity under the direction of some monastic members of the Math. Religious services and scripture classes are important items in the daily routine of the Ashrama, in which the public also are allowed to take part.

(4) The Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama, Benares,

From very humble beginning in the year 1902, the Ashrama has made great progress and is daily growing in importance. At ' present it has got mofe than 20 members. Brahmacharins are trained here and great stress is laid on leading a contemplative life and studying the various scriptures. The birthday anniversaries of Sri Ramafcrishna and Swami Vivekananda are observed here every

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year with appropriate ceremonies and public lectures arranged to disseminate their noble teachings among the local people.- A building'has been erected here in memory of the late Swami Adbhutananda, one of the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna.

(5) The Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati (Almora).

As published in our last Report, this monastery was established" in the year 1899 by Swami Vivekananda with a view to further the study and practice of the Advaita Vedanta. amidst the calm and¹ sublime atmosphere of the Himalayas, to the exclusion of all ceremonial or external worship. Classes on Vedanta are held here and students from England and America have resorted here from time to time to study and practise the same. Swami Prajnananda who was the President of the Ashrama since 1913, passed away in April, 1918, and has been succeeded by Swami Madhavananda.

The English monthly magazine, Prabuddha Bharata or Awakened India, which is conducted by the Ashrama, completed its 2yth year in 1922. The Advaita Ashrama has published during the years under review the Life of Swami Vivekananda,,Vol. IV, the Complete Works of the Swami Vivekananda, Vols. VI and VII (last two volumes), Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Part II and a few minor books on scriptural texts.

For facilities of printing and circulation of books and the maga­zine, a branch centre of it has been opened in Calcutta in may, 1920, •which is now located at 182 A, Muktaram Babu Street. In view of the importance of Hindi as the Lingua franca of India, a Hindi monthly named 'Samanwaya' or 'Harmony' has been, started from this branch centre in 1922 to popularise the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami ^;Vivekananda among the Hindi-reading public.

The Mayavati Charitable Dispensary established in November, 1903, is continuing its humble work of service among the hill peopler

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through its outdoor and indoor departments. A statement showing the number of patients treated from 1917 to 1922 is given below:—

1917. ... 270 1920 ... . 560
1918. ... 554 1921 ••• 2,598
1919. ... 689 1922 ... 2,640

(6) Sri Ramakrishna Math, Madras,

This Math was started by the late Swami Ramakrishnananda in 1897 under instructions from his illustrious brother-disciple, Swami Vivekananda. During the period under consideration, it had a brilliant record of activities. The old Math building being in a dilapidated condition, a new building was erected in its place which was opened by the late Swami Brahraananda on 24th April, 1917.

Swami Sharvananda, the President of the Math, held classes regularly for the students of the Pachaiyappa's College, Madras, from 1914 to the beginning of 1919. During the years under review the Swami made extensive tours in different parts of Southern India, such as Nellore, Cocanada, Rajamundry etc. as well as to Rangoon, Kuala-Lumpur, Singapore, Java and Ball! in the F. M. S. and to Jaffna and Colombo in Ceylon. As a result of his visit, nucleus of permanent centres was formed at different places. In June, 1921, he took over charge of a Girls' School in George Town, Madras, since named the Ramakrishna Math Nivedita Girls' School which at present has nearly 175 students on its roll and teaches up to. the 8th standard of the Madras University. A sort of residential Girls' School was founded by the Swami in November, 1921 which was formally opened by the late Swami Brahmananda. the President of the Mission. From the beginning the Swami Sharvananda had been holding classes and delivering lectures in various places in the city of Madras.

In June, 1922, Swami Vishuddhananda was sent to Nattrampally in the North Arcot District to organise a centre there. A building has been erected there for the purpose of a Math. Religious classes are being held here .and an Outdoor Charitable Dispensary has been opened also.

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Another important activity of the Madras Centre is its publishing-Department. The "Vedanta Kesari", an English monthly which was started in 1914, has been steadily gaining popularity. The same may be said of the "Ramakrishna Vijayam", a Tamil monthly, first published in 1921, to popularise the truths of Vedanta amongst the Tamil-reading people. The chief publications of the centre during the period under review are the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna (Parts I and II) by M., Inspired Talks by Swarni Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna the Great Master (Parts I and II) and several principal Upanishads, besides the Tamil and Telugu translations of some of Swami Vivekananda's important works.

(7) 'Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bangalore,

This Ashrama has been doing useful work ever since its in­ception. During the period under review religious classes were held and lectures delivered by Swami Nirmalananda, President of the Ashrama, who also toured through Mysore, Coorg and Malabar several times, preaching the Vedanta and creating an enthusiasm for the ideals of the Ramakrishna Order w erever he went.

Under the auspices of the Swami. the ollowing branches have been started in Bangalore :—

(1) Vivekananda Sangham at Kalasip layam with a free night

school for poor children.

(2) Bhajana Mandiram at Doddapalayam for the depressed

classes.

(3) Sri Ramakrishna Balasamajasangham at Yellagowndan-

palayam, which has got a reading room and holds weekly Samkirtan.

(4) The Ballapurpet Ashrama opened by Swami Somananda.

Swami Somananda continued to visit the Bangalore Gaol every Sunday during these years, giving religious instruc­tions to the inmates in Kannada and Telugu at the request of the Government of Mysore.

A Students' Home has been attached to the Ashrama in Bangalore since August, 1919, providing free lodging, board­ing and religious instruction to about 13 students every year, who

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•attend the colleges, for their secular education. The expenses of the Home are met from public subscriptions.

This Ashrama has been publishing Canarese translation of some of the books relating to the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda such as, the Lila Prasanga, Swami-Sishya Samvad, Raja Yoga etc.

Swami Nirmalananda's work in_Malabar has been very fruitful. He has started the following centres in the district:—

Besides the branch centres at Haripad, Tiruvella and Quilandi about which mention has been made in our last General Report, new Ashramas have been founded (completed and opened in 1924) at~Trivandrum. Alleppy and Muttatn in Malabar and at Salem in the Madras- Presidency. The office of the'.Malayalam monthly journal, the Prabuddha Keralam. has been transferred to the Alleppy centre which, besides, has published the Life of Swami Vivekananda Part I and a few of hfs writings in Malayalam. As a result of Swami Nirmalananda's work many youths have been attracted to the life of renunciation.

(8) Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Patna,

Two Sannyasins of the Order being invited by some local Behari and Bengali gentlemen founded Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama at Patna in June, 1922. The Ashrama since its very beginning has been doing various kinds of missionary, educational and philanthropic works. The activities of the Ashrama. have grown into importance and have been appreciated very much by the public at large as our next Report will show.

(9) Vivekananda Ashrama, Shyamal&tal,

The Ashrama continued its good work during the period under review. During the six years from 1917 id 1922, the number of patients treated jn the charitable dispensary was 2,641. The total receipts by way of donation etc. amounted to Rs. 122-11-6 and the disbursements to Rs. 88-4-3. Besides, medicines worth Rs. 165-0-0 were received with thanks from. Dr. Kartik Ch. Bose, M.B., Calcutta, Messrs. B. K. Paul & Co. and Messrs. Germoline Co...

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Other Indian Maths and Ashramas,

As it is not possible to give a detailed description pf all the-Ashramas in different places and their activities in this Report, we supply the reader below with their names and a few lines regarding them.

