Updated on: 4th March, 2017

150th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Sister Nivedita:

To commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Sister Nivedita, the Ashrama organized a youth convention on 24th March 2017 at Sri Jagannath Sanskrit University, Shree Vihar, Puri. Total 75 students participated in the convention. The topic of the convention was “Nivedita’s contribution towards fulfillment of Swami Vivekananda’s Mission”.

Srimat Swami Nikhileshwaranandaji Maharaj, Head of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Memorial, Vadodara, Gujarat inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp. Prof. Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra, H.O.D. Vedanta, S.J.S.V., Puri presented the welcome and introductory address. The speakers were Swami Parishuddhanandaji Maharaj, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Puri; Sri Biswaranjan Satapathy, Secretary, Akhil Bharat Vivekananda Yuva Mahamandal, Odisha State Branch.

The speakers spoke on the topic of the convention and encourage the students quoting some incidents relating to Nivedita’s sacrifice and service towards the Nation. A book of life and message of Swami Vivekananda in Sanskrit were distributed to the youth. Tiffin was also arranged for the participants of the convention.

155th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Swami Vivekananda

On the occasion of 155th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Swami Vivekananda and National Youth Day different programme were organized from 6th to 13th January 2017 as mentioned below.

Competitions among school and college going students:
To grow awareness and to mould the students and youths with the character building and man making message of Swami Vivekananda, the Ashrama organized different competitions like sit-and-draw, recitation, essay, quiz, speech for primary, secondary, higher secondary, college & university students on 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th January 2017 respectively. Total numbers of participants were 603. Prize distribution ceremony was organized on 12th January 2017.

National Youth Day on 12th January 2017:
To celebrate 33rd National Youth Day, a procession was organized by the Ashrama on 12th January, 2017. Approximate 700 school & college going students, NSS, NCC volunteers, devotees & admirers had participated in this procession./p>

Youth Seminar:
On this occasion a youth seminar was organised at Ashrama. Around 300 students participated in the seminar. Sri Bibuti Bhusan Dash, A.D.M, Puri inaugurated the seminar offering flower and lighting the oil lamp before the portrait of Swami Vivekananda. Swami Parishuddhananda, Secretary of the Ashrama presented the welcome & introduction address. The other dignitaries were Sri Madhusudan Das, Sub Collector, Puri; Sri Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Executive Officer, Puri Municipality; Sri Padmanav Panda, O.A.S. (Retd.); Sri Biswaranjan Satapathy, Secretary, Akhil Bharat Vivekananda Yuva Mahamandal, Odisha branch, Bhubaneswar. At the end of the seminar, Sri Dibakar Tripathy, Educationist & National Awardee Teacher, Puri presented the vote of thanks.

Celebration in a village:
To grow awareness and to mould the students and youths with the character building and man making message of Swami Vivekananda, the Ashrama organized different competitions like sit-and-draw, recitation, essay, quiz, speech for primary, secondary, higher secondary, college & university students on 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th January 2017 respectively. Total numbers of participants were 603. Prize distribution ceremony was organized on 12th January 2017.

150th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Sister Nivedita

To commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Sister Nivedita, the Ashrama organized a youth convention on 26th November 2016. Total 150 youth students from different colleges and universities of Puri Town participated in the convention. The topic of the convention was Sister Nivedita’s love for India.

Speakers spoke on the topic of the convention and encourage youths quoting some incidents relating to Nivedita’s dedication and service towards the Nation. Few students also expressed their opinion and satisfaction saying that they were inspired by the ideology of Sister Nivedita.

Short life and a card photo with message were distributed to the youth. Tiffin and lunch were also arranged for the participants of the convention.

Competitions among school and college going students

To grow awareness and to mould the students and youths with the character building and man making message of Swami Vivekananda, the Ashrama organized different competitions like sit-and-draw, recitation, essay, quiz, speech for primary, secondary, higher secondary, college & university students on 6th, 7th, 8th and 9 January 2016 respectively. Competitions among Gadadhar Abhyudaya Prakalpa (GAP) children were also organized. Total numbers of participants were 1291. Prize distribution ceremony was organized on 10th January 2016 Prize winners of GAP were brought from their villages. GAP children also attended the Prize distribution ceremony.

