General Report - 1967

THE GENERAL REPORT OF THE

Ramakrishna Math & Mission

For April 1965—March 1966

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

— Swami Vivekananda

INTRODUCTION History

Shortly after the passing away of Sri Ramakrishna Deva, the Prophet of the harmony of all religions, in August, 188G, a monastic Order bearing his name was organised at the Math, Baranagore, two miles north of Calcutta, by his Sannyasin dis­ciples headed by Swami Vivekananda. It 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, siioruy after nis return trom the West. In 1899 he transferred the Math or monastery of Baranagore 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 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 fees from students etc. as well as subscriptions and donations from the general public mainly constitute the Mis­sion fund, grants from the Government and public bodies of­ten being common to both. Both the Math and Mission funds are annually audited by qualified auditors.

Summary of Activities

Except in East Pakistan and Burma the activities of the Math and the Mission showed a general progress during the period under review. Our generous countrymen and the Government, 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.

During the last conflict between India and Pakistan (1965), the Mission Headquarters practically lost all contact with the centres in Pakistan. The monastic workers with In­dian nationality had to be repatriated. The ten centres in East Pakistan somehow continued their existence under the remaining four monastic workers and local devotees who are Pak nationals. Even after the restoration of peace, the posi­tion remains virtually the same.

In Burma, the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama was nationalised on the 5th July, 1965 and the monastic workers of that centre had to return to India. The monastic workers of the Ramakrishna Mission Society too had a similar fate when the Burmese Government refused to extend their visas. The Society is being managed now by some local friends, con­stituted into a Managing Committee by the Headquarters.

In the year under review, for the sake of better manage­ment, the Ramharipur sub-centre under the Bankura centre was separated from the latter and constituted into a full fledged Mission centre.

Centres

Excluding the Headquarters at Belur, there were in March, 1966, 113 branch centres in all, of which 50 were Mis sion centres, 20 combined Math and Mission centres, and 43 Math centres. These were regionally distributed as follows : 2 Mission centres, 5 combined Math and Mission centres and 3 Math centres in East Pakistan; 1 Mission centre each in Burma, France, Ceylon, Singapore, Fiji and Mauritius; 1 Math centre each in Switzerland, England and Argentina; 10 Math centres in the United States of America; and the remain­ing 42 Mission centres, 15 combined Math and Mission centres, and 27 Math centres (84 in all) in India. The Indian centres were distributed as follows: 30 in West Bengal, 12 in Uttar Pradesh, 11 in Tamizhagam (Madras), 7 in Bihar, 5 in Kerala, 4 each in Assam and Mysore, 3 in Orissa, 2 each in Maharashtra and Andhra, and one each in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi and

Chandigarh. 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 Pakistan conducted various activities ministering to the physical needs of the public in general, irrespective of creed, colour or nationality. Typical of these are the Seva-shramas at Varanasi, Vrindaban, Kankhal and Trivandrum, the T. B. Sanatorium at Ranchi and the Seva Pratishthan of Calcutta. In 1965-66 there were 10 Indoor Hospitals with 1,098 beds, which accommodated 21,870 patients and 64 Out­door Dispensaries, which treated 29,71,493 cases, including old ones. Besides, the centres at Salem, Bombay, Kanpur and New Delhi as also at some other places had provision for emergency or observation indoor wards attached to their dis­pensaries. The Veterinary section of the Shyamala Tal Ashrama treated 2,260 animals.

Educational Work : The twin organisations ran during the period 4 general Colleges at Madras, Rahara (24 Parganas), Belur (Howrah), and Narendrapur (24 Parganas)--the last two residential—with 2,720 students on their rolls. An Arts College at Perianaickenpalayam (Coimbatore) with Pre-University classes only with 160 students, 2 B. T. Colleges at Belur and Perianaickenpalayam with 222 students, 2 Basic Training Schools at Perianaickenpalayam and Madras with 255 students, one Post-Graduate Basic Training College at Rahara and 3 Junior Basic Training Colleges at Rahara, Sarisha and Sargachhi with 367 students, a College for Physical Education, another for Rural Higher Education, and a School of Agricul­ture with 110, 133, and 100 students respectively at Perianaic­kenpalayam, 2 Social Education Organisers' Training Centres at Belur and Perianaickenpalayam with 143 students, 4 Engi­neering Schools at Belur, Belgharia, Madras and Perianaicken­palayam with 1,621 students, 8 Junior Technical or Industrial Schools with 696 boys and 226 girls, 82 Students' Homes or

Hostels, including some Orphanages, with 8,298 boys and 383 girls, 4 Chatushpathis with 85 students, 14 Multi-purpose Higher Secondary Schools with 5,430 boys and 340 girls, 8 Higher Secondary Schools with 3,125 boys and 1,456 girls, 16 High and Secondary Schools with 6,959 boys and 4,411 girls, 35 Senior Basic and M. E. Schools with 5,481 boys and 3,513 girls, 46 Junior Basic, U.P. and Elementary Schools with 7,027 boys and 2,947 girls and 83 Lower and other grades of Schools with 4,370 boys and 3,525 girls. The Seva Pratishthan, Calcutta, trained nurses, the number of trainees being 145. Thus there were altogether 47,189 boys and 16,946 girls in the educational institutions run by the Math and Mission in India, Pakistan, Singapore, Fiji and Mauritius. Besides these, the Institute of Culture in Calcutta conducted a Day Hostel for 800 students, a School of Humanistic and Cultural Studies and a School of Languages for teaching different Indian and foreign languages with 336 and 749 students respectively. The Ashrarna at Narendrapur also conducted a Blind Boys' Academy with 100 blind students.

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 for expectant mothers in Calcutta, the Domiciliary and Maternity Clinics at Jalpaiguri and Khetri, the women's sections of the hospitals at Varanasi and Vrindaban, the attached Invalid Women's Home at Varanasi, the Sarada Vidyalaya at Madras, the Girls' High Schools at Jamshedpur and the Sarada Mandir at Sarisha (24 Parganas). Besides, there are special arrangements for vroincn in other hospitals, dispensaries and scnoois, and some institutions are conducted particularly for them.

Rural Uplift and Work among the Labouring and Back­ward Classes : The Math and the Mission have all along tried their best to serve their unfortunate countrymen who have fallen back culturally or otherwise. In addition to the more prominent village Ashramas like those at Cherrapunji, Sarisha, Ramharipur, Manasadwip, Jayrambati, Kamarpukur, Sargachhi,

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Taki, Perianaickenpalayam, Kalady, and the Gurukula at Trichur quite a number of rural sub-centres—both permanent and semi-permanent—are run under the Mission branches at Belur, Sarisha, Tiruvalla, Narendrapur and Cherrapunji. Of these special mention may be made of the numerous village sub-centres started for educating the hill tribes in Assam. Steps have been taken to spread the Mission activity in NEFA also. In addition to such numerous activities, preaching and edu­cative tours with magic lanterns, films and so on are also under­taken frequently. For the labouring classes in industrial areas the Mission conducted a number of Night Schools etc.

Mass Contact : From the forgoing account it will be evident that the organisation's activity is not concentrated in urban areas alone; it is spread over other fields as well. It will be wrong, again, to suppose that the organisation has no real contact with the masses. As a matter of fact, the message of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda is spreading steadily in all parts of India, which fact is evident from the participation of innu­merable people during the annual celebrations. The temples and Ashramas also draw thousands of people throughout the year. Besides these there are a number of medical institutions where millions get free medicines, and thousands are treated in the indoor departments. In the educational institutions also, a considerable number of poor students get free education, board or lodging. The publication centres, sometimes sell booklets at nominal prices to suit the pockets of the masses.

Relief Work : After the independence of the country in 1947, the Government has been taking greater initiative in starting relief measures wherever any calamity, natural or otherwise, takes place. Nevertheless, the scope of service by voluntary organisations is still great and the Mission never ignored a real call for succour. In the period under review, the Mission conducted Cyclone Relief work at Uchipalli and Rameswaram. A colony with 57 hutments and 3 wells was formally opened near Rameswaram on the 7th April, 1965. In all more than one lakh rupees were spent.

Relief work was started in December, 1965 among the people of the Jammu and Kashmir border uprooted as a result of Indo-Pakistan conflict. The work was closed in February, 1966, the expenditure incurred being Rs. 42,110.

Foreign Work : The monks of the Ramakrishna Math took upon themselves the task of carrying the message of India to distant lands. The various centres in North and South America, Europe and the foreign countries of Asia bear ample evidence of their labour of love carried on through preaching, publications, etc., as also medical or educational work where necessary.

Spiritual and Cultural Work : Both Math and Mission centres laid emphasis on the dissemination of the spiritual and cultural ideals of India, and through various types of activity tried to give a practical shape to the teaching of Sri Rama­krishna that all religious are true. The centres established real points of contact between people of different faiths through public celebrations, meetings, classes, publications, etc. They also conducted Libraries and Reading Rooms. A number of Sanskrit Chatushpathis too were run. At least ten centres published books on religious subjects and ten magazines in different languages. The Math centres at Mayavati, Baghbazar (Calcutta), Madras, Nagpur, Mysore, Rajkot, Bhubaneswar and Trichur 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 has been trying 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 five Sections. Section I deals with the Math and Mission Headquarters, Section II with Mission centres only, classified into (A) Institutions mainly medical, (B) Institutions mainly cultural and educational, and (C) Institutions of General services, Section III with combined

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Math and Mission centres, Section IV wih 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 (Phone : 66-2391 and 66-3619), on the western bank of the Ganga, four miles from Howrah Station. Associated with the holy lives of Swami 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 Brahma-charya and Sannyasa. In the attached Training Centre for Brahmacharins there were regular classes under qualified teach­ers, in which philosophical and religious books were taught. 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 12,714 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 and its allied constructions was nearly eight lakhs of rupees.

The need of further increasing the accommodation in the Guest House for devotees and admirers who want to pass a few days with their families near the precincts of the Math is being keenly felt. So far the ground floor only has been constructed.

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The estimated cost of the rest of the building is Rs. 1,00,000/-, 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 1965-66 it treated 22,294 cases, of which 11,125 were new- 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. help to the poor

The Mission Headquarters also helped 134 families and 288 students, including Sind refugees, regularly, and 2 Schools, 184 families and 40 students temporarily, with a total outlay of Rs. 31,107/-. 28 blankets and 100 Dhotis and Saris were also distributed amongst the poor.

SECTION II

MISSION CENTRES

A. INSTITUTIONS MAINLY MEDICAL

The Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan Calcutta

This institution, formerly known as Shishumangal Pratish­than (99 Sarat Bose Road, Clcutta 26; Phones : 47-3636, 47-3637 and 47-3638; Telegraphic address : SISUMANGAL), was started on a modest scale in 1932 for maternity and child wel­fare. In 1956-57, it was converted into a General Hospital. It has at present 350 beds of which 120 are free. The hospital has now medical, surgical, paediatric, neonatal, cancer, skin, urology, gynaecology, obstetric, eye, E.N.T., orthopaedic, and dental departments.

The institution is housed in its own premises in South Calcutta, covering an area of 1-6 acre of land, with a Nurses' Hostel and three other Staff quarters accommodating nearly 300 inmates. It has got a competent staff and a fairly equipped laboratory, diagnostic and Therapeutic plants, six air-condi­tioned Operation Theatres with modern instruments and appli­ances and an all-electric laundry plant.

The Pratishthan is recognised as a Training School for both Auxiliary and Senior Nurse-Midwives. Its roll strength was 145 in March, 1966. In 1965-66, 37 Auxiliary Nurse-Midwives and 16 Senior Nurse-Midwives passed their final examinations, and were readily absorbed in different institu­tions. The institution also accommodated a unit of the Calcutta University College of Medicine for post-graduate training and research, which was called the "Vivekananda Institute".

Its activities in 1965-66 were : Indoor Department— Admissions : Adults 8,927 ; Children (paediatric) 545 ; New-born babies 5,325. Maternal death rate : 0.3 per 1,000. Outdoor

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Department : Total cases 82,560; new cases 35,157. Free patients : about 50% of the total admissions.

During the period under review a new seven storeyed block was under construction and two new floors were added to the existing Nurses' Hostel.

The Ramakrishna Mission Tuberculosis Sanatorium

Ranchi

The Sanatorium (Post Office : Ramakrishna Sanatorium; Phone : Doranda 2248 ; Telegraphic address : RECOVERY) is situated on a picturesque plot of land measuring 289 acres, at an altitude of 2,100 ft., nine miles from the Ranchi Railway Station and about four miles from the Hatia Railway Station. Opened in 1951 with 32 beds, it has at present 240 beds.

