General Report - 1958

THE GENERAL REPORT

OF THE

Ramakrishna Math & Mission

For 1957

[ Their ^ist and 6ist year respectively ]

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

•—Swami Vivekananda

INTRODUCTION History

Shortly after the passing away of Sri Ramakrishna Deva, the Prophet of the harmony of all religions, in August, 1886, a monastic Order bearing his name was organised at the Math, Barnagore, two miles north of Calcutta, by his Sannyasin dis­ciples headed by Swami Vivekananda, which gradually set up a twofold ideal before it : To create a band of Sannyasin teachers of Vedanta, and in conjunction with the lay disciples to carry on missionary and philanthropic work, looking upon all irrespective of caste, creed or colour as veritable manifest­ations of the Divine. For some time the latter work was carried on through an Association called the Ramakrishna Mission Association, started by Swami Vivekananda in May, 1897, shortly after his return from the West. In 1899 he transferred the Math or monastery of Barnagore to its present home at Belur, across the Hooghly, about four miles from Calcutta, where it set itself to train a band of monks for self-realisation and for acquiring a capacity to serve the world in all possible ways. Soon after this the Math authorities took upon them­selves the work of the Mission Association.

For the efficiency of its work and for giving it a legal status, a Society under the name of the Ramakrishna Mission was registered in 1909 under Act XXI of 1860 (see Appendices A and B). Its management was vested in a Governing Body consisting of the Trustees of the Belur Math for the time

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being. Both the Belur Math and the Ramakrishna Mission extended their spheres of activity, and had branches in different parts of the country and abroad.

The Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission

Though the Ramakrishna Mission and the Ramakrishna Math, with their respective branches, are distinct institutions, they are closely related, inasmuch as the Governing Body of the Mission is made up of the Trustees of the Math; the principal workers of the Mission are members of the Rama­krishna Math ; and both have their Headquarters at the Belur Math. The name 'Ramakrishna Mission' is, however, loosely associated by people with all Math activities also.

It is necessary to point out that the appropriation of the name of Sri Ramakrishna or Swami Vivekananda by any institution does not necessarily imply that it is controlled by the central organisation at Belur.

The Math and the Mission own separate funds and keep separate audited accounts of them. The Math fund consists of subscriptions and donations from friends and devotees and is sometimes supplemented by the sale proceeds of publications, while grants from the Government and public bodies, fees from students etc. as well as subscriptions and donations from the general public mainly constitute the Mission fund, which is annually audited by auditors appointed in the General Meet­ing of the Association.

Summary of Activities

Except in East Pakistan, the activities of the Math and the Mission have shown a general progress during the year under review. Our generous countrymen and the Govt., as also friends abroad, have been taking an increasing interest in our movement, which is recognised as one of the nation-build­ing forces in India.

The eleven centres in East Pakistan have not only not yet been able to tide over the difficulties created by the Partition of 1947, but their outlook seems to be positively gloomy, owing mainly to political reasons. Steps were taken to start a Mis­sion centre at Chandigarh, the new capital of Punjab (India), as a substitute for the Lahore centre. On three acres of land

3

secured long ago in Sector 15B, the foundation stone was laid by the Governor on the 28th November, 1957, and prepara­tions were made for the construction of the essential buildings. (Ashrama opened since.) The Mission also hopes to resuscitate the Karachi centre most probably at Gandhidham, Kandla in Bombay State, as soon as conditions are favourable.

centres

Along with the Headquarters at Belur, there were in December, 1957, 42 Mission centres, 15 combined Math and Mission centres, and 29 Math centres in India, which were distributed as follows : 33 in West Bengal, 12 in Uttar Pradesh, 11 in Madras, 7 in Bihar, 6 in Kerala, 4 each in Assam and Mysore, 3 each in Bombay and Orissa, 2 in Andhra and 1 in Delhi. In addition, there were 2 Mission centres, 6 combined Math and Mission centres, and 3 Math centres in East Pakistan, 2 Mission centres in Burma, 1 Mission centre each in Ceylon, Singapore, Fiji, Mauritius and France, 1 Math centre each in England and Argentina, and 11 Math centres in the United States of America. Thus there were altogether 72 Mission centres and 66 Math centres. Moreover, attached to the branch centres there were over 21 sub-centres, where monastic workers resided more or less permanently.

types of work.

Medical Service : Most of the Math and Mission centres in India and Burma conducted various activities ministering to the physical needs of the public in general, irrespective of creed, colour or nationality. Typical of these are the Sevashramas at Varanasi, Vrindaban, Kankhal, Trivandrum and Rangoon, the T.B. Sanatorium at Dungri (Ranchi) and the Seva Pratishthan, Calcutta. The Rangoon hospital had provision for the treatment of Cancer with radium and deep X-ray therapy. In 1957 there were 13 indoor Hospitals, which accommodated 26,655 patients, and 67 outdoor Dispens­aries, which treated 27,49,065 cases, including old ones. And the Veterinary section of the Shyamala Tal Ashrama treated 2,272 animals.

Educational Work : The organisation ran during the year 2 Colleges at Madras and Belur (Howrah)—the latter residen-

4

tial—with 1,799 students on their rolls, a B. T. College at Perianaickenpalayam (Coimbatore) with 50 students, 2 Basic Training Colleges—one here and another (for girls only) at Sarisha (24 Parganas)—with 123 students, a Junior Basic Train­ing College at Rahara (24 Parganas) with 60 students, a College for Physical Education and another for Rural Higher Education at Perianaickenpalayam with 63 and 88 students respectively, 2 Social Education Organisers' Training Centres here and at Belur with 146 students, a School of Agriculture at the former place with 22 students, 3 Engineering Schools here, at Madras and at Belur with 503 students, 6 Junior Technical or Industrial Schools with 483 boys and 61 girls,

56 Students' Homes or Hostels with 2,732 boys and 404 girls,5 Orphanages with 448 boys and 50 girls, 3 Chatushpathis with

57 students, 17 School-cwm-Community or Social & AdultEducation Centres with 851 male and 70 female students, 8Multi-purpose Schools with 2,173 boys and 185 girls, 32Secondary Schools with 10,564 boys and 5,232 girls, 4 SeniorBasic Schools with 427 boys and 350 girls, 103 Lower grade schoolswith 11,024 boys and 8,333 girls, and 14 Junior Basic Schoolswith 1,450 boys and 371 girls. Thus there were altogether33,015 boys and 15,104 girls in the 259 institutions run by theMath and Mission in India, Pakistan and Ceylon. TheStudents' Homes at Belgharia, Calcutta and Madras and theSchools and Colleges at Gherrapunji, Calcutta, Belur, Sarisha,Midnapore, Jamshedpur, Asansol, Deoghar, Madras, Peria­naickenpalayam, Trichur and Kalady as also in Ceylon andthe Orphanage at Rahara are illustrative of the educationalwork done by the organisation. Besides, the Seva Pratishthan,Calcutta, and the Rangoon Sevashrama had provision for train­ing nurses, the latter for training compounders as well.

Work for Women : The Mission has ever been conscious of its duties to the women of India. Typical of the work done for them are the Maternity Section of the Seva Pratishthan and the Matribhavan for expectant mothers in Calcutta, the Domiciliary and Maternity Clinic at Jalpaiguri, the women's sections of the hospitals at Varanasi, Vrindaban and Rangoon, the attached Invalid Women's Home at Varanasi, the Sarada Vidyalaya at Madras, the Sister Nivedita Girls' School and the

5

Women's Welfare Centre in Calcutta and the Sarada Mandir at Sarisha (24 Parganas). Besides, there are special arrange­ments for women in the other hospitals, dispensaries and schools, and some institutions are conducted particularly for them.

Rural Uplift and Work among the Labouring and Back­ward Classes: The Math and Mission have all along tried their best to serve their unfortunate countrymen who have fallen back culturally or otherwise. Permanent centres like the Ashramas at Cherrapunji and Sarisha and the Gurukula at Trichur in Kerala have accordingly been started for helping the hill tribes, the backward classes and the village folk. Centres of this kind are responsible for conducting numerous activities of various kinds, while preaching and educative tours with magic lanterns, gramophones and so on are also undertaken. For the labouring classes in industrial areas the Mission conducted a number of Night Schools etc.

Relief Work: In 1957 the Mission conducted Flood Relief in the Nellore District of Andhra and Riot Relief in the Ramnad District of Madras. Rehabilitation work for the Cyclone-affected people of Tanjore and Ramnad Districts was completed in September, 1957. In July, 1956, the vil^ges round Anjar in Kutch had been devastated by an Eartlio uake. The uprooted villagers were resettled in 1957 in three newly con­structed villages consisting of 222 houses, with schools, Com­munity Halls, temples or mosques and other amenities.

Foreign Work: The monks of the Ra jnafaishna Math took upon themselves the task of carrying th & message of Ir " • to distant lands. The various centres r/x l^Jorth _ar-"

America, Europe and the foreign countries _Of a_s;- ,

. , _r , . * , _£ , . -rf bear ample

evidence of their labour of love carrier .„„ *v . ^r

,,. . , ,. , ^ou trough preaching,

publications, etc., as also medical or ^r,, . , ^r °

^r educational work,

Spiritual and Cultural: Bot' ' -.«-„.. , ,,. ,

,.,., ,. ,,- •**• ^Mat« and Migsiion centres laid special emphasis on the dif „„ • .. , ,

, ,-j irrj- a ^^eminatJ0n 0| the spiritual andcultural ideals of India, and _fj,_r-,._.t, , ' _r

. , . _t. , , ^rough various types of activity

tried to give a practical s' , , ^yi ; '

, . , V, , 11 r • ^pe ° ^{e teachln}g of Sri Rama-

knshna that all religior_{jS gre true} ^ ^

real points ofi cont^ ^^ _{people rf} through public cel^yations, meetings, classes, publications, etc.

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They also conducted Libraries and Reading Rooms. A number of Sanskrit Chatushpathis too" were run, partly for the benefit of the members of the Order. At least ten centres published books on religious subjects and ten magazines in different languages. The Math centres at Mayavati, North Calcutta, Madras and Nagpur, in particular, have to their credit a con­siderable number of useful publications. Special mention should also be made of the Institute of Culture in Calcutta, which tries to bring together eminent men and women of India and other lands in cultural fellowship.

The Plan of the Report

The activities of the Math and the Mission have been described in this Report in six Sections. Section I deals with the Math and Mission Headquarters, Section II with Mission centres only, classified into (A). Institutions mainly medical and (B) Institutions mainly educational, Section III with com­bined Math and Mission centres, Section IV with Math centres in India, and Section V with centres outside India. We shall take them up in order. The descriptions given here are very short, since most of the centres publish Reports of their own, to which reference may be made for details.

SECTION I

THE MATH & MISSION HEADQUARTERS

The Ramakrishna Math, Belur (Howrah)

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 preparing themselves for the service of humanity. The chief centre started for this purpose has long been situated at Belur (Phones : 66-2391 and 66-3619), on the western bank of the Ganges, four miles from Howrah Station. Associated with the holy lives of Swarni Vivekananda and his worthy brother-disciples, the Ramakrishna Math, Belur, or the Belur Math, as it is called in short, with its spacious grounds and serene atmosphere, is a place of pilgrimage for many sincere seekers of Truth.

The course of training in the Math went on without a break, and a number of young men were . initiated into Brahmacharya and Sannyasa. In the attached Ghatushpathi or Sanskrit School there were regular classes under a qualified teacher, in which philosophical and religious books were studied. The Sannyasins of the Math conducted regular religious classes in and around Calcutta, and undertook many successful lecturing tours. The Math has a decent Library containing about 9,900 books.

An attractive feature of the Math is the magnificent stone temple of Sri Ramakrishna with its spacious Natmandir (prayer hall), built mainly with American help in 1938. It is the most remarkable temple of its kind in Northern India. The cost of the temple and¹ its allied constructions was nearly eight lakhs of rupees. Unfortunately, a deficit of nearly Rs. 24,300/-still stands.

The need of a Guest House for devotees and admirers who want to pass a few days with their families near the precincts of the Math was long being keenly felt. A portion of its ground floor only has been constructed. The estimated

8

cost of the rest of the building is Rs. 1,25,000, which, it is hoped, will be forthcoming.

The Ramakrishna Mission Headquarters

The Mission Headquarters (Phone : 66-2391), located at the Belur Math, regulates the activities of its different branches. Besides this work of supervision, it conducted the following :

1. the ramakrishna mission charitable dispensary, belur

This popular Outdoor Dispensary was founded in 1913, and had its own building in 1938. Besides medical relief, it supplied occasionally diet, clothes and blankets to the needy, and referred serious cases to the best hospitals. In 1957 it treated 32,529 cases, of which 13,821 were new cases. The Dispensary needs equipment as well as contributions for meet­ing its recurring expenses, for which help from the kind-hearted public will, we hope, come in adequate measure.

2. mass education work

The Mission Headquarters helped from its Mass Educa­tion Fund 7 schools with 656 students in 1956. To those who believe, with Swami Vivekananda, that the well-being of a nation depends on the condition of its masses, we earnestly appeal for contributions to this fund.

SECTION II

MISSION CENTRES A. INSTITUTIONS MAINLY MEDICAL

The Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service, Varanasi

Started in 1900 and made a branch of the Mission in 1909, it has been occupying its own premises on Ramakrishna Road at Laxa (Varanasi 1 ; Phone : 604) since 1910. A branch Outdoor Dispensary has been working since 1931 at the Shivala quarter of the city.

The work has grown at a steady pace. The activities of the Home in 1957 were—(1) Indoor General Hospital : Beds 115; admissions 3,396; surgical cases 646. (2) Refuge for Invalid Men : Beds 25 ; inmates only 9, for lack of funds.

(3) Refuge for Invalid Women : Beds 50 ; inmates 22. (4) Out­door help to invalids, poor middle-class women and poorstudents : Rs. 5,227.37, besides some cloth and blankets. (5)Outdoor Dispensary (including the Shivala Branch) : Totalcases 2,47,571 ; new cases 68,764. (6) Distribution of powderedmilk to 600 persons daily on an average.

A Surgical Ward for women was opened in January.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Kankhal (Saharanpur)

Founded in 1901, it was made a branch of the Mission in 1911. Its activities in 1957 were—(1) Indoor Hospital : Beds 50; admissions 1,439; surgical cases 161. (2) Outdoor Dis­pensary : Total cases 85,507 ; new cases 24,591 ; surgical cases 816; Laboratory tests 2,239. (3) Library and Reading Room : Books 4,355 ; periodicals and newspapers 23, books lent 1,334.

(4) Public celebrations commemorating the birth anniversariesof Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda.

An X-ray plant of 200 m,a, was purchased, and the

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department of Radiology and Physio-therapy began to func­tion from this year. A first floor was added to the medical officer's quarters.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Vrindaban (Mathura)

Started in 1907 and formally recognised in 1911, it has all along been doing excellent service to thousands, including pilgrims to this holy place. Its activities in 1957 were—(1) Indoor Hospital : Beds 55, extra 10; admissions 2,809; surgical cases 1,884. (2) Outdoor Dispensary : Total cases 1,39,653 ; new cases 49,230 ; operations 1,666.

The Eye Hospital, started in 1943, has been a special feature of the institution.

The Sevashrama has to be shifted as early as possible to its 23-acre site on the Vrindaban-Mathura Road, where arrangemetns are being made to construct the requisite build­ings, estimated to cost several lakhs of rupees. The founda­tion-stone of the hospital building on the new site was laid by the Governor of U. P. in August.

The Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan, Calcutta

This institution, formerly known as Shishumangal Pratishthan (99, Sarat Bose Road,* Calcutta 26 ; Phones 46-1233 and 46-1234), completed its twenty-sixth year in 1957. Started in 1932, it grew into a first class Maternity and Gyne Hospital with 150 beds. During the years 1956 and 1957 it was converted into a General Hospital with the addition of 25 general beds (medical and surgical) for men and 25 for women, as also 10 paediatric beds for children, bringing the total to 210, of which 70 beds are free.

The Pratishthan is housed in its own premises in a fine locality of South Calcutta, covering an area of 1.6 acre of land, with a beautiful Nurses' Hostel and other Staff quarters, accommodating nearly 200 inmates.

The noteworthy event of 1957 was the opening of the

* New name of Lansdowne Road.

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Pratima Sen Memorial Ward for housing the antenatal and postnatal outpatients' departments.

