Sri Ramakrishna Math Activities at A Glance

SRI RAMAKRISHNA MATH, CHENNAI A Spiritual Centre in the Service of the Masses since over 110 years

W A BIRD’S–EYE VIEW OF SOME OF OUR ACTIVITIES

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WORSHIP

Z PROPAGATION OF CULTURAL, ETHICAL AND SPIRITUAL VALUES THROUGH BOOKS, MAGAZINES, DISCOURSES, PERSONAL COUNSELING, WEBSITES, ETC.

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PROVIDING GENERAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION WITH AN EMPHASIS ON CHARACTER-BUILDING

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MEDICAL SERVICE

RELIEF AND REHABILITATION

INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE PROGRAMMES

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TRAINING OF MONASTICS

THE FIRST BRANCH OF RAMAKRISHNA MATH AND RAMAKRISHNA MISSION BELUR MATH, HOWRAH, INDIA IN SOUTHERN INDIA

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IDEOLOGY

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“For One’s Liberation and for the good of Others”

Aatmano mokshaartham jagadhitaaya cha The Buddha set the Wheel of Dharma in motion (Dharma-chakra pravartana). Swami Vivekananda has set the Wheel of Seva (Seva-chakra-pravartana) in motion.

He has revived the ancient ideal of sacrifice in modern times in the form of service.

This ideal of social service is nowadays becoming popular in Indian society. Service activities cover different areas of human need and social welfare, such as relief to victims of various calamities, education, health, rural development, self-employment, women’s welfare, inter-faith understanding, moral life and spiritual guidance. All these activities are conducted as service, the worship of God in the individual.

Service done as worship of God in the human being helps in two ways: it helps the person who is served physically or mentally, and it helps the person who serves spiritually.

All the work done here at the Math is ‘For One’s Liberation and for the good of Others.’

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SRI RAMAKRISHNA MATH CHENNAI Locatio n Location Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, has a long history of more than hundred years of service to society. It renders services at all levels: spiritual, mental and physical, through an array of diverse activities.

All the activities of the Math—whether it be sweeping the courtyard or educating students at a school, nursing patients in a medical facility or serving in the temple or kitchen—are considered different forms of a single act of worship. Through this act of worship, one can evolve spiritually and simultaneously work for the betterment of society. This is the principle behind the multifaceted activities of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission—the twin organizations, headquartered in Belur Math near Kolkata, and having centres worldwide.

Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, is their first branch in southern India.

The campus of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, is pervaded with an atmosphere of palpable holiness.

Anyone who sits in the temple, even for a few minutes, feels profound calmness and soothing serenity. With its lush green surroundings, the Math is an ideal place for the practice of contemplation and meditation. The Math stands as a bright symbol of religious harmony— a place where all are welcome, irrespective of caste, race, nationality or religion.

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The atmosphere in and around the Math, permeated with the sanctified cultural and spiritual vibrations, and the compassionate teachings that make its foundations, invite one and all to wake up and rise to the call of Swami Vivekananda to lead the nation to glory.

The Math, with its serene atmosphere pulsating with the sacred currents of our glorious culture and spirituality, is working constantly to share with one and all the treasures of the living and compassionate teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda, and all the past spiritual Masters. Listening to their rejuvenating and life-giving call, may everyone strive to lead the nation to its glorious past and also lead lives of blessedness.

The Math is located near the ancient Kapaleeswar (Siva) Temple at Mylapore in Chennai.

Getting Here: 7 to 8 Kms from Chennai Central and Egmore Railway Station; ½ Km from Tirumylai (Mylapore) Local Railway Station Bus Stops: Luz Corner, Mylapore Tank & Mandaveli For help please contact Math Office: Telephone No. 044 2462 1110 Email : mail@chennaimath.org Website : www.chennaimath.org

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Origin Swami Vivekananda’s days of wandering throughout India ended when he reached Chennai in January 1893. His young, enthusiastic disciples in Chennai were primarily responsible for his historic participation at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Throughout Swamiji’s four-year-long stay in the West, he kept in close touch with his followers in Chennai.

Swamiji was given a grand reception on his return from the West in February 1897. During that period, he stayed for nine days at the Ice House (now Vivekanandar Illam). When his devotees in Chennai requested him to start a permanent centre in the city, he readily agreed and deputed his brother disciple, Swami Ramakrishnananda, to initiate the Order’s activities in southern India.