An air-conditioned Operation Theatre and Recovery Room, 4 X-ray plants including one of 500 m.a. with tomograph attachments, a well-equipped Laboratory, a Recreation Hall with a permanent stage and auditorium, projectors for showing films, and an After-care Colony with a Rehabilitation Centre having a Tailoring Department, a Typewriting School and a Poultry Farm, are some of the prominent features of the institution.

During 1965-66, 541 patients (212 of the previous year and

329. newly admitted) were treated in the Sanatorium, of whom
330. were discharged. 81 patients were treated free of ailcharges and 24 at concession rates, while 1,296 were givenmedical advice and assistance in the Outdoor Department. The
     After-care Colony had 40 ex-patients. They were either givenLiaiiiirig in tlic IvchaDiiitatioii Ccuuc ui euipiuyeu in variousdepartments of the Sanatorium.

In the Outdoor Homoeopathic Dispensary, 13,338 patients of the locality and the villages nearby were treated free.

The Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service Varanasi

Started in 1900, it has been occupying its own premises on

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Ramakrishna Road at Luxa (Varanasi-1 ; Phone : 2604) since 1910. A branch Outdoor Dispensary has been working since 1931 at the Shivala quarter of the city.

The activities of the Home in 1965-66 were—(1) Indoor General Hospital : Beds 136; admissions 2,464; surgical cases 832. (2 & 3) Refuge for Invalid men and Refuge for Invalid women : Beds 25 and 50, and inmates 12 and 26 respectively for lack of funds. (4) Outdoor help to invalids, poor middle-class women and poor students : Rs. 4,051.56. (5) Outdoor Dispen­sary (including the Shivala Branch) : Total cases 2,21,744; new cases 57,311; Laboratory tests 10,550; X-ray 1,690.

A newly constucted 25-bed eye ward was opened in March, 1965.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Kankhal (Saharanpur)

Founded in 1901, the activities of the Sevashrama (Phone : 141) in 1965-66 were—(1) Indoor Hospital : Beds 47 ; admis­sion 1,200; surgical cases 116. (2) Outdoor Dispensary : Total cases 1,15,105; new cases 26,326; surgical cases 2,123; Labora­tory tests 5,339; X-ray 1,052; physio-therapy 528.

The construction work of a big modern building to replace the outmoded old wards progressed satisfactorily during the year.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Lucknow

This Sevashrama, located since 1924 at Aminabad, was completely shifted to Chandgunj, Lucknow-7, in January, 1967 (Phone : Ashrama : 24694; Polyclinic : 23337). Its activities in 1965-66 were—(1) Outdoor Dispensary : Total cases 2,69,133; new cases 30,657; surgical cases 9,252; dental cases 1,060; Ultra-violet and Infra-red cases 166; X-ray 552; Diathermy 351 ; Pathology cases 1,888. (2) A Library and Reading Room .-Books 9,017 ; issued 1,462 ; 5 daily papers and 32 periodicals. (3) Regular religious classes 292 ; average attendance 38. (4)

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Kali Puja in the image and Birthday anniversaries of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda were held during the period. (5) Fortnightly Ramnam Kirtan and Shyamanam Kirtan.

An up-to-date Polyclinic was under construction at the new site.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Jalpaiguri

Founded in 1923, the activities of the Ashrama (Phone : 344) in 1965-66 were—(1) An Outdoor Dispensary; Total cases 22,205; new cases 8,065. (2) A Domiciliary Maternity and Child Welfare Clinic : New cases 122 ; home visits 9,508 ; con­finements 17; clinic attendance 2,960. (3) Milk distribution among 29,200 recipients including repeated cases. (4) A Students' Home : Inmates 10. (5) A free Library and Reading Room : Books 1,600. (6) Regular worship and religious classes in the Ashrama. (7) Occasional meetings and festivals.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Salem

The Ashrama, founded in 1928 and situated on the Ramakrishna Road, Sivaswamipuram Extension, Salem 7, conducted in 1965-66—(1) A Charitable Dispensary ; Total cases 38,070; new 19,585. (2) An operation theatre with 6 indoor beds. (3) A Library : Books 1,262. (4) Daily worship and Bhajan and weekly religious classes. (5) Special Bhajan on Saturdays and Mondays. (6) Birthday celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and the apostles. (7) Distribution of fresh milk to the poor and under-nourished children.

B. INSTITUTIONS MAINLY CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL

The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture Calcutta

The Institute, housed in its own commodious building at Gol Park, Calcutta 29 (Telephones : 46-4612, 46-4613, 46-5678

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and 46-5679; Telegraphic address : INSTITUTE), has a three­fold aim : (a) a proper interpretation and appraisal of Indian culture ; (b) the promotion of mutual knowledge and under­standing between India and other countries; and (c) the pro­motion of the study of the cultural heritage of mankind as a whole. From humble beginnings the Institute has grown into a recognised centre of learning and has drawn the interest of the public and many a leading scholar of India and abroad.

In 1965-66 the Institute conducted : (1) A General Library with 50,294 books (new additions : 2768); books issued to readers for home study : 1,09,338. (2) A children's Library of 3,980 volumes (new additions : 448); books issued for home study : 8,896. (3) A reading room with 416 Indian and foreign journals, and an average daily attendance of 232. (4) A Junior Library for the age group 13 to 16 years with 1,244 books, of which 304 were added during the year; total number of books issued : 3,604. (5) 38 weekly public lectures and 15 special meetings addressed by eminent Indian and foreign scholars. 113 weekly discourses on the Bhagavad-Gita, the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Ramacharitmanasa. (6) 26 film shows and 3 music recitals. (7) A school of languages with 749 students on the roll for German, French, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, Persian, Chinese, Spanish, English, Bengali, Sanskrit, Tamil, Assamese and Hindi. (8) A monthly Bulletin (17th year). (9) A small museum of art collections. (10) An Inter­national Scholars' Residence, which accommodated 62 persons. (11) 691 guests were accommodated in the International guest house. (12) A free Students' Day Home with 800 students. (13) A School of Humanistic and Cultural Studies with 336 students. (14) Seminars and other functions of cultural interest.

The five storeyed staff quarters, under construction, was almost complete.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Pitha Belur

This institution (P.O. Belur Math, Dist. Howrah; Phone : 66-3292), started in 1941, had the following activities :

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Vidyamandira (Phone : 66-3349) : This wholly residential three-year Degree College, had 281 boys on its rolls. Living 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. Religious classes for students were regularly conducted. Poor meritorious students received financial help. The results at the university exami­nations were as usual brilliant. The Vidyamandira had its own dispensary and hospital. The college had a unit of the National Cadet Corps under the supervision of two qualified officers.

Shilpamandira (Phone : 66-3308) : For post-School Final students, it provided a three-year Licentiate Course in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, to 616 students of whom 129 lived in a hostel (Phone : 66-2912).

Shilpayatana (Phone : 66-4124) : This is a free Junior Technical School started in 1963 for boys of 14 years and above with a three years' integrated course in Humanities, Science, Engineering Studies and Workshop Practice. It had 139 boys on its rolls in 1965-66.

Shilpavidyalaya : This department with free training courses for one to three years in Electric wiring, General Mechanics, Fitting, Carpentry, Weaving, Tailoring, etc., had 89 students.

Research and Production : This section devises and manufactures small machines, different types of gas-plants, etc.

Janasiksha'^m(!ndirz (Phone : 66-3643) : This department of Social (Adult) Education organised six night schools for adults, arranged film shows and magic lantern lectures and con­ducted a free Library. Its mobile Audio-visual unit visited a number of places exhibiting films and slides. The Library section (Books : 16,006; issued 20,591), besides running its central lending unit, successfully conducted a mobile Library, loaning books out to village readers at their homes. This department further organised a number of centres for free

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distribution of milk. It also supplied free tiffin to about 200 children daily.

Tattwamandiia (Phone : 66-3292) : It regularly held religious classes for the public and scriptural classes for the monastic inmates.

Social Education Organisers' Training Centre (Phone : 66-3578) : Started in 1956 to train up students from different States in various aspects of social service and social education, this section in 1965-66 conducted Job Course of 6 months' dura tion for 33 S. E. Officers, an Orientation Course of one month's duration for 46 Teacher Educators, and one Seminar of 12 days' duration for Headmasters and lecturers of Teachers' Training Colleges, and Youth Leaders' Training Camp for 56 persons.

Sikshanamandira (Phone : 66-3695) : This is a wholly residential B. T. College started in 1959. It had 124 students on its rolls. An Extension Service Unit, attached to the college since January 1963, conducted two seminars on English and Social Studies and convened a conference of Headmasters of the neighbouring schools.

The Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya

Perianaickenpalayam (Coimbatore)

This (P.O. Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya; Phone : 3655; Telegraphic address : KALVI) is a comprehensive educational undertaking located on a plot of about 400 acres, 11 miles away from Coimbatore on the Ootacamund Road. Excepting the Senior Basic School and the Shivananda Hieh School which provide for the children of the village, most of the students of its other sections live in the seven attached hostels. Its activi­ties in 1965-66 were :

Multi-purpose School: Roll strength: 170.

Basic Training School: It had 80 students.

Swami Shivananda High School: This continued to fulfil the needs of the surrounding villages. Total strength was 76 boys and 24 girls.

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Senior Basic School : Strength 566, of whom 211 were girls. It had classes from I to VIII. Yarn and cloth worth Rs. 1,068.80 were produced. Free midday lunch was provided for 50 students.

B. T. College : Strength 98 in B. T., and 5 in M. Ed. course. The subjects provided were English, Mathematics, Tamil, Science and Basic Education.

Arts College • Started in 1964 it offers only P. U. course in arts subjects; strength: 160.

School Extension Service: This Department was started in 1955. Seminars and workshops were conducted on Library Science, use of audio-visual aids, guidance and counselling, teaching of English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and other subjects. In the course of the year 258 teachers from over 100 High Schools benefited by these projects. A science jair and an art exhibition for school students were organised.._

College for Physical Education: There were 110 pupils on its rolls.

Rural Institution : This institution aims at evolving a new type of rural higher education. It had the following wings: (a) School of Engineering, offering a three-year Diploma course in Civil and Rural Engineering to 171 students, (b) School of Agriculture, (c) College for Rural Higher Education, consist­ing of a four-year Diploma course in Rural Services for 133 stu­dents. A Master Diploma Course in Co-operation also is offered.

Industrial Institute: It provides an eighteen month course in turning, fitting, hand composing and proof reading and prin­ting machine operation ; strength: 80.

S. E. O. T. C. : In the year under review one Job course and a Refresher course for S. E. officers, two seminars for Head­masters, four Orientation courses for teachers of Training Schools and one seminar for lecturers of Teachers' Colleges were conducted.

Rural Dispensary: Cases treated: 16,131.

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Industrial Section: It imparts practical training to Engineering students and manufactures electric motors, sugar­cane crushers, sirens and various machine tools.

Central Library: Open access system is followed; No. of books: over 27,000; volumes issued: 18,697.

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

This centre (Phone: Barackpore 80) situated 12 miles to the north of Calcutta, has a number of educational institutions within its campus covering an area of about 70 acres.

Orphanage: This had on its rolls 731 boys for whom educa­tion of various types and grades was provided. It is mainly a residential educational institution for orphans and poor boys, though some day-scholars attend its various schools and colleges.

Basic Education: One Pre-Basic (Nursery) School with 46 children. 5 iinits of Junior Basic School with 833 students, 4 units of Senior Basic School with 458 students, one Junior Basic Training College and one Post-Graduate Basic Train­ing College with 96 and 115 trainees respectively.

General Education: A Multi-purpose High School with three wings—Science, Technology and Humanities—and a to­tal roll strength of 374. One three-year Degree College, hav­ing arrangements for teaching Science and Arts subjects of both Pass and Honours standard, had 353 students on its rolls.

Technical Education: A Junior Technical School and a Vocational School with 292 students,

Library: A well-equipped District Library with 21,122 books and 1,000 members. Number of books issued : 47,059.

Social Education: There are 10 Adult Education Centres and an up to date Audio-Visual Service Unit. One Rural Librarianship Training Centre is conducted by the Library.

Boys' Hostel: Besides the Home for boys, there is a paying hostel for the M. P. School students with 117 boys. The

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trainees of the Basic Colleges and the Librarianship Training Centre were all residential.

The centre had 3 N. C. C. Troops with three officers.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Narendrapur (24 Parganas)

This institution situated at Narendrapur (Phone: 619-201, 619-202, 619-203 and 619-204), eleven to the south-east of Calcutta, has a campus measuring about 150 acres. In 1965-66 the Ashrama conducted:

Multi-purpose School (Phone: 619-206): This residential school with 6 streams, had 453 students on its rolls. The Government of India has recognized it as a model school. Media of instruction are English and Bengali.