Already a Training School for Midwives since 1944, the institution was recognised as a Training School for Auxiliary and Senior Nurse-Midwives in 1956 and 1957 respectively. Thereafter 26 Senior Midwifery students passed the final examination in 1957.

Its activities in 1957 were : Indoor Department—Admis­sions : Adults 4,949; new-born babies 3,646. Death rate : Adults 2.8 per 1000; infants 34 per 1000. Outdoor Depart­ment : Total cases 31,807 ; new cases 12,322. Training Sec­tion : Roll strength 81. Free patients : more than 50% of the total admissions.

The Ramakrishna Mission Matribhavan, Calcutta

This institution (7A, Sreemohan Lane, Calcutta 26 ; Phone : 46-4133) was started in its own premises in 1950 and is steadily growing. It has 16 beds, of which half are free. It treats antenatal and natal cases in the Indoor Department, and antenatal and post-natal cases in the Outdoor Depart­ment. In 1957, the Indoor Department treated 1,340 patients, of whom 867 were treated free. There was no maternal death. The death rate of babies during the year was 19 per 1000. The Outdoor Department treated 9,911 cases, of which 2,389 were new antenatal cases, 3,076 old antenatal cases, 3,100 babies and 1,346 mothers. Outdoor treatment is free for all.

A new indoor and outdoor block, at an estimated cost of Rs. l,80,000/~, was under construction during the year.

The Ramakrishna Mission Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Dimgri (Ranch!)

The Sanatorium is situated on a picturesque plot of land measuring 279 acres, at an altitude of 2,100 ft., nine miles from the Ranchi Railway Station, to the east of Chaibassa Road (Post Office : R. K. Mission T. B. Sanatorium ; Phone: Ranchi 248 ; Telegraphic address : recovery). Although the move for it had started in 1939, preparations were upset by the War ; so the institution could be opened only in 1951

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with 32 beds, and has since been developing rapidly. It has at present 177 beds. Admissions in 1957 : 176 ; discharged 147.

An air-conditioned Operation Theatre with 12 Post-opera­tive beds, one of which is air-conditioned, an X-ray Depart­ment having five X-ray plants, including one suitable for planigraphy, a well-equipped Laboratory and a Recreation Hall have made the Sanatorium very efficient and modern. There are five resident doctors, including an expert who had special training in Wales and the U.S.A. and another who had specialised training in Tuberculosis. Facilities for nursing and treatment here are complete and of a high standard. Advanced chest surgery was conducted with success.

Though small in size, the Sanatorium is now one of the foremost institutions of its kind in the country. The results of treatment have been extremely satisfactory. Besides, 22 cases were under observation and discharged as non-tuber­cular. During 1957, 53 patients were treated free of all charges and 27 patients at concession rates.

There is a nucleus for after-care work also, about half a dozen ex-patients being absorbed in different departments of the Sanatorium for future rehabilitation.

The Outdoor Homoeopathic Dispensary proved a boon to the neighbouring villagers. It treated 12,103 patients in 1957.

The Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi

Started in the old city in 1927 and affiliated in 1930, the Ashrama was removed in 1935 to its own premises on Rama­krishna Mission Road, New Delhi 1 (Phone : 48480). It has: (1) A T. B. Clinic, located since 1948 in its spacious three-storeyed building, with a separate double-storeyed staff quar­ters at Karolbagh, which has a Laboratory for clinical bacterio­logical work and is provided with the latest equipment. Its outdoor section treated 1,09,887 cases in 1957, of which 1,849 were new cases. In its 28 indoor observation beds were treat­ed 523 patients, of whom 275 were new ones. Under the Home Treatment Scheme, Health Visitors and doctors were deputed to educate suspects about health rules, and to give treatment to those unable to attend the Clinic in person. (2)

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An Outdoor Homoeopathic Dispensary : Total cases 38,374; new cases 9,650. (3) A Library with a separate children's sec­tion : Books 9,435 ; issued 7,985 ; newspapers and journals 117; average daily attendance 350. (4) Gita classes on Sun­day evenings, lectures on general subjects and Tulasi Ramayana Katha on Saturday evenings in the spacious audi­torium : Average attendance 1,400 and 600 respectively. (5) Religious classes on Sunday mornings at the Delhi University under the auspices of its Vedanta Samiti : Average attendance 140. (6) 175 lectures in the various colleges and cultural insti­tutions of Delhi and other parts of India : Total attendance 1,07,115. (7) Celebration of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and the Holy Mother at the Mission and six other localities of Delhi. (8) Free Sanskrit classes for adults under an experienced teacher on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thurs­day and Sunday evenings : Average attendance 40.

A magnificent temple with a life-size marble image of Sri Ramakrishna was installed by the President of the Math and Mission on the 28th November, 1957 in the presence of a large concourse of devotees and Sadhus of the Order. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of India, presided over the Temple Dedication public meeting on the 30th November. The temple cost Rs. 3,50,000 in construction, equipment and dedication.

A second storey was added to the kitchen block at a cost of about Rs. 30,000 to serve as monastic quarters.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Lucknow

This Sevashrama, started in 1914 and located since 1924 at Aminabad (Phone : 4694), was affiliated in 1925. Its activities in 1957 were—(1) Outdoor Dispensary : Total cases 1,72,175; new cases 37,404; surgical cases 5,708; dental cases 180; Ultra-violet and Infra-red cases 64. (2) Library and Reading Room : Books 6,864; 7 daily papers and 29 periodi­cals. (3) Regular outdoor classes 260 ; average attendance 80. (4) Public lectures 3 ; average attendance 450.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Kaiipur

The institution, affiliated in 1931, was shifted to its own premises at Ramakrishna Nagar (Phone : 23391) in 1936. Its

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activities in 1957 were—(1) Outdoor Dispensary : Total cases' 1,11,738; new cases 25,598; surgical cases 976; temporary in­door cases 10. (2) A Higher Secondary School with 487 boys ; percentage of passes 91%. (3) Library: Books 5,696; issued 2,820. (4) Two Physical Culture institutes, one exclusively for the Harijans. (5) Religious classes, Bhajana and observ­ance of the birthdays of great religious Teachers.

During the year under review, a spacious Operation Theatre, among other things, was added to the hospital. The School also added two class rooms and a corridor. The con-truction of an Auditoriurn-cwm-Assembly Hall at an estimated cost of Rs. 40,000 was nearing completion.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Midnapore

This Sevashrama, started at Nutanbazar in 1914, was recognised as a Mission branch in 1931. Its activities in 1957 were—(1) An Outdoor Dispensary with an Eye Clinic and Pathological Department : Total cases 45,654; new cases 17,712. (2) A Higher Secondary Multi-purpose School with 274 students. In the School Final Examination, all the students sent up passed, one boy standing 13th and obtaining a first grade scholarship. (3) A U. P. School with 128 boys and 43 girls. (4) A Hostel for the Secondary section with 66 boys. (5) A Circulating Library and Free Reading Room : Books 5,610 ; issued 5,293. (6) Regular religious classes, annual observance of birthdays and other festivals, and occasional lectures. (7) Help in cash amounting to Rs. 3,440. (8) Milk distribution to the poor was made regularly by the hostel in­mates. (9) Educational films and shows were arranged from time to time.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Jalpaiguri

Founded in 1928, the Ashrama was handed over to the Mission in 1941. Its activities in 1957 were—(1) An Outdoor Dispensary : Total cases 17,819 ; new cases 5,906. (2) A Domi­ciliary Maternity and Child Welfare Clinic : Total cases 1,619; new cases 200; confinements 77 ; babies taken care of 259. Milk distribution among 72,1?4 recipients. (3) A Students' Home : Inmates 9. (4) A Primary School for 26 boys of the

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backward classes. (5) An Adult Night School for the backward classes : Students 19. (6) A free Library and Reading Room : Books 1,666 ; issued 2,801. (7) Regular religious classes : (8) Occasional lectures in and outside the Ashrama.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Calicut

Started at Chalapuram in 1930, affiliated to the Mission in 1943 and removed next year to its own premises at Kallai (Calicut 3, Phone : 471), this centre conducted in 1957—(1) A High School with 420 boys and 189 girls. (2) An Elementary School with 206 boys and 160 girls. (3) A Students' Home with 82 inmates. (4) An Allopathic Dispensary, which treated 53,154 cases ; new cases 10,967. (5) Daily Bhajana for the students of the Home, and special Bhajana and discourses for school students every Sunday.

During the peroid two major construction works were undertaken, one for the Secondary School, estimated to cost Rs. 2,37,000/-, and another for a Community Hall for Social Education, estimated to cost Rs. 1,07,000/-.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Salt-in

The Ashrama, situated on Ramakrishna Road, Sivaswami-puram, was founded in 1928 and was affiliated to the Mission in 1940. It conducted in 1957—(1) A Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 43,404 ; new cases 15,175. (2) An Emergency Indoor Ward with 6 beds : Total cases 10. (3) A Primary Night School for Harijan children at Kallankuttucherry, Pudur : Strength 30. (4) A small Library. (5) Daily Bhajana and weekly discourses. (6) Birthday celebrations in the Ashrama and other places in the district.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Katihar (Purnea)

This Ashrama was started in 1926 and was taken over by the Mission in 1931. In 1957 it conducted—(1) An Outdoor Homoeopathic Dispensary : Total cases 42,862; new cases 7,090. (2) A Free Library : Books 2,079 ; issued 1,527. (3) A Secondary School, mainly for displaced children, with 609 boys and 135 girls. (4) A Students' Home witW 11 inmates, of whom 2 were free and 3 part-free. (5) Regular religious classes and occasional lectures in and outside the Ashrama.

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Weekly doles of: rice collected by the school students were given to 9 poor families regularly and 5 families temporarily. The sale proceeds of the balance went to help poor students.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Ranchi

This picturesque Ashrama at Morabadi, situated at the foot of a hillock, was made a branch of the Mission in 1930. Its activities in 1957 were—(1) An Outdoor Dispensary : Total cases 6,187 ; new cases 4,560. (2) A Library : Books 1,023 ; periodicals and papers 38. (3) Regular worship and religious classes. (4) Observance of the birthdays and occasional lectures in the Ashrama and outside. (5) Temporary Relief : Milk Powder supplied fortnightly to 900 persons for six months.

B. INSTITUTIONS MAINLY EDUCATIONAL The Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Pitha, Belur

To impart an all-round education to our young men after the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, this institution (P.O. Belur Math, Dist. Howrah ; Phone : 66-3292) was started in 1941. It now consists of the following activities :

The Vidyamandira (Phone : 66-3349) : This wholly resi­dential Intermediate College, affiliated to the Calcutta Univer­sity, had 208 boys on its rolls in 1957, who were accommodated in two hostels under the supervision of monastic members of the Order. The boys had to go through a regular course of study, work, prayer, games and various extra-mural activities, and were occasionally taken out to different industrial and cul­tural centres. Religious classes were regularly held both in the college and the hostels. Poor brilliant students received finan­cial aid. In the I.A. Examination of 1957, out of 27 candidates, 21 passed, 19 of them being in the 1st division, while the first five places and the eighth as also the first five positions in the scholarship list and a number of gold and silver medals were secured by the students of this college. In the I.Sc., 88 among 90 candidates passed, 78 of them being in the 1st division, while one boy stood 3rd, but topped the scholarship list. The college had its own dispensary and hospital with 10 beds. It is to be a

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three-year Degree College in 1960. The Gymnasium building was opened in January, 1957.

The Shilpamandira (Phone : 66-3308) : It imparts free training for one to three years to deserving students in Elec­trical Engineering, Auto-mechanics, General Mechanics, Carpen­try, Weaving, Tailoring, etc. For post-Matric students, it provides a three-year Licentiate Course in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.

The Shilpamandira had a total of 576 students on its rolls, of whom 341 were in the diploma section. Altogether 34 students appeared at the L.C.E. examination, and all came out successful. Training in higher courses was charged, but poor meritorious students were given financial aid. Another storey was added to the Administrative Block, and a three-storeyed hostel building was under construction. From the Junior Sec­tion of the Shilpamandira, 112 out of 138 candidates passed the final examination. Besides free tuition, the students of this section were given various stipends.

The Shilpamandira is also engaged in devising and manu­facturing small machines, and already has patents for different types of Gas Plants. Many such plants have been installed in West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. It also* produced and installed some tower clocks in 1957.

The Janasikshamandira (Phone : 66-3643) : This depart­ment of Social (Adult) Education organised night schools, film shows, magic lantern lectures, youth camps, library movement, etc. Its mobile Audio-visual unit visited places propagating hygiene and general education. The Library Section, besides running its central lending section, successfully conducted a mobile library, loaning books out to village readers at their homes. This department further organised a number of centres for distributing free milk, food packages, tiffin, etc. to the desti­tute and the undernourished children living in the bustees and villages. In times of epidemic, arrangements were made to give vaccination or inoculation. A Youth Camp was organised to train youngmen in social service. A library building and an Assembly Hall were under construction.

The Tattwamandira : It held Sunday religious classes for

18

the public, and also arranged lecture tours to different places. The Chatushpathi, under an erudite Pundit, successfully taught the monastic inmates Indian philosophy, particularly Vedanta. Efforts are being made to start a higher Sanskrit institution at Nilambar Babu's garden, Belur.

Social Education Organisers' Training Centre : (Phone : 66-3578) : With the help of the Govt., this section was started in 1956 to train graduate students from different States in various aspects of social service, with an emphasis on social education. There were two sessions in 1957. The building for class rooms and lecture hall was completed, and the construction of an open-air theatre was undertaken.

The Shikshana Mandira : With a view to training teachers, arrangements were made to start under the Saradapitha a Shikshana Mandira (B.T. College), affiliated to the University of Calcutta, from the next session. The requisite buildings were under construction.

The Sarada Pitha has thus become a great seat of learning, and aspires to grow into a University by 1963.

The Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, Madras

The Vivekananda College was opened at Mylapore (Madras 4; Phone: 71057) in 1946 to help hundreds of deserving students unable to get admission to any college in Madras. Admission is made mainly on merit, irrespective of caste or community. The strength of the college in 1957 was 1,591.

The three-year degree course was started in June. At the instance of the Government, Pre-professional Engineering Course for 100 students was also conducted in the college camps.

In the University Examinations, the College maintained its high reputation. The first batch of students passed the Sanskrit Honours examination. In Philosophy Honours and M.A. also, all the students passed, and in Economics and Mathematics Honours 97 and 94% respectively. In the last named subject, the first two in the University were from this college.

The Hostel had 240 students. Another large Hostel was under construction.

19

Scholarships amounting to Rs. 15,702/- were given, while 28 Harijan students had State scholarships.

The College Library had 23,000 books and 75 newspapers and periodicals. Congregational worship and religious instruc^ tion of a cosmopolitan type have always been distinctive fea­tures. The College has been approvel by the Government of India for Post-graduate education and research in Basic Sciences.

Students of the various associations and Science sections undertook tours to places of historical and scientific interest. The College teams did very well in cricket and other league tournaments. Membership of the Social Service League rose to 200. During the heavy monsoons, they surveyed 20 slums in the Mylapore area and submitted reports to the Corporation of Madras. They undertook distribution of milk and sugar on New-Year Day, Republic Day, Independence Day, etc.

This is the only private College in the State that provides for courses in Sanskrit up to the highest degree.

The Ramakrishna Mission Students' Home, Madras

The institution was started in 1905 and was affiliated to the Mission in 1918. It moved into its own buildings in 1921. A Residential High School was added in 1922, and a Technical Institute in 1925. The Home now has three distinct sections— the Collegiate, the Technical and the Secondary. The first con­sists of boys who study in colleges in the City. The Technical and the Secondary sections are entirely residential.

During 1957, there were 39 inmates in the College section, 80 in the Technical Institute and 178 in the Residential High School. In all the sections, nearly 80% of the students enjoyed scholarships and fee concessions. In the University Examina­tions, 25 appeared and all passed, 8 obtaining first class. In the L.A.E. Diploma Examination, 20 appeared and 17 passed, with two first classes. In the S.S.L.C. Examination, 33 appeared and all passed.

The High School section had been shifted during the War to Attur, near Chingleput. Steps were being taken to provide additional dormitory etc. in the Home with a view to bringing

20

back the school to Madras by the middle of 1958. (This has been done.)

A scheme for the development of the Technical Institute, estimated to cost more than Rs. 8 lakhs, sanctioned by the Gov­ernment of India, was taken up for implementation during 1957 by way of construction of additional buildings and obtaining of new machinery and equipment.

