Mangaluru: Great changes can be brought about only when we work unitedly in the society by following the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, who believed in leadership and organisational power, said Ramakrishna Mission Belur Math, West Bengal Vice – president Swami Gautamanand Maharaj.
He initiated the inaugural ceremony of Amrita Mahotsava programme of Ramakrishna Matha in the City on Friday June 3 and gave his blessings. Swami Vivekananda had proclaimed that humanity is the world religion. In that regard we must collectively perform our duty to society. In this regard, he appreciated that Ramakrishna Ashrama in Mangaluru is doing social work without any noise. The Matha seems to have influenced a lot of devotees and followers through its works of social service. This was evident by the crowd when I first visited the Ashram in 1972 and also during my visit today, he observed.
Further, the seer said, “Swami Vivekananda used to say that we are part of the society and not without the society. Therefore, monks and householders should come together to serve the society. He wished that more services would be rendered from the Matha in Mangaluru.
Speaking after releasing a documentary on the occasion, Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology Chairman Dr. Vinaya Hegde said that the cooperation and service rendered by Ramakrishna Matha to the people of the City is invaluable.
MP and BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel, while releasing the website of the Matha said that Vivekananda had given the concept of nation-building through building each individual. It was Mahatma Gandhi who dreamt of Rama Rajya. Ramakrishna Ashrama is implementing the concept of both through several pro-social programmes including Swachh Mangaluru Programme.
Karnataka Chief Postmaster General Rajendra Kumar handed over a special postal envelope which is being released as part of India’s Independence Day celebrations.
Mangaluru City Corporation Mayor Premananda Shetty, Mangaluru South MLA B. Vedavyas Kamath, MLC Dr. B. S. Manjunath Bhandary, Businessman Ravindra Pai, and Gadaga MLA D. R. Patil were present.
Belur Matha Trustee Swami Muktidanandaji, released a commemorative issue of Amrit Mahotsava.
Swami Jitakamanandaji, who presided over the programme, said that the Ramakrishna Matha in Mangaluru has been following the ideals of Swami Vivekananda by conducting social programmes along with spiritual programmes.
Ramakrishna Matha established on June 3, 1947 is celebrating the Amrita Mahotsava (diamond jubilee celebrations), which as a happy coincidence falls on the same year as Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav on Friday June 3 and Saturday June 4.
The Amrita Mahotsava began with special pujas at the matha at 6.30 am on Friday June 3 followed by a puja to Mangaladevi. Post the pujas, a procession of sadhus to the matha was taken out followed by inauguration of the Maha Dwara and Amrita Sadana, monks’ quarters of the matha. The foundation stone for Vivekananda Coaching Centre was also laid. Ramakrishna Matha and Mission’s Belur Matha Vice-President Sri Gautamananda Swamiji led the ceremonies.
As many as 18 monks will address devotees in six sessions during the two-day celebrations. The two-day Chitana-Manthana programme at Ramakrishna Matha in Mangaluru will be followed by seminars.
On the day one, three symposium were held. In the first symposium, Ramakrishna Matha, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru President Swami Nityasthanandaji, Ramakrishna Mission, Chandigarh Head Swami Anupamanandaji and Ramakrishna Mission, Davanagere Head Swami Smaranandaji Maharaj participated. In the second symposium, Ramakrishna Vivekananda Ashrama, Gadaga President Swami Nirbhayanandaji, Ramakrishna Vivekananda Ashrama, Tumakuru President Swami Veereshanandaji, and Ramakrishna Vivekananda Ashram, Ranibennur President Swami Prakashanandaji participated while in the third symposium Spiritual thinker Dr. Veena Bannanje will participate.
According to Matha President Sri Jithakamananda Swamiji, the Ramakrishna Matha and Mission, established by Swami Vivekananda in 1897 at Belur, Howrah in West Bengal, have been carrying out his vision of self-realisation and welfare across the nation and globe. The matha through undertaking various activities has been striving for the religious, cultural and spiritual upliftment of people. Mangaluru Ramakrishna Mission has been running a free hostel for needy students of rural areas of every caste, creed or religion. The Vivekananda Coaching Centre has been set up to provide value-based coaching for deserving students. Further, the mission has been involved in Swachh Mangaluru campaign for the last seven years.