Founder Swami Ramakrishnananda was a great thinker, an erudite scholar, a forceful speaker. Above all, he was a God-realized saint. He not only founded Sri Ramakrishna Math in Chennai but was also responsible for spreading the movement throughout parts of southern India. The various activities that the Math carries on today were initiated by the great Swami himself.

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History According to Swami Vivekananda’s wishes, Swami Ramakrishnananda arrived in Chennai in March 1897.

He stayed at a rented house in Triplicane for a few months. Then he came to the Ice House. The Math was based at the Ice House up until the end of 1907. Then it shifted to Mylapore, to a building constructed on a plot gifted by Sri A. Kondiah Chettiar, a close devotee of the Math. Surrounding plots were acquired in subsequent years.

Due to structural damage to the existing building, another building was constructed.

And this building was consecrated by Swami Brahmananda, the first President of Ramakrishna Order, in the year 1917. This remains now as the ‘Old Temple’.

Apart from the fact that the Math in Chennai was founded by Swami Ramakrishnananda, who lived here for a long time, the Math was also sanctified by the visits of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, Swamis Brahmananda, Premananda, Shivananda, Abhedananda and Vijnanananda, all direct disciples of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna.

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Y ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE Y 1

SPIRITUAL

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PREACHING

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EDUCATIONAL

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MEDICAL

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RELIEF & REHABILITATION

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RURAL DEVELOPMENT 7

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T The gift of spirituality and spiritual knowledge is the highest, for it saves from many and many a birth. … But mark you, if you give up that spirituality, leaving it aside to go after the materializing civilization of the West, the result will be that in three generations you will be an extinct race; because the backbone of the nation will be broken, the foundation upon which the national edifice has been built will be undermined. ... Therefore, my friends, the way out is that first and foremost we must keep a firm hold on spirituality.

—Swami Vivekananda

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W SPIRITUAL W

1 . WORSHIP IN SRI RAMAKRISHNA TEMPLE 2 . BHAJANS 3 . RAMANAMA SANKIRTANAM 4 . DEVI MAHATMYAM CHANTING 5 . JAPA YAJNA 6 . ARCHANA 7 . SPIRITUAL RETREAT 8 . SPIRITUAL DISCOURSES 9 . DISCOURSE IN AND AROUND THE CITY 10. PERSONAL GUIDANCE 8

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Worship in Sri Ramakrishna Temple

Swami Vivekananda wanted to have Ramakrishna temples as the hub of all the activities carried on any centre of the Ramakrishna Order.

He wrote, ‘The easiest way is to take a hut—make it a temple of Guru Maharaj (Sri Ramakrishna)! …

Let those that go to relief-work first select a central spot in each district and start such a hut-temple, from which all our little work is to proceed.’

The Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna remains the centre of all the activities of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. This Temple situated in the heart of Chennai City radiates peace and tranquility. Its twenty-four steps lead to the majestic shrine and prayer hall in which a thousand devotees can sit in meditation at a time. The temple combines the distinct characteristics of other Ramakrishna 9

Temples with the traditional temple architecture of the southern parts of India.

Sri Ramakrishna is worshipped in the temple following the mantras and procedures systematized

by Swami Ramakrishnananda, the Rishi of the Ramakrishna Order.

DAILY PROGRAMME AT SRI RAMAKRISHNA TEMPLE

04.30 am

: Temple (Prayer hall) Opens

05.00 am

: Shrine Opens, Mangalarati

05.05 am

: Meditation

06.40-07.00 am : Vedic & Gita Chanting 07.30-09.00 am : Puja 11.00-11.30 am : Food Offering to Sri Ramakrishna (Shrine remains closed) 11.45 am

: Temple Closes

03.00 pm

: Temple (Prayer hall) Opens

03.30 pm

: Shrine Opens

06.30-07.15 pm : Evening Arati, Prayer, Bhajan 07.15-09.00 pm : Meditation 08.30-08.50 pm : Food Offering to Sri Ramakrishna (Shrine remains closed) 09.00 pm

: Temple Closes 10

Special worship (puja) is conducted on the following occasions: i. Sivaratri, Janmashtami, Ramanavami, Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Lakshmi Puja and Kali Puja (on Deepavali). ii. The birthdays of Sri Sankara, Sri Ramanuja, Sri Chaitanya, the Buddha and Jesus Christ and the monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna.