An all-round training was imparted to the inmates, with due emphasis on moral and religious instruction, tutorial super­vision and guidance, social service and dignity of labour.

The Home has an excellent Library with 9,497 books.

The Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya,

Perianaickenapalayam (Coimbatore)

The Vidyalaya completed twenty-seven years of its service in February, 1957. Affiliated to the Mission in 1934, it has become a leading educational institution in South India. Brief reports of its various institutions for 1957 are given below :

Multi-purpose School : With courses in Engineering, Agri­culture and Science. Strength 173. Hindi is taught compul-sorily in the lower and optionally in the higher forms. Wood­work and gardening are provided as crafts in the lower forms.

Basic Training School : Strength 75. All the 37 students who were sent up for the public Examination came out success­ful. The students produced 7,972 hanks of yarn, 555 sq. yards of cloth, 1,781 Ibs. of vegetables and 43 Ibs. of honey. 123 men and 26 women underwent training in Basic Education, and 74 trained graduates were retrained. Additional buildings were put up for the hostel at a cost of Rs. 36,000.

Senior Basic School : It serves as the model school for the above. It had 217 boys and 174 girls, who had Spinning and Gardening as the basic crafts. 8,777 hanks of yarn and 255 sq. yds. of cloth were produced.

Teachers' College : Strength 50. Basic Education, Science, English, Tamil, Social Studies and Mathematics were the optional subjects, all taught in Tamil. Group discussions, seminars, workshops, directed study and guided library work were in use. A citizenship training camp was conducted.

21

Extension Department : Helped by the All-India Council for Secondary Education, various courses, camps, conferences, seminars and workshops were conducted as well as diverse refresher courses. A National Seminar of Principals of Post­graduate Basic Education Colleges was also held.

Research : The work on a battery of four standard tests of achievement in English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies was completed. The manual of Directions and Folders have been published for all the four tests.

College of Physical Education : It provides for Higher and Lower Certificate courses in Physical Education. Of the 15 Higher and 48 Lower course students sent up for examination, all but one were successful. A member of the staff* was invited by the Union Ministry of Education to conduct a coaching camp for Basket-ball at Patna and to captain the Madras State Basket-ball team for National Championship. Additional buildings for the College have been built at a cost of Rs. 52,826.

Rural Institute : It consists of three wings :

1. College of Rural Higher Education : In 1957 both
   the Preparatory (i.e. Pre-University) and the three-year DiplomaCourse in Rural Services were started. Strength 53 and 35respectively.
2. School of Agriculture : Strength 22. In addition toagricultural theory and practice, extension techniques in thesurrounding villages were also taught.
3. School of Engineering : This is a three-year Course
   after School Final and is equal to the Diploma Courses in Poly­technics, recognised by the State Governments. It had 82students. A fine building has been constructed for it at a cost
   of nearly Rs. 84,000, and equipment worth about Rs. one lakhpurchased.

An Artisan Course for three years in General Mechanics, recognised by the Government of Madras, is also conducted. Ill form-passed students are admitted. It had 57 students.

Industrial Section : It consists of a well-equipped Work­shop attached to the School of Engineering, which provides for training in various aspects of mechanical and electrical

22

engineering. Electric motors from 2 to 10 H.P. as also some textile machines and parts are being manufactured. The Workshop has been expanded.

S.E.O.T.C. : The Social Education Organisers' Training Centre commenced its work in September, 1957. Each year two batches of trainees, deputed by the State Governments, are to be trained for five months each. In the first batch there were 34 trainees.

Rural Dispensary : The Dispensary is fitted with an X-ray plant etc. and is useful to the people in the surrounding villages as well as to the inmates of the Vidyalaya. It treated 32,371 cases, including 201 labour cases, of which 13,717 were new cases. Some antenatal work was also done.

Rural Service : Twelve villages within a radius of about six miles from the Vidyalaya have been taken up for such work as the sinking of soak pits, construction of manure pits, intro­duction of smokeless ovens and building or repair of roads. Meetings and group discussions with film-shows, games for children and adults, Bhajanas, youth clubs and night schools were organised.

Central Library : Built at a cost of Rs. 98,689/-, it had nearly 20,000 volumes, 44 periodicals and 3 newspapers.

Sri Ramakrishna birthday anniversary was celebrated with great eclat. Over 20,000 people participated in it.

The Ramakrishna Mission Calcutta Students' Home, Belgharia (24 Parganas)

This Home for college students, recognised by the Calcutta University, was started in 1916. It imparts to its young inmates a course of man-making education and is specially meant for indigent students of approved parts, who get here free board, lodging, etc. during their college career.

Since 1954, the Home has been occupying its own residence (P.O. Belgharia, Dist. 24 Parganas ; Phone : Panihati 244), which measures about 36 acres. It is close to the Belgharia Railway Station and is about 7 miles from Calcutta. Besides accommodation for 100 students, the Home has a modest temple and prayer hall, a spacious library and other amenities. A small

23

workshop with a rice-huller, a wheat-crusher, an oil-press and a tiny bakery affords the students opportunities for practical training in small-scale home industries.

The number of free, part-free and paying inmates during the year was 47, 13 and 25 respectively. 29% of the year's sub­scriptions was contributed by ex-students of. the Home. In 1957, 14 out of 15 students who appeared at the Intermediate Examination came out successful, one I.Sc. candidate standing 3rd, while 7 out of the 8 students sent up for the Degree Exam­ination passed, the majority with credit. One student sat for the M.A. and another for the M.Sc. Examination. Both came out successful.

A manuscript magazine entitled Vidyarthi was conducted by the students. They also ran a free Night School for un­lettered adults. A Library containing 2,712 well-chosen books on various subjects afforded the students facilities for extending their studies beyond the college curriculum.

The construction of buildings for the Polytechnic Institu­tion called the Ramakrishna Mission Shilpapitha, to be started in 1958, made good progress during the year.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Pathuriaghata (Calcutta)

This University-recognised students' hostel, with two large buildings, was started in 1943 at 18 Jadulal Mullick Road, Pathuriaghata, Calcutta 6 (Phone : 33-2744). Its aims are similar to those of other educational institutions of the Mission. In 1957 it had 199 inmates, of whom 159 were free and 20 part-— free. As usual, selection of students was confined to poor meritorious boys, preferably from displaced families and de­pressed classes, as also those physically handicapped. In Degree Examinations two secured 1st class and three others distinction. Of the M.A. candidates, one stood 1st class fourth, and a blind boy got 2nd class.

Throughout the year the students carried on regular social service work of various types amongst the Harijans in Calcutta slum areas through the Vivekananda Social Welfare Centre, which conducted : (1) a nursery school for 27 children under

24

5 years, who were also supplied with nourishing food; (2) another school where 117 children aged 6 to 14 received Basic education along with tiffin and sometimes books etc.; (3) two schools for adults with 30 or more students in each ; (4) a Co­operative Society, which helped many poor Harijan artisans to obtain interest-free capital, buy materials at a reasonable price on credit and market their products ; and (5) a medical relief centre, which treated 865 cases.

The Ashrama ran 50 milk-distribution centres in different parts of West Bengal and distributed altogether 1,24,000 Ibs. of milk powder, chiefly among school children. Through its mass education work in 1957, the Ashrama made 140 illiterate persons literate, besides helping in the further education of numerous other persons who were barely literate.

The Institute of Social Education and Recreation, which is a branch of this Ashrama, has now ten centres, chiefly in the rural areas, for both adult literacy and social education work on an extensive scale. The average daily attendance at the literacy centres in 1957 was 369, and some 5,000 persons derived benefit from the Ashrama's programme of social education. The insti­tute also held at Narendrapur (24 Parganas) annual functions on important days, including the birthdays of great men, educational trips, sports competitions, an educational fair at Narendrapur lasting for a week, training in crafts and poultry-keeping, an essay competition, etc.

The Library grew considerably during the year. It had 8,353 books and 18 journals.

In its new site at Narendrapur (Phone : 46-2214), the Ashrama acquired 75 acres of land and started putting up necessary buildings with speed. Already a residential Multi­purpose School Was started in 1957, and it was decided to start a residential three-year Degree College from 1959. The present activities of the Ashrama will be continued there. Arrangements were made to dispose of its existing buildings in Calcutta.

The Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith, Deoghar (S. P.)

This is a Residential High School (P.O. Vidyapith, Deoghar; Phone : Deoghar 33) for boys conducted on the model of a Gurukula, where stress is laid on the development of

25

character and a! religious spirit through self-discipline. Started in 1922, it was affiliated to the Mission in 1924. It is situated on an extensive plot of land amid quiet, picturesque surround­ings. Many of its teachers and house supervisors are members of the Ramakrishna Order. In 1957 it had 214 boys, 26 of whom appeared successfully in the School Final Examination. There is provision for the teaching of music, painting, typewriting, tailoring, gardening and physical culture consisting of games, sports, drill, excursions, camping, etc.

The School has a Library, which had more than 7,000 books, a good Reading Room with several newspapers and magazines and a Laboratory. The boys conducted two manu­script magazines, Vivek and Kishalay, as also a printed annual, Vidyapith. They also organised debates, festivals and other social activities.

Attached to the institution there is a Charitable Dispens­ary, which treated 29,288 cases (new cases 8,413), including poor villagers from the neighbourhood. Powder milk was distributed to quite a large number of the needy and under-nourished. The institution possesses a good dairy yielding daily 4 mds. of milk on an average, as also a serviceable vegetable garden.

In 1957 it was decided to transfer the upper classes of the Vidyapith to Purulia, the Government of West Bengal agreeing to give a grant for starting a residential Multi-purpose School there with Humanities, Science and Technology as its courses. The necessary construction was speeded up, so that from 1958 the institution might be functioning. (It is.)

The Ramakrishna Mission Boys' Home, Rahara (24 Parganas)

Started in 1944 with only 37 orphans, the Home (Phone : Barrackpore 80) had on its rolls 378 boys in 1957. It is the biggest orphanage of the Mission, situated near the Khardaha Railway Station, 12 miles to the north of Calcutta, and is also approachable by bus. It is a mainly residential educational institution for orphans and poor boys only, who are provided with all necessities so as to create a home atmosphere for them.

The Home conducts a Junior Basic Training College

26

(strength 60), two Junior Basic Schools (strength 362), a Senior Basic School (strength 121), a Multi-purpose School (strength 355), a Junior Technical School (strength 82) and a Vocational School (strength 35), all recognised by the Government of West Bengal. Along with general and technical education, the boys were given lessons in religion, vocal and instrumental music, dance, etc. Attention was paid to their physical well-being, and an interesting programme of extra-curricular activities was gone through. The boys joined the National and Auxiliary Cadet Corps and went out for camping and excursion. The Home has ;i well-equipped gymnasium, a children's park and a playground with a stadium and a pavilion. Besides these, training was given in cycling, riding, etc.

In order to develop the boys' individuality and sense of dis­cipline, they were given a certain amount of freedom in, manag­ing their own affairs under the guidance of an experienced teacher. They had a Debating Society, and they ably conducted a quarterly magazine and a weekly Bulletin of current news. They staged religious and historical dramas very successfully, in­cluding the three dramas and a variety entertainment at Varanasi.

The Home also conducts a District Library for the people of northern 24-Parganas. It renders Mobile Library services to two sub-divisions of that district. A Junior Basic Training College for sixty teachers of Junior Basic Schools was also opened in the year under review.

The Ramakrishna Mission Boys' Schools, Tyagarayanagar, Madras

This group of Schools and the attached Hostel (Madras 17), started in 1932 and 1934 respectively, had been under the management of the Mission Students' Home at Madras till 1948, when they were constituted into a separate branch centre.

In 1957 there were 3,085 students in the three High Schools, while the Hostel had 71 inmates. Due attention was paid to their moral and spiritual well-being. The three Elementary Schools had 920 boys and 671 girls.

A building was constructed at a cost of Rs. 37,757 for the

27

North Branch High School to accommodate the newly opened Engineering and Secretarial courses.

The Ramakrishna Mission Aslirama, Sarisha (24 Parganas)

Started in 1921 and affiliated to the Mission in 1924, this institution has successfully devoted itself to the task of village reconstruction through proper education. Its activities in 1957 were as follows :

The Multi-purpose Boys' School, with Humanities, Techni­cal and Scientific courses, had 244 students. The staff consisted of 13 teachers, of whom 7 were trained hands. All the 20 boys taught in Class X came out successful at the School Final Examination in 1957, one boy securing a Government scholar­ship.

As usual, the boys took part in inter-school games and sports, one boy securing championship in the group. Two N. C. C. and one A. C. C. Troops of the School enrolled 66 and 45 cadets respectively. Cultural programmes like socials, dramatics, debates and magazines were continued. The Hostel had 110 inmates, of whom 7 were free and 5 enjoyed concessions. There were daily congregational prayers, religious classes and physical exercises for the inmates.

The Multi-purpose Girls' School : Sponsored by the Gov­ernment in 1957, with Humanities, Home Science and Fine Arts courses, it had 185 students. The staff consisted of 14 teachers, of whom 8 were trained. Besides academic education, the girls were taught music, folk dance, sewing, embroidery, domestic hygiene, sports and physical culture. The Hostel had 48 in­mates, of whom 5 were free, and 6 enjoyed concessions.

A Senior Basic School comprising classes VI to VIII was started in 1957 out of a part of the Middle section of the High School. Additional class rooms etc. together with furniture, books and equipment were provided by the Government at a cost of Rs. 45,000. The School had 89 students under 5 teachers, including the Craft Instructors.

Financed by the District Board, two Basic Primary Schools together had 124 boys and 127 girls. The residential Basic Training College for Women Teachers had 48 trainees, The

28

cost of running it was borne by the Government. One Pre-Basic (Nursery) School was started in 1957 with 30 children and was under the direct supervision of the Lady Principal.

The Technical Section is very popular. Training in weav­ing, tailoring, knitting, embroidery and sock-making continued in full swing. The total output of this section found ready markets and fetched Rs. 3,441/-.

The Community Centre for village women held its regular cultural sittings, presided over by newly literate village women. The Centre has also a literacy class and a small library, and is managed entirely by ladies at the Government's cost. A new Community Hall for men was built at Bagdipara, Sarisha, where attractive Kathakatas were held occasionally. An N. C. C. Troop was started under a trained woman N. C. C. officer, a teacher of the school. The number of girl cadets was 33.

Two Social Service Camps—one for boys and the other for girls—were conducted, also at Government cost. Each camp accommodated 50 workers (all being students and teachers of the institutions at Sarisha) and continued for one month. The boys constructed and repaired nine village roads. Cleaning campaigns by the campers, cultural classes, discussions and debates also formed part of the programme. The girls' camp undertook the repair of village roads and social education work among the women in the backward areas around Baradron.

The Central Library at the Ashrama with 6 branch libra­ries was successfully conducted.

The Ashrama also runs an Outdoor Dispensary, which treated 1943 cases, of which 1096 were new cases. The Government maintained in the Ashrama a fairly equipped mobile unit for free treatment of patients under a qualified physician.

Nine complete Social Education Centres, 5 for men and 4 for Women adults, recognised by the State Government, were run by the Ashrama, with an average roll strength of 161, of whom 91 were men.

The Audio-visual Unit gave film shows whenever weather permitted it.

Skimmed milk received from UNICEF was distributed

29

almost daily during recess to the boys and girls belonging to different schools of this centre.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Vidyalaya, Madras

Sri Sarada Vidyalaya, Tyagarayanagar (Madras 17), started in 1927 by some ladies imbued with the ideal of service, was amalgamated with the Mission in 1938. From a humble beginning the institution has risen to be a self-contained centre for women's educational work, consisting of a High School, a 'Basic Training School with a preparatory class, a Higher Elementary School and a Model Higher Elementary School.

The strength of the Girls' High School in 1957 was 1,807. It had 64 teachers on an average. The School has its own three-storeyed building with 45 class rooms. In the S. S. L. C. Examination of 1957 the School secured 97% of passes.

The Basic Training School had 176 trainees and 12 teachers, and 94% of the candidates passed the S. S. L. C, Examination. A Kitchen block was constructed for the school, and land was acquired for extension of the playground. Another plot of land near the school was received as a gift for its agricultural purposes.

In the Girls' Higher Elementary School there were 857 pupils, with 24 teachers. The Model Higher Elementary School, which is the practising section of the students of the Basic Training School, moved to its new building in January, 1957, and standards I to IV were converted into the Basic type.