Residential Degree College (Phone: 619-205): Started in 1960, it had 255 students in 1965-66. The College teaches the following subjects of honours standard: English, Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, History and Statistics.

Senior Basic School (Phone: 619-207): Started in 1961, this residential school had 246 students in 1965-66.

Institute of Social Education and Recreation: It conducts adult education and rural uplift activities spread over two dis­tricts of West Bengal.

Residential Blind Boys' Academy: The Academy imparts to its pupils general education through Standard Braille system as well as vocational training in music and several crafts; num­ber of students: 100. The Academy also trains teachers for the blind and prints Braille books in different languages.

Central Library: It had 35,000 books.

Vivekananda Social Welfare Centre : The Centre conducted mainly for the benefit of Harijans living in the slum areas of Rambagan in North Calcutta: (i) a Nursery School with 80 students, (ii) a Basic School with 350 students, (iii) two Night Schools for adults with 45 students and (iv) a Students' Home With 20 students. It also ran a Medical Relief Centre and an

21

Industrial Training Centre, and helped in the management of a Co-operative Society for the Harijans living in the slums.

Child Welfare: The Ashrama ran about 50 milk distribu­tion centres mainly for children and expectant mothers.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Sarisha (24 Parganas)

This institution (Phone: Diamond Harbour 29) success­fully devoted itself to the task of village reconstruction through proper education. Its activities in 1965-66 were:

A Multi-purpose Boys' School with Humanities, Technical and Scientific courses, had 325 students. It had two N. C. C. Troops with 150 cadets in addition to one Ambulance Divi­sion under the St. John Ambulance Brigade (India). Cultural programmes like socials, dramatics, debates and magazines were continued. The Hostel had 150 inmates, of whom 5 were free and 15 enjoyed concessions.

A Mulii-purpose Girls' High, School with Humanities, Science, Home Science and Fine Arts courses, had 340 students. Besides academic education, the girls were taught music, folk dance, tailoring, embroidery, domestic hygiene, sports and physical culture. The Hostel had 100 inmates, of whom 26 enjoyed concessions. There were two N. C. C. Troops under 2 trained officers belonging to the teaching staff.

Two units of Senior Basic School for boys and two units for girls, had 171 and 140 students respectively.

There were four Junior Basic Schools with a total of 330

265 "irl

Two Pre-Basic (Nursery) Schools had 38 boys and 36 girls. A residential Junior Basic Training College for women teachers had 64 trainees.

Started in November, 1965 a Senior Basic Training College for women had 30 trainees.

A Technical Section attracted large number of village wo­men and students from the Multi-purpose and the Senior Basic

22

Sections to have training in weaving, tailoring, sock-making, knitting and embroidery, etc.

One Community Centre for women and three other School-cum-Community Centres held regular sittings of Kirtan, Bhajan, Kathakata, etc. The roll strength of the School-cum-Community centres was 60, of which 25 attained literacy; and out of 20 trainees of the Women's Centre 8 became literate.

Eight Adult Education Centres for men and I for women were conducted. Total roll strength for the men's centres was 184 of which 129 attained literacy. 9 attained literacy out of 25 in the women's centre.

One Area Library with 6 branches, a Text Book Library and a Sub-Divisional Library (started in November, 1965) had 7,539, 2,037 and 1,025 books respectively.

A Pre-Vocational Training Centre, started in February, 1966, for giving General Education and Technical Training to indigent students of the age group 11 to 14, had facilities for teaching (a) Fitting and Turning, (b) Sheet Metal work, (c) Smith craft, (d) Moulding and (e) Carpentry.

Two Audio-visual Mobile Units screened 590 films, mostly documentaries.

The Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Society Jamshepur

The centre, situated at Bistupur, Jamshedpur 1, (Phone: 3795) conducted in 1965-66 the following: (1) Five Higher Secondary Schools (of which two were for boys, two for girls and one for both in separate shifts) with 1,578 boys and 1,456 girls; 4 Middle Schools with 2,627 boys and 2,290 girls; 2 U.P. Schools with 304 boys and 249 girls—in all 11 schools with 8,504 pupils on their rolls. While 1 U.P. School is for Hindi-speaking children only, there are Hindi sections in 2 High Schools, 3 Middle Schools and 1 U. P. School in all classes along with Bengali sections. The 11 School Libraries had a total of 22,405 books. (2) Two Students' Homes with 45 in­mates particularly from rural areas and backward communities.

23

A few meritorious students were provided with free board and lodging. (3) A Public Library and free Reading Room with 3,471 books, 13 monthly magazines, 5 weeklies and 3 dailies. (4) Weekly classes and occasional lectures on religio-philosophi-cal subjects. (5) Free studentships and concession to about 500 poor students. (6) Regular audio-visual instructions with the help of a 16 mm. projector. (7) Excursions and picnics. (8) Seasonal games and sports. (9) Celebration of the Birth Anniversaries of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda, and festivals like Durga Puja, etc.

The Ramakrishna Mission Vivefcananda College Madras

Though admission in the Vivekananda College at Mylapore (Madras 4; Phone : 73057) was made mainly on the basis of merit, all Harijan and Backward Class students who applied for admission were admitted. The strength of the college in 1965-66 was 1,823. The College maintained its high standard of results in various University examinations.

Scholarships from the College were granted during the year to 432 students on a strict basis of merit-cum-poverty. In addition to these, 116 students enjoyed concession.

Tutorial System : The tutorial system in the College ensured full co-operation and intimate contact between the students and teachers on the one hand and the guardians and college authorities on the other.

Rdigiouo activities : The College imparted religious education and celebrated the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda and Swami Ramakrishna-nanda.

The attached hostel had 260 students on its rolls.

The construction of a Library building at an estimated cost of Rs. 2,11,000 was taken up during the period under report.

24

The Ramakrishn Mission Students' Home Madras

The institution, started in 1905, moved into its own build­ings (Madras 4) in 1921. The Home now has three distinct sections : the first is a hostel for boys studying in the Viveka-nanda College, the second is a residential Technical Institute (started in 1925), and the third a residential High School (start­ed in 1922). The three sections had 35, 114 and 152 students respectively on their rolls.

There are also two elementary schools which, though they do not form part of the Students' Home, are under the manag­ing committee of the Home. These are the Sri Ramakrishna Centenary Elementary School, Mylapore, and the Ramakrishna Mission Higher Elementary School at Malliankaranai near Uttiramerur in Chingleput District. These schools had a strength of 452 and 189 respectively, in March 1966.

The Ramakrishna Mission Boys' Schools Thyagarayanagar, Madras

This branch centre, conducted in 1965-66, two High Schools, one Middle School, three Elementary Schools and a hostel (Madras 17). In March, 1966, the two High Schools had 2,803 students, the Middle School 579 boys and the three Ele mentary Schools 1,201 boys and 835 girls, while the Hostel had 75 boys. Due attention was paid to their moral and spiritual well-being. The hostel was managed by monastic workers.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Vidyalaya Madras

Sri Sarada Vidyalaya, Thyagarayanagar (Madras 17), started in 1927 by some ladies, now consists of a High School, a Basic Training School with a preparatory class, an Upper Primary School and a Model Senior Basic School.

The Girls' High School (with a strength of 1,875 girls in 1966) has its own three-storeyed building, an Assembly Hall,

25

Open-Air Theatre, Music Halls, a Home Science Block and a new building for the Science Classes.

The Basic Training School, housed in its own three-storey­ed building on Burkitt Road, had 180 trainees.

In the Girls' Upper Primary School there were 921 pupils. The Model Senior Basic School, which is the practising section for the students of the Basic Training School, ran in its three-storeyed permanent building in the compound of the Training School with 729 pupils.

There is provision for moral and religious instruction, group singing, special worship, Bhajan and physical training as also for useful extra-curricular activities.

The three Hostels of the Vidyalaya had a total strength of 238 girls.

The two Libraries of the Vidyalaya contained a total of "15,985 volumes.

The orphanage (Devi Home), started with the grant of the Central Social Welfare Board for a period of five years from 1961, was closed.

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

This Home for college students (Belgharia, Calcutta 56; Phone : 56-2670), started in 1916 and recognised by the Calcutta University, occupies an extensive area of 38 acres, close to the Belgharia Railway Station and about 7 miles from Calcutta. Run on the lines of ancient Gurukulas, it is specially meant for indigent students of approved parts, who get here free or part-free board, lodging, etc., during their college career.

Besides accommodation for 100 students, the Home has a prayer hall, an Assembly Hall cum Library and Reading Room, and other amenities. In addition to religious training and per­formance of domestic duties, a small workshop with various kinds of household machinery affords the students opportuni­ties for varied practical training. The Students' Home Library

4

26

has about 3,200 well-chosen books in the general section, and 2,386 books in the text-book section. The number of free, part-free and paying inmates during the year was 75, 13 and 12 respectively.

About 38% of the year's subscriptions was contributed by ex-students of the Home.

The Shilpapitha (Phone : 56-4469), a polytechnic started in 1958, provided three-year diploma courses in Civil, Mecha­nical and Electrical Engineerng for 720 students.

The Vivekananda Yuva Samity proved a good forum for local contact.

The Ramakrishna Mission, Chiiiglcput

Started as a Higher Elementary School in 1936, the insti­tution became a High School in 1942 (Phone : 436 ; Post Box : 11 ; Telegraphic address : GADHAI). Its strength in March 1966 was 456, and that of the Boys' Home 23. The School imparts to its pupils, besides secular education, moral and re­ligious instruction as also lessons on music, gardening, print­ing and composing. A Girls' High School, started in 1950, had 358 students in March 1966, and the Junior Basic Elementary School had 210 boys and 183 girls. Birthdays of saints and prophets were celebrated with great eclat. The institution's Library had 8,502 books.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Cherrapunji (K. & J. Hills)

This centre (Phone : Cherrapunji 27) in trie Khasi and Jaintia Hills of Assam conducted the following activities at Cherrapunji : (1) A High School with 237 boys and 262 girls. (2) A Vocational School with weaving, tailoring, typewriting, carpentry and photography sections. (3) A Hostel with 75 boys. (4) Three Primary Schools. (5) A Night School for general education of carpentry boys. (6) Educational film shows.

27

The monks had their private shrine and celebration of the birthdays of holy saints in which the public also took part.

At Sheila, 13 miles down, it conducted an M. E. School, a Primary School and an Ashrama with a Library and a Com­munity Hall.

At Nongwar, a village 9 miles below Cherrapunji, a free Primary School, an M. E. School, a Night School and a Library were conducted.

A Sohbar, about 8 miles down, it had a Junior Basic School, an M. E. School with a vocational section teaching weaving, tailoring, carpet-making and cane-bamboo work and two separate hostels with 10 boys and 10 girls respectively.

Altogether 111 boys and 143 girls studied in 11 M. E. Schools ; and 874 boys and 866 girls in 28 Primary or Nursery Schools. New sheds for 6 Primary Schools were built.

In various parts of the Khasi Hills, the modern method of Bee-keeping was introduced and taught under the agency of the Mission. There were 13 Bee-keeping sub-stations in differ­ent villages with numerous hives bringing subsidiary income to 608 bee-keepers.

The Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith Deoghar (S.P.)

This institution (P.O. B-Deoghar; Phone : Deoghar 33, Gram : RAMAKRISHNA VIDYAPITH, Baidyanathdham-Deoghar) is conducted on the model of a Gurukula, where stress is laid on the development of character and welHnte-grated personality through harmonious attention to the body, mind and spirit. This Higher Secondary School recognised by the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi, has three streams in its higher section—Science, Commerce and Humanities—with English as the medium of instruction. The school library has 8,395 books.

In addition, there is provision for the teaching of various handicrafts, music, painting, tailoring, gardening and physical

28

culture through games, sports, drills, excursions and camping. In March, 1966 the Vidyapith had 281 boys.

The Charitable Dispensary run by the Vidyapith treated 15,009 cases (new cases 4,069), including poor villagers from the neighbourhood.

A new dormitory and teachers' quarters were added dur­ing the year.

A free Primary School with 82 students was started. Mid­day meals, uniforms, books, etc., were supplied to the children free.

The Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith Purulia

Academically, this institution (P.O. Vivekananda Nagar; Phone : Purulia 160) is a residential Multipurpose School hav­ing Humanities, Science, Technology, Fine Arts and Agricul­ture as its courses. The media of instruction in all the classes from IV to XI are both English and Bengali. This institution is located on an extensive plot of land measuring nearly 62 acres. There is provision for the teaching of music, painting, tailoring, gardening, and physical culture through games, sports, drill, excursion, camping, etc. In 1966-66 there were 394 students on the rolls.