(10) Sri Ramakrishna Math, Muthiganj; Allahabad, found-

ed by Swami Vijnanananda. ,

(11) Sri Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora, Himalayas, opened'

under the auspices of the late Swami Turiyananda.

(12) Sri Ramakrishna Math, Dacca, started in a rented'

house in 1914. It was removed to its own building in-1916 and since then it has become an important centre for all missionary activities.

frj) Sn Ramakrishna Math, Bhubaneswar (Puri), founded' by the late Swami Brahmananda in November, 1919. It undertook, during the years under review, occasional relief works in the district.

• (14) Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Kishenpur (P.O. Rajpur, Dehra Dun,} started in 1916 by Swami Karunananda.

(fj) Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mymensingh,—The founda­tion stone of this Ashrama was laid by Swami Shiva-nanda in March. 1922.

(16) Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Jamtara (Sonthal Perganas)-This little monastery was started in 1921 chiefly to serve as a health resort for the members of the Order.

(i¹]) Matri Mandir, Jayrambati, (P.O. Desra, Dt. Bankura)_r To perpetuate the blessed memory of the Holy Mother^ Sri Sri Sarada Devi in the village of her nativity, a temple has been built and daily worship is conducted in it. The Ashrama keeps a small primary school for the village boys and a Charitable outdoor dispensary.

. . •

(18) Foreign Centres,

(a) Veaanta Society, New J^ark.-rr-'By means of regular public lectures, class-talks and practical training Swami Bodha-

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nanda, the President, has been trying as in previous years, to instil the lofty precepts of Vedanta into the minds of the American people. The Society has been removed in 19211034, West, 7ist Street, the house —valued at $ 40,000—being donated by a lady student.

(b) Vedanta Society, San Francisco, U.S.A.—During the years under review Swami Prakashananda worked hard to put the Society on a secure financial basis. He came to India about the end of 1922 and returned in the middle of the next year with Swami Prabhavananda as his assistant.'

Attached to above Society is Shant: Ashrama situated in San Antone Valley. It was founded by Swami Turiya-nanda and is situated in the midst of beautiful coast ranges, about 100 miles from San Francisco. It has been a source of practical benefit to the Vedanta students who live here a life of seclusion and meditation.

(<:} Vedanta Centre, Boston—Regular classes are held here by Swami Paramananda, the Swami-in-charge, and in his absence by Sister Deva Mata. In response to invitations from many admirers the Swami made a number of lecturing tours in the Pacific Coast. In September, 1921, he attended a large Convention of Applied Psychology in Cleveland. He was also warmly invited -to speak before many clubs represent­ed at the covention. The publication of books on Vedanta has been a prominent feature of the centre, and during the period under review, many new books-and pamphlets were added, such as "Soul's Secret Door", "The Vigil", etc. The monthly periodical the "Message of the East" is becoming popular.

The centre has started a branch, named the Ananda. Ashrama, situated at La Crescenta, in the arms of the beautiful Sierra Madre Mountains in California.

(dj Vivekananda Ashrama, Kuala-Lumpur (F. M. S.)—This centre in the Federated Malaya States was started in

1903 by the local people. Its association with theRamakrishna Order commenced in the year 1919when Swami Sharvananda of the Madras Math visited
the centre and sent Swami Videhananda from India totake charge of the work there. Since then it has been• strengthened by two other monastic members from the

Belur Math. The chief activities of the centre consist of holding regular classes and arranging occasional lectures on religious subjects. The Ashrama has also taken charge, since December 1920, of the Vivekananda Tamil School and since then English also has been in­cluded in its curriculum.

Sri Ramakrishaa and Swami Vivekananda Birth Celebrations.

We have not mentioned one important function of all the Maths •and Ashramas. It is the anniversary celebrations on the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. During these occasions large gatherings assemble in various Ashramas." Bhajans are held, lectures about ihe life and teachings of the Great Master and his disciple Acharya Vivekananda, are delivered, large numbers of poor people are fed and Bhakias partake of the holy prasada.

The great concourse of people on these occasions furnishes a ready opportunity for the spread and preaching of the message and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. Large numbers of people who assemble in these, drawn by the names of the great Masters, come to know of their teachings, life-work and message and many among these ultimately dedicate their lives to •the ideals of Service and Renunciation. .

SECTION B.

Mission Proper.

After briefly describing the various Maths and Ashramas, we pass on to the Mission proper, i.e., the various philanthropic and educational institutions started by or affiliated to the Ramakrishna

Mission, as well as to its activities in the form of temporary measures-on occasions of public distress undertaken in co-operation with the public.

A. Philanthropic Institutions.

(At the Head quarters). *

(r) Charitable Dispensary, Belur:—

The utility of the Dispensary is increasing rapidly and it is attracting people from surrounding villages. A table showing the number of patients treated during the years rg 17-22 is given below:-

Years.	New Cases.	Repeated Case'.	Total.
1917	4.372	10,789	15.161
1918	3.46o	9,983	I3>443
1919	4.5H	n, 081	15.595
1920	. ' 3,872	8,642	12,514
1921	4,024	7,918'	11,942
1922	4,282	4,862	9>U4

Patients were also treated in their own houses and supplied with diet, when necessary.

In this connection the thanks of the Mission are due to Messrs. B. K. Paul & Co., Calcutta, who supplied the dispensary with free medicines. Thanks are also due to the Bengal Chemical & Pharmaceutical Works Ltd., Calcutta, and the Indian Chemical & Pharmaceutical Works, Calcutta, who rendered similar services. The Mission authorities also express their indebtedness to Bally Municipality for an annual grant of Rs. i2o/- since 1917 and to the doctor friends who have rendered free service whenever necessary.

(2) Temporary Relief Works organised from Belur Math Head-quarters : — Temporary relief works were organised by the Head­quarters of the Mission on the occasions of various providential ! mishaps in the country, and relief was given to the distressed, irrespective of caste or creed. We give below a list of such works undertaken during the period under review : —

1917 — r. Flood Relief, Silchar,

2. Fire Relief at Murshidabad.

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3- ^Fire Relief at Brindaban (Muttra-).

4. Cholera Relief, Howrah.

1918—i. North Bengal Flood Relief.

1919—i. Fire Relief, Chandri (Midnapur).

2. Famine Relief in Manbh'um, Bankura, Santha

Perganas, Puri & Tippera districts.

3. Cloth Relief in different parts of Bengal duringthe high price of cloth after the Great War.
4. Cyclone Relief in Dacca, Barisal, Faridpur andK-hulna districts.

3920-21 — i. Flood Relief in Amherst Dt. (Burma.)

2. Influenza Relief in Manbhum and Midnapurdistricts.

3. Water scarcity Relief at Kuarpur (Faridpur).
4. Famine Relief in Puri District.
5. Flood Relief in Cuttack and Midnapur districts.
6. Fire Relief at Bhubaneswar (Puri) and Sijgram(Murshidabad).
7. Cooliey Relief at Chandpore (Tippera).

1922 — i. Fire Relief at Nathkunda (Jessore) and Khidir-pore (Murshidabad).

2. Famine Relief in Khulna Dt.
3. Flood Relief in Bankura, Rajshahi, Midnapur,

Faridpore and Hoogly districts.

Reports in the form of pamphlets and account sheets have been -published from time to time of all the relief works.