The Vidyalaya possesses two Libraries containing 10,783 volumes in all. There is provision for moral and religious instruction, group singing, special worship, Bhajana and physical training as also for useful excursions and extra­curricular activities.

The three Hostels of the Vidyalaya had a total strength of 222 girls. Of these, the Training School Hostel and Lady Teachers' Hostel are located in their own premises. All the Hostels are under the supervision of lady teachers.

The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother,

30

Swami Vivekariahda and other great personages were celebrated in a fitting manner.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sister Nivedita Girls' School and Sarada Mandir, Calcutta

This School (5, Nivedita Lane, Calcutta 3 ; Phone : 55-2062) was started in 1902 by Sister Nivedita (Miss Margaret E. Noble), a dedicated disciple of Swami Vivekananda, to give proper education to Hindu girls. While keeping intact the ancient Hindu ideal of womanhood, the School has all along been trying to make the girls more efficient in housekeeping and the arts and crafts auxiliary to it, so that they can solve their own problems.

The institution is housed in its own fine four-storeyed building and was made a branch of the Mission in 1918. A three-storeyed building adjacent to the old one was constructed in 1957 to accommodate classes IX to XI of the Multi-purpose School with Home Science and Humanities courses, into which the existing Secondary section was to be converted from the next session. There were 24 lady teachers on an average, the majority of whom were dedicated workers. Its strength in 1957 was 563. All the 33 students sent up for the School Final Examination in 1957 came out successful. The Secondary Section is affiliated to the Calcutta University and charges fees according to Government and University rules, but the Primary Section is entirely free.

The institution has an Industrial Section, recognised by the Government, which helped 61 poor middle-class women to learn certain arts and crafts and thus become self-supporting. This section received a grant of Rs. 3,000/- for 1957 from the Central Social Welfare Board, which enabled it to introduce four new crafts, viz., leather-work, battic, clay-modelling and weaving. The students of this section appeared successfully, as usual, in the Lady Brabourne Diploma Examination of 1957.

Religious training is a speciality of this institution. The Sarada Mandir or Hostel attached to the School accommodat­ed 34 students and 19 dedicated workers. The School Library had 4,991 books.

3i

The Ramakrishna Mission Women's Welfare Centre,

Calcutta

This Centre was started in 1956 at P. 22, C. I. T. Road, Entally, Calcutta 14, in a house belonging to the Mission. Its objects are to organise regular classes and lectures on religious, cultural and social subjects for women and to impart element­ary knowledge in Bengali, History, Geography and Arithmetic to poor, adult women and grown up girls of the locality as also to give them some kind of vocational training.

During 1957 it conducted 62 religious classes on Wednes­days and 42 public lectures on social, cultural and other sub­jects on Saturdays. Most of the speakers were ladies. Besides, 15 special lectures were arranged during the birthday celebra­tions of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda as also 8 educational film shows.

With the help of a small grant from the Community Project of the Government, 46 women were given free educa­tion. Of the 18 women who sat for the Literacy Test con­ducted by the Government, 14 were successful.

The institution maintains a small public Library. In December, 1957, a free Text-book Library for Intermediate students was started with 74 books. About 15 students availed themselves of it. A small Study Circle was formed to discuss the lives and teachings of great men.

Like the Sister Nivedita School and the Matribhavan, this centre is also run by the nuns of the Sarada Math, Dakshineswar.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Asansol (Burdwan)

Started in 1926, the Ashrama, situated on the Grand Trunk Road (Phone: Asanspl 4&?*f, was handed over to the Mission in 1938, since when it has steadily developed. In 1957 the existing High School was converted into a Multi-purpose School with 532 boys. A three-storeyed building was constructed for it and was equipped with the requisite Scientific and Technical apparatus and fittings. Other activities of the Ashrama were : (1) A Primary Section with 197 boys. (2) A Students' Home

32

with 16 inmates. (3) A Library with 4,263 books. (4) A Reading Room with 2 dailies and 20 monthlies. (5) Regular worship and religious classes and occasional meetings and festivals. (6) Fire relief work in some villages of Burdwan.

The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Calcutta

Established in 1938 after the birth centenary of Sri Rama­krishna, the Institute is housed in its own building at 111, Russa Road, Calcutta 26 (Phone : 46-1230), and a new building is under construction near the Ballygunge lakes. It has a twofold aim—a proper interpretation of Indian culture so as to foster a sense of unity in the country; and promotion among the different countries of the world a knowledge and appreciation of their respective cultural values in order to understand the cultural heritage of mankind as a whole. From humble beginnings the Institute has grown into a recognised centre of learning and culture and is an international forum for the exchange of liberal views. It co-operates with the Unesco and has attracted the interest of many leading scholars in India and abroad.

The Institute conducted in 1957 : (1) A Library with 22,430 books. (2) A Reading Room with 299 Indian and foreign journals, daily attended by about 50 readers. (3) 51 weekly public lectures on important subjects by Indian and foreign scholars. (4) 64 classes on the Ramayana and the Bhagavata. (5) Special meetings and discourses 11. (6) Hindi classes, attended by 228 students. (7) A Sanskrit Ghatushpathi with about 7 students. (8) An international symposium. (9) A seminar in five sessions on the Second Five-Year Plan with special reference to the Eastern Zone. (10) A small weekly study circle. (11) A monthly Bulletin. (12) Sending to the press The Cultural Heritage of India, Vol. I, dealing with the early phases of Indian culture, and getting ready Vol. II, deal­ing with Itihasas, Puranas, etc. (13) A students' hostel with 20 inmates. (14) Promoting cultural relations between India and other countries. (15) Providing facilities for research students. (16) Display of documentary films. (17) Musical soirees. (18) Hospitality to foreign guests.

33

A stately building, at an estimated cost of over Rs. 50 lakhs, was under construction, comprising a big Auditorium, rooms for classes and seminars, Library and reading rooms, an Administrative wing, a Day students' home, an international guest house, etc.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Shillong

The Ramakrishna Mission started its educational activities in the Khasia and Jaintia Hills in 1924 with a Primary School at Sheila, a village about 45 miles from Shillong, The activities were gradually extended to Nongwar, Cherrapunji and Shillong. The Shillong Branch was recognised by the Mission in 1937. For facility of work, Cherrapunji, which ran a High School, was made a separate centre in 1949, with the Sheila and Nongwar schools placed under it.

The Shillong centre has considerably developed and is located at Laitumkhrah (Phone : 676). In 1957 it conducted the following activities : (1) A Charitable Dispensary with a good Laboratory, an Electro-therapy unit as also a Homoeo­pathic section, which treated 50,023 cases; new cases 28,336. (2) A Library and Reading Room with 3,728 books, 9 dailies and 26 periodicals ; books issued 6,082. (3) A Students' Home with 10 tribal boys, which moved to its new premises during the year. (4) The Sarada Samsad, a cultural society for children, which arranged 141 classes and 52 occasional dis­courses by eminent persons in different languages. (5) 79 religious and cultural classes at the Ashrama and other areas of the town, as also Rama Nama Bhajana in many quarters. (6) A few public meetings and documentary film shows in the Ashrama. (7) Anniversaries and festivals, including lantern lectures, children's sports and essay competitions. (8) An L. P. School with 13 free students in a near-by Harijan colony.

(9) Lecture tours to 26 places of Assam, including tribal areas.

(10) Publication of books in Assamese and Khasi languages.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Cherrapunji (Assam)

The work was started in 1931 as a part of the Shillong centre and was, as stated above, converted into a separate

34

centre in 1949. Its main activities in 1957 were—(1) A High School with 162 boys and 66 girls. (2) A Technical School with weaving, tailoring, typewriting and soap-making sections, with 45 students. (3) A Hostel with 60 inmates. (4) A Primary School with two branches, having a total roll strength of 162. (4) Weekly Bhajanas and discourses. (6) A Homoeopathic Dispensary with a daily average of 15 patients (closed in October).

At Sheila, 13 miles down, it conducted an M.E. School with 56 students, and an Ashrama with a Library and free Reading Room. Twice a week Bhajanas and classes were held, and every year the Durga Puja was celebrated.

At Nongwar, a village 9 miles below Cherrapunji, a free Primary School was run with 66 children, and an M.E. School with 55 students,

The Ashrama serves to spread cultural ideas among thehill tribes of Assam.

The Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya and Boys' Home, Chingleput

Started as a Higher Elementary School in 1936, and made a branch of the Mission in 1940, "the institution became a High School in 1942 (Phone : 36; Telegraphic address : gadhai). Its strength in 1957 was 368 and that of the Boys' Home 44. Situated amid attractive surroundings, the School imparts to its pupils, besides secular education, moral and religious instruction as also lessons on gardening, printing and composing. A Girls' High School, started in 1950, had 217 students in 1957, and the two Elementary Schools had 306 boys and 215 girls. A number of birthdays were duly celebrated. The institution's Library had 4,389 books.

During the year, extensions to the Boys' High School main buildings were completed at a cost of Rs. 24,000/-. The printing press worked with moderate success.

The Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Society, Jamshedpur (Singhbhum)

Started in 1920 and affiliated to the Mission in 1927, the centre, situated at Bistupur [Phone : 2573B (City)], conducted

35

in 1957, the following—(1) Four High Schools (of which two were girls') with 797 boys and 712 girls, 4 Middle Schools with 1,772 boys and 1,371 girls, 3 U.P. Schools with 691 boys and 524 girls and 2 L.P. Schools (one of them a Night School in Hindi alone) with 115 boys and 38 girls—in all 13 Schools with 6,020 pupils on their rolls. While 1 U.P. and 2 L.P. Schools are for Hindi-speaking children only, there are Hindi sections in 1 Girls' High School, 2 Middle Schools and 1 U. P. School in all classes along with Bengali sections. In the other schools, Hindi is taught as a compulsory subject to pupils whose mother tongue is not Hindi. There is an annual school magazine. (2) Two Students' Homes with 31 inmates. (3) A Library and Reading Room with 2,878 books, 10 magazines, 3 weeklies and 3 dailies. (4) Ten school Libraries with 10,474 books. (5) Weekly classes and occasional lectures on religio-philosophical subjects. (6) Regular pecuniary help to poor students and others. (7) Regular audio-visual instruc­tions with the help of a 16 mm. projector. (8) Excursions and picnics and (9) Seasonal games and sports.

With the generous offer of the Indian Steel fe Wire Products Co., Indranagar, the Mission started in August, 1957, a promising Middle-cwm-U. P. School in an imposing building of the Company erected at a cost of Rs. 5^ lakhs. The Tisco authorities kindly donated about 7 Bighas of land, with a primary school building, to shift the Jamshedpur Sister Nivedita Girls' High School permanently to its own premises.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Barnagore, Calcutta 36

Started in 1912, this institution for students was made a branch of the Mission in 1924 (Phone : 56-2624). It had 147 inmates in 1957, who read in the Ashrama schools. The High School was upgraded into a Multi-purpose one in 1957. Including day scholars, it had 595 boys, the Primary School 358 and the Junior Basic School 142 boys. All but one of the boys who sat for the School Final Examination in 1957 came out successful. Besides these schools the Ashrama ran a Night School for adult education and a Sanskrit Chatushpathi, which

36

V

had 50 and 32 students respectively. There were 4 Libraries containing 4,975 books in all.

Along with general education, the boys were given lessons on religion, music, gardening, etc. Training in drills and parades on military lines was also given, and arrangements were made for games and sports. The boys were taken out on an excursion to Darjeeling.

The Homoeopathic Charitable Dispensary treated 25,321 cases in 1957, of which 4,363 were new ones.

Religious daises for the public were held every Sunday. The birthday anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated in a befitting manner.

9,492 Ibs. of skimmed milk powder of UNICEF, received through the State Government, was distributed. Pecuniary help was given to many distressed persons.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama,

Patna

Started in 1922 and recognised as a Mission branch in 1926, the Ashrama moved to its own home at Langartoli (P.O. Bankipore, Patna 4; Phone : 2183) in 1930. In 1957 it conducted—(1) Two Charitable Dispensaries, one Homoeo­pathic and the other Allopathic, at the Ashrama. Total cases 77,847 and 44,413 respectively (new cases : 8,234 and 6,456). (2) A U. P. School, mainly for Harijan and other backward-community boys (strength 168). (3) A Library and free Reading Room containing 3,286 books, 6 dailies and 45 periodicals. (4) 144 religious and cultural classes and 96 dis­courses in and outside the Ashrama. (5) A free Students' Home for college boys, which was started in February, 1957, the number of inmates at year-end being 13. (6) Birthday celebra­tions of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda and other prophets as also Durga Puja and Kali Puja.

The large lecture hall on the first floor of the Library building was opened by the General Secretary in March.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Sargachhi (Murshidabad)

This oldest Ashrama of the Mission (P.O. Mahula) was started in 1897 by Swami Akhandananda and was affiliated in

37

1911. It conducted in 1957—(1) A High School with 190 students. (2) A Junior Basic (Primary) School with 168 boys and 56 girls. (3) An Adult School with 31 students. (4) An out­door Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 7,816; new cases 2,959. (5) Five Libraries with free Reading Rooms : Books 6,466, issued 5,274; periodicals 29, newspapers 9. (6) Daily worship, Bhajana and religious classes and anniversaries of the birthdays of the Prophets at the Ashrama. (7) Daily classes and occasional lectures in the district town of Berhampore. (8) Occasional help in cash and kind.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Taki (24 Parganas)

Established in 1931 as a centre of rural uplift and affiliated in 1938, the Ashrama conducted in 1957—(1) A High School with 286 students, (2) Three U. P. Schools—one for boys, one for girls and the other a mixed one—with a total strength of 244 boys and 141 girls. (3) A Students' Home with 47 inmates, of whom 6 were free. (4) A small Library. (5) A Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 78,660 ; new cases 30,772.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama,

Silchar (Cachar) ^1

This institution has been doing good work in Cacnar since 1924. It was made a branch of the Mission in 1939. In 1957 it conducted—(1) A Students' Home with 14 inmates. (2) A Library with 1,347 books; issued 780. (3) 55 religious classes in the Ashrama, 4 lectures on cultural subjects in different schools and 7 lantern lectures on cultural and hygienic subjects in the district. (4) Celebration of the birthdays of Sri Rama­krishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda and others.

The Kamakrishna Mission Ashrama, Manasadwip (24 Parganas)

Started in 1928 as a branch of the Contai Ashrama, this institution in Sagar Island was made a separate centre in 1955.

° ^L ,.:~~^™~~

In 1957 it conducted—(1) Two Basic Primary Schools, one for boys and another for girls, with total strengths of 100 and 60

38

respectively, both maintained by the District School B6ard. (2) One recognised High School with 200 boys. (3) A small Students' Home. (4) Regular religious classes and occasional discourses and lectures at the Ashrama and outside. (5) Birthday anniversaries of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swamiji.

The centre runs a free Reading Room and a Lending Library for the public under a Basic-trained teacher, who goes about and delivers lectures among the rural folk with the help of the magic lantern on health, hygiene, education and subjects of general interest. The School-cwm-Community Centre started two years ago, with its compact library, gramophone, magic lantern and Radio is useful to the public.

The Ramakrishna Mission Library, Purl

The Library is being run by the-^Mission since 1944. In

1957 it had 15,488 books and issued 22,722. The Reading Room had 10 newspapers and 64 periodicals. The average daily attendance was 200.

Regular scriptural classes and public meetings on the birthdays were arranged. Besides the Children's Library and Cultural and Recreational Section started in 1953, a "Short Stay Home" for poor children was started in 1956 with the help of the Central Social Welfare Board and the State Govern­ment. The building constructed for the purpose accommo­dated 20 students—half of them Adivasis and Harijans.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Visakhapatnam

This Ashrama at Maharanipetta (Visakhapatnam 2; Phone : 561), situated on the Beach Road and commanding an excellent view of the Bay of Bengal, was started in 1938.

In 1957 the Ashrama conducted—(1) A Students' Home with 11 inmates. (2) A Library and Reading Room with 1,881 books (issued 175); 6 newspapers and 13 magazines. (3) Occasional scriptural discourses. (4) A Middle School in the Hindusthan Shipyard, Visakhapatnam, which had 83 boys and 21 girls on its rolls.