The Government of India has recognised this as a model school and the Government of West Bengal provides stipends for nearly 20% of the students.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Barnagore Calcutta 36

This educational institution for boys (Phone : 56-2624) conducted the following schools within the Ashrama campus : A Multi-purpose School with Humanities, Science, Technical and Commerce courses; Roll strength 900; 2 units of Senior Basic School with 226 students, a Primary School with 320 students and two Junior Basic Schools with a total of 409 stu­dents. Besides general education, the boys were given reli-

29

gious and moral training. Two units of A.C.C. and two scout units also functioned properly. The Ashrama also accommo­dated 197 boys of whom 15 were free and 9 enjoyed concession.

The Ashrama conducted a Night School and a Sanskrit Chatushpathi with 41 and 15 students respectively, besides an Area Library with 8,222 books. Educational films were shown regularly on Sundays by the Audio-visual Unit of the Ashrama.

The Homoeopathic Charitable Dispensary treated 19,203 patients, of whom 3,369 were new.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Asansol (Burdwan)

The Ashrama, situated on the Grand Trunk Road (Phone : Asansol 2937), conducted in 1965-66—(1) a Multi-purpose School with three streams—Science, Technology and Humani­ties ; roll strength 822- The School Library had 6,420 books. (2) Two Junior Urban Basic Schools with 329 boys. (3) A Students' Hostel with 40 inmates. (4) An Ashrama Library and a Reading Room with 1,226 books. (4) Regular religious classes, and occasional meetings and festivals.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Taki (24 Parganas)

This Ashrama, established as a centre of rural uplift (Phone : Taki 25) conducted—(1) A High School with 487 students. (2) Three U.P. Schools—one for boys, one for girls and the other a mixed one—with roll strength of 179, 103 and 65 students respectively. (3) A Students' Home with 50 in­mates. (4) A small Library with 360 books. (5) A Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 47,027; new cases 27,513.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Manasadwip (24 Parganas)

This institution in Sagar Island conducted—(1) a Multi­purpose School with 324 boys. (2) A Junior Basic School with 152 boys and a special cadre Primary School for 115 girls. (3) Occasional religious classes and discourses among the

30

students. (4) Birthday anniversaries of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swamiji. (5) A small Students' Home.

The Ashrama had a School-cum-Community Centre with a free Reading Room and a Lending Library for the public. It also organised magic lantern lectures of educative value among the rural folk of nearby localities.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Silchar (Cachar)

This institution (Phone : 280) conducted—(1) A Students' Home with 73 inmates, including 33 tribal boys. (2) A Library and Reading Room with 2,113 books; issued 3,398. (3) Relief in the form of pecuniary help to 72 persons, and regular doles of rice to 6 deserving families. (4) 135 religious classes in the Ashrama, and 7 lectures in different places on cultural and religious subjects. (5) Celebration of the Durga Puja and the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Puri

This Mission branch (Phone : Puri 207) conducted the following activities : (1) A Library with a reading room; Books 12,801, issued 5,378 ; 10 dailies and 49 magazines; daily attendance 90. (2) A Children's Library with 736 books and facilities for indoor and outdoor games, special classes and lec­tures. (3) A Students' Home, which provided free board and lodging, coaching, physical training, as well as general educa­tion in recognised institutions, to 56 students, of whom 29 were Adivasis, 9 Harijans, 8 of the backard classes and 7 caste Hindus. The iiome nad its own iext-Dook .Library with W4 books.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ramharipur (Bankura)

Detached from its mother centre—Bankura—it came to be treated as an independent centre from 1st March, 1966. It had : (1) A Multi-purpose School with Science, Humanities and

31

Agriculture, and 330 students. (2) Two free Junior Basic Schools with a total of 145 boys and 60 girls. (3) A School-cum-Community Centre having a Night School with 30 adult students. (4) A Hostel with 52 boys. (5) A Homoeopathic Dis­pensary with a daily average of 35 patients. (6) Regular Puja, etc., at the Ashrama shrine.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Visakhapatnam

This Ashrama at Maharanipeta (Visakhapatnam 2; Phone : 2561), situated on the Beach Road and commanding an excellent view of the Bay of Bengal, conducted—(1) A cul­tural and recreational centre with a small library for children and arrangement for teaching Sanskrit, HindTand Bengali on easy lines. It also provided audio-visual education for the children as also the public through documentary film shows. (2) A Library and Reading Room with 2,344 books, 6 news­papers and 20 magazines. (3) Occasional scriptural discourses. (4) A Primary School having 203 boys and 185 girls on its rolls A small plot of land was acquired during the year for an addi­tional building for the school. (5) Celebration of the birth' days of Sri Ramakrishna and others.

C. Institutions of General Service (Medical, Cultural and Educational)

The Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi

The Ashrama, occupying since 1935 its own premises on Ramakrishna Ashrama Marg, New Delhi 1 (Phone: 27-7111), has : (1) A T. B. Clinic located at Karolbagh in its spacious three-storeyed building, with a separate double-storeyed staff quarters. The clinic has a well-equipped modern pathological laboratory. The outdoor section of the clinic treated 1,32,652 cases in 1966-66; new cases 1,777. Number of new patients treated in its 28 indoor observation beds was 363. Under the Home Treatment Scheme, Health Visitors and doctors were de-

32

puted to educate suspects about health rules, and to give treat­ment to those unable to attend the clinic in person. (2) An Outdoor Homoeopathic Dispensary : Total cases 35,404 ; new cases 6,631. (3) A Library with a separate Children's section and a University students' section: Books 17,286, issued 15,785; newspapers 14 and journals 104; average daily attendance 386. (4) 28 Sunday discourses, and 37 Saturday classes on the Ram-ayana in Hindi. (5) Occasional classes and lectures in various local colleges, and cultural institutions. (6) Celebration of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda at the Ashrama and other localities of Delhi. (7) The Sarada Mandir, a religious and moral instruction class for children aged 6 to 12, with an average attendance of 40. (8) Religious classes on Sunday mornings at the Delhi University under the auspices of the Vedanta Samity: discourses 26.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Kanpur

This institution is located at Ramakrishna Nagar, Kanpur 12 ('Phone : 33391V Its activities in IPfifi-fifi wprp — /1\ Outdoor

\ / _ ,, . . - ^ — y

Dispensary: Total cases 2,31,145; new cases 39,416; surgical cases 222 ; daily average number of patients treated 642. (2) A Higher Secondary School with 639 boys. (3) One Physical Culture institute for the Harijans. (4) Religious classes, Bhajan and observance of the birthdays of great religious Teachers.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Patna

The Ashrama situated at Langartoli (Ramakrishna Avenue, Patna 4; Phone: 22183), conducted — (1) Two Chari-

. ._ _ -. _ . * - .. - .

tvv.n>JC*i iv~L}, vyiiv. jl i^jm\J*n t^clum, dllCi U11V* Wtll^

Total cases 58,030 and 46,498 respectively (new cases 6,255 and and 6,556). (2) A Library and free Reading Room containing 7,699 books (issued 10,076), 62 periodicals and 8 dailies. (3) A Lecture Hall ; number of lectures 1 1. (4) Regular scriptural classes in and outside the Ashrama numbering 241. (5) A Students' Home for college boys with 24 inmates, of whom 12 were free and 3 part-paying. (6) Durga Puja, and birthday

33

celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vive-kananda and other prophets.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Shillong

The Ashrama, located at Laitumkhrah, Shillong 3 (Phone: 676), conducted the following activities—(1) A Charitable Dis­pensary with Pathology, E. N. T. and X-ray sections, an Electrotherapy unit as also a Homoeopathic department. Total cases treated 54,802; new cases 37,074. A Mobile Dispensary regularly visited ten neighbouring villages and treated 11,908 patients. (2) A Library and Reading Room with 7,374 books, 8 newspapers and 68 periodicals; books issued 12,431. (3) A Students' Home : Inmates 30. (4) Religious and cultural clas­ses at the Ashrama and other localities of the town, as also Ramnarn Kirtan in many quarters. (5) A few public meetings, documentary film shows and magic lantern lectures in the Ashrama. (6) Anniversaries and festivals. (7) A small publica­tion department, which published books in Assamese and Khasi languages.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Chandigarh

The Ashrama (Sector 15-B, Chandigarh 17 ; Phone: 787) conducted discourses on the Gita in English on Fridays and Ramnam Kirtan, Tulsi Ramayan Katha and scriptural exposi­tions in Hindi on Sundays. The Ashrama Library had 1,187 books (issued 411.) Occasional lectures were arranged in and outside the Ashrama. Various festivals, the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda and other relio-ious Teachers were celebrated.

A Students' Home for college students had 32 inmates.

A Homoeopathic Charitable Dispensary treated 12,057 cases, new cases 3,062.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Ranchi

The activities of this Ashrama at Morabadi, 11 & 12 Swami Vishuddhananda Road, Ranchi 8 (Phone: 1215) in 1965-66

34

were—(1) An Outdoor Homoeopathic Dispensary: T 11,618; new cases 5,830; 485 patients received helj diet. (2) A Library and Reading Room: Books 1,81 143; newspapers and periodicals 56. (3) Regular wo observance of the birthdays. (4) 20 public meeting! classes in and outside the Ashrama.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Cali<

Located in its own premises at Kallai (Calicut 3, 2471), this centre conducted in 1965-66—(1) A i School with 821 boys and 529 girls. (2) A Lower School with 387 boys and 246 girls. (3) A Studen with 80 inmates. (4) An Allopathic Dispensary : T 48,020; new cases 13,457. (5) Daily Bhajan and disci the students of the Home, and special Bhajan and i for school students every Sunday. (6) Religious and meetings and educational film shows for the School st

The Ramakrislma Mission Ashrama, Midnap

The activities of this Ashrama (Phone: Midnaj were—(1) A Multi-purpose High School (Phone : i 533 students (2) Two Junior Basic Units—strength and 131 girls. (3) A Hostel for 100 boys. (4) A Ci Library and Free Reading Room : Books 5,690; issue (5) An Outdoor Dispensary with an Eye Clinic and a I cal Department: Total cases 76,359 ; new cases 27,978. lar religious classes, annual observance of birthdays a festivals, and occasional lectures. (7) Educational fil: (8) A Pre-Basic Nursery School with 43 children.

A Science Museum was opened, a Recreation ] completed, and the construction of a Prayer Hall we in 1985-66.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Sargachhi (Murshidabad)

This oldest Ashrama of the Mission (P. O. Ashrama), started in 1897 by Swami Akhandananda, o

35

—(1) A Junior Basic Teachers' Training College with 100 trainees. (2) A Multi-purpose School with Humanities, Science and Agriculture, and 392 students. (3) Three Junior Basic Schools with 321 boys and 131 girls. (4) An Adult School with 31 students. (5) An outdoor Charitable Dispensary: Total cases 8,551 ; new cases 5,680. (6) Six Libraries with free Rea­ding Rooms: Books 10,700; issued 7,457; periodicals 48; newspapers 15. (7) Daily worship, Bhajan and religious clas­ses, and observance of the birthdays of religious Teachers. (8) Occasional lectures. (8) Birthday anniversaries of Sri Rama-krishna and Swamiji and occasional classes and lectures at the Berhampore town centre. (10) Occasional help in cash and kind. (11) Two Hostels with 104 inmates.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Katihar (Purnea)

Started in 1926, the Ashrama (Phone : 149) conducted in 19G5-GG—(1) A Homoeopathic and an Allopathic Dispensary with Eye Department : Total cases 37,342 ; new cases 17,759. (2) A Free Library and Reading Room : Books 2,260 ; issued 642. (3) A Secondary School mainly for displaced children with 630 students. (4) A Students' Home with 26 inmates. (5) Regular religious classes, occasional lectures in and outside the Ashrama, and occasional public celebrations.

The Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Smriti Mandir, Khetri (Kajaslhan)

This Mission centre is housed in the mansion at Khetri in Rajasthan where Swami Vivekananda stayed as the honoured guest of the Raja. It also owns another house in the town.

In 1965-66 the centre conducted—(1) One free Maternity Home and Child Welfare Centre. 229 maternity cases (of which 17 were indoor) and 2,673 Ante and 891 Post-natal cases were attended to. (2) A small Library with 2,957 books and a Reading Room with 40 dailies and periodicals. (3) Regular

36

discourses on the Bhagavad Gita and occasional lectures and festivals. (4) Celebration of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swamiji. (5) A Primary-cum-Nursery School with 91 children. (6) Relief to fire victims (about 80 families).