A relief party was also sent every year to the Ganga Sagar Mela held on the last day of Paush to help thousands of pilgrims who re­sort to that place during that occasion.

The total amount spent on all these relief works during the years 1917-22 was Rs. 70,421-7-3. This sum does not include the amount spent on the relief work undertaken during the Bankura floods, which was opened in 1922 and closed in 1923.

(j) Other Philanthropic Works From the Headquarters:—Many students in different schools and colleges were regularly helped with books and fees, and pecuniary^ help was also given to

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many invalids and infirm people every month from the Poor Fund -of the Mission. Occasional pecuniary help was also given to the poor. Many deserving candidates had to be refused for want of sufficient funds. The attention of the kind-hearted public is drawn 4o the need.

Permanent Philanthropic Institutions Affiliated to the Mission.

(I) The Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service, Benares.

•!

This Home of Service reached its 22nd year at the close of the period under review and its usefulness has been amply demonstrated to the public by its record of Seva work done during the past years. The works of the. Home are mainly divided under the following heads :—

Indoor General Hospital—Helpless and suffering people who are picked up from the roadside or who themselves seek admission are treated and nursed in the Indoor General Hospital.

2. Refuge for Women Invalids and Widows—This Refuge issituated near Dasaswamedh Ghat in the house of the late BabuNibaran Chandra Das who made a grant of the house to theMission for the above purpose. The Sevashrama offers shelter, foodand clothing to the inmates of the Refuge.
3. The Boys' Home—It was started in the year 1918 for the
   purpose of educating a few poor boys who had been placed underthe charge of the Home by the death of their guardians at the
   Ashrama Hospital or otherwise and who had no place to return.Their entire expenses are borne by the Home. In addition to the•ordinary course of education in the school, the boys are taught rudi­
   mentary home-industry and gardening and given moral and reli­
   gious training under the .guidance of a qualified Sannyasin worker.

(d) Girls' Home—Poor girls who have no guardians to lookafter them are admitted here and th'ey get their training by living withthe female workers of the Home under the competent Lady

Superintendent of the Female Ward.

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5. The Outdoor Dispensary:—It gives free medicines (Allopathic,Homeopathic or Kaviraji) and sometimes free diet also.
6. Help to aged invalids and poor ladies' of respectable families:-The Home has opened an outdoor relief department which distributesmoney or weekly doles of rice to the poor and needy families who
   were once respectable and who will not seek public help on accountof their former social position. Consequently our workers go to the
   doors of these families and distribute help to them privately. Some­
   times spinning wheels (Charkhas) are distributed to them to enablethem to earn a part of their living at least.
7. Special Relief:—Numerous cases of casual distress prevailingmostly among travellers and pilgrims always come to the notice ofthe Home. Occasional relief in the shape of food and clothing, or
   sometimes passage money, is given to these persons.

(h) The Spinning and Weaving Classes:—The department has. been opened in 1922 for training willing boys in this useful art. A few of the students who got their training here have started looms in their own houses and are thus earning their own livelihood.

(*') Temporary Relief Works Organised From the Centre:—In the latter part of November, 1918, Influenza began to spread over the vill­ages of the Benares district in an epidemic form. There was. scarcely a cottage in which there were not two or three cases at a time. Sometimes the whole family was laid up and left without diet or medicine for days together. In consequence many hundreds of the poor ryots succumbed within a short time. The Home sent out workers to the affected area and opened five centres to serve 142 vill­ages. Altogether i,600 cases were attended. Besides. 1,177 poor patients were supplied with diet and 354 with blankets and clothings* The number of deaths was 69. Funds were supplied for the work from the head-quarters at Belur. Present needs of the Home.

The monthly expenditure of the Home is more than Rs. 2,000 which is chiefly met by casual donations and subscriptions. With a large number of patients and sufferers in its charge, the Home has no permanent resource to fall back upon. The necessity of a per­manent endowment can, therefore, be easily imagined.

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(2) The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Kankhal (Hardwar).

Hardwar is one of those sacred places in India, where pilgrims come in thousands all round the year. A good many Brahmacharins and Sannj^asins also resort to this place to get their Sanskrit education free from qualified Sannyasin teachers, who also live there for the purpose. With a view to serve these people when they fall ill, a branch centre of the Mission was opened here in the year 1901. It has been fulfilling its .object ever since. It is gratifying to note that the building of the General Wards as well as the Outdoor Dispensary have been completed.

The need of a rest-house for the relatives and friends of the patients who come from a long distance to get themselves treated in this Ashrama, is being keenly felt. For this purpose, it is proposed to erect a building at.an estimated cost of Rs. 3,000. The Ashrama can accommodate 66 indoor patients at a time, but to maintain them, a permanent fund is necessary. The requirement for each indoor patient is Rs. 15 per month. It is needless to point out that a charitable institution cannot endure long unless provided with a permanent fund.

The following is a statement of works done from the Kankhal Ashrama during the years under review:—

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<3) The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Rangoon.

The nucleus of a centre at Rangoon was first formed by Srijut Kalipada. Ghose of Messrs. John Dickinson & Co., a lay disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. He formed a small Society named the Rama-krishna Sevak Samiti where members of the local Bengali commu­nity regularly performed puja and bhajan- and studied the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna. Swami Ramakrishnananda, the then President of the Ramakrishna Math, Madras, went to Rangoon in 1905 at the invitation of the Association, which received new vigour from his presence. In 1910 another association similar to this, mainly formed of the members of the Madrasi community at Rangoon, was started under the name of the Ramakrishna Society. In 1916 these two institutions jointly invited Swami Sharvananda, President of the Madras Math, who amalgamated these two institu­tions under the name of "Sri Ramakrishna Society". In 1918 the Swami again visited Rangoon and" delifered a series of'public -lectures. During his stay there, Srijut S. B. Neogy, a merchant of Rangoon, kindly made a gift of a plot- of land for a permanent centre of the Mission and donated a sum of Rs. 10,000 for a guest­house to be placed under the management of the Mission for acco­mmodating casual visitors. In 1919 Swami Shyamananda went to Rangoon and in September opened a relief work in the district of Amherst for the flood-stricken people there. He carried on the work successfully for about 8 months. In December 191:9, Swami Dhyanananda was sent from -the Headquarters to assist him. The relief operations were closed in March 1920 and the Swamis return­ed to Rangoon whera the construction of the guest-house had been completed. They began to conduct regular classes on religious subjects. In January, 1921, a Sevashrama was opened at East Rangoon in the sheds erected by'the Burma Government for a temporary hospital during the Influenza epidemic of 1919.

The aim of the Sevashrama is 'to render help to the poor labouring classes who fall victims to serious illness. During the years 1921 and 1922 the institution did admirable work of service, irrespective of caste, creed or nationality, in recognition of which the Government of Burma has sanctioned-if a yearly grant of Rs.

[ 20 ]

5,000. Recently a committee consisting mainly of the leaders of alt communities has been formed through the efforts of Swamis Bodhananda and Sankarananda, who were deputed by the Head­quarters of the Mission to reorganise the Rangoon Centre.

Regular weekly classes are now being held in the guest-house. The construction of a lecture hall was begun, but it had to be left incomplete for want of funds. The financial condition of the Sevashrama is sorely in need of improvement, which is possible only through the generous co-operation of the public.

We give bleow the statistics of the work done by the Sevashrama during the first two years of its existence:—

Year. Inoor patients. Outdoor patients.

