The Order on the March

News & Notes from Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission

The birthday (janma-tithi) of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated at Belur Math on Thursday, 4 February with special worship, homa and music. Swami Balabhadrananda presided over the meeting held in the afternoon. As Belur Math was closed to devotees on account of the Covid-19 pandemic, devotees watched the programmes online.

Belur Math gates, which had remained closed for more than six months due to the pandemic, were opened to devotees and visitors on 10 February. Visiting hours, however, have been restricted, and necessary safety measures have been put in place as per the government guidelines.

Nagar Nigam of Haridwar presented a certificate of recognition to Kankhal for its contribution towards making Haridwar clean and green. The Mission hospital stood first among the healthcare facilities in Haridwar.

Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, marked the 125th anniversary of the publication of Prabuddha Bharata by bringing out a special issue of the magazine in January. It also held an online programme in YouTube on 31 January in which besides other speakers there were pre-recorded talks by Srimat Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj, President of the Ramakrishna Order, Srimat Swami Gautamanandaji, one of the Vice-presidents of the Ramakrishna Order, Swami Suviranandaji, General Secretary of the Ramakrishna Order, and Sri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India.

The off-campus centre of RKMVERI (deemed university) in Coimbatore Mission Vidyalaya held its 15th Convocation on 3 February. In all, 210 successful candidates were awarded certificates and degrees. The Governor of Tamil Nadu Sri Banwarilal Purohit and the General Secretary of the Order addressed the students through recorded video messages.

Relief Work

Covid-19 Relief: The Phoenix centre in South Africa continued to render Covid-19 pandemic relief work by distributing food grains and grocery items. The centre also provided counselling service to healthcare professionals and sponsored 32 dialysis sessions for some patients. Winter Relief: 16 centres in India and 03 centres in Bangladesh distributed 5590 blankets/shawls, and 200 jackets to needy people. Distress Relief: 17 centres of the Order distributed 5164 saris, 246 dhotis, and assorted garments as distress relief among the needy people.

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Vol.108. No.4 The Vedanta Kesari (English Monthly) April 2021. Regd. with the Registrar of Newspapers for India under No.1084 / 1957. Postal registration number: TN / CH (C) /190 / 2021-2023. Licensed to Post without prepayment TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-259 / 2021-2023. Date of Publication: 24th of every month

Our ancestors were great. We must first recall that. We must learn the elements of our being, the blood that courses in our veins; we must have faith in that blood and what it did in the past; and out of that faith and consciousness of past greatness, we must build an India yet greater than what she has been. — Swami Vivekananda

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