Celebrations: On the birthdays (according to the Indian calendar) of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Ramakrishnananda and Kalpataru day (Jan. 1).

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Bhajan

‘All the sins of the body fly away if one chants the name of God and sings His glories,’ says Sri Ramakrishna. Every day after the evening Arati, bhajans are sung in the temple; on Sundays and all special days, bhajans are sung for an hour, from 7.00 to 8.00 pm.

Ramanama Sankirtanam

The traditional Sri Ramanama Sankirtanam is sung on Ekadasi days, after evening Arati; 7.00 to 8.00 pm.

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Devi Mahatmyam Chanting

Devi Mahatmayam is also known as Chandi. Its recitation is extremely propitious and, in the Math, it is chanted on Ashtami days from 3.00 to 6.00 pm.

The time of the chanting changes if the Ashtami day is between Friday and Sunday, or if it falls on a day when there is some special event in the evening. On such days, it will be chanted between 7.30 and 10.30 am.

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Japa Yajna

Japa Yajna is the ‘sacrifice of the silent repetition of the holy name.’ Participating in the Japa Yajna is an opportunity for devotees who have received initiation from the gurus of the Ramakrishna Order, to perform japa (repetition of God’s name) continually for half a day. [Even those from other traditions, who practice the repetition of mantra of any deity, are welcome.]

Sri Ramakrishna used to advise devotees to go to a secluded and sacred place and perform such japa to derive lasting benefit. This purifies the mind, strengthens it, and prepares it to face the realities of life.

Japa Yajna is conducted every last Saturday of the English month.

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Archana

Archana is offering something to the deity with each repetition of the holy name.

The thousand holy names of various deities are chanted and kumkum, bhasma, or flowers are offered simultaneously by all the participants on special occasions.

Archana is conducted on the following days: Sivaratri-Siva, Maha Shashti-Lalita, Maha Saptami & Lakshmi Puja-Lakshmi, Mahashtami-Durga, Mahanavami & Saraswati Puja-Saraswati, Ramakrishna Jayanti-Ramakrishna (in Tamil), Sarada Devi JayantiSarada Devi (in Tamil), Vivekananda Jayanti-Siva, Ramakrishnananda Jayanti-Vishnu.

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Spiritual Retreat

Sri Ramakrishna says: ‘Whatever may be a householder’s profession, it is necessary for him to live in the company of holy men now and then. ... First of all, the company of holy men; then shraddha, faith in God. ... it is necessary to seek the company of holy men, practise prayer, and listen to the instruction of the guru. These purify the mind.’

Spiritual retreats are conducted for three days annually during July-August. Such retreats give an opportunity to live in the holy company of monks 13

consecutively for three days, hear them give talks on varied spiritual topics, sing the glory of God, meditate — in short, live a spiritual life in holy company.

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Spiritual Discourses

The ground floor of the temple houses a large hall known as Swami Ramakrishnananda Hall, which can accommodate 700 people.

Monks of the Math deliver spiritual discourses on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Festival days.

Discourses: i. On Fridays and Saturdays (in Tamil) between 5.30 pm and 6.30 pm ii. On Sundays (in English) between 5.30 pm and 6.30 pm iii. On Festival days after evening Arati

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Discourses in and around the City

Monks of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, give classes and discourses, as also take part in religious functions, in different parts of the city and its surroundings. They also conduct regular classes in various parts of the city.

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10 Personal Guidance

You can get personal guidance in matters related to spiritual life from the head of this Math, the Adhyaksha Maharaj, and other senior swamis, through personal interviews during office hours. Please call to fix an appointment beforehand.

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W PREACHING W

T Go and preach to all, “Arise, awake, sleep no more; within each of you there is the power to remove all wants and all miseries. Believe this, and that power will be manifested.” Teach this to all, and, with that, spread among the masses in plain language the central truths of science, philosophy, history, and geography.

1 BOOKS, CDS ETC.

2 THE VEDANTA KESARI

3 SRI RAMAKRISHNA VIJAYAM

4 PUBLICATION SHOWROOMS

—Swami Vivekananda

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1 Books, CDs etc.

