SingaSpeaks A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER FROM THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, SINGAPORE
ROAR 66 | SINGAPORE | SATURDAY | 24 JUNE 2017
Memorial Satsang for Late Shiveshwarananadaji The Ramakrishna Mission in Singapore observed a Memorial Satsang as a homage to the late Swami Shiveshwaranandaji Maharaj on 4 June 2017. The satsang began after the usual evening arati. Swami Vimokshananda in his introduction explained that by remembering holy persons, minds get filled with holy thoughts and thus become the cause for holy actions. Among the elder devotees who have seen him and used to frequent the
ashram during the late Swami’s time, three of them namely, Mr SM Arumugam, Mr Shantanu Gupta, Mrs Seethalakshmi and two ex-boys of the Home namely Mr Subash and Mr Sudharman spoke on their interaction with the Swami. Outside the altar a picture of the late Swami was kept where the monks and devotees paid their homage by doing pranam. Swami Satyalokananda conducted the proceedings and sang a few closing bhajans.
Obituary Received from Belur Math We are sorry to announce the passing away of Swami Shiveshwaranandaji (Bidhu Maharaj) at Seva Pratishthan hospital, Kolkata, on 19 May at 9.30 am. He was 87 and had been suffering from old-age ailments for some years. Initiated by Swami Virajanandaji Maharaj, he joined the Order in 1953 at Asansol centre and had Sannyasa from Swami Madhavanandaji Maharaj in 1963. Besides his joining centre, he served at Saradapitha and Narendrapur centres as an assistant and Puri Mission, Singapore and Bhubaneswar centres as the head. After relinquishing headship of the Bhubaneswar centre in December 2010, he continued to stay there as a retired monk. Amiable and affectionate by nature, he contributed to the Order in different capacities.
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On transfers‌ Swami Pavitratmananda returned to India on 19 June on transfer and in his place, Swami Kripatmananda reached Singapore a week earlier on 12 June. The hand-over was duly completed. We thank Swami Pavitratmananda for his efficient service to the people of Singapore. We heartily welcome the new monk Swami Kripatmananda and wish him a success.
LTA Peace Prayers The members of the Inter Religious Organisation (IRO) conducted peace prayers at Tuas Link Station that opens up from 18 June and also at TuasDepot, Singapore’s newest train depot. The depot houses new technologies that can maintain trains more efficiently, such as a cool and earthfriendly train washing system that harvests rainwater as one of its water sources. Mr Khaw Boon Wan, the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister for Transport presided over the meeting.
179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798
singapore@rkmm.org
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Visit to Western Malaysia continued‌
In the meantime, Mr Kumar, a Member of the Managing Committee of the Kuala Lumpur Centre had reached Cameron Highlands. On the morning of 4 May, he drove the Swamis in his car from Hillview Inn to the home of Mrs Devi, a picturesque cottage atop the Robinson Fall, a popular tourist trekking spot. After
179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
prayers and a delightful breakfast Prasad, Swami Supriyananda gave a short Satsang on the importance of taking Initiation. They visited another Temple called Sri Siva Subramaniam Alayam at Kepayang in Perak. A flight of steps
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Visit to Western Malaysia continued… took them to the main Deity Sri Murugan. This temple has come up in a cave but the ‘in’ and ‘exit’ have been arranged very carefully and murtis of many deities have been installed. Jelapang Private Centre The Swamis then headed for the Jelapang Private Centre. A few devotees had assembled there. Swami Vimokshananda did the arati
There are many Hindu temples in the central Ipoh town area. In this Indian residential area, practically all the Indian families are engaged in the wholesale import and export of different varieties of ‘Verkadalai’ – groundnuts . Earlier in Ipoh town they stopped by the OldTown White Coffee shop. The owner of this shop, a Buddhist lady was extremely courteous to the Swamis. To her enquiry what the Swamis would have, the Swamis informed her that they need nothing except coffee as the Shop has only non-veg items. To the pleasant surprise of Mr Kumar and the Swamis, the lady went inside and brought freshly baked veg Cakes and devotedly served them. She even to the Holy Trio in the shrine. Mrs refused to take payment for the D h a n a m A m m a , t h e F o u n d e r cakes as these were served to the continues to inspire the devotees. Hindu Monks! Her son Mr Bala explained about the building of the new Jelapang Ramakrishna Private Centre. After having lunch Prasad there, the Swamis were taken by Mr Kumar around the Ipoh town. Ipoh Town On the way back, the Swamis visited the Kellie’s Castle built in 1926. This Englishman strangely was devoted to the local deity Mariamman and it is said that due to an Order of the Divine Mother in his dream, he built a The trip to Cameron would remain as Temple for Mariamman in the vicinity. nostalgic for many years to come! 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798
singapore@rkmm.org