SingaSpeaks A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER FROM THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, SINGAPORE
ROAR 65 | SINGAPORE | SATURDAY | 17 JUNE 2017
Our Boys’ Home Family Day 2017
The Ramakrishna Mission Boys’ Home Family day was held on Saturday, 27 May 2017 at the Wings Counselling Centre from 9 am. The Counselling Centre was colourfully decorated with sparkling lights, bright balloons and warm music. All parents, boys and counsellors were welcomed with morning coffee, tea and piping hot vada. Mr Ong Hwee Lai, Superintendent of the Boys’ Home welcomed the gathering and briefed all about the Family day function. Swami Vimokshananda, President of the Ramakrishna Mission, Singapore gave a talk on the values and upbringing of the children. It was
179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
attentively heard by the parents. Ms Hema Gurnani, Director of Wings Counselling Centre explained the program arranged for the Day. All parents attended a session by the counsellor on the “Art of Parenting” while the boys had a grateful moment of reflection and sharing session on living at the Boys’ Home. Later the parents and the boys participated in the child-parent bonding games facilitated by the counsellors at the Sarada Hall. The Boys’ Home children and the supervisory staff were indeed grateful to the WINGS Counselling Centre for the program. It concluded with a festive lunch amidst laughter and joy of the parents and the boys.
PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798
singapore@rkmm.org
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Visit to Western Malaysia continued… Kulim Private Centre From Nibong Tebal Centre, it was another 2 hours drive to the Kulim Private Centre. A scenic drive into the interior woods via meandering
emphasised that a strong body is essential to develop a strong mind. The martial arts Coaches Ravi and Krishnan seemed to be imbued with the teachings of Vivekananda. The Sw a m is a pp r ec ia t ed t his s m a ll community for their fervour in keeping the centre going. Cameron Highlands Taking leave of the Kulim devotees, the Swamis left for Cameron Highlands, Malaysia’s largest hill station. By nightfall, the Swamis had reached Cameron Highlands where
narrow roads led to the inviting rustic cottage like Kulim Private Centre. Youths, children and devotees joyfully led the Swamis to Thakur’s Temple Hall. At the request of Swami Vimokshananda, the children introduced themselves and happily sang some bhajans in Tamil for the Swamis. Both the Swamis encouraged the youths who were part of an Indian Martial Arts group, to continue they were joyously welcomed by Mrs their ‘Silambam’ training with verve Thirumangai, an ardent devotee of Sri a n d v i g o u r a s S w a m i j i h a d Ramakrishna whose family ran a friendly neighbourhood provision store. She and her four college-going children devotedly served the Swamis. Much to the delight of the Swamis, Mrs Thirumangai’s teen son played the Punjabi drums which are usually played at festivals and weddings. The Swamis stay was arranged at the nearby Hillview Inn. 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798
singapore@rkmm.org
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Visit to Western Malaysia continued… This three storey Lodge is owned by Mrs Kalyani, a dev ot ee of Sr i Ramakrishna. Unfortunately, the Swamis could not meet her as she was at that time out of town. However, her husband took care and arranged whatever needed. The next morning, Mr Siva, another devotee, cheerfully brought the Swamis to the famous Strawberry Park, Rose Garden, Honey Farm, the local market, the world famous Sungei Palas Boh tea plantations and kept the Swamis entertained with his jolly good humour. He then served lunch Prasad on the open terrace of his house which was at the apex of the Cameron Highlands. It offered a p a n o r a m i c breathtaking view of the lush green mountain top with sprightly coloured scented flowers alluring both men and bees. 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
In the afternoon, the Swamis visited the Devi Temple and the big Sam Poh Buddhist Temple which is built on a hill overlooking the Brinchang town. The devotee who took around the Swamis was Ravi, a Taxi owner. In the evening, there was a Satsang at Mrs Mallika’s house. After a short prayer by the Swamis, the devotees sang a few soul soothing bhajans. Then, Swami Vimokshananda took up the topic of Initiation and explained the purpose of getting Initiation, the benefits of Initiation and clarified the myths surrounding Initiation. Swami Supriynanda announced to the gathering that in the month of December one of the Senior Trustees from Belur Math Swami Shivamayanandaji Maharaj is visiting Kuala Lumpur and he would bestow Mantra-Diksha to sincere, aspiring devotees. to be continued…
PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798
singapore@rkmm.org
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Ekadashi from July to December 2017 July 2017
Tuesday 4
Thursday 20
August 2017
Thursday 3
Friday 18
September 2017
Saturday 2
Saturday 16
October 2017
Sunday 1
Sunday 15
November 2017
Tuesday 14
Thursday 30
December 2017
Wednesday 13
Friday 29
Tuesday 31
What is Ramanama Sankirtan? “RAMANAM� is a liturgical composition expounding the glory of Sri Rama through a series of names that suggestively highlight the main incidents in the life story of this Divine Incarnation. Swami Brahmananda, the first President of the Ramakrishna Order, once heard this composition being sung during one of his pilgrimages to South India. He was so thrilled by the charm of the melody, the exquisiteness of the sentiments, and the fervor of the devotion from this Hymn, that he made its chanting a regular feature, especially of the Ekadashi Prayers in the branch centres of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
Today, this Ramanama Sankirtanam has become a paean of pure joy for hundreds and thousands of devoted men, women and children all over India and abroad. The Ramanam ends with emotive verses addressed to Mahavir, better known to us as Hanuman, the great Messenger of Lord Rama. Swami Vivekananda was never tired of exhorting us to follow the ideal of Mahavir, who stands for selfless service and leonine courage. Ramanama Sankirtanam helps one to catch at least a spark from the roaring flame of purity and strength that Sri Hanuman was!
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singapore@rkmm.org