1921 656 20,244

1922 1,001 34>3!5

(4) The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Muthiganj Allahabad.

Since the publication of our last Report, this Sevashrama hasbeen growing in importance and steadily serving a great purpose notonly to the inhabitants of the premier town of the United Provincesbut also to a large number of pilgrims who assemble there throughoutthe year. The dispensary has proved to be of immense benefit tothe suffering people. To meet the increasing demand on its servicethe Seashrama badly requires an indoor ward, for which a plot ofland has already been purchased. A hospital with 6 beds and asurgery attached to it, and a separate room for the infectious diseases,might serve our present purpose. All these will cost approximatelyRs. 10,000. which, considering the importance of the place, we hope
the philanthropic public will readily subscribe. .

An account of the work done during the period under review is given in the following table :-

Year. New Cases. Repeated Cases Total. ,

1921. 6,478 8,677 . 15,155
1922. 6,160 7,488 13,648

(5) The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Brindaban(Muttra). ' '

The Sevashrama at Brindaban. the chief place of pilgrimage of the Vaishnavas all over India, was opened by the Mission in 1908, and has ever since had¹ a brilliant record of work to its credit. It treats poor and helpless patients—among •whom there are thousands of pilgrims—in its hospital and sometimes in their own houses, distributes free medicines to outdoor patients and helps certain ladies in their extremely straitened circumstances. But the Ashrama has always been faced with tremendous difficulties, financial or otherwise. To remove the outstanding grievance of diffi-•cient accommodation, the construction of a Male Ward was under-taken in 1919, but the building has not yet been completed for want of funds. Another pressing need of the Ashrama is a Workers' ^;Quarters. A wretched thatched mud-house of six years' standing where medicines, library books and medical instruments are kept huddled together, serves the purpose of protecting the workers against wind and rain A big hall with a separate operation room attached to it, is also absolutly necessary for the Outdoor Dispensary.

The following is a statement of work done from the Brindavan centre during the years under review.

[ 22 ]

The expenses of the Ashrama are much more than the small amount of its income, so it has run into debt, which needs to be paid off quickly. The Brindaban Sevashrama affords our generous countrymen .a rare opportunity of serving thousands of helpless fellow-beings. We appeal to them with all the earnestness in our power to come forward and help the institution.

(6) The Ramakrishna Mission Branch Centre, Dacca.

The work of this centre may be mainly classified under threa heads:— I. Missionary, II, Educational, IIL Philanthropic.

I. Its missionary work consists of organising religious classes_rweekly religious sittings and occasional lectures. Through these
means the centre has tried much to give a moral and spiritualtraining to .the people. The centre was visited during the yearsunder review by some senior Swamis of the Ramakrishna Order,such as, Swami Premananda, Swami Subodhananda, Swami
Nilmalananda, Swami Shivananda and Swami Abhedananda.Needless to say their presence created a great enthusiasm inthe town.,

II. By way of educational work, the centre conducts a freeprimary school (of which a separate report is given elsewhere).A public library lias been attached to the institution to give facility
to the reading public.

IIL The centre -has done .the iollowing kinds of philanthropicwork:— •'

(z) Indoor hospital—JDuring the period under review the hospital admitted 185 patients, of whom 144 were discharged cured.

(it] Outdoor Charitable Dispensary—-The average number of patients treated every year was 1,5.97.

(Hi) house to House Relief— 510 people were treated and supplied with medicines and diet at their own homes.

•(iif) Cremation or ^Burial of the dead—Workers of the Mission cremated 75 dead todies of the Hindus and buried 3 dead bodies of .the Mahommedans.

(») Help to poor families—195 poor families were helped with -monthly doles of rice, the rate varying from 5 to 20 seers a-

month. From 7 to 12 poor families outside the town were given a monthly allowance of Re. i or Rs. 2.

(vi) Casual Relief Works—

(1) Janmashtami procession relief work and Langalbund

Mela relief work every year.

(2) Cholera relief work every year with the exception of

1919, in several villages of Dacca and Mymensingh.

3. Influenza Relief work at Dacca and its suburbs in 1918.
4. Flood relief in the Rajshahi District in 1918 and 1922 in

collaboration with the workers of the head centre .at Belur.

5. Small-pox relief at Dacca in 1919.
6. Cyclone relief at Dacca and several villages in the district

in 1919,

(7) Cooly relief work at Qhandpur in collaboration with the

workers of the head centre in 1922.

7, The Ramakrishna Mission Branch Centre, Nara-yangunj (Dacca.)

An institution working on the lines of the Sevashramas of theRamakrishna Mission had been existing here for a' long time andin 192.2 it sought an affiliation to the Mission. A Charter wasaccordingly granted to a local committee. During the years 1917-22, the centre nursed 466 patients at their own residences and treat­
ed 3,306 patients from its outdoor dispensary. The workers of thecentre also picked up 125 helpless patients from the-roadside andcarried them to Government hospitals. They also cremated 103dead bodies and helped ,6? invalids with weekly doles of rice. Theinstitution sent workers to the Langalbund Mela to work jointly
with those of the Dacca centre and during the Cyclone in EastBengal in 1919, it started a relief operation. Attached to thecentre are a free library under the name of " Durga Charan Libra­ry ", and a free primary school which had an average attendance of10 students. A number of deserving poor students were alsogiven pecuniary help. '

[ 24 1

(8) The Ramakrishna Mission Branch Centre, Barisal.

This centre (a) helps distressed people and poor but promising students, (b) nurses the sick in their own quarters, (c) renders help to other philanthropic societies and (d) helps educational institu­tions.

During the years 1917-22, monthly aid amounting to Rs. 3,415 was given to about 350 poor families and the amount of casual help given was Rs. 2,003. Monthly stipends amounting to Rs. 575 were given to 96 college students, and the sum of Rs. 1,115-7-0. was given to students for fees, text-books etc. The institution also nursed 117 patients at their own homes. Besides, many needy persons were helped with passage money. The centre contributed the sum of Rs. 1,289 ^to different philanthropic societies or relief organisations. There is a library attached to this centre.

The need of a permanent home for the centre has been keenly felt. A plot of land has recently been purchased for this purpose, but for want of funds no construction work could as yet be under­taken.

(9) The Ramakrishna Mission Charitable Outdoor
Dispensary, Bhubaneswar (Puri).

This dispensary was opened in the year 1920, and is attached to the Ramakrishna Math, Bhubaneswar. It has been a great boon to the poor people of the locality as well as to pilgrims who fre­quent the place throughout the year. The work of the institution has gradually assumed much larger proportions. At present it has got a building of its own with a good stock of Homeopathic and Allopathic medicines. The number of patients treated during the three years since its inception was 9,019, 8,377 and 8,510 res­pectively.

(10) The Ramakrishna Mission Branch Centre, Koal-para (Bankura).

A band of workers had for some years been carrying on humanitarian work on a small scale in this out of the way village.-In 1911 they started a weaving institution and a charitable dispen-

[ 25 1

sary. The former has successfully trained several village boys so that they could earn a living. During the years 1917-22 the dispensary has treated besides a few emergent indoor cases 2,337, 3,868, 2,934, 2,692, 2,175 ^an^ ²>^I/8 patients respectively.

A free primary school has also been started with an average of 18 students on the roll. Besides a knowledge of the three R's they are given practical training in elementary agriculture and gardening. The centre was formally affiliated to the Mission in 1918.