39

Sunday "Baiarnangalam" programmes for children aged 7 to 12 were regularly carried on. A new feature of the year was the teaching of devotional and national songs to children. A small library consisting mostly of illustrated books, attached to the Balamangalam, was daily made use of by children. Intense Audio-visual education is provided for them every week through instructive films.

SECTION III

COMBINED MATH & MISSION CENTRES The Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Madras

This is one of the oldest and most influential centres of the Order. Started in 1897 by Swami Ramakrishnananda and occupying its own home at 11 Sri Ramakrishna Math Road, Mylapore (Madras 4 ; Post Box Mylapore 635 ; Phone : 71231) near the Kapaliswara temple since 1907, this monastery has all along been actively ministering to the spiritual and other needs of the public.

In 1957 the Math principally conducted—(1) Daily worship of Sri Ramakrishna. (2) 48 lectures and 56 religious classes at the Math and 110 classes at other places in the city, including the Madras Penitentiary, and 370 Bhajana sessions. (3) -Lecture tours to< different parts of the State. (4) Celebration-of the birthdays of the Prophets and other festivals. (5) A Library open to the public : Books 9,258 ; newspapers and periodicals 133 ; books issued 1,978. (6) Three monthly journals : The Vedanta Kesari (English, 44th year), Sri Rama­krishna Vijayam (Tamil, 37th year) and Sri Ramakrishna Prabha (Telugu, 14th year). (7) Publication of 8 new books and reprinting of 15 old ones. (8) A Higher Elementary Girls' School at George Town, Madras (Strength 595). (9) A Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 1,33,351 ; new cases 41,338 ; minor surgical cases 706; 1,676 specimens examined in the Laboratory. (10) Distribution - of milk to 63,369 under­nourished women and children.

An X-ray plant, donated by the Government of India, was installed at a cost of Rs. 30,000. It was declared open by the Chief Minister of Madras on August 4, 1957. The necessary accessories have also been purchased.

To rehabilitate the Harijans rendered homeless by the Cyclone of 1955, 200 houses were made ready at Vedaranyam (Dt. Tanjore). The first set of 128 houses, including a Com­munity Hall, prayer hall, radio room, and children's park, was declared open by the Governor of Madras on the 10th February,

41

1957. The remaining 72 houses were opened by the Home Minister of the State on September 8.

Riot Relief Work was undertaken in the entire riot-affected areas of Ramanathapuram District (Madras State) in September, 1957, which continued till December. Flood Relief started at Sullarpet, Nellore District (Andhra) in November was concluded on January 1, 1958. In the above two Relief operations, 3,252 and 2,707 families were given relief at a cost of about Rs. 85,000/- and Rs. 46,000/- respectively.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Bombay

This Ashrama, situated at Khar (Bombay 21 ; Phone : 88442), was started in 1923, and had its own home in 1924. In 1957 it conducted—(1) Daily worship and Bhajana. (2) Celebration on an imposing scale of a number of birthdays. (3) 161 religious classes at the Ashrama and in the city, and 59 lectures within and outside the State.

The Mission Branch, opened in 1932, conducted in 1957—-(1) A Charitable Dispensary with Allopathic, Homoeopathic and Ayurvedic sections : Total cases 2,33,130; new cases 27,961 ; in-patients 50. (2) A Library : Books 7,400; issued 2,400. (3) A Students' Home : Strength 72.

The Ramakrishna Mission and Ashrama, Mangalore (South Kanara)

This centre, started in 1947, moved in 1951 to its own extensive premises on Mangaladevi Road (Mangalore 1 ; Phone : 412). Besides daily worship, Bhajana and the cele­bration of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda, the Ashrama organised weekly classes and occasional lectures or discourses in and outside the Ashrama. The Ashrama Library had 1,502 books; issued 681.

The Mission Branch was opened in 1951. It conducted in 1957—(1) A Boys' Home with 41 deserving indigent boys. (2) An Allopathic Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 30,534; new cases 9,015.

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Rajahmundry (East Godavari)

The Math was started at Veerabhadrapuram (Phone : 112)

42

in 1951 with some houses, land and a Permanent fund. Iri 1957, in addition to regular worship, Bhajana and 88 scriptural classes, it conducted a Library and Reading Room and cele­brated the birthdays of the Prophets. The Library had 2,600 books and 22 periodicals and newspapers.

The Mission Branch, opened in 1954, conducted a Students' Home, located in its own building, which had 16 inmates in 1957, of whom 5 were free. It opened in July, 1957, a town centre near the bank of the Godavari, which conducted regular worship, a free Library (with 975 books and 40 journals etc.), and an Homceopathic Dispensary (patients 417). Daily religious discourse is a regular feature of the town centre and is quite popular.

A colony at an estimated cost of Rs. 40,000 was under construction to house 40 flood-stricken Harijan families. Ninety-nine house plots, previously assigned to flood-affected poor people, were formally made over through registration in 1957.

The Kamakrishna Math and Mission, Bhubaneswar (Puri)

This imposing monastery, founded by Swami Brahma-nanda in 1919, is situated in a secluded part of the town. It conducts daily worship and regular religious classes and celebrates the birthdays of the Prophets. It has a Library, which had 1,895 books in 1957.

The Mission branch, started in 1920, conducted in 1957— (1) A free U. P. School with 130 boys and 55 girls. (2) A Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 22,156 ; new cases 12,843.

A Sunday School for the moral and religious instruction of boys aged 4 to 16 was started in October, 1957. The average attendance was 25.

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission Sevashrama, Bankura

The Math was started in 1917. In 1957 it conducted— (1) Daily worship. (2) 357 indoor and 40 outdoor religious classes and 8 lectures. (3) A number of public celebrations.

43

(4) A Library and Reading Room, which had 2,054 books, 30 periodicals and 2 newspapers; issued 3,665 books.

The Sevashrama conducted—(1) Three Charitable Dispens­aries, including one at Ramharipur, a village 20 miles off, which treated in all 77,123 cases, of which 22,041 were new ones. (2) A Junior Basic School with 54 boys and 30 girls. (3) A Students' Home with 17 inmates. (4) Pecuniary help to a few and distribution of foodstuffs, blankets, cloth, etc. At Ramharipur there were also—(1) A High School with 202 boys. (2) A free Primary School with 82 boys and 39 girls. (3) A School-CMm-Community Centre, which had a Night School with 40 students.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Malda

This Ashrama was started in 1924 as a Math centre, and a Mission Branch was added in 1942. Regular scriptural classes^ and Bhajana as also occasional lectures were held both within and outside the Ashrama. The Math celebrates the birthdays of the Prophets of all faiths.

The Mission Branch conducted in 1957—(1) A High School with 360 boys. (2) A Junior Basic School with 159 boys and 53 girls. (3) A Pre-Basic (Nursery) School with 41 boys and 34 girls. (4) Four Primary Schools for tribals, refugees, etc. in villages with 293 boys and 134 girls. (5) Four Social and Adult Education Centres in the tribal and backward areas of the dis­trict with 157 students. (6) Sarada Shilpa Niketan, a women's Home-Industry Centre with 60 students and 50 home workers. (7) A School-CMOT-Community Centre at Mohanpara having 88 students, with a Library (Books issued 623). (8) A Students' Home with 17 boys. (9) A Library and Reading Room with 1,176 books (issued 1,221) and 22 magazines and 2 dailies. (10) A Children's Club having 152 boys and 75 girls as members, (11) Twelve Milk distribution centres feeding daily 620 children of 12 Primary Schools. (12) A Homoeopathic Charitable Dis­pensary with two branches in the interior, treating 51,653 cases (new cases 8,376). (13) Distribution of 150 blankets in the winter. (14) An educational, health and industrial Exhibition and a baby show in 1957.

44

The Ramakrishiia Math and Mission Sevashrama, Allahabad

The Math (P.O. Muthiganj) was founded in 1908 and the Mission Sevashrama in 1910 by Swami Vijnanananda. The Math conducted 66 religious classes and arranged occa­sional lectures. The birthdays of the Prophets were duly celebrated.

The Sevashrama conducted in 1957—(1) A Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 37,079; new cases 9,358. (2) A Library and Reading Room : Books 3,921 ; issued 852; 27 magazines and 7 newspapers.

The construction of a Library building at an estimated cost of Rs. 44,000 was in progress.

The Ramakrishiia Ashrama and Mission Sevashrama, Tamluk (Midnapore)

This institution was started in 1914 and was affiliated to the Mission in 1929. Its activities in 1957 were—(1) An Industrial School with 29 students. (2) A Junior Basic School with 133 students. (3) A Library and Reading Room : Books 4,670 ; issued 2,057. (4) An Outdoor Dispensary : Total cases 9,177 ; new cases 2,882. (5) Regular classes and occasional lectures. (6) Occasional help in cash and kind.

The Ashrama conducted daily worship and Bhajana and celebrated a number of birthdays.

The Matrimandir and Sarada Sevashrama, Jayrambati (Bankura)

The Matrimandir, established in 1920 in memory of the Holy Mother at her birth-place, conducted daily worship, three festivals and a small Library. The rehabilitation work of some families to another part of the village was progressing.

The Mission Sevashrama, started in 1930, conducted in 1957—(i) a Charitable Dispensary: Total cases 24,577 ; new-cases 5,924. (2) A Junior High School, with technical sub­jects, having 248 boys and 67 girls.

A building for a Pre-Basic (Nursery) School was complet­ed during the year.

45

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission, ' Kamarpukur (Hooghly)

This centre was founded in 1947 for preserving the house where Sri Ramakrishna was born.

The Math conducted daily worship and religious classesand observed some birthdays and festivals. "**'

The Mission branch conducted in 1957—(1) An Outdoor Dispensary : Total cases 19,413 ; new cases 6,061. (2) A Junior Basic School with 70 boys and 45 girls. (3) A Pre-Basic School with 14 boys and 15 girls. (4) A School-CMW-Community Centre : Students 36. (5) A Library with 1,450 books.

The building for a Senior Basic School was completed during the year.

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission Sevashrama,

Contai (Midnapore)

Started in 1913, the Sevashrama was made a branch of the Mission in 1927. In 1957 it maintained—(1) A Library and Reading Room : Books 3,002; issued 3,387 ; 14 maga­zines and 1 newspaper. _:(2) A Charitable Dispensary: Total cases 31,424 ; new cases 8^901. (3) A Students' Home with 10 inmates. (4) A Mobile Library : Books issued 758. (5) A U. P. School at Belda; 6 miles off, with 63 boys and 34 girls.

Distribution ,-6f powdered milk among 50 children and old people daily on an average was made.

The Math conducted daily worship, weekly religious classes and occasional public lectures in different parts of the sub-division.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama and Mission Seva Samiti, Karimganj (Cachar)

The Seva Samiti, started in 1917, was affiliated to the Mission in 1929 as a sub-centre of the Sylhet Seva Samiti. But after the Partition, for facility of work it as well as the Ashrama there was made a, branch centre of Math and Mission in 1949.

In 1957 the Samiti maintained—(1) A Students' Home

46

with 16 students. (2) Two L. P. Schools: Total strength 60 boys and 37 girls. (3) A Library and Reading Room: Books 1,463, issued 4,328 ; dailies 7, periodicals 10. (4) A Moving Library for the rural areas with 490 books; issued 2,109. (5) A Homoeopathic Dispensary: Total cases 2,206. (6) Nursing of 28 patients in their homes. (7) Disposal of 15 unclaimed dead bodies.

The Ashrama conducted regular worship, Bhajana and daily religious classes, organised occasional lectures and cele­brated the birthdays of the Prophets.

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission Sevashrama, Garbeta (Midnapore)

The Math (P.O. Amlagora) was started in 1915. Part of its work was converted in 1951 into a Mission branch, which conducted in 1957—(1) A Charitable Dispensary: Total cases 2,949; new cases 1,863. (2) A small Students' Home. (3) A Primary School with 40 boys and 30 girls. (4) A small Library. (5) Distribution of powdered milk among children and the aged.

The Math conducted daily worship and celebrated the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and the Holy Mother.

SECTION IV

MATH CENTRES

The Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati (Almora)

The Ashrama was founded in 1899 by Capt. and Mrs. Sevier, English disciples of Swami Vivekananda. Situated in the solitude of deep Himalayan forests, and commanding a magnificent view of the snow-range, it aims at producing a band or self-reliant characters through study and contem­plation, without the aid of ceremonials. The attached guest houses provide opportunities for spiritual culture to a limited number of aspirants.

It is one of the chief publishing centres of the Order. The Publication Department is located in its' own house at 4, Wellington Lane, Calcutta 13 (Phone: 24-2901). In 1957 its activities were—(1) Printing 2 new books, viz., History of, the Ramakrishna Math and Mission & Eight Upanishads (Vol. I), and reprinting part of the Complete Works of Siaami Vivekananda (in 8 volumes) and 4 other books. (2) Publica­tion of the important English Monthly, Prabuddha Bharata (62nd year). (3) Religious classes and public lectures in and around Calcutta.

The Ashrama at Mayavati conducted in 1957 a fine Library with over 6,000 books, and a useful Hospital with 13 beds, which treated 233 indoor patients and 19,454 outdoor cases (new cases 12,503).

The Mayavati Charitable Hospital was enabled by the Central Government in 1956-57 to improve its equipment and accommodation. The Mayavati Ashrama also undertook some additions and alterations in 1957 at its own cost.

The Ramakrishna Math, Cossipore, Calcutta

This Math was started in 1946 in the famous garden house (90 Cossipore Road, Calcutta 2; Phone: 56-2568), where Sri Ramakrishna passed the last few months of his life with his disciples and entered Mahasamadhi. The old house, being rickety, had to be rebuilt. Now it looks as it did

48

when the Master lived in it. Daily worship, weekly scriptural classes in and outside the Ashrama and the celebration of certain festivals were the main activities of the centre in 1957.

The Ramakrishna Math, Baghbazar, Calcutta

Started in 1899, the Math has been occupying since 1909 its own home at 1, Udbodhan Lane (Calcutta 3 ; Phone : 55-2447), which is famous also as the Calcutta residence of the Holy Mother. In addition to the usual routine of a monas­tery, it conducts a Library, and arranges religious classes and lectures. It is one of the chief publishing centres of the Order, having mainly brought out Bengali editions of Swami Vivek-ananda's works as also other important literature in Bengali and English. In 1957 it published 1 new book and reprinted 14 old ones, besides Udbodhan, the Bengali monthly of the Order, which completed its 58th year. The Library had 1,861 books and issued 2,051.

The Ramakrishna Yogodyana, Kankurgachhi, Calcutta

This Math (Calcutta 11 ; Phone : 35-2928) in eastern Calcutta was founded in 1883 by Sj. Ram Chandra Datta, a distinguished lay disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, and was sanctified by the Master's visit. It enshrines part of the sacred relics of • Sri Ramakrishna in the main temple, recon­structed in 1931. The Yogodyana became a Math branch in 1943. Its activities in 1957 were:—(1) Daily worship. (2) Weekly religious classes and occasional lectures. (3) Celebration of the birthday of Sri Ramakrishna and some other festivals. The centre has a small Library.

The Gadadhar Ashrama, Calcutta

This Ashrama, started in 1921 at 86A, Harish Chatterjee Street, Bhowanipore, Calcutta 25, continued its spiritual activities. Besides daily worship and Bhajana and the observ­ance of some annual celebrations, it conducted frequent scriptural classes in the Ashrama.

The Veda Vidyalaya, a Sanskrit Chatushpathi started in 1926 for teaching different branches of Hindu philosophy as well as Sanskrit literature and grammar, is the outstanding

49

work of the Ashrama. In 1957 it had 18 students. It is regarded as one of the best of its kind by the local Govt. and receives the maximum grant-in-aid. The Vidyalaya has its own Library of rare Sanskrit books.

The Ashrama Library contained 2,877 useful books and issued 859.

The Sarada Math, Dakshineswar (24 Parganas)

In fulfilment of a cherished desire of Swami Vivekananda, this convent came into being in July, 1954, in a house at Entally, Calcutta, with some of the dedicated women workers of the Mission and Math as its first inmates. In December of that year it moved to its own extensive premises on the Ganga at Dakshineswar (P.O. Ariadaha), not far north of the Kali Temple. Here, in 1957, in addition to daily worship, Bhajana, scriptural study and life of meditation, weekly religious classes were held which were open to ladies only. Religious classes and occasional lectures were also arranged for ladies at different places in Calcutta. The centre is managed by the nuns themselves with some help from the Belur Math. The Math Library had 753 books.

The Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama, Varaiiasi

Started by Swami Shivanaiida at Laxa (Varanasi 1) in 1902, the Ashrama provided facilities for the spiritual development Of the monastic members of the Order, for whom daily scrip­tural classes were held. In 1957 it also conducted—(1) Daily worship and Bhajana and the celebration of the birthdays of Incarnations and Saints. (2) Religious classes for the public, numbering 327. (3) Occasional public lectures. (4) A Library with 6,572 books; issued 1,704.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Nagpur

The Ashrama at Dhantoli (Nagpur 1 ; Phone: 3422) began to function in 1928, since when it has steadily grown in importance. It is the Hindi and Marathi publication centre of the Order. In 1957 the Ashrama conducted—(1) Two Charitable Dispensaries, one at the Ashrama (total cases 17,599 ; new cases 4,798) and another in the backward locality

50

of Indora (total cases 1,10,441 ; new cases 27,610). (2) A Library and free Reading Room: Books 10,761 ; issued 5,583, newspapers 44, periodicals 53. (3) A fine Students' Home: Inmates 25. (4) Publication of 2 new books and reprinting of 10 old ones. (5) A promising Marathl monthly Journal, Jivan-Vikas (1st year). (6) Religious classes and public lectures numbering 57 and 43 respectively. (7) A Study Circle, which organised debates and public meetings, sometimes with the aid of the magic lantern. (8) Observance of the birthdays of twelve Prophets and Saints.

The Ramakrishiia Ashrama, Rajkot

The Ashrama, established in 1927, was shifted to its permanent site in Jagnath Plot (Phone: 407) in 1934. In 1957 it conducted—(1) A Charitable Dispensary with Ayur-vedic and Homoeopathic sections: Total cases 33,739; new cases 5,293. (2) A Students' Home with 44 inmates. (3) A Library and Reading Room: Books 9,127; issued 20,529. (4) A small publication department. (5) Regular religious classes and occasional lectures at Rajkot and other places. (6) Birthday anniversaries of religious celebrities.

The construction of the Doctors' quarters was started in October at a cost of Rs. 11,000/-. (Completed in January next.)

The Ramakrishiia Ashrama, Ootacamund

This Ashrama at Ramakrishnapuram, a beauty spot of the famed hill station, was opened in 1926. In 1957 it con­ducted—(1) Regular worship. (2) Congregational prayer and chanting on Sundays at the Ashrama. (3) 45 indoor classes and 35 lectures in the district and outside. (4) Sunday prayer classes in the Lawrence Public School at Lovedale and visits to about 85 villages in the district at intervals. (5) A Library and Reading Room: Books 1,927, issued 459; magazines 20, newspapers 3. (6) Observance of the birthdays of the Founders of religions and other festivals.

The centre in a humble way ministers to the cultural and spiritual needs of the district, as also of a section of visitors to the town.

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The Kamakrishna Ashrama, Trichur (Kerala)

From a small beginning in 1924, this Ashrama, situated at the Vilangans, four miles from the town, has developed into an important educational centre. It was recognised as a Math Centre in 1929. In 1957 the Ashrama conducted—(1) A Gurukula for boys with 79 inmates. (2) a Gurukula for girls with 33 inmates. (3) A High School with 665 boys and 467 girls. (4) An Industrial School with 21 students in weaving and needlework. (5) A Co-operative Society for the School and another for weaving. (6) A Charitable Dispensary: Total cases 21,725 ; new cases 9,876. (7) A small Library at the Ashrama. (8) A Library and Reading Room at Punkunnam: Books 4,102, newspapers 2, magazines 9. (9) Religious classes for the public numbering 105. (10) Distribution of 45,900 Ibs. of milk powder supplied by CARE to needy villagers. (11) Daily worship and Bhajana in the Ashrama Gurukulas, at Punkunnam and the Harijan colonies at Adat and Parikkat. (12) A Women's section in the Saradamandira with five Brahmacharinis. (13) A creche for children of working mothers with 30 children. (14) Celebration of birthdays and other festivals. (15) Publi­cation of Swamiji's Bhaktiyoga in Malayalam.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bangalore

The Asrama was founded in 1903 by Swami Ramakrishna' nanda, and moved to its own home at Basavangudi (Banga­lore 4; Phone 3939) in 1909. It conducted in 1957—(1) Daily worship and Bhajana. (2) Weekly public discourses at the Ashrama separately in English and Kannada and occasional lectures elsewhere. (3) Scriptural study classes for college students. (4) Weekly classes on religion and spiritual life for ladies. (5) Interviews and instructions to spiritual aspirants. (6) Weekly moral instructions in the Central Jail. (7) A Library and Reading Room: Books 3,261 ; issued 1,342 ; news­papers 3 and magazines 18. (8) A small publication depart­ment for Kannada books. (9) A Cultural and Recreational Centre for boys aged 7 to 15: Attendance on week days about 75; on Sundays about 175. (10) A similar Sunday Section for girls: Attendance about 120. (11) A Students'

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Home for college boys with 91 inmates. (12) Birthdays of the Incarnations.

The two-storeyed building for the Students' Home was nearly completed.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysore

Started in 1925, the Ashrama (Phone: 535) has been in its own premises at Vani Vilas Mohalla (P.O.) since 1931. In 1950 it had a beautiful Temple and Prayer Hall as also a magnificent Hostel with a capacity for 200 boys on an extensive and commanding site close to the Ashrama. This was con­verted into a Residential High School in 1952. Strength in 1957: 160. The swimming pool of the Vidyashala was opened by the Prime Minister of India on the 20th October, 1957.

The Ashrama conducted in the year — (1) Regular worship and Bhajana. (2) A Library: Books 4,293; issued 2,775. Regular classes and occasional lectures in and outside the city.

4. A large publication department for books in Canarese.
5. Celebration of certain birthdays.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Trivandrum

Started in 1924 on the top of the Nettayam hills about six miles from Trivandrum, the Ashrama has got an extension in the city at Sastamangalam, Trivandrum 1 (Phone 2551).

Besides daily worship and the celebration of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, the Ashrama undertook in 1957 the following religious and cultural activ­ities — (1) Religious classes and discourses numbering 128. (2) -Public lectures 40. (3) Sunday religious instruction and social gatherings for children. (4) Weekly religious services for Harijans.

It also undertook the following medical work: — (1) A Hospital at Sastamangalam, which treated 2,230 indoor and 35,815 outdoor cases (new cases 16,427). (2) An Ayurvedic Dispensary, which treated 1,282 outdoor cases. (3) Milk canteens for 200 children daily (total quantity distributed during the year 5,184 Ibs.).

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The Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama, Kalady ^Trrcbn

This Ashrama at the birth-place of Sri Sankaracharya was started in 1936 and was made a Math Branch in 1941. It con­ducted in 1957—(1) Daily worship. (2) Religious classes for boys of the Students' Home. (3) Lectures numbering 45 at different places. (4) Two Orphanages with 30 inmates. (5) A Milk Canteen : Daily average of recipients 100. (6) A Dis­pensary : Total cases 13,629; new cases 2,694. (7) A Lower Primary School with 170 boys and 150 girls. (8) A Sanskrit Upper Primary School with 165 boys and 103 girls. (9) An English High School having 136 boys and 90 girls. (10) A Gurukula with 30 inmates. (11) A library and Reading Room with 3,436 books and 30 periodicals and newspapers. (12) The Malayalam monthly, Prabuddha Keralam (42 year). (13) A Publication Department for books mainly in Malayalam. (14) Celebration of birthdays and other festivals.

Construction of a bathing ghat and an embankment at an estimated cost of Rs. 80,500 was started with the Central Government's grant.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Tiruvalla (Kerala)

Started in 1913, the Ashrama had its own home in 1930. Besides regular worship and Bhajana as also the celebration of some birthdays, it conducted in 1957 Sunday classes at the Ashrama and in some temples near by. It maintained a small Library and guided the activities of a few smaller centres in Kerala.

Other Ashramas in Kerala

The following small Math centres in Kerala carry on such Ashrama activities as worship, the holding of classes and Bhajana, and also possess small libraries:

The Yogananda Ashrama, Alleppey: It was started in 1924. Regular worship and Bhajana, Sunday classes and annual birthday celebrations are the main activities.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Palai: Started in 1926, it conducted in 1957 weekly religious glasses, and a Students' Home with 8 inmates.

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The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Adur; Started in 1931, it conducts weekly religious classes in the Leper Colony at Noornad.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Muvatupuzha: Started in 1930, it has been helping a few college students.

The Ramakrishna Math, Kanchipuram (Chingleput)

This monastery (70, Nellukara Street) was founded in 1932. In 1957 it conducted—(1) 77 religious classes and 6 public lectures in the Math. (2) A public Library and Reading Room: Books 6,092, issued 14,266; magazines 43, news­papers 7 ; average daily attendance 180. (3) Discourses on Tiruppavai for a month. (4) Celebration of the birthdays of the Prophets and the Navaratri Festival.

The Ramakrishna Math, Nattarampalli (North Arcot)

This rural monastery with its small Library and Reading Room having 3 dailies and 10 monthlies completed forty-nine years of its existence in 1957. Besides daily worship and occasional religious classes, it conducted weekly Bha*jana in the Math. Lectures were occasionally delivered in the neighbour­ing villages. A number of birthdays were observed at the Math, and the birthday celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda were organised in different places.

In 1957 this Math undertook relief measures against the Flu epidemic, treating about 2,400 patients, and also did relief work for the fire victims in a neighbouring village.

The Saradashrama, Ponnampet (Coorg)

The Ashrama was started in 1927. Besides regular worship and Bhajana, occasional lectures were arranged. It conducted in 1957—(1) A Charitable Dispensary: Total cases 30,010; new cases 19,420. (2) Distribution of a vast quantity of milk, cheese, etc., to more than 2,000 families daily. (3) A small Library. (4) Observance of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and the Holy Mother. (5) Weekly Bhajana for the children of the town: Average attendance 40.

The Dispensary has started functioning in the new buildingconstructed for the purpose. -

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Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Quilandy (Calicut)

The Ashrama was started in 1915. Worship, Bhajana and the observance of certain birthdays form its general activities.

The Ramakrishna Math, Puri

This monastery was founded in 1932. Situated on the sea at Ghakratirtha, it is an excellent place for contemplation. Besides daily worship and Bhajana, the Ashrama celebrated some birthdays and other festivals.

The Vivekananda Ashrama, Shyamala Tal (Almora)

This Himalayan retreat (P.O. Sukhidhang, Via Tanakpur) was founded amid charming scenery in 1915. It has a Library with nearly 2,174 books and is an ideal resort for meditation and study. The Ramakrishna Sevashrama, a hospital of 12 beds attached to the Ashrama, treated in 1957, 170 indoor and 7,285 outdoor cases (new cases 6,308). Its Veterinary section treated 2,272 animals.

The Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora

Situated in a beautiful Himalayan setting, in full view of the perpetual snows, this Ashrama has become a favourite retreat for our monks ever since its foundation by Swami Turiyananda in 1916. Its Library of over 3,500 books is open to the public. The Ashrama conducts regular classes and occasional Bhajana, and offers limited accommodation to religious-minded visitors and pilgrims to Mt, Kailas.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Kishenpur (Dehra-Dun)

The Ashrama (P.O. Rajpur) was started in 1916 in a picturesque valley four miles above Dehra-Dun on the Mussoorie Road. It is a delightful place for meditation. Besides regular worship, it conducted a Library, which had nearly 1,400 books, a daily newspaper and 8 magazines, and a Charitable Dispensary, which treated 2,335 cases (new cases 970). Some monetary help was also given to the poor. It also celebrated some birthdays and arranged two- public meetings at Dehra-Dun.

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The Sarada Kutir, Barlowganj (Dehra-Dun)

This small retreat, situated three miles below Mussoorie near the main road, was founded in 1944. It serves as a summer resort for the monks of the Order.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Kalimpong (Darjeeling)

This ideally located Ashrama commanding a fine view oi the snow-range was also started in 1944. Besides serving as an excellent retreat for our monks, it kept its Library open to the public. It also held occasional religious discourses in the town.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Chandipur (Midnapore)

The Ashrama (P.O. Math Chandipur), started in 1916, conducted—(1) Regular worship and classes. (2) A Charitable Dispensary: Total cases 39,228; new cases 13,280. (3) A U. P. School: Boys 56, girls 47. (4) A Library with 704 books (issued 1,265), 4 magazines and 1 newspaper.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Jamtara (Sonthal Parganas)

This monastery was started in 1921 and has on account of its climate benefited the members of the Order. In 1957 it conducted—(1) A Charitable Dispensary: Total cases 11,126, new cases 7,771. (2) A Library with 500 books. (3) Regular worship, Bhajana and the observance of some birthdays and religious festivals.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Koalpara (Bankura)

This Ashrama (P.O. Kotalpur), founded in 1909 on the road to Jayrambati, at a distance of five miles from it, is a quiet retreat associated with the memory of the Holy Mother,

SECTION V CENTRES OUTSIDE INDIA

IN EAST PAKISTAN

A. MISSION CENTRES

The Mamakrishna Mission, liari sal

Started in 1904 and made a Mission branch in 1911, it conducted in 1957—(1) Daily worship and Bhajana. (2) 71 indoor and 6 outdoor religious classes and 15 lectures. (3) A Library with 454 books (issued 521), 3 magazines and 2 news­papers. (4) A Students' Home with 11 inmates. (5) Help to poor people in cash and kind. (6) Celebration of the birth­days of great religious teachers.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Faridpur

Founded in 1921 and recognised as a Mission branch in 1934, the centre conducted in 1957—(1) An M.E. School with 26 boys and 45 girls. (2) A small Library. (3) An Out­door Dispensary: Total cases 5,437 ; new cases 1,284. (4) Regular worship, Bhajana and classes. (5) Birthday cele­brations of the Prophets. (6) A Students' Home with 5 boys. (7) Help to the poor in cash and kind.

B. COMBINED MATH AND MISSION CENTRES

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Dacca

With a nucleus formed in 1899 and the Seva Department added in 1908, the centre was taken over by the monastic workers of the Belur Math in 1914 and made a Mission branch in 1916. In 1957 it conducted—(1) An Outdoor Dispensary: Total cases 3,533; new cases 581. (2) A Boys' School (up to Class VIII): Strength 331. (3) A Library and Reading Room: Books 3,020 (issued 490), magazines 35, newspapers 8. (4) Religious and cultural talks 70 ; lectures 7. (5) Distribu­tion of small sums to the needy. (6) Cremation: 100 cases. (7) Distribution of cloth to 1,266 persons.

The Math Section conducted regular religious conversations

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as well as daily worship and prayer. It also celebrated the birthdays of some Prophets and Saints, the Durga Puja, etc.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Narayanganj (Dacca)

This Ashrama was started in 1909 and was affiliated to the Mission in 1922. The activities of the Mission Section in 1957 were—(1) A Charitable Dispensary: Total cases 2,484; new cases 710. (2) A Students' Home with 11 inmates, all free. (3) A small Library and Reading Room. (4) Help in cash.

The Math Section conducted—(1) Regular worship and Bhajana. (2) 54 indoor and some outdoor classes and 8 lectures. (3) Celebration of some anniversaries and religious festivals.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama and Seva Samiti,

Sylhet

The centre had its inception in 1916 and was affiliated to the Mission in 1926. Up to 1949 it also ran a sub-centre at Karimganj. In 1957 the Seva Samiti conducted—(1) Eight Primary Schools : Boys 183, girls 29. (2) A Charitable Dis­pensary: Total cases 7,417 ; new cases 5,458. (3) A Library: Books 1,725 ; issued 457.

The Ashrama held: (1) Daily worship and Bhajana. (2) Weekly religious classes and occasional lectures. (3) Birth­day celebrations of the Prophets.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Dinajpur

The Ashrama was started in 1923 and the Mission branch in 1942. The latter conducted in 1957—(1) Two Charitable Dispensaries : Total cases 14,078 ; new cases 3,161. (2) An H.E. Girls' School with 204 students. (3) A Primary School with 60 students. (4) A Students' Home which had 9 inmates. (5) A Library and Reading Room. (6) Occasional help in cash and kind to the needy.