SECTION III COMBINED MATH & MISSION CENTRES

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission Madras

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, this Math principally conducted—(1) Daily worship of Sri Ramakrishna. (2) 20 lectures and 104 religious classes at the Math, and 52 classes at other localities of the city. (3) Lecture tours to different parts of the State and outside. (4) Celebration of the birthdays of the Prophets and other festivals. (5) A Library with a children's section open to the public : Books 14,350; newspapers and periodicals 215 ; books issued 2,720. (6) Three monthly journals : The Vedanta Kesari (English, 53rd year), Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam (Tamil, 47th year) and Sri Ramakrishna Prabha (Telugu, 23rd year). (7) Publication of 3 new books and reprinting of 9 old ones. (8) & (9) A Girls' Elementary School (strength 664) and the Vivekananda Centenary Girls' High School at George Town, Madras-1 (strength 407). (10) A Charitable Dispensary with Allopathic, Homoeopathic, Dental, E.N.T., X-ray and Surgical sections : Total cases 1,54,964; new cases 53,537. (11) Distribution of milk to a total of 36,845 undernourished women and children.

The Mission branch undertook Cyclone Relief work at Rameswaram and Uchipulli at a cost of more than one lakh rupees. A new colony with 57 hutments for the cyclone-victims was constructed.

The Ramakrishna Mission and Ashrama, Bombay

This Ashrama, situated at Khar (Bombay 52-AS ; Phone : 532442), conducted—(1) Daily worship and Bhajan. (2) Cele­bration of a number of birthdays of Saints and Prophets. (3)

132 religious classes in and outside the Ashrama at Bombay, and 20 lectures outside the city. (4) Consecration of a new temple and installation therein of a marble statue of Sri Ramakrishna.

The Mission branch conducted in 1965-66—(1) A Charitable Dispensary-cum-20 bedded Hospital with Allopathic, Homoeo­pathic, Ayurvedic and Nature Cure sections : Total cases 2,67,256; new cases 55,514. (2) A Library: Books 12,356; issued 6,961. (3) A Students' Home : Strength 80.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama and Mission Sevashrama Vrindaban (Mathura)

Started in 1907 and formally recognised in 1911 (Phone : 10), it was shifted to its commodious new buildings on the Mathura Road in March, 1962. The institution has a hospital ~ with well-equipped Medical, Surgical, Eye, E.N.T., Dental, Radiological and Pathological departments under specialists. Its activities in 1965-66 were—(1) Indoor Hospital : Beds 100, admissions 2,527 ; Surgical cases 929. (2) Outdoor Dispensary : Total cases 1,97,953 ; new cases 38,837. The Eye Hospital is a special feature of the institution.

The two Operation Theatres for General and Eye Surgery have been air-conditioned this year.

The Centre has been converted into a Math and Mission combined centre by opening a Math Branch in December, 1965.

The Ramakrishna Mission and Ashrama Mangalore (South Kanara)

Besides daily worship, Bhajan and the celebration of birth­days of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Viveka-nanda, this Ashrama, situated on Mangaladevi Road (Manga­lore 1 ; Phone : 3412), organised weekly classes and occasional lectures or discourses in and outside the Ashrama. The Ashrama Library had 2,769 books; issued 451.

The Mission branch conducted—(1) A Boys' Home with

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43 boys. (2) An Allopathic Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 32,060; new cases 6,456.

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Rajahmundry (East Godavari)

The Math is situated at Veerabhadrapuram (Rajahmundry 1 ; Phone : 112). In addition to regular worship and Bhajan, it conducted 70 scriptural classes, arranged 10 lectures in and outside the town, maintained a Library and Reading Room and celebrated the birthdays of the Prophets. The Library had 5,340 books and 40 periodicals.

The Mission branch conducted a Students' Home, located in its own building, with 16 free boarders. The Town Centre, near the bank of the Godavari, conducted regular worship, a free Library with 1,050 books and 34 journals; average attend­ance : 60. A Charitable Dispensary treated 32,850 cases. Daily^ religious discourse is a regular feature of this centre and is quite popular.

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Bhubaiieswar

This monastery (Bhubaneswar 2, Phone : 213), founded by Swami Brahmananda in 1919, conducted daily worship and regular religious classes and celebrated the birthdays of the Prophets. The Publication Department reprinted two books in Oriya.

The Mission branch conducted—(1) A free U. P. School with 184 boys and 100 girls. (2) An M. E. School with 31 boys. (3) An Allopathic Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 25,798; new cases 13,562. (4) A Library with 7,402 books. The con­struction of the new School building was under progress.

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission Sevashrama Bankura

The Math (Phone : 231) conducted—(1) Daily worship. (2) 550 religious classes. (3) A number of public celebrations.

40

(4) A Library and Reading Room with 3,485 books, 37 periodi­cals and 4 newspapers.

The Mission Sevashrama conducted—(1) Three Charitable Dispensaries; cases treated 54,069 (new : 12,989). (2) A Junior Urban Basic School with 90 boys and 43 girls. (3) A Students' Home with 25 inmates.

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission Ashrama, Malda

This centre (Phone : 179) held regular scriptural classes and Bhajan as also occasional lectures both within and outside its own premises. It also celebrated the birthdays of Saints and Prophets.

The Mission Branch conducted—(1) A Higher Secondary School with 611 students. (2) An Urban Junior Basic School with 194 boys and 31 girls. (3) Three Primary Schools for tribals, scheduled castes and backward communities, in rural areas with 190 boys and 13 girls. (4) A Junior Basic School at Mohanpara with 82 boys and 58 girls. (5) A Primary School at a nearby refugee colony with 87 boys and 66 girls. (6) Four Social and Adult Education centres in the tribal and backward areas of the district; Neo-literates 172. (7) A Pre-basic (Nursery) School with 79 boys and 51 girls. (8) A Women's Home Industry centre with 39 girls. (9) A Students' Home with 21 inmates, of whom 5 were free. (10) A Library and Reading Room with 1,777 books (issued 1,130). (11) A Children's Club with 150 boys and 160 girls. (12) A Homoeopathic Charitable Dispensary with branches at Narayanpur and Chitkol. Total cases 49,676 : new cases 6,820.

Quarters for the teachers of the Nursery School were newly constructed.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama and Mission Sevashrama Tamluk (Midnapore)

The activities of this Mission branch (Phone : Tamluk 5) were—(1) An Industrial School with 31 students. (2) A Junior

41

Basic .School with 99 boys and 91 girls. (3) A Night School for adults with 38 students. (4) A Students' Home with 14 in­mates. (5) A Library and Reading Room : Books 6,343 ; issu­ed 5,508. (6) An Outdoor Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 23,024; new cases 4,675. (7) Casual help in cash and kind.

The Ashrama conducted daily worship and Bhajan and celebrated a number of birthdays of Prophets and Saints.

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission Kamarpukur (Hooghly)

This centre was founded for preserving the house where Sri Ramkrishna was born.

The Math (Phone : Kamarpukur 21) conducted daily wor­ship and religious classes and observed some birthdays and festivals.

The Mission branch conducted—(1) An Outdoor Dispen­sary : Total cases 17,316; new cases 5,400. (2) Two Senior Basic Schools with 138 boys. (3) Two Junior Basic Schools with 248 boys and 141 girls. (4) A Pre-Basic School with 28 boys and 22 girls. (5) A School-cum-Community centre : Students 22. (6) An Audio-Visual Mobile Unit. (7) A Students' Home with 125 inmates. (8) A Multi-purpose Higher Second­ary School with 112 boys. (9) A Sanskrit school with 43 stud­ents. (10) An area Library with 4,416 books.

The Matrimandir and Sarada Sevashrama Jayranibati (Bankura)

The Matrimandir, established in memory of the Holy Mother at her birth-place, conducted daily worship and reli­gious classes, three festivals and a small Library.

The Mission Sevashrama conducted—(1) A Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 15,363 ; new cases 4,063. (2) A Senior Basic School with 57 students. (3) Two Pre-Basic (Nursery) Schools with 30 boys and 50 girls. (4) A Night School for adults with 15 students. (5) Two Junior Basic Schools with 150 boys and 60 girls.

6

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The Ramakrishna Math and Mission Sevashrama Contai (Midnapore)

The Sevashrama maintained—(1) A Library and Reading Room: Books 5,117; issued 3,718; magazines etc. 20. (2) A mobile Library : Books issued 682- (3) A Charitable Homoeo pathic Dispensary : Total cases 33,445; new cases 10,620.

4. A Students' Koine with 10 inmates of whom 7 were free.
5. A U. P. School at Belda, 4 miles off, wih 72 boys and 63girls. (6) Pecuniary help to deserving students and needypatients.

The Math conducted worship and religious classes daily, and organised public lectures occasionally in different parts of the Sub-division. Birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda were observed.

The Kamakrishna Math and Mission Sevaslirania Allahabad

The Math, situated at Muthiganj (Bigyanananda Road, Allahabad 3; Phone: 5689) was founded in 1908 and the Mis­sion Sevashrama in 1910 by Swami Vijnanananda. The Math conducted 30 religious classes. The birthdays of the Prophets were duly celebrated.

The Sevashrama conducted (1) A Charitable Dispensary: Total cases 23,544; new cases 6,816. (2) A Library and Read­ing Room: Books 8,060; issued 3,942; 46 magazines and 6 newspapers.

This year the Mission organised camps and medical units to serve the Kumbha Mela pilgrims.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama and Mission Seva Samiti Karimganj (Cachar)

The Samiti conducted—(1) A Students' Home with 31 inmates. (2) A Library and Reading Room: Books 2,047; issued 3,110; dailies and periodicals 19. (3) A Mobile Library for rural areas with 442 books; issued 611. (4) A Homoeopa-

43

thic Dispensary: total cases 2,614; new cases 872. (5) Crema­tion of 11 unclaimed dead bodies. (6) Doling of rice to 18 regular recipients and occasional help in cash and kind. (7) 332 religious classes for the boys of the Home and 86 for the public.

The Ashrama conducted daily worship, Bhajan and reli­gious classes, arranged occasional lectures and celebrated the birthdays of the Prophets.

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission Sevashrama Garbeta (Midnapore)

This Mission branch (P. O. Amlagora) conducted—(1) A Homoeopathic Charitable Dispensary: Total cases 9,664; new cases 7,173. (2) A Students' Home with 9 inmates. (3) A Junior Basic School with 90 boys and 83 girls. (4) A Library with 500 books.

The Math conducted daily worship and celebrated the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vive-kananda and arranged for occasional lectures.

SECTION IV MATH CENTRES

The Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati (Almora)

Under the inspiration of Swami Vivekananda the Ashrama (P. O. Mayavati, Via Lohaghat) was founded in 1899 in the solitude of deep Himalayan forests, commanding a magnificent view of the snow-range.

The Ashrama at Mayavati has a fine Library with over 6,000 books, and a Hospital with 21 beds, which treated 494 in­door patients and 14,673 outdoor cases (new cases 9,408).

This year the Ashrama and the Hospital buildings have been electrified.

The attached guest-houses provide opportunities for spiritual culture to a limited number of aspirants.

The Ashrama has a branch at 5 Dehi Entally Road, Cal­cutta 14 (Phone: 44-1214), which undertook the following activities: (1) Publishing one new book and reprinting ten books. (2) Publication of an English monthly, the Prabuddha Bharata (70th—71st year). (3) 47 religious classes and public lectures. (4) A Public Library and Reading Room with 6,860 books, 78 magazines and 5 newspapers. (5) Distribution of doles, clothes, etc. to 3,385 recipients and Rs. 1,977/- by way of monetary help to different institutions.