Civilization flourishes with the promotion of culture, but when cultural values decline, civilization breaks down. The great spiritual masters of India, by their superhuman efforts, have time and again revived the philosophical and religious values that India has stood for, and have thereby arrested the deterioration of the culture. In no other literature in the world have these values been so beautifully and exhaustively dealt with as in the sacred books of India.

The department of publication of books and magazines both situated within the Math precincts, as well as the Showrooms in the Math and in two Railway Stations, are serving the above cause through the dissemination and transmission of values and knowledge.

Swami Ramakrishnananda himself started the Publication Department. Today, the Math has a wellequipped printing press with offset printers and computerized composing section.

Our publications include the following: i. Scriptures, like the Upanishads, Bhagavadgita, Ramayana and Mahabharata ii. Hymns and stories iii. Major works on religion, philosophy and spiritual life, such as Yoga and Meditation iv. Self-development Literature 17

v. Children’s Literature vi. Value-oriented Teachings vii. Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Literature viii. Audio and Video CDs and DVDs on various subjects ix. Photos, pictures x. Gift items Number of books: About 825.

Tamil - 400, English - 400, Sanskrit - 25 Total Number of CDs, DVDs, Multimedia etc. - 90

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The Vedanta Kesari

Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, publishes a spiritual and cultural monthly in English, called The Vedanta Kesari (The Lion of Vedanta).

Started at the instance of Swami Vivekananda in 1895 as Brahmavadin, it assumed the name The Vedanta Kesari in 1914. It is one of India’s oldest religious magazines in English in circulation. It has a monthly circulation of nearly 12,000 copies, of which 4000 go to public and institutional libraries across India.

The Vedanta Kesari publishes articles on different spiritual traditions and scriptures, mainly focusing on Vedanta as expounded by Swami Vivekananda.

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Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam

Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam, the Tamil monthly of the Ramakrishna Order, ranks number one among the spiritual and cultural magazines in India.

Started in 1920, it has a circulation of 1,35,000 copies. The magazine goes to 2516 libraries, 1500 police stations, 800 clinics and 255 orphanages and old age homes.

Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam contains articles on spiritual and cultural topics, short stories and pictorial stories for children. Recently it has incorporated special features like Youth Power (Manavar Sakti), Teachers’ World, Students’ World, and Mothers’ World.

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Showrooms

We have our showrooms at the Math premises, as also at the Egmore and Chennai Central Railway Stations. Our publications are also available at the showroom in Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, T. Nagar, and also with many leading booksellers in Tamil Nadu.

Our books are priced low but are known for their quality. Many books are highly subsidized so as to enable all classes of people to benefit by reading them.

You can buy books, CDs and so on, and subscribe to the journals online. Please visit our website www.chennaimath.org, or remit the amount by DD or in cash.

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W EDUCATIONAL W

If the poor boy cannot come to education, edu1 cation must go to him. SRI RAMAKRISHNA MATH There are thousands of NATIONAL SCHOOL single-minded, self-sacrificing Sannyasins in our own country... If some of 2 them can be organised as teachers of secular SRI RAMAKRISHNA MATH things also, they will go VIVEKANANDA CENTENARY from place to place, from GIRLS’ HIGHER SECONDARY door to door, not only SCHOOL preaching, but teaching also... They can teach a great deal of astronomy 3 and geography to the SRI RAMAKRISHNA ignorant. By telling stories CENTENARY LIBRARY about different nations, they can give the poor a hundred times more 4 information through the VIVEKANANDA ear than they can get in BOOK BANK a lifetime through books.

—Swami Vivekananda

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Sri Ramakrishna Math National School No. 46, Basin Bridge Road, Mint, Chennai 600 079

Started by Swami Ramakrishnananda in the year 1906, the Ramakrishna Math National School has classes up to the fifth standard. On an average, 465 students study annually in this school, and the media of instruction are Tamil and Telugu.

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Sri Ramakrishna Math Vivekananda Centenary Girls’ Higher Secondary School No. 2, Saravana Street, Mint, Chennai 600 079

This school was started during the birth centenary of Swami Vivekananda, in 1962.

The classes conducted here are from the sixth to the twelfth standards. About 822 students study in this school and the media of instruction are Tamil and English.

Both the schools chiefly educate the poor children of the localities in which they are situated.