National Youth Day on 12th January 2016

To celebrate 32nd National Youth Day, a procession was organized by the Ashrama on 12th January, 2016. Approximate 1200 school & college going students, NSS, NCC volunteers, devotees & admirers had participated in this procession. Waving a green flag Sri Madhusudan Das, Sub Collector, Puri inaugurated the procession at 8 am in front of the Ashrama. The procession went round the main road of the Puri town and terminated at Ashrama at about 9.30 am successfully.

Celebration in a village

On 13th January 2016 a procession and public meeting was arranged in a village – Talajanga near to Puri town. About 500 students and villagers took part in the procession and meeting. Study materials (1000 notebooks & 500 pens) and tiffin packets were distributed among the students.

Blood donation Camp

A Blood Donation Camp was organized in our Ashrama campus on 12th January 2016. 39 volunteers donated blood. A team of Red Cross Society came to organize the camp.

Youth Convention

On this occasion the Ashrama organized a youth convention on 15th Jan 2016, about 407 youths from different colleges and universities participated in the convention. The topic of the convention was “Swami Vivekananda - His call to the nation”. Srimat Swami Bodhasaranandaji Maharaj, Senior Trustee and Asst. Secretary of Governing Body, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Howrah presided over the meeting in presence of Swami Atmapravanandaji Maharaj, President, Ramakrishna Math, Bhubaneswar.

Bhakta Sammelan

Two days Bhakta Sammelan were organized on 16th and 17th January 2016 as Holy Mother Day and Sri Ramakrishna Day respectively. Each day about 160 devotees from Puri and different districts of Odisha attended the sammelan.

Scholarship Distribution

To encourage poor students in studies, one time scholarship of amount Rs.1000/- is distributed to each 130 college and university going students of Puri Town on 24.01. 2016. As a Chief Guest Dr. U. N. Sahoo, The State Liaison Officer-Cum-Deputy Secretary to Govt., Deptt. of Higher Education, Odisha, Bhubaneswar spoke in the seminar arranged on this occasion and handed over scholarship to the students. With scholarship book and photo album of Swamiji, study materials (2no. Note books and 1no. pen to each students) also distributed to the students.

Ratha Yatra - 18th July 2015

Ashrama served lemonade to about 30000 (thirty thousand) pilgrims & 50000 (five thousand) water pouches to the pilgrims during the Ratha Yatra (Car Festival) 2015 and treated 447 patients in the medical camp organized on this occasion. Apart from this, the Ashrama also served lemon water to the passers-by on all the days during summer.

Scholarships to students - 13th March 2013

As a part of 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, this year 150 poor and needy students were awarded scholarships by the Ashrama on 13th March 2013 on the auspicious occasion of 178th Birth Tithi of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna Dev for encouraging the students to continue their studies.

Inter Faith Seminar - 17th February 2013

On 17th February 2013, an Inter Faith seminar was organised with prayer, meditation, and devotional songs where representatives of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Sikhism and Islam participated. Swami Suvijneyanandaji Maharaj, Upadhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Pune, presided over the meeting. The session ended with a cultural programme. In congenial atmosphere, representatives of all religions expressed their broad-view opinions in the light of Harmony of Religion and gave stress on co-existence, tolerance and universal brotherhood which Swami Vivekananda announced 120 years ago to the 6000-strong audience ‘that is the only way to bring peace in this unrest world’, at World Parliament of Religions, Chicago.

Sadhu Sammelan and Bhandara - 3rd February 2013

Sadhu Sammelan was organized as a part of 150th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Swami Vivekananda on 3rd February. 116 Sadhus from different Sects/Sampradayas/Mathas and Ashramas of Puri town participated benevolently and wholeheartedly. The sammelan was initiated by lighting the lamp and offering flowers to Swamiji. Topic of the sammelan was Swami Vivekananda and Sanatana Hindu Dharma. Many Sadhus in their speech paid homage to Swamiji. Mahanta Subal Charan Das, co-ordinated the sammelan and Sri Sachidanandaji Maharaj, Jhanjapita Math, Puri, Head of Sadhu Samaj presided over the meeting. After sammelan a grand Sadhu Bhandara was also arranged.