The Ramakrishna Math, JBaghbazar, Calcutta

The Math occupying its own home at 1 Udbodhan Lane (Calcutta 3 ; Phone: 55-2447 and 55-0056) is known also as the Calcutta residence of the Holy Mother. In addition to the usual routine of a monastery, it conducted: (1) A Library with 2,316 books, issued 1,892. (2) A Publication Department, which brought out the second edition of 'Swami Vivekanander Vani O Rachana' in 10 volumes and published 17 other books

45

(new 1 ; reprints 16), besides publishing the Udbodhan (67th year), the Bengali monthly of the Order. (3) Scriptural classes and lectures.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Nagpur

The main feature of this Ashrama at Dhantoli (Nagpur 1 ; Phone: 23422) is the publication of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature in Hindi and Marathi. In 1965-66 the Ashrama conducted—(1) A Charitable Dispensary in the backward locality of Indora (total cases 1,09,535 ; new cases 23,870). (2) A Library and free Reading Room: Books 19,955; issued 13,853 ; newspapers 45, periodicals 53. (3) A Students' Home for college students: inmates 25. (4) A Publication Depart­ment, which brought out 24 books (new 17, reprints 7). (5) Publication of the Marathi monthly-/zvan Vikas (10th year). (6) A Study Circle, which organised debates, Public meetings and magic lantern lectures. (7) Observance of the birthdays of various Prophets and Saints. (8) Weekly scriptural dis­courses and lectures.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Rajkot

The Ashrama, situated in Jagnath Plot (Phone: Rajkot 407), conducted—(1) A Charitable Dispensary with Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic sections and an Allopathic eye section: Total cases 66,843; new cases 8,041. (2) A Students' Home with 85 inmates. (3) A free Library and Reading Room: Books 14,283 (issued 18,838). (4) A Publication Department which brings out Gujarat! versions of Ramakrishna-Viveka­nanda literature. (5) Regular religious classes and occasional lectures at Rajkot and other places. (6) Birthday anniver­saries of religious celebrities.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Trichur

This Ashrama,, situated at the Vilangan, (P. O. Puranattu-kara; Phone: 646), four miles from Trichur town, is an impor­tant educational centre which conducted—(1) A Gurukula and orphanage for boys with 114 inmates. (2) A Gurukula and

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orphanage for girls with 78 inmates. (3) A High School with 726 boys, and a Lower Primary School with 685 boys. (4) Sri Sarada Girls' High School with 585 girls. (5) A Co-operative Society for the High School. (6) Public meetings and educative film shows. (7) A Library and Reading Room at Punkunnam in Trichur town: Books 4,350; newspapers and periodicals 15. (8) Religious classes for the public numbering 140. (9) Daily worship and Bhajan in the Ashrama Gurukulas, at the Pun­kunnam Library and in the Harijan Colony at Adat. (10) A Nursery School with 38 children and a Shishuvihar with 30 babies. (11) Celebration of birthdays and other festivals. (12) A spiritual retreat for 5 days for lay devotees. (13) A Publication Department, which brought out 8 books (new 4, reprints 4). (14) Publication of the Prabuddha Keralam, a monthly in Malayalam (51st year). (15) A Printing Press. (16) A Charitable Dispensary: Total cases 28,909; new cases 13,883. (17) A Hospital for women and children with 10 beds; patients treated 245.

A new Prayer Hall was under construction.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bangalore

The Ashrama at Basavangudi (Bangalore 19; Phone: 23939), conducted—(1) Daily worship and Bhajan. (2) Weekly public discourses on religion at the Ashrama in English and Kannada and occasional lectures elsewhere. (3) Interviews and instructions to spiritual aspirants. (4) A Library and Reading Room: Books 4,460; issued 881; magazines 20. (5) A small publication department for Kannada books. (6) A Cultural and Recreational Centre for boys aged 7 to 15: Attendance on weekdays about 60; on Sundays about 100. (7) A Students' Home (Phone: 72464) for University boys with 83 inmates. (8) Birthdays of the Incarnations. (9) Swami Vivekananda Ashrama, Ulsoor (Phone: 74966): Daily Puja, occasional Bhajan, weekly religious classes.

The construction of the Vivekananda Centenary Memorial Building was in progress.

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The Ramakrishiia Ashrama, Mysore

This Ashrama at Vani Vilas Mohalla (Mysore 2; Phone: 535), has a beautiful Temple and Prayer Hall as also a Resi­dential Primary and Higher Secondary School (Phone: 1432), on an extensive and commanding site close to the Ashrama. The School conducted typing, drawing, painting and music as hobby classes. The number of students was 297. In addi­tion, the Ashrama conducted in the year—(1) Daily worship and Bhajan, and Ramnam Kirtan on Ekadashi days. (2) Regular classes and occasional ^lectures in and outside the city-(3) A Publication Department for books in Kannada, which brought out 1 new book and reprinted 11 old ones. (4) Cele­bration of certain birthdays. (5) Bhajan and religious classes for the local youths. (6) A Library : Books 6,000; issued 672.

The Ramakrishiia Ashrama, Trivandrum

The Ashrama located on the Nettayam hills about six miles from Trivandrum, has got an extention in the city at Sastha-mangalam (Trivandrum 10; Phone : 2551).

Besides daily worship and the celebration of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, the Nettayam Ashrama undertook in 1965-66 the following religious and cultural activities—(1) Religious classes, discourses and services, etc. numbering 124. (2) Public lectures 10. (3) Sunday reli­gious instruction and social gathering for children.

The city branch conducted : (1) a Hospital with 114 beds which treated 3,995 indoor and 52,460 outdoor cases (new cases 28,121), operations 458. The Hospital maintains a well-equipped Laboratory, an X-ray plant, a cardiomat as also arrangements for physical therapy. (2) An Antenatal Clinic and a Maternity section which attended to 596 delivery cases. (3) An Ayurvedic Dispensary, which treated 5,788 cases.

The Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama, Kalady (Ernakulam)

This Ashrama (Phone : 45) at the birth-place of Sri

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Sankaracharya conducted : (1) An Ayurvedic Dispensary : Total cases 5,191 ; new cases 3,812. (2) Daily worship. (3) Re­ligious classes for boys of the Students' Home. (4) Lectures numbering 75 at different places. (5) An L. P. School with 168 boys and 160 girls. (6) A Sanskrit U. P. School with 306 boys and 150 girls. (7) An English High School having 364 boys and 254 girls. (8) A Gurukula with 147 inmates. (9) A Library and Reading Room with 4,000 books, 15 periodicals and 3 news­papers. (10) A Publication Department for books mainly in Malayalam. (11) Celebration of birthdays and other festivals. (12) A Social Education Library with 2,657 books.

The Saradashrama, Ponampet (Coorg)

The Ashrama conducted—(1) An Indoor Hospital with 40 beds; Admissions 820. (2) An outdoor Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 25,986 ; new cases 14,962. (3) A Library and Read­ing Room with 2,435 books, 10 magazines and 2 newspapers. (4) Occasional lectures in and outside the Ashrama. (5) Obser­vance of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda, etc. (6) Special Bhajan on Ekadashi days.

The Vivekananda Ashrama, Shyamala Tal (Almora)

This Ashrama (P.O. Sukhidhaiig, Via Pilibhit) amid charming Himalayan scenery is an ideal resort for meditation and study. It has a Library with 2,130 books. The Rama­krishna Sevashrama, a hopsital of 12 beds attached to the Ashrama, treated 194 indoor and 10,713 outdoor cases (new cases /,/98). Ici ^veterinary acLLiuu Created 4,4011 itmmais.

The Ramakrishna Yogodyana, Kankurgachhi, Calcutta

This Math (7 Yogodyana Lane, Calcutta 54; Phone : 35-2928) in eastern Calcutta was founded in 1883 by Sj. Ram Chandra Datta, a distinguished lay disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, arid was sanctified by the Master's visit. It enshrines part of the sacred relics of Sri Ramakrishna. Its activities were—(1)

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Daily worship. (2) Religious classes numbering 50. (3) Celebra­tion of the birthday of Sri Ramakrishna and some other festi­vals. (4) A small Library with 1,030 books ; issued 160. (5) Two Charitable Dispensaries, started in 1959, at Kumirmari and Manasadwip in the Basirhat and Diamond Harbour sub-divi­sions of 24 Parganas respectively which treated in all 29,094 cases, of which 8,966 were new ones. (6) One Primary School at Manasadwip with 47 boys and 20 girls.

The Gadadhar Ashrama, Calcutta

This Ashrama, at 86A Harish Chatterjee Street, Bhowani-pore, Calcutta 25, continued its spiritual activities, consisting ofdaily worship and Bhajan, the observance of some annual cele­brations and regular classes for the public. The AshramaLibrary contained 3,000 useful books (issued 750), 1 newspaperand 6 periodicals. '

The Veda Vidyalaya, a Sanskrit Chatushpathi, had 18 students, and possessed a library with 1,000 books.

The Ramakrishna Math, Cossipore, Calcutta

This Math is established in the garden house (90 Cossipore Road, Calcutta 2; Phone : 56-2568) sanctified by the stay of Sri Ramakrishna with his disciples during the last few months of his life, as also by his Mahasamadhi. Daily worship, weekly scriptural classes in and outside the Ashrama and the celebra­tion of certain festivals were the main activities of the centre. There was a small Library for inmates and friends.

The Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama, Varanasi

Started by Swami Shivananda in 1902, the Ashrama (Rama­krishna Road, Varanasi 1) has all along been used as a retreat for old and retired monks. It also conducted—(1) Daily worship and Bhajan and the celebration of the birthdays of the Incar­nations and Saints. (2) Religious classes for the public, num­bering 331. (3) Occasional public lectures and seminars. (4) A Library and free Reading Room : Books 8,571; issued 2,900; journals etc. 20.

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The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Ootacamund

(Nilgiris)

The Ashrama at Ramakrishnapuram, a beauty spot of the famed hill station, conducted—(1) Daily worship. (2) Congre­gational prayer and chanting on Sundays at the Ashrama. (3) 42 indoor and outdoor classes, besides several lectures in the district. (4) Periodical visits to a number of villages in the district. (5) A Library and Reading Room : Books 2,400; magazines 18 ; newspapers 2. (6) Celebration of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and other great religious Teachers, as also various festivals.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Tiruvalla (Alleppey)

The Ashrama has its own home at Thukalassery. Besides regular worship and Bhajan as also the celebration of some birthdays, it conducted Sunday classes at the Ashrama and in some temples nearby. It maintained a small Library and guid­ed the activities of a few smaller centres in Kerala.

Other Ashramas in Kerala

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Palai (Kottayam) conducted a Students' Home, a small Library and weekly religious classes.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama at Quilandy (Kozhikode), duly observed the birthdays of certain Saints and Prophets, in addi­tion to conducting worship, Bhajan, etc.

The Ramakrishna Math, Kaiicheepurara (Chingleput)

This monastery (70 Nellukara Street) conducted—(1) 68 religious classes in the Ashrama and 6 public lectures. (2) A public Library and Reading Room : Books 6,644 ; issued 5,354 ; magazines 51 ; newspapers 9; average daily attendance 200. The Library had a new extension. (3) Discourses on Tiruvem-pavai for a month. (4) Celebration of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda, and the Navaratri Festival. (5) Bhajans on Saturday evenings.

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The Ramakrishna Math, Nattarampalli (North Arcot)

Besides daily worship and religious classes on every Sun­day, this rural monastery conducted weekly Bhajans in the Math. Lectures were occasionally delivered in the neighbour­ing villages. The birthday celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda were held in the Ashrama and also organised in different places. The Ashrama maintained a small Library and Reading Room.

The Ramakrishna Math, Purl

This monstery, situated on the sea beach at Chakratirtha, is an excellent place for contemplation. Besides daily worship and Bhajan, the Ashrama celebrated some birthdays and other festivals. Religious discourses were held in the Ashrama occasionally.

The Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora

Situated in the outskirts of the town, this Ashrama has become a favourite retreat for our monks ever since its found­ation by Swamis Shivananda and Turiyananda in 1916. Its Library of 3,922 books is open to the public. The Ashrama conducts daily classes and occasional Bhajans and offers limited accommodation to religious-minded visitors

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Kishenpur (Dehra Dun)

The Ashrama (P.O. Raj pur) in a picturesque valley, four miles above Dehra Dun on the Mussoorie Road, is a delight­ful place for meditation. Besides daily worship, it conducted —(1) A Library, which had 1,436 books, 6 magazines and 2 newspapers. (2) A Charitable Dispensary, which treated 392 cases (new cases 236).

It also celebrated some birthdays and arranged a few public meetings at Dehra Dun.

The Sarada Kutir, Barlowganj (Dehra Dun)

This small retreat, situated three miles below Mussoorie

52

near the main road, serves mainly as a summer resort for the monks of the Order.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Chandipur (Midnapore)

The Ashrama (P.O. Math Chandipur) conducted—(1) Daily worship and classes. (2) A Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 16,477; new cases 6,115. (3) A U. P. School : Boys 71 ; girls 70. (4) A Library with 1,077 books. (5) Occa­sional help in cash and kind to the poor. (6) Observance of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivek-ananda and other religious teachers.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Kalimpong (Darjeeling)

Besides serving as an excellent retreat for our monks, this ideally located Ashrama, commanding a fine view of the snow-range, kept its Library with 1,100 books open to the public. It also held occasional religious discourses in the town and celebrated the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivek-ananda as usual.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Jamtara (Santhal Parganas)

This monastery serves as a place of rest and change for the members of the Order. It also conducted—(1) A Charitable Dispensary : Total cases 10,174 ; new cases 8,024. (2) A Library with about 500 books. (3) Regular worship, Bhajan and the observance of some birthdays and religious festivals. (4) Distribution of drinking water with sweets to pedestrians dur­ing summer.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Koalpara (Bankura)

This Ashrama (P.O. Dehuapara), at a distance of five miles from Jayrambati, is a quiet retreat associated with the memory of the Holy Mother.