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Sri Ramakrishna Centenary Library

As its name shows, this library was opened during the centenary celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna.

Today it’s an important library in the city with over 33,300 books in different languages—English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Sanskrit, Hindi, Kannada and 21

Bengali. The subjects covered are philosophy, religion, mysticism, linguistics, fiction, history, geography, psychology, etc.

The library subscribes to 180 periodicals.

All are welcome to read books and magazines in the library. Members can borrow books regularly. Wednesday is a holiday.

Category General Children

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Annual Refundable Membership Deposit Rs. 75 Rs. 25

Rs. 100 Rs. 100

Working hours 9.00 am to 12.00 noon 3.30 pm to 6.15 pm

Vivekananda Book Bank

Engineering students who cannot afford to buy books necessary for their academic studies loan books from the Vivekananda Book Bank. They can keep the books with them for one full semester. For all this, students pay an admission fee of only Rs. 50.

Around 250 students make use of the Vivekananda Book Bank every year.

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W CHARACTER-BUILDING EDUCATION W

T Neither

money

1 BALA MANDIR

pays,

nor name, nor fame nor power, it is character

2 VIVEKANANDA YOUTH FORUM

that can cleave through adamantine

walls

of

difficulties. Education is one

of

the

tools

in

building character. —Swami Vivekananda

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3 RAMAKRISHNAPURAM COLONY

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Bala Mandir

‘Bala Mandir’ is the name of the self-culture course that Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, conducts. This is a course meant to orientate children, both boys and girls, towards Personality Development. The boys and girls are in the age group of 8 - 13 years (students of classes III to VIII). The course is designed to instill in children the eternal values of our cultural and spiritual heritage, and to bring out their latent talents through activities like Vedic and Bhagavadgita chanting, recitation of hymns and verses, storytelling, devotional music, Yogasana, drawing, painting etc.

Two courses are held every year.

1. From July to February : On Sundays 2. In May : On all the weekdays Timing : 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

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V ivekananda Y outh F orum

Youth marks the stage in life when self-consciousness dawns in the individual. It is the period when the three powers— of creativity, self-esteem and instincts—reach their highest development. Success comes to him or her who channelizes these powers properly and develops one’s self-consciousness to the maximum.

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VYF attempts to help youths achieve this through ‘self-conscious activity’ which, according to Swami Vivekananda, can bring us power, glory, goodness, and purity.

1. All men between 15 and 35 are eligible.

2. No membership fee, but regular attendance is mandatory.

3. This is almost a whole-day programme.

10-12 am : Prayer, meditation, study of some aspects of our cultural heritage, study of Swami Vivekananda’s works, discussion on a some current issue, and a question-answer session.

Activities 1. Cleaning the Temple and the Math premises.

2. Conducting religious classes, games, yogasanas, tuition etc. for local impoverished children at Ramakrishnapuram, Mylapore.

3. A team regularly visits the Government Hospital, Royapettah, and serves the needy patients.

This service of VYF has received appreciation from all quarters. i. VYF members serve the patients of the cancer, chemotherapy, radiation, T.B., leprosy and isolation wards. ii. They give counseling to instill faith in God at the time of suffering and also discuss personal hygiene issues and make the patients aware of their ailments and treatment. They also dispel unnecessary fears of villagers regarding the diseases.

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iii. They distribute books and back issues of magazines to help patients spend time in a prayerful way. iv. They supply boiled soya beans to the patients as a supplementary diet. Prasad (offered food) prepared at the Math is also distributed to the care-givers of patients.

4. Mobile Exhibition on the Life of Swami Vivekananda: A team of VYF volunteers visit schools located in remote villages around Chennai, like Madarapakkam, Guruvayal, etc, and also in Chennai once a month. They exhibit a kit of 40 paintings on the life and message of Swami Vivekananda to introduce Swami Vivekananda among the children and youth. They share Swami Vivekananda’s progressive ideas with the youth and also imprint on the young minds the idea that if Swamiji is installed as the living ideal in their lives, they can be assured of a glorious future. Books on Swamiji are sold at a reduced price.

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Ramakrishnapuram Colony

In 1928, Sri Ramkrishna Math, Chennai, undertook fire relief work in a slum at Mylapore. Later, this place developed into a colony called Ramakrishnapuram. The Math continues its services here by maintaining a prayer hall where, in addition to religious services, coaching classes are held for poor school children.