(II) The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Midnapore.

This institution which conducted an indoor hospital and an outdoor dispensary, was affiliated to the Mission in 1917, but for various reasons the affiliation was discontinued in 1920.

B. Educational Institution.

The aim of the educational institutions of the Ramakrishna Mission may be summed up in the word "Man-making". It holds that education is a growth from within. That while it must hold fast to the national ideals, it should also be ready to assimilate good things of other nations. With these ideals in view, the Mission has sought to hold up before the country the right method of training our boys and girls to improve their physique, develop their intellect and acquire that strength of character which would enable them to dis­charge their duties to society and to God. We now proceed to deal with the educational institutions.

Educational Institutions Affiliated to the Mission.

(At the Headquarters)

<I) The Ramakrishna Mission Industrial School, Belur (Howrah).

In the year 1921 the authorities of the Ramakrishna Mission sanctioned the opening of an industrial school at the headquarters. The school which is held in a shed wtihih the Math premises, has been training young boys in weaving and a little of carpentry besides general instruction. They are given free boarding and lodging and

[ 26 ]

supplied with other necessaries. Up to 1922, 32 boys were trained' in the school, of whom 16 were boarders. If sufficient funds are forthcoming the authorities of the Mission intend to extend the scope of the school by adding classes for advanced carpentry, cane-work, tailoring etc. At present the number of students is 9. Two Swamis of ,the Math are specially in charge of the work. The expenses of the school and the attached boarding house are met by door to door collection of rice, donations, subscrptions and free gift of yarn and cotton. The institution stands in need of

1. Permanent building for the school and boarding house.
2. Funds for additional looms, tailoring outfit and joiners'

instruments.

(c) Funds for the maintenance of the boarders.

(2) The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama (Orphanage) Sargachi, (Mufstiidabad).

Swami Akhandananda, a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, started the above institution in 1898 and has since been conducting it with un­abated zeal and with infinite faith in its possibilities. Villagers are given a good training in the elementary laws of hygiene. There is a .charitable dispensary attached to the Ashrama which renders help to the sick village people, when necessary, at their ownihomes. The importance of this Ashrama lies in the fact that it is the chief centre of the Mission where orphans are admitted and taken care of. The average number of orphans maintained in the Ashrama during the years 1917-22 was about 10.

To impart primary education to the peasant boys, two schools have been started, which have their respective sessions at day-time and in the evening. The Ashrama is trying many modern methods df-agircultore and demonstrating them to the people for their benefit. It is worth while to note,that two small branches of this Ashrama have been started, one at Berhampur and the other at a village in< the Dinajpur district where an orphan trained up in the Ashrama has undertaken ..the work. Being situated in an out of the way place, the Ashrama ihas failed to attract much public notice. This has prevented .-its 'further expansion so much so that some years, ago it

[ 2-7 ] »•

had to discontinue its technical department for want of funds. The Ashrama has neither enough accommodation for its inmates, nor sufficient funds for their maintenance. The abject financial stress of this institution" ought to be removed as early as possible by the bene­volent public.

(3) The Ramakrishna Mission Students' Home, Mylapore, Madras.

It got affiliated to the Mission in 1918, and has since had over a hundred boarders on its roll, hailing from all parts of the Presi­dency, and even from Ceylon, Burma and Straits Settlements.

A permanent habitation for the Home has been -erected in 1921 at a cost of Rs. 2,30,000 through the munificent help of the Govern­ment which sanctioned half of it, and the generous ,assistance of a large number of -our noble countrymen who subscribed the other half. The site was presented by Mr. S. G. .Srinivasa Charier, Ex Dewan of Travancore. The building is a double storied one, having thirtysix three-seated rooms. A big prayer hall has been erected at a cost of Rs. 20,000 which forms the central part of the building, being the gift of the Zamindar of Andipatti.

Recently a medical ward has been added for the accommodation of students who fall sick, the cost of this being entirely borne by the Maharaja of Bobili. In order to give the full benefit' of the Home to the inmates, a residential High school containing forms IV, V, VI, has deeri opened in June, 1922, admission to which is 'confined to the members of the Home. The school is managed foy graduate teachers,.old inmates of the Home who have volunteered their services on a small allowance. The school has from the beginning provided for a .laboratory for the imparting of scientific knowledge. The plan and estimate fora separate school building at a cost of Rs. 74,000 have been approved by the Government and a grant-in-aid sanction--ed by them. The building, it is hoped, will be completed very soon.- In order' to ;supplement the general education, classes on-vocational Subjects as carpentry, spinning and weaving etc. have been-opened, which are conducted by a certified instructor in vocational education. The Madras Government generously granted a sum of

Rs. 10,000 for the construction of a workshop, which was opened on the i6th June, 1922. The equipment is being made complete and . up-to-date. A play-ground measuring two acres has been acquired with the assistance of the Government for the recreation of the boys. Indigenous gymnastic exercises are taught every morning by a certified instructor who has placed his services free at the disposal of the Home.

The Home is maintained by voluntary subscriptions and donations, which have risen considerably during the last few years. The management is trying to secure permanent endowments for the maintenance of the boys and of the school. Up to 1922 a sum of Rs. 65,000 has been collected which has subsequently got further additions. A magnificent block for the Residential High School has been recently erected. The following is the comparative strength of the Home during the years iqij—1022 :—

Year. Strength. Year. . Strength.

I9¹? 30 1220 57

1918 . . 37 1921 88

1919 55 1922 112

Ramakrishna Mission Students' Home, Calcutta.

The institution has beeri growing ever since the year 1916 and in •October. 1919, it was affiliated to the Ramakrishna Mission under its present name. To bear all the expenses of a number of indigent students going up for College education, and to create a healthy environment for an all round development of the students, have been the objects of the institution. The education which the boys receive from the University is supplemented by a home training based on the best elements of Eastern and Western culture so that they may manifest more easily the prefection which is already in them by a harmonious development of head, hand and heart. The Home also hopes to turn out efficient teachers of the masses out of the inmates. There is a provision for admitting also a minority of paying boarders who intened to receive the benefits of this institution. There is an idea of starting Home Industries on a small scale. Lantern lectures on subjects ot general importance will be also

[ 29 ]

arranged when funds would allow. There is a small library attach­ed to the Home and a room has been set apart as a place of worship in which the students assemble in the mornings and evenings for prayer and meditation, Perfect freedom is given to the boys in religious practices. The Home has been licensed as a non-collegiate hostel by the Calcutta University. The number of students in the Home during the year 1919-1922 varied from 8 to 9. The Home is located in a rented house, and a permanent build­ing is essential for its steady growth. It is at present financed by public subscriptions and donations, but for a stable footing permanent endowments are a necessity. To materialise the idea of giving vocational training to the inmates of the Home, a plot of land in the outskirts of Calcutta, where such a provision is possible, is also greatly needed. A building fund has been started with a donation of Rs. 4000 subscribed by Sj. Jogendranarayan Sahasroy, the Raja of Lalgarh, Dt. Midnapur. We hope further dona­tions will also be forthcoming.

(4) Sri Ramakrishna Vidyapith, Deoghur (SonthalPerganas).