The Ashrama conducted regular worship, Bhajana and religious classes, and celebrated some festivals and birthdays.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama and Mission Seva Samiti, Habiganj (Sylhet)

The Ashrama dates from 1921, but the Seva Samiti was recognised as a Mission branch in 1926, Prior to the Partition,

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the Samiti used to do good work by organising a Co-operative Society, a Night School and suitable home industries among the cobblers in the neighbourhood. In 1957 it conducted— (1) Two Primary Schools for cobbler children : Total strength 33 boys and 15 girls. (2) A Library and Reading Room: Books 1,292, issued 648 ; magazines 2, newspapers 2.

The Ashrama conducted regular worship and religious classes and celebrated some birthdays.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama and Mission Sevashrama, Baliati '(Dacca)

The centre was started in 1910. The Sevashrama, which was made a Mission branch in 1925, conducted in 1957— (1) A Charitable Dispensary: Total cases 10,867 ; new cases 4,217. (2) A Primary Girls' School with 93 students. (3) A Library and Reading Room with 908 books, issued 168 ; magazines 2.

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

C. MATH CENTRES

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bagerhat (Khulna)

This Ashrarna was founded in 1926. In 1957 it mainly conducted—(1) Regular worship and scriptural classes. (2) A small Library. (3) A Students' Home with 8 boys, out of whom 5 were maintained free. (4) Pecuniary aid to the needy.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mymensingh

This centre, started in 1922, conducted in 1957—(1) Regular worship, Bhajana and religious classes. (2) Occasional festivals and lectures in and outside the Ashrama. (3) A small Library and Reading Room: Books 223, issued 431 ; 2 magazines and 1 newspaper. (4) A Night School: Strength 30 boys and 17 girls. (5) A Students' Home with 10 inmates. (6) Helping the needy in cash and kind.

The Mission branch has ceased to exist since 1951.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Sonargaon (Dacca)

Started as a Sevashrama in 1915 at Tajpur (P.O. Amin-

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pur), it was affiliated to the Mission in 1925. The Mission branch was discontinued in 1950.

The Ashrama conducted regular worship and Bhajana, besides celebrating the birthdays of the World Teachers.

IN BURMA The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Rangoon

Started in 1921 (262, Merchant Street, Post Box No. 859, Rangoon; Phone : Myoma 152), this big hospital of the Mission gradually became the second largest in Burma till it was suspended in 1942 owing to World War II.

It was reopened in 1947 and now has 145 beds. It has separate Medical, Surgical, Cancer, Eye, E.N.T. and V. D. Wards for both men and women, as also quarters for the staff and nurses. Radium and Physiotherapy treatment have also been introduced. Its X-ray apparatus is one of the finest in Burma. It has also a portable X-ray Unit. Its Deep X-ray Unit—a gift from the Government of India—has an output of 2,50,000 volts and is the second of its kind in Burma. Its new modern two-storeyed building housing the outdoor depart­ments and general offices has added to the amenities of the hospital. There is a small Library with 140 books and a Reading Room with several dailies and periodicals for the use of the inmates.

The number of cases treated in the indoor department in 1957 was 3,983, and that in the outdoor department 1,96,091, of which 70,589 were new cases.

The hospital was recognised as a Training Centre for probationer nurses in May, 1957, by the Burma Government. Three compounders trained in this hospital appeared success­fully in the Compoundership Examination held by the Govern­ment in 1957.

Construction of a two-storeyed modern Surgical Block with an Operation Theatre and adjunct departments was nearing completion. The building with its lift and equipment will cost Rs. 4,25,000.

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The Ramakrishna Mission Society, Rangoon

After twenty years of existence in various forms, tt Society was affiliated as a Mission Branch in 1921. It has i own three-storeyed building at 230 Botataung Pagoda Roa (Phone: Myoma 888) with a free guest house in an adjacei building. In 1957 the Society conducted—(1) A Library an Reading Room with nearly 20,150 books in nine differer languages (issued 25,884), 24 newspapers and 103 periodica (daily average attendance 200). (2) 93 indoor scriptural classe (3) 26 lectures on educational and cultural topics by outstandin persons. (4) 13 film shows on educational and cultural topii through the courtesy of the different Embassies and the Stag and Film Department of the Government of Burma. (5) Musical evenings. (6) 20 lectures in different parts of tt city and the countryside. (7) Free language classes. (8) Publ cation of 2 books in Burmese. (9) Celebration of the birthda; of the World Teachers and great Saints, that of Buddha bein on a grand scale. (10) A Guest House, which accommodate 21 families.

IN CEYLON

The Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch)

In 1924, the management of a number of schools i: Trincomalie, Jaffna and Batticaloa was handed over to th representatives of the Mission, and in 1929 the Ramakrishn Mission (Geylon Branch) was incorporated by an act of th Legislature. The work has since been developing.

The Ashrama at Colombo, started in 1930, occupied it own home near the beach on Ramakrishna Road (Colombo 6 Phone: 8253) in 1936. The catholicity of the centre ha attracted people of various denominations in the Island. Ii 1957 it conducted—(1) Daily worship and weekly classes ii Tamil and English in and outside the Ashrama. (2) A fre Library with about 2,250 books and a Reading Room wit] 14 newspapers and 42 magazines. (3) Sunday religious classe for about 250 Hindu children in the Ashrama. (4) Fortnightl religious classes for youthful Hindu offenders at the Wathi pitiwela Training School, about 25 miles from Colombo.

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The educational activities of the Mission, spread over the districts of Batticaloa, Badulla, Jaffna and Trincomalie, aim at the revival of learning and culture among the masses. In 1957 the Mission taught 4,883 boys and 3,007 girls through 269 teachers in 25 institutions, including 4 English High Schools. It also maintained 2 Hostels with 165 boys and 3 Orphanages with 50 boys and 50 girls. Special emphasis was laid on the study and practice of religion. Efforts were made to give an agricultural and industrial bias in all the schools.

The capacious Madam (Pilgrims' Rest House) at the holy seat of Kataragama, 185 miles from Colombo, fitted with all modern conveniences, was very popular among all sections of people.

The celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of the Maha-parinirvana of Lord Buddha was concluded with an edifying speech by the Prime Minister of India. More than 20,000 people attended the meeting.

IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA

The Ramakrishna Mission, Singapore

This Mission centre with its headquarters at 9, Norris Road (Singapore 8 ; Phone: 35249) was started in 1928. Having successfully undertaken various activities during and just after World War II, the centre resumed its normal work in 1946.

The Library and Reading Room at the headquarters, which had been enlarged and newly equipped the year before, was reopened by the Indian High Commissioner in Malaya on the 26th October, 1957. The Library had 3,884 books and the Reading Room 24 journals and 7 daily newspapers.

The building accommodating the Vivekananda Boys' Tamil School, and the Saradadevi Girls' Tamil School, had also undergone extensive repairs at the end of 1956. In 1957, the former had 125 boys and the latter 170 girls, while the adults' classes held in the same building had 70 pupils.

At 179 Bartley Road (Singapore 19; Phone : 89077), the Mission runs a Boys' Home with 50 inmates, mostly orphan, who studied in English Schools and besides got an all-round

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training. Interviews were given here to visitors and spiritual instruction to earnest seekers.

The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Krishna and Jesus Christ as also the Durga Puja were celebrated in a befitting manner.

IN FIJI

The Ramakrishna Mission, Nadi

The Vedanta work in Fiji, started in 1937 for the educa­tional and cultural uplift of all the races in general and Indians in particular in the Colony, was incorporated as a Branch of the Ramakrishna Mission in 1952. Swami Rudra-nanda has all along been in charge of the centre.

The Ashrama is situated amid sylvan surroundings in the Nadi township (Phone: 16), where scripture, prayer and Bhajana classes were held weekly. The religious discourses given there were often broadcast.

The educational work of the centre was carried on mainly-through a High School, a Library, a Students' Home and a Girls' Hostel. The High School had on its rolls 300 boys and 62 girls, including 10 Fijians. Both in the academic and extra­curricular departments, the School maintained a fairly credit­able standard. In the Fiji Junior Certificate Examination, 69 students came out successful—the highest number from any school in the Colony. And in the Overseas School Certificate Examination of Cambridge University, 16 candidates passed.

In May, 1957, the construction of buildings for the High School, estimated to cost over £20,000, was begun in its spacious and elevated site at Malolo, a suburb of Nadi.

The Library, which was looked after by a qualified libra­rian, had over 7,000 volumes, including some in braille, and the Reading Room offered 400 newspapers and periodicals from different parts of the world. There is a 16 mm. projector, and educative films are frequently shown to the public. The Library is a Volunteer Educational Centre for the United Nations in Fiji.

The Students' Home had 70 inmates in 1957 under a

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Senior teacher of the school. It continued to be the centre of many social and cultural activities in Nadi. And the students took active part in various public celebrations.

Shri Vivekananda High School Annual, the 6th volume of which was published during the year, helped to disseminate the ideals of the Mission among the public.

IN MAURITIUS

The Ramakrishna Mission, Port Louis

As a result of Swami Ghanananda's efforts since 1939, this centre was established in 1941 at Port Louis (Phone : Port Louis 567), and the Ramakrishna Mission, Mauritius Branch, was incorporated next year. In 1944 it acquired a house at Vacoas, 12 miles off (Phone : Vacoas 313).

The work of the Mission in 1957 consisted mainly of : (1) Running an Orphanage for Hindu children at Vacoas with some 20 inmates. (2) Conducting a Hindi School with 22 boys and 36 girls. (3) Holding regular classes in the Ashrama. (4) Preaching in different towns and villages twice a week on an average with its own transport arrangement. (5) Celebration of some birthdays.

The Hindi School, a double-storeyed building constructed in 1957, was also used for social and religious activities.

Under a Government Scheme, the centre is growing tea and foodstuffs on the 34 acres provided by the Government.

IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Vedanta Society, New York

This is the first Vedanta centre in the U. S. A., being-founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1896 and incorporated in 1898. It has its own five-storey building at 34 West 71st Street, New York 23 (Phone : Trafalgar 4-8691).

Swami Pavitrananda has been in charge of the centre since 1951. In 1957 a sermon was preached by him every Sunday, and a class on the Upanishads was conducted every Tuesday. There was a special class for the members for meditation and

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study on Fridays. Birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda and Lord Buddha as well as Christmas were celebrated with special programmes. Visiting Swamis from other Vedanta centres in America spoke occasionally, drawing large audiences.

The Society attracted student groups desirous of authorita­tive information on Hinduism, some coming to it by appoint­ment, and the Swami speaking before others under their own auspices. He was invited by a Columbia University Religious Group, the Temple Emmanuel, Lynbrook (New York), Bryn Mawr College (Pennsylvania) and other institutions. The professor and students of Comparative Religion at New York University and a similar group from Willimantic Teachers' College came to the centre for a special lecture on Hinduism. A group of students from Transylvania College, Kentucky, joined one of its regular meetings.

There was a very impressive recital of Sitar music by Shri Ravi Shankar, the famous Indian musician.

The Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Centre, New York

This centre, founded in 1933 by Swami Nikhilananda, is located in its own home, also five-storeyed, at 17 East 94th Street, New York 28, N. Y. (Telephone : Atwater 9-1710). Services are conducted on Sundays and scripture classes on Tuesdays and Fridays. A spacious Library and a Reading Room are provided for the use of members and visitors. The Centre observes the Durga Puja, Christmas, Good Friday, Easter and the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda and Lord Buddha. Numerous guest speakers have addressed the congregation from time to time, including visiting Swamis of the Order.

The house at Thousand Island Park (New York State) where Swami Vivekananda gave his 'Inspired Talks' in 1895, since renamed the Vivekananda Cottage, is being used as a retreat during summer. Scripture classes and devotional services are daily conducted here during summer.

During the year under review, Swami Nikhilananda was appointed an Associate in the Columbia University Seminar on

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Inter-religious Relations, thus becoming a member of the staff of the University. He has lectured or conducted chapel services at many universities, churches and other cultural organisations. Swami Ritajananda, the assistant Swami, besides conducting lectures and classes at the chapel, has also spoken before a number of cultural and religious groups.

The following books by Swami Nikhilananda went to press in 1957 : Hinduism : Its meaning for the Liberation of the Spirit, The Upanishads Vol. IV and The Gospel of Sri Rama-krishna : Abridged Edition. Among the Swami's translations of religious books are the complete Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, the Bhagavad Gita, Self-Know'ledge and The Upanishads Vols. I-III.

The Vedanta Society, Providence (R.I.)

This Society was started by Swami Akhilananda in 1928. It received as donation its home at 224 Angell Street (Provi­dence 6; Telephone : Gaspee 1-3960), in the best section of the city, which was dedicated in 1931. Swami Sarvagatananda, the associate Swami, held Sunday services and classes on Tues­days and Fridays. Swami Akhilananda gave interviews during the first part of each week. The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Brahmananda, Buddha, Sri Krishna and Jesus and some other holy days were observed. A public banquet was given on Sri Ramakrishna's birthday, in which notable speakers addressed the gathering.

Swami Akhilananda continued his activities in the Rhode Island Ministers' Union, the Universal Club of Ministers, the Rhode Island Philosophical Society and the World Affairs Council. He attended conferences in the community concerned with human welfare and religion, and he also> addressed various groups in religious and cultural organisations. Swami Sarvagatananda was also invited by these groups to participate in their functions. He continues to be a member of the Uni­versal Club for Ministers.

During the year, Swami Akhilananda also attended con­ferences and meetings in other parts of the country. He was invited to speak at eight universities and three colleges.

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The Ramakrishna Vedanta Society, Boston (Massachusetts)

This Society was also started by Swami Akhilananda in 1941. Shortly after, it received as gift its commodious home at 58 Deerfield Street (Boston 15 ; Telephone : Kenmore 6-5320) on the Charles River, in a very respectable quarter of the city. In 1957 services¹ were conducted by the Swami on Sundays and classes on Thursdays. He gave extensive interviews to all who wanted them. Swami Sarvagatananda assisted him in various activities.

The same birthdays and holy days as at Providence were observed here in a similar fashion.

Swami Akhilananda conducted weekly services and regu­larly gave instructions to the students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also^ met with the University officials bi-weekly for conference on the religious programme for the students, and served as a special member of the com­mittee for planning the religious training of the Institute.

The Swami was on the Board of Governors in the Massa­chusetts Institute of Pastoral Counselling, and was a member of the University Club of Boston and other organisations too numerous to mention.

The Society has a retreat, the Sarada Ashrama, on an extensive plot of land at Marshfield, close to the Atlantic Ocean, about 30 miles from Boston. Meditation classes and spiritual talks were conducted there during summer by the Swami for the devotees of both the Providence and Boston centres.

The Vivekananda Vedanta Society, Chicago (Illinois)

The Society was started in 1930 by Swami Jnaneswar-ananda, on whose death Swami Vishwananda has been in charge since 1938. In 1955 it had its own home at 44 East Elm Street, Chicago 11 (Phone : Whitehall 4-3543), where Swami Vishwananda conducts the Sunday services at 11-50 a.m., while meditation and Gita classes are held on Wednesday evenings. He also- gave instructions to spiritual aspirants. The Durga Puja, Kali Puja and the birthdays of Sri Rama­krishna and Swami Vivekananda were specially observed.

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The Vedanta Society, St. Louis (Missouri)

This centre was started by Swami Satprakashananda in 1938, and moved to its own premises at 205 South Skinker Boulevard (St. Louis 5; Telephone : Cabany 5118) in 1952. In 1957 he lectured on Sundays and held classes on the Hindu scriptures and meditation on Tuesdays. Groups of students from many educational centres and churches attended the lectures. He also gave interviews to individual aspirants and was invited to speak on Hindu Religion and Philosophy before several religious or educational institutions. In summer the Swami visited the Vedanta centres of California and often gave talks or answered questions. The Durga Puja, Christmas and the birthdays of Buddha, Sri Krishna and Shankara as well as of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, among others, were specially observed. The Lending Library of the centre was well utilised by the members and friends.

The Vedanta Society of Southern California, Hollywood

This Society was started in 1930 by Swami Prabhavananda, who is still its leader. Swami Vandanananda joined him as Assistant Minister in 1955. The main centre of the Society is at 1946 Vedanta Place (Hollywood 28; Phone: Hollywood 5-7114; Cable address : vedapress Los Angeles). In addition to the public centre at Hollywood and the Vedanta Temple in Santa Barbara, eighty miles north of Los Angeles, the Society maintains at Santa Barbara the Sri Sarada Math for women, which had six Brahmacharinis and eight women probationers, and the Ramakrishna Monastery at Trabuco Canyon, sixty-five miles to the south, which had four Brahmacharins and six male probationers. Lay membership numbered over three hundred.