They are taught devotional songs. They also learn about the lives of great men and women.

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T I should see God in the poor and it is for my salvation that I go and worship them. The poor and the miserable are for our salvation, so that we may serve the Lord, coming in the shape of the distressed, coming in the shape of lunatic, the Leprosy Afflicted person.

Bold are my words and let me repeat that it is the greatest privilege in our lives that we are allowed to serve the lord in all these shape.

1 CHARITABLE DISPENSARY &

DIAGNOSTIC CENTRE

2 MOBILE RURAL MEDICAL SERVICE

3 REHABILITATION OF LEPROSY AFFLICTED PERSONS

—Swami Vivekananda

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Charitable Dispensary & Diagnostic Centre

Started in 1925, the Dispensary at Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, has the following departments: Dental, E.N.T, Eye, Gynecology, Neurology, Orthopaedic, Endocrinology, Physiotherapy, Gastroenterology, Pediatric, Diabetology Clinic, Skin Clinic, E.C.G., Audiogram, Ultrasonogram, Echo Cardiogram, Endoscopy, Digital X-Ray, U.G.I. Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, Homeopathy and Laboratory. All tests are done at nominal charges. An average of 700 patients avail themselves of the facilities daily. Most of the medicines are given free of cost to patients.

About forty doctors render their services purely as an expression of their selfless love. In addition to the doctors and staff, about twenty-five honorary workers and volunteers have dedicated themselves to the service of patients.

Working Hours: 8.00 am to 11.30 am & 2.30 pm to 5.00 pm SUNDAY HOLIDAY Ph: 2464 3955

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Mobile Rural Medical Service

Since 1986, a Mobile Medical Service unit is operating in the interior villages around Manali, which is 30 km from Chennai. Every Sunday, a team of honorary doctors, along 28

with paramedical staff and volunteers, visit the villages in the Mobile Dispensary Van with medicines and equipment and administer medical aid. Every week, about 250 patients benefit from this service.

Roughly 40 villages are covered by this scheme Recently, this service is extended to Meyyoor, a village, which is 50 Kms from Chennai.

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Rehabilitation of Leprosy Afflicted Persons

Since 1989 Sri Ramakrishna Math is involved in the rehabilitation of Leprosy Afflicted Persons (LAPs). About 1200 LAPs have been rehabilitated till 2011.

Both financial and psychological support are provided to enable them to lead a normal life.

Eye, general health care and prevention of deformities camps are regularly conducted in association with the Deputy Director of Medical Services, Government of Tamil Nadu and Sankara Netralaya.

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W RURAL DEVELOPMENT W

T All the wealth of the world cannot help one little Indian village if the people are not taught to help themselves.

Our work should be mainly educational, both moral and intellectual.

Even supposing we are in a position to open schools in each village free, still the poor boys would rather go to the plough to earn their living than come to your school. ... The problem seems hopeless. I have found a way out. It is this. If the mountain does not come to Mohammed, Mohammed must go to the mountain. If the poor cannot come to education, education must reach them at the plough, in the factory, everywhere.

—Swami Vivekananda

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1 VIVEKA MURASU (Mobile Unit) 2 FREE TUITION CENTRES 3 TRAINING OF NURSING ASSISTANTS 4 COMPUTER TRAINING CENTRE 5 MOBILE RURAL MEDICAL SERVICE (Seen under Section 4

‘Medical’)

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Viveka Murasu (Mobile Unit)

‘Viveka Murasu’ (lit., ‘Trumpet of Vivekananda’) was started in 2004. A team of five members, headed by a monk of Sri Ramakrishna Math, go around the villages of Tamil Nadu in a well-equipped van designed for the purpose, and works with zeal in organizing programmes, with the cooperation of local youths and elders.

The programme begins with a welcome address and garlanding the statue of Swami Vivekananda.

This is followed by the inauguration of the self-development program through an audio-visual and talk to the youth of the village. In the evening, a public meeting is arranged in a prominent place of the village. Useful tips on self-employment opportunities, and a video show on the life and teachings of the Holy Trio (Sri Ramakrishna, Mother Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda) are held.

Highly subsidized publications of the Math in different languages are kept for sale during such events. Pictorial exhibitions on the life and teachings of the Holy Trinity is kept open throughout the day.