Early in 1922 two monks from the Math, Belur, under inspira­tion from the late Swami Turiyananda, went to Mihijam to found a residential school there. In May of that year 3 students were admitted as day scholars. After 8 months of hard work, the Swamis could secure 12 residential students and 6 teachers.

The Vidyapith is a residential Brahmacharya Vidyalaya for Hindu boys and seeks to train them up as worthy members of the society. Only boys between the years of eight and twelve are admitted, and an all round education is' imparted to them by the monks of the Ramakrishna Order. The need for a more commo­dious building being keenly felt, in January, 1923 it was removed to Deoghur where it now stands. A detailed report of its working will form the part of our next Report.

(5) The Ramakrishna Mission Free School, Dacca.

Originally it consisted of the last three classes of a high school, and the monastic members :of' the Dacca Ramakrishna Mission

[ 30 ]

formed the teaching staff. With the gradual development of the school, three more classes were added ; so in all, there have been six classes. The number of boys on the roll during these years varied from 92 to in, and the average daily attendance was 68.9. A spinning and weaving section was also added in 1922. In addi­tion to free instruction, books and other accessories were supplied to those students who were too poor to buy them. The students' were given moral instruction and oral lessons on various snbjects were imparted to improve their general knowledge.

(6) The Night School, Kankhal.

A night school to impart free primary education to the boys of the depressed classes was started. Since its very start in the year ,₉r₃₎ the school has been doing useful work, the average number of" students on the roll during 1917—1922 being about 40. I The school is badly in need of a separate accomodation, the estimated cost of this being Rs. 3,000.

(7) The Sister Nivedita Girls' School.

In spite of many vicissitudes the school has continued to grow steadily, and ' is becoming popular day by day with the educated public.' Religion is the basis of education in this institution, and a full acquaintance with the ancient cultural traditions of the country is emphasised. On the other hand, up-to-date methods of teaching have been adopted and modern science and literature incorporated in the curriculum of the school as much as possible. There are altogether six classes. The course of study covers a varied range of subjects, theoretical as well as practical and is graduated accord­ing to the requirements of the students. The average number of girl students in the school during the years under review was

about 200.

Branch School at Bally—A branch school on the same lines as the above has been started at Bally. The number of students receiving instruction in it is 35 and the average daily attendance

Branch School at CommilIa-~A.>notiiet branch school on the satee^; model was opened at Commit in, Decembers,

[ 3' ]

the kind patronage of a gentleman of the locality. It Is in a pro-•''gressive condition. The number of students on its roll was 68 in 1920.. 77 in 1921, 104 in 1922, and the average daily attendance was 55, 68 and 85 respectively. Three widowed. J?irls are receiving their training here as prospective teachers, while themselves assist­ing in the teaching of the school.

*

The Sarada Mandir—Started in 1914 by the late Sister Sudhira under the inspiration of the Holy Mother, it was originally called the Matri Mandir, the name being changed into Sarada Mandir since the passing away of the Holy Mother in July, 1920. During the period under review, the Institution has a good record of work and is trying its utmost to turn out a band of female, teachers that will constitute an efficient agency for solving the problems of female education among the orthodox Hindu community. The average number of inmates in the Home during the years under review was 35. The boarding charge is Rs. 12 per month for each girl.

Two handlooms together with several spinning wheels have been set up for the use of the inmates and are turning out towels, bed-sheets, dhoties and other household requisites. The proceeds from these go to the maintenance of the Home. We are glad to report that the whole amount of money borrowed in 1914 to pur­chase a site for the school has been contributed by the generous public. Some buildings. have also been erected at 5, Nivedita Lane, Baghbazar, Calcutta. But they form only one-third of the proposed plan. It is confidently hoped that sufficient funds will be available to complete the remaining two-thirds of the 'work at an early date.

(8) The Ramakrishna Anath Ashrama (Orphanage), Baraaagar, Calcutta,

This institution.was established in 1912 by a few local gentle-mien with the object- of (a) giving shelter and proper education to . poor orphans, (b) serving the poor sick and distressed, and (c) help-•ing, poor widows.

At the «nd of 1922 there were 17 orphan boys in the Home who

[ 32 ]

were educated and taken care of. The Ashrama also teaches technical subjects such as, weaving, carpentry and cane-work. There is a Seva department in the Home, and house to house relief and medical aid are given to poor patients where necessary. There is an outdoor dispensary which distributes free medicine, and in some cases diet also to the sick and the needy.

Poor widows of the locality who are unable to earn their living are helped with monthly doles of rice. The want of a permanent home for the Ashrama has keenly been felt. It is hoped that this institution which has been doing substantial work for the poor will receive the kind support of the public.

(9) Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Sarisha (24 Perganas).

With a view to serve the poor masses in the rural areas, so that they might earn a decent living, this Ashrama was started in ^917 by some enthusiastic youngmen of the locality. The Ashrama conducts a primary school and a Charitable Dispensary. ' It started a weaving institution which worked 8 looms in 1922. There is a small library attached to the Ashrama and in the chapel, arrange­ments have been made for daily worship. It has got a small house of its own which needs expansion. Funds also are required for the maintenance of the Ashrama.

Some Institutions likely to be soon affiliated.

We have done with the activities of different centres formally affiliated to the Mission (vide rules I & II of Mission's Bye-laws). Besides these, there are several Ashramas or Societies which, though not formally affiliated to the Mission, are being conducted on the same principles by the moanstic members of the Order in their individual capacity, with or without the collaboration of a local committee. In some cases the landed properties of such Ashramas have been made over to the President of the Rama­krishna Order as free gifts by the donors. The Governing Body of the Mission is in full sympathy, with such Ashramas, but the public are clearly informed that these institutions are not to be regarded as branch centres of the Ramakrishna Mission which is a

[. 33 ]

registered body. We give below a short description of three such Ashramas. These institutions are likely to be affiliated to the

Mission in the near future. •••.-•• . . ..

(1) Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama, Bankura.

There are two departments in this institution, Charitable and Educational, which are being conducted by a monastic member of the Mission, The charitable department comprises an indoor hospital and an outdoor dispensary. The number of indoor patients treated during the years 1917—1920 and 1922 was 12, 18, 6, 27 and 19 respectively and that of outdoor patients 7,946, 5,508, 4,652, 15,715 and 1,336 respectively. The records of the year 1921 were destroyed by the floods in the Gandeshwari, a rivulet in the vicinity of the Ashrama, Occasional house to house relief, as well as the opening of temporary relief centres also formed part of the Ashrama work during the period.

The educational department of the Ashrama consists of a Students' Home, where 8 students on the average were maintained and helped in every respect during the years 1917—1922. Outside students were also helped in buying books and paying school-fees etc.

(2) Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama, Sonargaon (P. O.Tajpur, Dacca).

The Sevashrama organises weekly religious classes and occa­sional public lectures, conducts a charitable dispensary, offers house to house relief and maintains a free primary school. There is also a free library and reading room for public use. The insti tution. is managed by a local committee and is under a monastic member of the Mission.

(3) Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama and Saradapifh,Garbeta (Midnapur).

A charitable dispensary was started here by a member of the Mission in 1916 which has- since been doing its humble work of service among the poor masses by helping;. them in .various _:ways during their distress. A local gentleman has kindly made a gift of

3

C 34 ]

a plot of land to the Mission, on which a school for imparting secular as we'll as religious education has been started under the name of "Ramakrishna Saradapith".