SECTION V

CENTRES OUTSIDE INDIA

IN EAST PAKISTAN

A. MISSION CENTRES

The Ramakrishna Mission, Barisal

This Mission branch conducted—(1) Occasional religious classes. (2) A Library with 783 books. (3) Help to poor people in cash and kind. (4) Celebration of the birthdays of great religious teachers. It also maintained a prayer hall.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Faridpur

This centre conducted—(1) An M. E. School with 200 students. (2) A small Students' Home with 15 students. (3) An Outdoor Dispensary : Total cases 8,000. (4) A small Library. (5) Birthday celebrations of the Prophets. (6) Help to the poor in cash and kind.

A prayer hall is maintained by the centre.

B. COMBINED MATH & MISSION CENTRES

The Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Dacca

The Mission branch conducted—(1) An outdoor Homoeo­pathic Dispensary : Total cases 1,068; new cases 111. (2) A Boys' School (up to Class VIII) : Strength 295. (3) A Library and Reading Room : Books 3,015 ; magazines 9, newspapers 2. (4) Religious and cultural discourses. (5) Occasional pecuniary help to the needy. (6) A Students' Home called the 'Viveka-nanda Chhatrabas' with 50 students.

The Math section conducted regular daily worship and

54

prayer. It celebrated the Durga Puja and the birthdays of some Prophets and Saints.

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Narayanganj (Dacca)

The activities of the Mission section were—(1) A Chari­table Dispensary. (2) A Students' Home. (3) A small Library and Reading Room. (4) Occasional pecuniary help to the needy.

The Math section conducted—(1) Regular worship and Bhajan. (2) Celebration of the birth anniversaries of Sri Rama­krishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda, and a few religious festivals.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama and Mission Seva Samiti

Sylhet

The Seva Samiti conducted—(1) A Library : Books 1,868. (2) A Students' Home with 10 inmates of whom 2 were main­tained free. (3) Help to the poor in cash and kind. (4) Crema­tion of unclaimed dead bodies.

The Ashrama held—(1) Daily worship and Bhajan. (2) Weekly religious classes and occasional lectures. (3) Celebra­tion of the birthdays of various Prophets and Saints, and Durga Puja and Shyama Puja.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama and Mission Seva Samiti Habiganj (Sylhet)

The Mission branch conducted—(1) An outdoor Dispen­sary : Total cases 1,482 ; new cases 30'5. (2) A Students' Home with 16 inmates. (3) A Library and Reading Room : Books 1,184 (issued 283), newspapers 2- (4) Helping the indigent in cash and kind.

The Ashrama conducted regular worship and religious classes and celebrated some anniversaries as well as the Durga Puja.

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The Ramakrishna Ashrania and Mission Sevashrama Baliati (Dacca)

The Mission branch conducted—(1) A Charitable Dispen­sary : Total cases 4,403, new cases 1,556. (2) A Primary Girls School with 77 students. (3) A Library and Reading Room with 1,010 books.

The Ashrama conducted regular worship, Bhajan, etc.

C. MATH CENTRES

The Ramakrishna Ashrania, Dinajpur

The Ashrama conducted—(1) A Students' Home with 24 inmates. (2) A Library and Reading Room with 852 books, 5 magazines and 2 newspapers. (3) Occasional help in cash and kind to the needy. (4) Regular worship, Bhajan and religious classes, and celebration of some festivals and birthdays.

The Ramakrisnna Ashrania, Bagerhat (Khulna)

This Ashrama conducted—(1) Regular worship and scrip­tural classes. (2) A small Library with 686 books. (3) A Students' Home with 11 boys, of whom 3 were maintained free. (4) Pecuniary aid to the needy.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mymensingh

This centre conducted—(1) Regular worship, Bhajan and occasional public meetings. (2) A Students' Home with 20 in­mates. (3) A small Library : Books 554, issued 384. (4) Weekly religious classes for students.

IN BURMA

The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Rangoon

As already announced in the last Annual General Report, this Sevashrama was nationalised by the Burmese Government from 5th July, 1965.

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The Ramakrishna Mission Society, Rangoon

With a three-storeyed building at 230 Botataung Pagoda Road (Phone : 11626) and a free Guest House in an adjacent building, the Society conducted : (1) A Free Open-Access Refer­ence and Lending Library and Reading Room with nearly 48,540 books in different languages (issued 18,920); daily ave­rage attendance 500¹. (2) 71 indoor classes on the scriptures and lives of saints. (3) 59 lectures on educational and cultural topics by outstanding persons. (4) 8 Musical Evenings. (5) 175 classes in different parts of the city and countryside. (6) Five Symposia on cultural topics. (7) Celebration of the birth­days of World Teachers of diverse faiths. (8) Ramanama Sankirtan on Ekadasi days. (9) 95 classes and lectures by the monks in and outside the city of Rangoon.

The Society organised several cultural study circles jointly with the Tagore College, Burma.

As the Government of Burma discontinued to issue stay permits to Foreign Missionaries, all the three monks of the Society had to leave Burma on 23rd April, 1966, for good. An internal administrative sub-committee of the local Managing Committee has since been looking after the Society's day to day work.

IN CEYLON

The Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch)

The Ashrama at Colombo, with its own home near the beach on Ramakrishna Road (Colombo 6; Phone : 88253), conducted—{!) Daily worship and weekly classes in Tamil and English. (2) A free Library with about 2,400 books and a Reading Room with 13 newspapers and 24 magazines. (3) Sunday religious classes for about 550 children in the Ashrama. (4) Religious classes for youthful offenders at the Wathupiti-wela Training School, about 28 miles from Colombo. (5) The International Cultural Centre with a Students' Hostel, guest rooms, Library, etc.

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The construction of the Swami Vivekananda Centenary Memorial Hall was started in January, 1966.

At the Batticaloa branch, besides running three orphanages with 70 boys and 50 girls, regular classes were conducted amongst lepers and prisoners. A Sunday School for 441 students was also managed by the Centre.

The capacious Madam (Pilgrims' Rest House) at the holy seat at Kataragama, 180 miles from Colombo, fitted with modern conveniences, was very popular among all sections of people. As in previous years, the Madam supplied free meals each day to about 10,000 pilgrims and cool drinks to about 20,000 for 18 days during the Esala Festival in July.

IN SOUTH EAST ASIA The Raniakrishna Mission, Singapore

This Mission centre at 9 Norris Road (Singapore 8; Phone : 35249), undertook various kinds of educational and cultural activities.

The Library and Reading Room had 5,088 books (issued 600), 58 journals and 6 dailies.

Weekly scriptural classes were conducted, and interviews were given to visitors and spiritual aspirants. The Swami-in-charge delivered 36 lectures at Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, etc. In the Ashrama temple the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and others as also various religious festivals were celebrated in a befitting manner. Eka-dashi was observed with Ramnam Kirtan. A spiritual retreat was conducted in Malaya.

The Vivekananda Tamil School and the Saradadevi Tamil School were run at 38 Norris Road, the former with 68 boys and 64 girls, and the latter with 139 girls. Night classes for 55 adults and religious classes for 30 children were also conducted in the school building. The Boys' Home at 179 Hartley Road (Singapore 19 ; Phone : 89077) had 55 inmates, mostly orphans and indigent boys, studying in the local educational institutions.

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IN FIJI

The Ramakrishna Mission, Nadi

The Ashrama is situated amid sylvan surroundings in the Nadi township (Phone : 16), where Gita classes were held weekly by Swami Rudrananda, who has been in charge of the centre all along. Religious classes were held in several towns also.

The educational work of the centre at Nadi was carried on mainly through Vivekananda High School (Phone : 444), a Library and a Students' Home. The High School had on its rolls 207 boys and 117 girls and the Students' Home accommo­dated 16 boys.

The Vivekananda College at Tailevu had arrangement for coaching students for the London University examinations.

IN MAURITIUS

The Ramakrishna Mission, Port Louis

The Mission's main centre in Mauritius is at Port Louis (Phone : Port Louis 567). It also possesses a house at Vacoas, 12 miles off (Phone : Vacoas 313).

The work of the Mission consisted mainly of : (1) Run­ning an Orphanage for Hindu children at Vacoas with 10 in­mates. (2) Conducting a Hindi School at St. Julien d'Hotman with 29 boys and 41 girls and another Secondary School at Vacoas with 81 students. (3) Running a small Library at Vacoas. (4) Holding regular classes in the Ashrama. (5) Preaching in different places of Mauritius. (6) Religious and cultural classes for Hindu students in Queen Elizabeth College at Rose Hill and the Hindu delegates of the Youth Leaders' Conference.

IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Vedanta Society, New York

'This is the first Vedanta Centre in the United States of

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America, having been started by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. It has its own five-storeyed building at 34 West 71st Street, New York, N. Y. 10023 (Phone : Trafalgar 4-8691).

Swami Pavitrananda has been in charge of the centre since 1951. Services were conducted by the Swami every Sunday, and classes on the Bhagavad-Gita were held on Tuesdays. There was a special class for the members on Fridays.

Birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda and Lord Buddha as well as Christmas and Eas­ter were celebrated. The annual Members' Dinner and "Vive kananda Fourth of July Festival" also were celebrated.

Groups of students from different institutions, including those from New York University, came for special and regular classes at the Centre. The Swami had several outside engage­ments for lectures.

The Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Centre New York

The Centre was founded in 1933 by Swami Nikhilananda, who continues to be Minister-in-charge. Located in its own house at 17 East 94th Street, New York, N. Y. 10028 (Tele­phones : Atwater 9-1710 and Lehigh 4-9445, Cable address : Rarnavivek, New York) the centre had the following activities in 1965-66 :

Services were conducted on Sundays and scripture classes were held on Tuesdays and Fridays. A Library and Reading Room was provided for the use of the members and visitors. Special services were held for Durga Puja, Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, and the birthdays of Buddha, Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda.

Since 1947, "Vivekananda Cottage", the house in Thousand Island Park (New York State) in which Swami Vivekananda imparted his Inspired Talks in 1895, has been used as a re­treat cum place of pilgrimage during the summer. As usual regular devotional services and a seminar for the study of Vedanta were conducted there.

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Swami Nikhilananda spoke to the Missionaries who were selected to go to India, at the Missionary Orientation Centre at Stony Point, New York. The Swami conducted the Chapel Service at Douglass College of the Rutger State University and spoke in a seminar arranged by the Huntington College in Canada. He also gave lectures outside by special invitation.

The Centre had its own Publication department with a good number of valuable publications to its credit.

The Vedanta Society, Providence (R. I.)

This Society, started by Swami Akhilananda in 1928, has its permanent home at 224 Angell Street (Providence, Rhode Island 02906, Telephone : 421-3960), in the vicinity of Brown University. Swami Sarvagatananda has been in charge of the centre from November, 1962.

The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Brahmananda, Buddha, Sri Krishna and Jesus Christ, as well as Easter and Durga Puja were celebrated. The Swami conducted regular service on Sundays and a class on the Gita on Tuesdays. He also gave lectures to the students of Brown University, Rhode Island College, and some Church groups. He was an active member of the World Affairs Council of Rhode Island and took part in the Baptist State Convention of Providence. He also partici­pated in the Interfaith Dialogue.

The Ramakrishna Vedanta Society Boston (Massachusetts)

This Society, started by Swami Akhilananda in 1941, is located in its own commodious home at 58 Deerfield Street (Boston, Massachusetts 02215, Telephone : 536-5320), on the Charles River. Swami Sarvagatananda took charge of the centre in November, 1962.

During the year under report, Sunday services and Thursday classes were regularly held. The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda, Swami

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Brahmananda, Buddha, Sri Krishna and Jesus Christ, as well as festivals like Easter and Durga Puja were duly celebrated.

In his capacity as one of the religious counsellors of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Swami Sarvagatananda conducted regular services on Fridays in the Chapel connected with the Institute. At the invitation of the Religious Depart­ment of Boston University, the Swami delivered a series of lectures He also spoke in various colleges and church groups. For the third consecutive year, the Swami conducted a religious service at the Cathedral of the Pines.

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

The Vivekananda Vedanta Society, Chicago (Illinois)

The Society was started in 1930 and Swami Bhashyananda has been in charge of it since August, 1965. In its own home at 44 East Elm Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611 (Phone : Wh 4-3543), the Swami conducted Sunday services as well as weekly scriptural classes on Tuesdays and Fridays. He spoke in several colleges as also universities like the University of Chicago, Loyola University, De Paul University, University of Wisconsin, etc.

A new building was purchased at 5423 South Hyde Park Blvd. (Chicago, Illinois 60615; Phone : 363-0027) where the temple was dedicated on September 7, 1966. The Swami has now shifted to this new residence. A Library of more than 500 volumes was opened for the members of the Society. The Sri Ramakrishna Banquet was held in connection with the Birthday Anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna.

