News and Notes

News & Notes

Mr. S Radakrishnan (09th Jun 1931 - 12th Nov 2020)

Many passes by the door of the Lord but some enter and never leave; Mr. S Radakrishnan was one such person. His association with Ramakrishna Movement spanned more than 60 years. He came in contact with Ramakrishna Mission in the late fifties. Swami Siddhatmananda, then President of the Mission in Singapore, identified his potential and in 1963 he was co-opted into the Advisory Committee. Since then Mr. Radakrishnan served in this Committee in different capacities; Assistant Secretary, Secretary, Treasurer and finally, since 1989, as one of Ramakrishna Mission’s Vice Presidents.

He actively assisted the Swamis in government matters and looked after the Boys’ Home. The ex-boys fondly remember him as a loving supervisor who was also a hard task master. Being an educator he was instrumental in the formation of Sarada Kindergarten and served as its honorary Supervisor for 28 years, till his last breath. There was hardly any celebration of the Mission in which he did not participate. His valuable advices and guidance helped Ramakrishna Mission in Singapore to grow. With his passing, Ramakrishna Mission lost a sincere devotee and a dedicated volunteer.

We are now part of the Hougang Heritage Trail

From October 2020 onwards Ramakrishna Mission Singapore is part of the Hougang Heritage Trail. This will encourage tourists, students and community volunteers to visit our centre to know more about the history and philosophy of Ramakrishna Mission and also our role in spreading the message of Harmony of Religions in Singapore. Ramakrishna Mission Singapore is one of the founding members of Inter Religious Organization in Singapore.

Workshop @ NUS A Workshop "Religious Perspectives on Precision Medicine" was conducted by NUS on 1st October 2020.

Swami Samachittananda participated in this webinar as one of the panellists' representing Hindu faith.

Our distribution continues......... 140 families each were given 1 lit Cooking Oil, 1 kg Sugar, 1 kg Wheat flour, 1 kg Rice, Coffee, Salt, Sardines, ghee etc.

This fogging, pest control and grass cutting contract workers and other migrant workers. The items were donated by Foodbank and Palelai Buddhist Temple.

Webinar by Mental ACT Singapore On 15th October Swami Samachittananda participated in a Webinar on “Religion and Mental Health” organized by Mental ACT Singapore.

COVID-19 Relief work Continues ... We distributed 1400 goodie bags which contained Cookies (400 grams), Muruku (100 grams) and a drink 240 ml) to 1400 migrant workers of different areas of the island. Areas covered were : Tekka Market, construction sites at, Thompson Road, near CGH, Sin Ming ave, Tg Katong, Ang Mo Kio Hub, Ubi Ave etc. Dormitories at Pungol Kaki Bukit, Pioneer.

AGM of Ramakrishna Mission Singapore The 92nd Annual General Meeting of Ramakrishna Mission Singapore was held on 22nd November 2020. 40 members attended the AGM in -spite of heavy rain.

Swami Gitasarananda did the invocation and Mr B Uthayachanran, our treasurer presented the Vote of Thanks. Since it is COVID-19 situation, we strictly followed all the measures (taking Temperature, wearing the Mask, maintain Safe distancing, etc...) to conduct the AGM.

IRO Meeting @ Ramakrishna Mission On 23rd November 2020, we provided venue for the Council meeting of Inter Religious organization. The General Manager of IRO Ms. Faheema Nazhath found in her research that the first IRO Council meeting also was held in Ramakrishna Mission in 1961. Around 20 members attended the meeting.

Participation @ Singapore Festival of Hinduism On 29th November, Swami Samachittananda attended and addressed the closing ceremony of Singapore Festival of Hinduism 2020.

CLOSING CEREMONY

Address by Swami Samachittananda Head of Ramakrishna Mission Singapore In Attendance: H.E. Mr P Kumaran High Commissioner of India, Singapore Sunday, 29 November @ 8.05 pm

'Interfaith Sharing' session On 7th December 2020, on Zoom, Swami Samachittananda attended the ‘Interfaith Sharing’ session. He spoke on concept of “Dana and Seva” in Hinduism