There are also Ashramas at the following places :—Faridpur, Jandi (Faridpur), Jaffna (Ceylon), Sylhet, Gauhati, Duptara (Dacca), Baliati (Dacca), Dinajpur, Khasia Hills, Chandipur (Midnapur;, Contai (Midnapur), Malda and Lucknow, to which should be added the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society, Calcutta. They are as yet but • loosely connected with the Ramakrishna Order but there is a pros­pect of their becoming recognised centres of the Order some day.

Thanks of the Mission.

We take this opportunity to express our deep sense of grati­tude to all kind donors, subscribers and sympathisers who by their ready assistance, financial or otherwise, have put the different centres of the Mission to a working order, as well as to those who, in response to our appeals for funds during visitations of" flood,, famine, fire etc. have helped us to carry on successfully these occasional relief works. Thanks of the Mission are also due to the proprietors and editors of the Indian periodicals for the kind­ness they have always shown in publishing its appeals and reports, as also to the local gentry, official or non-official, in the various affected areas, whose co-operation has materially assisted the Mission in conducting the relief operations in those - parts on different occasions. We also express our gratefulness to the local physicians of different Mission centres who cheerfully lent us their services whenever they were approached. We hope that the generous pub­lic all over India and abroad will continue to give the Mission the same kind co-operation and help as they have done 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 future humanity.

Obituary.

The period under review witnessed the passing away of many great personalities of the Mission. Each of them exercised a-

C 35 1

powerful influence, direct or indirect,, over .the activities, of the Order, and their loss to the Mission is,irreparable.

Swami Prajnananda, President of the Advaita Ashrama, Maya-vati, and Editor of the Prabuddha Bharata, expired on 20th April, 1918. He was for sometime Editor of the Udbodnah also, and was liked by all for his rare qualities of head and heart. His pre­mature death took away a most promising member of the Mission.

Swami Premananda, a beloved disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Deva, passed away on 3oth July, 1918. He was indeed love personified, as all who came in contact with him instinctively felt. He held the post of Treasurer of the Mission.

Swami Adbhutananda, another great disciple of the Master, passed into Life Eternal on 24th April, 1920. His purity, renun­ciation and unlearned wisdom made him a marvel of the age.

The Holy Mother, Sri Sri Sarada Devi, the divine consort of Sri Ramakrishna, entered into Mahasamadhi on 2ist July, 1920. With her overflowing motherly love, she was a perennial source of comfort to all troubled souls that sought refuge at her feet.

Swami Brahmananda, the spiritual son of Sri Ramakrishna, who was the President of the Ramakrishna Order ever since its inception, passed away on loth April. 1922. With marvellous devotion, patience and tact he nurtured and developed the infant organisation handed over to his care by his illustrious brother-disciple, Swami Vivekananda. A mighty soul endowed with extra­ordinary love and sympathy, he was ever ready to take upon him­self the burden of his fellowmen suffering under the weight of the miseries of life.

Swami Turiyananda, another worthy disciple of Sri Rama­krishna Deva, entered into Mahasamadhi on 2ist July, 1922. He was an ideal Sannyasin even in the American Continent where ha worked as a successful religious teacher. His whole life was a remarkable synthesis of the highest ideals of religion, past and present.

May the glorious examples of these shining personalities ever inspire us and serve as guide-posts to direct our activities.

C 36 1

The several Mission Funds kept open for public Contribution.

Apart from the monastic life and discipline of the Math, the Ramakrishna Mission affords a field of activity where the public are invited to co-operate with the members of the Ramakrishna Order. Generally speaking such co-operation may either consist in an active participation in the work of the Mission as its member or associate, or in pecuniary contribution to its funds, or in both. People who sympathise with the objects of the Mission but are precluded from active participation in its works by their avo­cation in life are welcome to co-operate with the Mission, among other ways, by sending contribution, however small, to the follow­ing funds :—

(i) Funds for the support of the permanent philanthropic and educational institutions.

(ii) Provident Relief Fund—for keeping resources ready to some extent against the sudden scourges of nature such as, earth­quake, pestilence, farrline, flood, fire .etc.

(iii) General Fund—for general expenses of the -Mission, such . as are incurred for "inspection of centres, holding meetings of the , Association, Missionary work, postage, printing, stationary etc.

(iv ) Poor Fund—for alleviating individual distresses of various , kinds that claim urgent help from the Mission at its headquarters.

Contributions are to be sent to the headquarters of the Missionwith a. clear specification of the name of the particular institutionor kind of work which is to get the benefit thereof. Contributorsmay also send their money direct to the institutions of the Missionwhich they desire to help. ' ' • .••.'.•-:

APPENDIX A. Memorandum of Association

OF

THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION. Registered on the 4th of May 1909.

(Under Act XXI of 1860 of the Governor General of India

in Council.)

\. The name of the Association is THE RAHAKRISHNA MISSION,

2. The Objects of the Association are:— Co) To'impart and promote the'study of the Vedanta and its

principles as propounded by Sri Rarnakrishna and

practically illustrated by His own life and of comparative

theology in its widest form. (5) To impart and promote the study of the arts, sciences and

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

mentioned and enable them to reach the, masses.

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

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

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

(g) To carry on any other work which./may seem to the Association capable of being conveniently carried on in connection with and calculated directly or indirectly to promote any of the before^mentibned objects.

(A) To. purchase,;take on lease, or in exchange,~_;iiire or other-

C 38 3

wise acquire property movable or immovable and any rights or privileges which maybe deemed necessary or convenient for the purposes of the Association and to improve, develop, manage, sell, lease, mortgage, dispose of, turn to account or otherwise deal with all or any part of the property of the Association.

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

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

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

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

(w) To invest the money of the Association not immediately required upon such securities and in such manner as may from time to time be determined. («) To undertake and execute any trust or any agency-business which may seem directly or indirectly conducive to any of the objects of the Association either gratuitously or otherwise.

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

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

(q) To doaUor anyxif the above-things either as principals, agents, trustees, or otherwise and by or through trustees.

[ 39

1 agents or otherwise and either alone or in conjunction

(r) To^such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them. 3. The names, addresses and occupations. of the Governing Body of the Association are :—

Swami Sivananda, Belur Math, Hindu Missionary^ „ Saradananda „ Akhandananda •'„ Abhedananda „ Subodhananda ., Suddhananda „ Bodhananda „ Dhirananda „ Sachchidananda „ Virajananda „ Achalananda „ Sankarananda „ Mahimananda „ Sharvananda „ Visuddhananda Madhavananda

APPENDIX B. • ' '

Rules and Regulations

' 'of THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION.

; ••••- ^: ~ OBJECTS. ;. . .

1. the Association is established for the purposes expressedin the Memorandum of Association.

MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES. .

2. All followers, whether lay or monastic, of the PARAMA-HAMSA RAMAKRISHNA may be members of the Association ifelected at a meeting of the Association or nominated by the Govern­ing Body hereinafter mentioned. --,.•-.•
3. All persons irrespective of colour, creed or caste, sympathis­ing with all or any of the objects of the Association may beassociates if elected or nominated as mentioned in rule 2, regardingthe election of members.
4. Monastic members shall not be required to pay any admis­sion fee or any subscription.
5. Every lay member and every associate, unless exemptedherefrom in writing by the Governing Body, shall pay an admission
   fee of Rs. 5 and an annual subscription of Rs. 5 payable by two half-ysarly instalments in advance. The Governing Body may exemptany member or associate from payment of all or any fees orsubscriptions.
6. The annual subscription shall be commuted by a paymentof Rs. 100.
7. Connection of members and associates with the Associationshall cease by resignation or non-payment of dues for two yearsbut shall be capable of renewal in such manner as the GoverningBody may from time to time determine.
8. Members shall be entitled to :—

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

[ 41 ]

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

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

instructions of its members and receive individual instruction whenever practicable.