Viveka Murusu aims at N creating self-confidence and social harmony, and also awakening among the rural youth for selfdevelopment through programmes oriented towards Personality Development.

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creating self-employment opportunities for the villagers through vocational training programmes, designed to improve the quality of their life.

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N spreading the life-giving and character-building messages of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda through film screenings, dissemination of literature and exhibitions.

Since the initiation of the programme in 2004, the Viveka Murusu team has visited 1349 villages, covered 982 educational institutions and has the satisfaction of contacting 4,64,192 students.

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Free Tuition Centres

Free Tuition Centres are run for the benefit of poor students studying in the tenth and twelfth standards in government-run schools in 20 rural areas of Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Tiruvannamalai districts. The students are motivated to perform well by providing intensive coaching. The Math meets with their expenses for higher education in most deserving cases, in addition to issuing books from Math’s Book Bank.

Around 60 teachers, who are employed for this purpose, visit villages regularly. One month prior to the commencement of their examinations, special coaching classes are conducted daily from 6 am to 10 pm for boys and till 6pm for girls. The students are provided with breakfast and lunch at least for 30 days, so as to enable them to concentrate on their 32

studies. This arrangement is in addition to the regular tuition classes conducted throughout the year.

The results of such an effort are impressive.

This project was started in 1991. So far, about 16,000 students of the tenth standard, and 7500 students of the twelfth standard have benefited from this scheme.

The percentage of success in 1991 was only 35% but in 2010-11, it has improved to over 92%.

After the completion of their 10th and 12th standards, depending upon their performance, students are placed in vocational training courses and helped financially to go for higher studies. The Math assists them in their higher education wherever appropriate.

Nearly 20 students of the 2009-10 batch and 18 of the 2010-11 are now enrolled in B.Com, BCA type and such studies in various self-financed colleges.

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Nursing Assistant Training

Nursing Assistant Training is imparted to poor rural girls who have studied up to class XII, and who are from the backward districts. We cover the whole of Tamil Nadu. This training is for one year and is imparted in various top-ranking hospitals in Chennai.

The project was started in the year 2002 and 1700 girls have been trained up to the year 2011. There is a great demand for these Nursing Assistants and they get immediate placement in the hospitals in the City.

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Computer Training Centres

Free Computer Training Centres are for rural girls in eight villages. In each centre, 15 to 20 girls are given basic training in computers for a period of 3 to 4 months. The Math arranges placement for them as ‘Data Entry Operators’, in software companies. This scheme was initiated in 2000 and up to 2011, more than 1400 students have been trained and are gainfully employed.

Relief & Rehabilitation

The Math undertakes instant relief operations during natural calamities like fire, cyclone, tsunami, earthquake etc. or man-made disasters. Primary relief operations are undertaken immediately by providing food, clothing, utensils etc. Subsequently, secondary relief or rehabilitation work is undertaken to help the affected victims.

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YOUR PARTICIPATION You can be a participant in the activities of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. You are welcome to join us in this noble endeavour, of the adoration of God through service, and various avenues are open to you to do so.

1. Serving as a Monastic:

You can join us in our activities for life by renouncing the world and dedicating your life for the spiritual ideal. For details, contact us.

2. Donating for the following Schemes:

i. Worship in the T emple: Temple: a. Daily Worship (nitya puja) b. Special Worship c. Worship on the birthdays of the Direct disciples d. Jayanti Celebrations on the birth days of the Holy Trio and Swami Ramakrishnananda e. Endowments scheme f. Donating dhotis for Sri Ramakrishna, Swamiji and Direct Disciples; donating Sari to Holy Mother. g. Prasad after evening Arati on special days. ii. Sadhu Seva iii. Educational a. Children of Primary and Secondary Schools b. Book Bank c. Library 35

iv iv.. Medical a. Charitable Dispensary Number patients treated annually : 2.46 lacs Total expenditure incurred annually : 40.00 lacs b. Mobile Dispensary c. Leprosy Rehabilitation Number of persons (LAPS) rehabilitated so far: 1200 Annual expenses : Rs. 4.00 lacs v. Rural Development a. Tuition Centres for 10th and 12th Standard students Expenditure for educating 1500 students of 10th and 12th Std annually: Rs. 26.4 lacs b. Nursing Assistants’ Training Expenditure for one batch of 30 nurses and arrange for employment: Rs. 7 lacs c. Computer training for rural girls Expenditure for training 440 students and to arrange for their employment: Rs. 5.30 lacs d. Viveka Murasu Number of students benefited in a year: Appr. 50,000 Number of public benefited in a year: Appr. 15,000 Annual expenses: Rs. 7 lacs vi. Poor feeding vii. General Relief viii. Books 36