In all three establishments, morning and evening medita­tion periods are observed, and daily worship is performed. Ramanama is sung every fortnight. The Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Shivaratri are celebrated annually, as are the birth­days of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda and Swami Brahmananda. Lectures are given each Sunday at both the Hollywood and Santa Barbara temples, with two¹ mid-

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classes held in Hollywood and one at Santa Barbara weekly.

Through the Society's publishing department, Vedanta Press, translations and new titles on Vedanta are issued, and Indian books are stocked for distribution to American book­sellers. The Press publishes Vedanta and the West, a bi­monthly periodical started in 1938. Since 1950 a bookshop featuring books on all religions has been maintained at the Hollywood premises.

The Vedanta Society of Northern California, San Francisco

The Society, started under the auspices of Swami Vivek-ananda in 1900, is located at the Hindu Temple, 2963 Webster Street (San Francisco 23; Phone : Fillmore 6-1265). Swami Ashokananda, who has been the leader since 1932, was assisted by Swamis Shantaswarupananda and Shraddhananda. Public activities at the San Francisco centre consisted mainly of two lectures and one class weekly. Birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda, as well as of Sri Krishna, Buddha and Christ were celebrated. A Sunday School for children was also conducted. Individual spiritual guidance was an important feature of the centre's activities.

The Shanti Ashrama or Peace Retreat in San Antone Valley, which was an extension of this centre, was irretrievably damaged by forest fire in 1952.

An Ashrama for the use of the Swamis was built in 1938 on Lake Tahoe, in the solitude of the Sierra Nevada range, about 150 miles north of San Francisco.

A branch centre has also come into being at Sacramento, the State Capital. Sunday services are conducted there by one of the Swamis.

At Olema, in Marin County, an hour's drive from San Francisco, 2,000 acres of beautiful wooded land is being devel­oped as a magnificent retreat.

The Hindu Temple at San Francisco being very old and inadequate to accommodate the growing congregations, a stately new Temple with a spacious auditorium, at a short dis­tance from the present site, was still under construction.

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A number of young men, attracted by the Vedantic ideal, have dedicated themselves to the cause and are living the life of Brahmacharins under the care of Swami Ashokananda.

The Vedanta Society of Northern California, East Bay Centre, Berkeley

This centre in the University town across the Bay, at 2455 Bowditch Street (Berkeley 4; Telephone: Asbury 3-8862), was started by Swami Ashokananda in 1939, and has a fine home of its own. Swami Shantaswarupananda, who is in active charge of the centre, gave lectures every Sunday evening and also held regular Thursday evening classes. Swami Ashokananda also gave lectures here occasionally. The Durga Puja and the New Year were celebrated, as were the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swamiji. In addition to daily worship, vesper services were held every Tuesday and Saturday with worship and devotional music, in which many devotees joined. Further, at the annual pilgrimage to Olema, there were services, meditation and devotional singing. Swami Shantaswarup­ananda gave private interviews to those who wanted to discuss philosophy and spiritual problems with him. He was invited by many churches and other institutions in the Bay Area to lecture on Vedanta. The congregation at Berkeley has been growing from year to year.

The Vedanta Society, Portland (Oregon)

The Society was started in 1925 by Swami Prabhavananda. After a short suspension, it was reorganised in 1932 by Swami Devatmananda, and is now under the leadership of Swami Aseshananda. It is located at its own home, the Vedic Temple, 1877 S. W. Park Avenue (Portland 1: Phone: Capitol 3-1688).

The Society also has a charming Retreat, known as Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, consisting of 120 acres of heavily wooded land, several buildings and a new temple, all located on an eminence with a wonderful view.

All of the customary holy days were observed, in addition to two Sunday services and two classes on Tuesdays and Thurs­days. During the summer months the Sunday morning services were held at the Retreat temple.

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In 1957 a number of structural improvements were effected.

There was a continued demand from colleges, churches and other organisations for speaking engagements by Swami Aseshananda. He represented India on a radio broadcast programme featuring the work of United Nations.

At the request of a group in Honolulu, the Swami spent four weeks there, holding classes and services. He and Swami Vividishananda exchanged annual visits between the Seattle and Portland centres.

At a symposium in the Masonic Temple, sponsored by the Portland centre, Swami Aseshananda and three other local ministers held a discussion on "The Meaning of Salvation" before a very large and enthusiastic audience.

The Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre, Seattle (Washington)

This centre in the beautiful north-western seaport of the United States was started by Swami Vividishananda in 1938, and has its own three-storeyed home at 2716 Broadway North (Seattle 2; Phone: Capitol 1228). Here in 1957 a public lecture was delivered by him every Sunday, and religious classes were held once a week. He also gave individual instructions and observed a number of special days. He was invited by some outside institutions to lecture on Indian philosophy.

IN ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Buenos Aires

This Ashrama in the foremost city of South America has been successfully run by Swami Vijayananda, its founder, since 1933. It has its own fine home at Bella Vista (1149 Caspar Campos). The Swami's public lectures both in English and Spanish and radio talks in Spanish were much appreciated. In 1957 he held, as usual, a good number of classes and gave many public lectures in the city, while there was a question class every week. He undertook a lecturing trip to Brazil for a month in 1957. The Ashrama has been publishing, among other things, Swami Vivekananda's works in Spanish.

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IN ENGLAND

The Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre, London

Started in 1948 by Swami Ghanananda, this centre moved in 1952 to its own premises at 68 Dukes Avenue, Muswell Hill, London N. 10 (Phone : Tudor 3075, Cable : vedanta London). It is situated in a quiet locality to the west of Alexandra Park and is a few furlongs from Highgate Tube Station.

The Swami lectured on Thursdays at the Kingsway Hall and gave a discourse on Sundays at the Centre. He also spoke by invitation at other societies in the country. Interviews were given to visitors and spiritual instructions to earnest seekers.

Vedanta for East and West, the bi-monthly of the Centre, entered its seventh year in September, 1957.

The birthday of Sri Ramakrishna was celebrated ^s usual. The Centre also* duly observed the birthdays of the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda, Christmas Eve, Buddha Day, Durga Puja and Dipali. The last two functions were well attended.

The Swami visited India in June, 1957. He has been trying to erect a large Prayer Hall with a Shrine in London.

IN FRANCE

The Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre, Gretz, Paris

The nucleus of this centre was formed by Swami Yatiswar-ananda in 1936. Next year Swami Siddheswarananda took up the work, which made steady progress. He worked in southern France during the War, and resumed his Paris work at the end of it. He lectured regularly at the Sorbonne to the public under the auspices of a society.

Since 1948 the Centre is located in its own house on Boule­vard Victor Hugo (Phone: 311 a Tournan) at Gretz, Seine-et-Marne, about 22 miles from Paris. In 1953, the Centre Vedantique Ramakrichna became a registered Association, affiliated to the Mission in India.

Swami Nityabodhananda, who arrived in 1956 as assistant Swami, continued, during Swami Siddheswarananda's con-

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valescence from illness, the weekly talks and spiritual and cultural activities at the Centre, as also the lectures at the Sorbonne. On the latter's unfortunate demise in April, 1957, Swami Nityabodhananda has succeeded him as the Head.

CONCLUSION

Birthday Celebrations

The general features of the Sri Ramakrishna and Swarni Vivekananda birthday celebrations organised by the Ashramas all over India and abroad are : Special worship, Homa (making offerings in the sacred fire), chanting of scriptural texts, Bhajana and Sankirtana (devotional music, often in chorus), distribu­tion of Prasada (sacramental food) to the devotees, feeding of the poor in large numbers, and lectures on the lives and teach-ngs of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda by eminent speakers, including capable Swamis of the Order. Thus the message of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda is steadily spreading, and many young and ardent souls are coming into closer touch with the ideals of the Mission.

Funds That Need Liberal Help

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission afford opportunities for the wider public to co-operate with the Ramakrishna Order in carrying out various types of work chalked out by Swami Vivekananda for serving humanity. Such co-operation may consist in active participation in the work of the Mission as its members or associates, or in contribution to the different funds of the Math and Mission. Persons who are in sympathy with the objects of the organisation, but are unable to take part in its activities, are cordially invited to help it by contrib­uting to one or more of the following funds, which need their active support. Donations to the Ramakrishna Math and Mission are exempt from income-tax.

(i) The General Fund, for defraying the administrative and other general expenses of the Mission.

(ii) The Provident Relief Fund, to meet disasters like famine, flood, cyclone, pestilence, riot and earthquake through­out the country.

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(iii) The Poor Fund, for alleviating individual distress of various kinds.

(iv) The Mass Education Fund.

(v) The Mission Workers' Fund, for the treatment or special diet of workers who fall sick.

(vi) The Math General Fund, similar to- the Mission General Fund, mentioned above.

(vii) Funds for the maintenance of any of the permanent institutions described in this Report.

Contributions may kindly be sent to the General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math or Mission (as the case may be), P.O. Belur Math, Dt. Howrah, with a clear specification of their purpose; or they may be sent direct to the institutions concerned. Cheques, drafts or postal orders should be drawn in favour of Ramakrishna Math or Mission, as the case may be—and crossed to ensure safety.

Our Thanks and Appeal

We express our deep sense of gratitude to all those kind contributors, friends and sympathisers who by their ready assistance, financial or other, have helped us to carry on our different activities. Our thanks are also due to the editors of various newspapers for kindly publishing o-ur appeals and reports, and also to the gentry, official or non-official, in the relief areas for their timely help. We also express our grateful­ness to those local physicians of the different centres who kindly volunteered their services.

We hope the generous public all over India and abroad will continue to help the Math and Mission unstintedly, to enable us to respond to the cry of distress, from whichever quarter it may come. All well-wishers of India and friends of the distressed may find here a golden opportunity to earn the eternal blessings of the Lord by trying to alleviate the sufferings of their less fortunate sisters and brothers.

Our appeal is also to intelligent, high-minded youngmen who understand and appreciate the life-giving message of Swami Vivekananda to respond to his call by dedicating them­selves to the service of their fejlow beings, steeped in ignorance

misery.

APPENDIX A

EXTRACTS FROM THE MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION OF THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION

registered in may, 1909, under act XXI of 1860 of the governor-general of india in council

1. The name of the Association is THE RAMKRISHNA MISSION. It may also be spelt as RAMAKRISHNA MISSION.

The objects of the Association are:

1. To impart and promote the study of the Vedanta and
   its principles as propounded by Sri Ramakrishna and practi­cally illustrated by his own life, and of Comparative Theologyin its widest form.
2. To impart and promote the study of the arts, sciencesand industries.
3. To train teachers in all branches of knowledge above-mentioned and enable them to reach the masses.
4. To carry on educational work among the masses.
5. To establish, maintain, carry on and assist schools,colleges, orphanages, workshops, laboratories, hospitals, dis-:pensaries, houses for the infirm, the invalid and the afflicted,famine-relief works, and other educational and charitableworks and institutions of a like nature.

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

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

APPENDIX B

EXTRACTS FROM THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE RAMAKRISH1VA MISSION

1. The Association is established for the purposesexpressed in the Memorandum of Association; and its Head­quarters as well as the registered office is at Belur Math,District Howrah.

Members and Associates

2. (a) All followers, whether lay or monastic, of theParamahamsa Ramakrishna may be members of the Associa­tion, if elected at a meeting of the Association or nominatedby the Governing Body hereinafter mentioned, provided thatall the Trustees for the time being of the Indenture of Trustdated the 30th day of January, 1901, usually called the TrustDeed of the Belur Math, shall be ex-officio members of theAssociation.

(b) A person intending to be a member shall sign the declaration form annexed herewith and submit to the General 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 Ramakrishna 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.

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

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

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5. All persons irrespective of colour, creed or caste, sympathising with all or any of the objects of the Association, may be associates, if elected at a meeting of the Association or nominated by the Governing Body.

4. Monastic members shall not be required to pay anyadmission fee or any subscription.
5. Every lay member and every associate, unless exemptedtherefrom in writing by the Governing Body, shall pay anadmission fee of Rs. 5/- and an annual subscription of Rs. 12/-payable in advance. The Governing Body may exempt anymember or associate from payment of all or any fees orsubscriptions.
6. The annual subscription may be commuted by theGoverning Body on payment of Rs. 350/-.
7. (a) Connection of members and associates with theAssociation shall cease by resignation, death, removal or non­payment of dues for two years, but shall be capable or renewalin such manner as the Governing Body may from time to timedecide.

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.

(&) Attend all classes formed by the Association for the instruction of its members and receive individual instruction whenever practicable.

3. Receive all publications of the Headquarters at aspecial discount of 25 per cent, on the published price.
4. Mofussil members shall be entitled to receive the pro­
   ceedings, reports and leaflets published by the Association onapplication.

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

APPENDIX C

TEMPORARY RELIEF ACTIVITIES UP TO 1956

1. Famine and Distress Relief :

In 1896 and 27 subsequent years, in altogether 87 districts. Maximum in a year, 23 districts.

2. Flood Relief :

In 1899 and 33 subsequent years, in altogether 105 districts. Maximum in a year, 8 districts.

3. Sanitary Relief :

1. Plague : In 1899-1900 and 3 subsequent years.
2. Cholera : In 1913 and 10 other years, in alto­gether 13 districts.
3. Small-pox : In 1936 and 1937.
4. Influenza : In 1918-19, in 4 districts.
5. Malaria : In 1940 and 4 subsequent years.

(/) At Ganga Sugar Mela : In 1912, 1914 and 12

successive years, (g) At Kumbha Mela : In 1930 and 4 other years.

4. Cyclone and Tornado Relief :

In 1919 and 15 subsequent years, in altogether 21 dis­tricts. Maximum in a year, 4 districts.

5. Fire Relief :

In 1915 and 18 subsequent years, in altogether 26 districts. Maximum in a year, 6 districts.

6. Earthquake and Landslip Relief :

In 1899 and 4 subsequent years, in 11 districts.

7. Riot Relief : In 1930, 1941 and 1946-47, in 9 districts.
8. Coolie Relief : In 1921.
9. Water Scarcity Relief : In 1920-21.

10. Cloth Relief : In 1919, in many districts.

1-1. Evacuee and Refugee Relief : In 1942-44, 1947-48 and

1950-53, in many districts. 12. Refugee Rehabilitation: In 1947-51, in many districts.

Some more _ temporary relief works of various kinds were organised by the branch centres of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission from time to time.

The districts in the above list covered almost all the Provinces of undivided India, including Burma.

APPENDIX D

DISTRIBUTION OF CENTRES (1957)

West Bengal : Calcutta (10 centres), Barnagore, Belgharia, Dakshineswar, Rahara, Sarisha, Taki, Manasadwip, Belur (2 centres), Tamluk, Chandipur, Midnapore, Garbeta, Contai, Bankura, Jayrambati, Koalpara, Kamarpukur, Asansol, Sargachhi, Malda, Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong.

Assam : Shillong, Cherrapunji, Karimganj and Silchar.

Bihar : Patna, Katihar, Ranchi, Dungri, Jamshedpur, Deoghar and Jamtara.

Orissa : Bhubaneswar and Puri (2 centres).

U. P. : Allahabad, Varanasi (2 centres), Lucknow, Kanpur,Vrindaban, Almora, Shyamala Tal, Mayavati, Kankhal,Kishenpur and Barlowganj. '

Delhi : New Delhi.

Bombay : Bombay, Nagpur and Rajkot.

Madras : Madras (5 centres), Kanchipuram, Chingleput, Natta-rampalli, Perianaickenpalayam, Ootacamund and Salem.

Andhra : Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry.

Kerdla : Trivandrum, Tiruvalla, Kalady, Trichur, Calicut and Quilandy.

Mysore : Bangalore, Mysore, Ponnampet and Mangalore.

outside india

East Pakistan : Dacca, Narayanganj, Sonargaon, Baliati,

Mymensingh, Faridpur, Barisal, Bagerhat, Dinajpur,

Sylhet and Habiganj. Burma : Rangoon (2 centres). Ceylon : Colombo. Mauritius : Port Louis. Fiji : Nadi. S. E. Asia : Singapore.

England : London. _;

France : Paris (Gretz). United States of America : New York (2 centres), Boston,

Providence, Chicago, St. Louis, San Francisco¹, Berkeley,

Hollywood, Portland and Seattle. Argentine Republic (South America') : Buenos Aires.