(c) Receive all publications of the Association at a special

discount of 25 per cent, on the published price.

(d) Mofussil members shall be entitled to receive English

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

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

MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION.

10. There shall be one ordinary meeting of the Associationin every year to be held at such place and time as the Presidentshall from time to time determine.

n. Extraordinary general meetings of the Association may be convened either by the President or by a requisition signed by not less than five members of the Governing Body or by a- requisi­tion signed by not less than 8 members of the Association. The time and place of such'extraordinary meetings shall be determined by the President or requisitionists with the sanction of the President.

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

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

(c) The Secretary shall duly notify to the me mbers of thetime and place of the meetings of the Association atleast twenty-four hours before such a meeting takesplace. ,

[ 4* ] .

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

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

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

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

THE GOVERNING BODY.

14. The management of the Association and its affairs shallvest in the Trustees for the time being of the Indenture of Trust
    dated, the 3oth day of January, 1901 usually called the Trust Deedof the Belur Math, who shall form the Governing Body of the
    Association. If at any time there shall be no acting Trustee of thesaid Belur Math, the Association in general meeting may appointa Governing Body of the Association, constituted as the Associationin such meeting shall determine.
15. The Governing Body shall from among its members electa President, a Vice-President, a Secretary or Secretaries, a Treasurerand an Accountant of the Association and assign to them theirrespective duties and they shall form the executive committee ofthe Association.
16. The Governing Body shall be competent from time totime to frame rules for the conduct of its business and also to makebye-laws for the management of the Association and for the manage­ment, conduct and carrying on of its business and affairs and also
    from time to time to vary or repeal any such rules or bye-laws

' 17. The Association in general meeting may disallow, rescind, cancel or alter any such rules or bye-laws and may make rules or bye-laws for any of the purposes aforesaid.

18. fa) The Governing Body shall be competent to delegate by a certificate in writing -and bearing the seal of the Association to any person or persons or body or bodies

[43 ]

such portions of their authority as they shall from time : to time think fit and at pleasure to revoke the authority

so delegated.

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

19. (a) The Governing Body shall cause proper records and accounts to be kept of the Association, its affairs and •j property.

2. The Governing Body shall elect workers from amongthe members and associates of the Association andauthorise and empower them to raise subscriptions,donations etc., from the public, for furthering anyobject of the Association by giving them certificatesin writing bearing the seal of the Association and takeaccounts from them of the same.
3. The President, or in his absence the Vice-President, or

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

(d) Three of the office-bearers of the Ramakrishna Mission,one of whom must be the President, if he shall be
present within 20 miles of Belur, shall be competentto sell all immovable property belonging to the R. K.Mission and execute and register all instruments of

• ••'"•' sale in respect thereof.

AUDIT.

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

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SEAL. • :

21. The Association shall have a common seal of such make
    and design as the Governing Body shall decide.
22. The seal shall be affixed to all formal documents in thepresence of two members of the Governing Body of whom oneshall be the President, the Vice-President or the Secretary.

CONTRACTS.

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

MISCELLANEOUS.

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

BYE-LAWS.

1. Philanthropic, charitable or any other kind of work started
   by the Governing Body of the Ramakrishna Mission in co-operationwith the interested people of any locality outside of Belur shall be
   regarded as Branch Centres.
2. (a) These will be managed by local committees and office-

bearers, or by single individual or individuals selected from among the members and associates by the Governing Body.

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

3. The local committees shall direct the business of thosecentres, by rules and bye-laws framed by the Governing Body in

[ 45 ]

consultation with the local members and associates or the people of the locality interested in those works.

4. Every such centre shall contribute, when capable a sum ofRupees twelve annually to the Governing Body, in considerationof its affiliation with the Association.
5. The sources of income of such institutions shall besubscriptions and donations from the public : and the money raisedby such means shall be exclusively used for the welfare of suchinstitutions.
6. Subscribers to such an institution, its boriafide workers andmedical men and other persons who render substantial and gratui­tous service to such an institution are eligible for election asmembers and office-bearers of the local committee and shall beassociate members of the Ramakrishna Mission.
7. The Governing Body of -the Ramakrishna Mission shallappoint a chief Supervisor and a local committee with office-bearers
   for the management of affairs of every branch centre, which is notmanaged by a single individual or individuals.
8. The Governing Body of the Ramakrishna Mission shall
   have power to remove and dissolve such Supervisor and localcommittee and appoint others in their places.
9. The local committee shall consist of not less than 8 mem­
   bers including the chief Supervisor and the Secretary and eachmember shall have equal power to vote.

rev Subscriptions and donations shall be received by the'Secretary or the Assistant Secretary who shall grant a receipt forthe same. • ^: • •..-..•--

ii. All moneys and deposit accounts. Government Promissorynotes and other Securities approved by the Governing Body shallstand in the name of the Ramakrishna Mission with' the" name^; of
the local centres attached to it. The-local Treasurer shall havepower to withdraw money, to draw interest on such securities and 'to renew'or consolidate Government Promissory notes at the requi­sition of the local-Secretary or the Local Assistant' Secretary whoshall quote the resolution to the local-Committee authorising him"to-doso: ^;;-•• -•••••• ' '••••• '• -- •'••'' ' ' '""

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12. The local Secretary or the local Assistant Secretary shallcall a meeting of the local committee every month, giving due noticeof the business to be brought forward before the meeting to all themembers of the Committee and shall submit the proceedings ofsuch and other meetings to the Governing body of the RamakrishnaMission.
13. The local Secretary shall publish an annual report of theworking of his Committee or branch centre.
14. In all meetings of the local Committee the presence of fivemembers shall form a quorum. In the absence of the local Presi­dent or the local Vice-President, the meeting shall elect a Presidentfrom amongst the members present.
15. All questions before a meeting of the local committee shall
    be decided by a majority of votes. In cases of equal division, the
    Chairman shall have a casting vote.

r6. The local Secretary or the local Assistant Secretary shall have power to call a meeting of the local Committee at any time at the request of four members of the local Committee.

17. The local Secretary and the local Assistant Secretary shall
    receive representations from the public and select the business to betaken up by the local Managing Committee at its sittings, and shallhold communications on behalf of the Committee.
18. The local Secretary and the local Assistant Secratary shallkeep a record of the proceedings of the meetings under the signatureof the Chairman, and the detailed account of the work done in the
    centre and of the sums drawn and disbursed by him for carryingon the work and shall place them before the monthly meeting ofthe local Committee.
19. The local Committee shall have power to frame new rulesat any future time for the furtherance of the object of such aninstitution with the sanction of the Governing Body of the Rama­krishna Mission.

20. The Secretary or the Assistant Secretary of the localCommittee should apply to the President of the Governing Body ofthe Ramakrishna Mission to empower with proper certificate bearinghis own signature and the special seals of the Ramakrishna Mission,

[47 ] /

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

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