ix. Vedanta K esari Kesari a. Vedanta Kesari Permanent Fund Scheme For the promotion of this spiritual and religious magazine, which is in inspiring thousands since almost a century, magazine with a minimum donation of Rs.1000/b. Vedanta Kesari Patrons’ Scheme Subscribe for 20 years by paying Rs. 2000/c. Vedanta Kesari Library scheme Sponsor a library for 10 years by paying Rs. 1000/-. Multiples of the same can also be sponsored. d. Vedanta Kesari Annual Subscription Scheme Subscribe for one year, 3 years, 5 years and 10 years by paying Rs. 100/-, Rs. 290/- and Rs. 475/- and Rs.1000/- respectively. x. Sri Ramakrishna V ijayam Vijayam a. Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam Permanent Fund Scheme For the promotion of this, spiritual and cultural Tamil magazine, which is spreading the glorious message of Vedanta since and rated no. 1 in the country, with a minimum donation of Rs. 1000/b. Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam Life Membership Subscribe for 20 years by paying Rs. 1500/-. c. Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam Rural Promotion Scheme There is a provision to pay Rs. 500/- and sponsor ONE rural library of your choice for 37

5 years or sponsor ONE clinic of choice for 5 years. d. Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam Annual Subscription Scheme Subscribe for one year, 3 years and 5 years by paying Rs. 110/-, Rs. 330/- and Rs. 550/respectively.

Serve Math Serve God About 300 regular staff and volunteers serve the Math with remarkable dedication and devotion. The Math offers ample opportunity for people with a deep desire for service to the poor and the needy. Spiritual aspirants serve God through their service to the Math, and thereby the needy and poor. Such selfless service helps cleanse the mind and to attain great heights in spiritual life. Voluntary service can be rendered in any of the multifunctional areas of one’s expertise. It could be work from the home, within the Math precincts, or even outside the Math premises.

Math Office Working Hours: 9.30 am to 1.00 pm, 2.00 pm to 5.30 pm Please write to us: The Manager, Sri Ramakrishna Math, 31, Ramakrishna Math Road, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.

Phone : 2462 1110 Email : mail@chennaimath.org Website : www.chennaimath.org

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VIVEKANANDAR ILLAM A sub-centre of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai

Vivekanandar Illam is a historic building. Formerly known as “Castle Kernan” and “Ice House”, it is situated near Lady Willingdon College, Kamarajar Salai (South Beach Road), Triplicane. Swami Vivekananda stayed here from 6th - 14th February 1897.

The Math was functioning here for 9 years soon after its inception (1897-1906) under the spiritual guidance of Swami Ramakrishnananda.

Extensive renovation has been done, costing more than 5 crores.

A Museum highlighting and depicting the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda as well as the landmarks of Indian culture has been setup. The exhibits are arranged in this order: 1. Painting Section

Floor 1

Paintings depicting some of the important events and persons spanning from the Vedic period up to the advent of Sri Ramakrishna.

2. Photo Gallery

Floor 2

i. A Photo Gallery consisting of photos of Swami Vivekananda and other related photos. ii. The room where Swami Vivekananda stayed. iii. 3D show on Swami Vivekananda (India’s first ever made 3D feature on Swami Vivekananda).

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3. Basement

History of Vivekanandar Illam and a holographic show on Swami Vivekananda.

Timings: 10 am to 12.00 noon. 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm (Wednesday Holiday) Entry fee Adults: Rs. 10/- Children (3-12 years): Re. 5/Activities of the Illam Wednesdays : 7.00 pm Meditation Class Sundays

: 4.00 pm to 06.00 pm Vivekananda Youth Forum (Study & Service)

Annual expenses towards the maintenance of the museum and the centre’s activities : Rs. 33.2 lacs Phone : 2844 6188 Email : vivekanandar.illam@chennaimath.org Website: www.vivekanandahouse.org

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