The Vedanta Society, St. Louis (Missouri)

This centre, started by Swami Satprakashananda in 1938,

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acquired its own premises at 205 South Skinker Boulevard (St. Louis, Missouri 63105; Telephone : PA 1-518) in 1952. As before he lectured on Sundays on different religious and philo­sophical topics and held classes on the Bhagavad-Gita and meditation on Tuesdays. He also gave interviews to individual aspirants. The Swami was invited to speak on Hindu Religion and Philosophy at different educational and religious institu tions in and outside St. Louis. The Durga Puja, Christmas Eve and the birthdays of Buddha, Sri Krishna and Sankara as well as of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Viveka-nanda and Swami Brahmananda were specially observed. The lending Library of the centre was well utilised by the members and friends. The Swami expounded the Gospel of Sri Rama­krishna at an informal meeting of members and friends, held in the library once a month.

The Vedanta Society of Southern California Hollywood

This Society was stared in 1930 by Swami Prabhavananda, who is still its leader. Swamis Vandanananda and Sastra-nanda worked under him as Assistant Ministers. The main centre of the Society is at 1946 Vedanta Place (Hollywood, California 90028; Phone : Hollywood 5-7114; Cable address : Vedapress, Los Angeles). In addition to the public centre at Hollywood and the Vedanta Temple at Santa Barbara, 86 miles north of Los Angeles, the Society maintains at Santa Barbara the Sri Sarada Math for women, and the Ramakrishna Monastery at Trabuco Canyon, 65 miles to the south. Member­ship numbered nearly five hundred.

In all the three establishments, morning and evening meditation periods are observed, and daily worship is perform­ed. In Hollywood, Ramnam Kirtan is sung every fortnight and a monthly vigil is held. The Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Shivaratri are celebrated annually, as are the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Brahmananda, Buddha and Christ. Lectures are given each Sunday for the public at both the Hollywood and Santa Barbara

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temples, and since October, 1964 at the Ramakrishna Monas­tery, Trabuco, as well for the monastic members. Two even­ing classes are held weekly at Hollywood, and one weekly at Santa Barbara. During the past year, the Swamis lectured on invitation at various churches and colleges, and numerous groups attended services at the Society.

In 1956 a house in South Pasadena where Swami Viveka-nanda lived for several weeks in 1900 was acquired by the Society and has since then been maintained as a shrine.

Through the Society's publishing department, VedantaPress, 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 bookshopfeaturing books on all religions has been maintained at the Hollywood premises.

The Vedanta Society of Northern California San Francisco

This Society, established by Swami Vivekananda in 1900, has been in charge of Swami Ashokananda since 1932. He is assisted by Swamis Shantaswarupananda and Shraddhananda.

The Society Headquarters is located at the Hindu Temple, built by Swami Trigunatita in 1905, at 2963 Webster Street (San Francisco, California 94123 ; Telephone : 346-1265). In the spacious new Temple at 2323 Vallejo Street (San Francisco, California 94123 ; Telephone : 922-2323), completed in 1959, worship was conducted twice daily, and the auditorium was kept open for meditation. Public lectures were delivered there on Sundays and Wednesdays by the Swamis. The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda, as well as those of Sri Krishna, Lord Buddha and Christ were celebrated in the new Temple, and a special celebration on the Vijaya evening was held to observe the anniversary of the Temple's public opening. Here also was held the Annual June Reception by and for the members of the three centres.

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The well-equipped Library had about 12,000 books. Individual interviews were given in both the temples by Swami Ashoka-nanda.

The Friday evening scripture class as also the Sunday School for children aged 6 to 14 continued to be held at the old Temple.

The monastery of the Society now has three permanent establishments. One is located at the old Temple in San Francisco; another at the Olema Retreat; the third, at the Sacramento branch centre. There is also a convent for women at San Francisco.

The Society has three retreats under it. The old retreat known as Shanti Ashrama, located in the San Antone Valley, was visited during the year by some devotees. The 160-acre retreat on Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada mountains, was utilised by the Swamis during summer. The 2,000-acre wooded retreat at Olema in Marin County, continued to be developed. Swami Shraddhananda spent part of each week there, during which time he held daily classes for the monastery members.

The Society has two branch centres :

East Bay Centre : This branch centre, located at 2455 Bowditch Street, (Berkeley, 'California 94704; Telephone : 848-8862), was established by the Society in 193§. Swami Shantaswarupananda, the resident minister, gave lectures each Sunday of the month except the third, when Swami Chidrupa-nanda spoke. The New Year's Eve Vigil as also the annual pilgrimage to the Olema Retreat were very popular. The Library was in use throughout the year. Durga Puja, birth­days of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Viveka-nanda, Sri Krishna, Lord Buddha and the Christ were cele­brated.

Sacramento Centre : Started informally in 1949 and affili­ated in 1952, this Branch Centre is located at 1337 Mission Avenue, Sacramento County (P.O. Carmichael, California 95608; Telephone : 489-5137). During the year under review a public lecture, preceded by worship, was given every Sunday

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morning by Swami Shraddhananda, who was practically in charge, spending half of each week there. The Swami also conducted classes for the devotees on Thursdays and for the members of the monastery on Fridays and Sundays. The centre celebrated the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda, Buddha and the Christ and maintained an attractive library and reading room,

The Vedanta Society, Portland (Oregon)

This centre, started in 1925, is now under the leadership of Swami Aseshananda. The Vedic Temple property on Park Avenue, purchased in 1943, has been acquired by the State of Oregon for the expansion of its university facilities. At present services and classes of the Society are held in the modern Y. W. C. A. Chapel; as also at the Retreat Temple in summer. The Swami has an apartment at 1120 N.W. 25th Avenue, Apt. 4, Portland, Oregon 97210 (Phone : 223-1688).

The centre conducted daily worship and meditations, maintained a library, and celebrated the Durga Puja as also the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Lord Buddha and the Christ. The Swami held scriptural classes and gave interviews to those seeking spiritual guidance. He also spoke in various colleges and churches of Oregon. At the Portland University he participated in a seminar.

The Retreat Temple of the Society, known as Sri Rama­krishna Ashrama, overlooks the Columbia River Valley. Sunday morning services are held there in the summer season. The Swami invites informal discussions on religion and philosophy following the service. Members of the Society are encouraged to spend their vacation in this quiet atmosphere.

The Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre,

Seattle ( Washington )

This centre, started by Swami Vividishananda in 1938, in the beautiful north-western seaport of the United States, has its own three-storeyed home at 2716 Broadway East (Seattle,

9

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Washington 98102; Phone : EAst 3-1228). During the period under review public lectures were delivered by him every Sunday, and weekly religious classes were held on Tuesday and Friday evenings. He also gave individual instructions and occasionally spoke before school, university and church groups on invitation.

Birthdays of the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda. Sri Ramakrishna and Lord Buddha, as well as Christmas and Easter were observed.

The centre had several visits from Swami Aseshananda of the Portland centre who addressed different groups and congre­gations.

IN ARGENTINA

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. From 1941 it has its own fine home at Bella Vista (1149 Caspar Campos; Phone : 656-0098).

In November, 1957, it was granted a legal status by the Argentine Government. In the year under review the Swami gave informal talks on Sundays in the Ashrama. Interviews were given to visitors and spiritual instructions to earnest seekers. The centre duly observed the birthdays of Sri Rama­krishna, the Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda and Swami Brahmananda as well as Christmas Eve and Durga Puja.

IN ENGLAND

The Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre, London

Founded in 1948 by Swami Ghanananda, this centre is now housed in its own premises at 68. Dukes Avenue, Muswell Hill, London N. 10 (Phone : Tudor 3075, Cable : Vedanta, London

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IN FRANCE

The Centre Vedantique Ramakrichna, Gretz

This centre, which was initially organised under Swami Yatiswarananda, came to be located in 1945 in its own house on Boulevard Victor Hugo, 77-Gretz, France (Phone : Tournan 311), about 22 miles from Paris. Swami Ritajananda has been in charge since 1961.

Situated in a quiet area, with extensive lands and beauti­ful trees, the centre has developed into an Ashrama, which conducted regular worship and meditation in the chapel. The birthdays of various prophets were observed with special wor­ship and public lectures. Every Sunday afternoon there was a lecture in the new lecture hall, well attended by people who came mostly from Paris. The Swami gave interviews to people seeking advice on spiritual matters. He also gave talks at Brussels, and various other places of Germany. A new study group was organised at Wiesbaden, Germany.

The 'Vedanta', the centre's French-language magazine, was revived in 1965 after a lapse of five years.

CONCLUSION Birthday Celebrations

The general features of the Sri Ramakrishna and other birthday celebrations organised by the Ashramas in different parts of the world are : Special worship, Homa (making offer­ings in the sacred fire), chanting of scriptural texts, Bhajan and Sankirtan (devotional music, often in chorus), distribution of Prasad (sacramental food) to the devotees, feeding of the poor in large numbers, and lectures on the lives and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda by eminent speakers, including capable Swamis of the Order. Thus the message of Sri Ramakrishna and his associates is steadily spreading, and many young and ardent souls are com­ing into closer touch with the ideals of the Math and the Mission.

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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 on 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. All 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.

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

(iv) The Mass Education Fund.

(v) The Misssion Workers Fund, for the medical care of workers who fall sick, or retire in old age.

(All the above are Mission Funds.)

(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 the Report.

(viii) Funds for the maintenance of old and sick monks.

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 Ramakrishna Mission, as the case may be and crossed to ensure safety.

APPENDIX B

EXTRACTS FROM THE KULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION

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

Members and Associates

2. (a) All followers, whether lay or monastic, of the Para-mahamsa Ramakrishna may be members of the Association,if elected at a meeting of the Association or nominated by theGoverning Body hereinafter mentioned, provided that all theTrustees for the time being of the Indenture of Trust datedthe 30th day of January, 1901, usually called the Trust Deed ofthe Belur Math, shall be ex-officio members of the Association.

(b) A person intending to be a member shall sign the de claration 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 Eernal, whose life and teachings help one to understand the plan and purpose of all the religions of the world and their underlying truth and harmony,

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

(iii) I 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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3. 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.

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

5. Every lay member and every associate, unless exemptedtherefrom in writing by the Governing Body, shall pay an ad­mission 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 or subs­criptions.

6. The annual subscription may be commuted by theGoverning Body on payment of Rs. 350/-.
7. (a) Connection of jnejnbfirs and -associates- with ~tlre~Association shall cease by resignation, death, removal or non­payment of dues for two years, but shall be capable of renewalin such manner as the Governing Body may from time to timedecide.
8. Members shall be entitled to : —

1. Vote at all meetings of the Association, use the Libraryattached to the Math at Belur in the district of Howrah andreside at the Math temporarily subject to rules and regulationsprescribed by the Math authorities.
2. Attend all classes formed by the Association for theinstruction of its members and receive individual instructionwhenever practicable.

(c). Receive all publications of the Headquarters at a special discount of 25 per cent on the published price.

(d) Mofussil members shall be entitled to receive the pro­ceedings, reports and leaflets published by the Association on application.

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

DISTRIBUTION OF BRANCH CENTRES (1965-66)

West Bengal : Calcutta (7 centres), Belgharia, Narendrapur, Rahara, Sarisha, Taki, Manasadwip, Belur (Saradapitha), Tamluk, Chandipur, Midnapore, Garbeta, Contai, Ram-haripur, Bankura, Jayrambati, Koalpara, Kamarpukur Asansol, Sargachhi, Malda, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong and Purulia.

Assam : Shillong, Cherrapunji, Karimganj and Silchar.

Bihar : Patna, Katihar, Ranchi (2 centres), Jamshedpur, Deo ghar 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, Punjab : Chandigarh, Rajasthan : Khetri

Gujarat : Rajkot.

Maharashtra : Bombay and Nagpur.

Madras : Madras (5 centres), Kancheepuram, Chingleput. Nattarampalli, Perianaickenpalayam, Oolacamund and Salem.

Andhra : Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry.

Kerala : Trivandrum, Tiruvalla, Kalady, Trichur and Calicut.

Mysore : Bangalore, Mysore, Ponampet and Mangalore.

outside india East Pakistan : Dacca, Narayanganj, Baliati, Mymensingh,

Faridpur, Barisal, Bagerhat, Dinajpur, Sylhet and

Habiganj.

Burma : Rangoon, Ceylon : Colombo. Fiji : Nadi, Singapore : Singapore. Mauritius : Port Louis. England : London. France ; Gretz. Switzerland : Geneva. United States of America : New York (2 centres), Boston,

Providence, Chicago, St. Louis, San Francisco, Hollywood,

Portland and Seattle. Argentina (South America) : Buenos Aires.