Competitions on Swami Vivekananda: From 6th to 8th January special competitions on Swami Vivekananda (sit and draw, recitation, quiz, essay elocution) were organized. About 400 students from different schools, colleges and universities participated.

National Youth Day: On 12th January more than 3000 students from local schools, colleges and Universities, devotees, admirers and as well as other dignitaries participated in a huge procession with colourful banners and posters with Swamiji’s pictures and sayings. Swamiji’s statue, on a well decorated chariot pulled by horses was taken out to commemorate the memorable day. The procession started from the Ashrama and went round the main road of the city of Puri. The occasion was marked by enthusiasm and joy all around.

Special seminar on Swamiji: On 13th January a special seminar was organised, where students of schools, colleges, universities along with other devotees were participated. The topic of the seminar was "The Relevance of Swami Vivekananda in the Present Era".

District Level Youth Convention: District Level Youth Conventions were organized by the Ashrama, in all the 30 Districts of Odisha, conducting 38 camps from September 2012 to January 2013. The conventions were conducted as the preliminary step of the State Level Youth Camp. More than 14,000 students took part spontaneously and were motivated by the nation building, character making ideas of Swami Vivekananda.

State Level Youth Convention - 27th January

State level youth convention was organized, in which about 1000 delegates from various districts of Odisha took part.  Srimat Swami Suhitanandaji Maharajh, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission presided over the meeting in presence of guests of honour Gajapati Maharaja Sri Dibyasingha Deb, Sri Naba Kumar Nayak, IAS. District Collector and Magistrate, Puri, Srimat Swami Vishwatmanandaji Maharaj, Coordinator, Ramakrishna Mission Central Committee for Celebration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, Swami Sarvapriyanandaji Maharaj, Acharya, Brahmachari Training Centre, Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Howrah, Prof. Harekrishna Satapathy, Vice Chancellor, Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati, (Andhra Pradesh), Prof. Sri Nilakantha Pati, Vice Chancellor, Sri Jagannath Sanskrit University, Sri Vihar, Puri, Odisha, Sri Gopal Chandra Nanda, Retd. D. G. Police, Odisha and Sri Pratap Sarangi, MLA, Nilgiri, Balasore.

Youth Convention held on 29th September 2012

In commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the Ashrama organized a day long youth convention especially for college and University students on 29th September 2012. District Collector & Magistrate of Puri, Sri Naba Kumar Nayak, IAS inaugurated the convention in presence of 224 youth delegates from 8 colleges and 2 universities along with scholarly dignitaries of the society. The topic of the convention was "Swami Vivekananda’s message for the youth of India" on which 10 speakers elaborated.

Eye camp held on 4th , 5th, and 6th July 2012

In commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda we have organized a three day free eye check up camp mainly for the village children. Four camps were held covering 19 villages where apart from 271 children 236 poor villagers were also treated. Spectacles were distributed for refraction cases to 9 children and 55 adults.

RATHA YATRA 2012 :

The Ashrama served lemonade to about 5000 pilgrims & about 20,000 nos. water pouches to the pilgrims during the Ratha Yatra (Car Festival) 2012 and treated 93 patients in the medical camp organized on this occasion. Appart from this, the Ashrama also served lemon water to the passers-by on all the days in summer. Daily around 450 pedastrians (appx.) quenched their thirst.

Observance of 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda

(A brief report during the year 2011- 2012)

State level competition on Swami Vivekananda

District Wise Competitions:
This Ashrama conducted quiz, essay and elocution competitions on Swami Vivekananda covering 71 schools in the 10 districts in Odisha where 3,956 students participated. The districts are Puri, Mayuarbhanj, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Sambalpur, Angul, Berhampur, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Khurdha. District wise competitions was started on 22nd November and completed on 5th January 2012.

State Level Competition:
Giving opportunity to the best awarded students in each event in each school from all the 10 districts as State Level competition was held on 8th Jan'12 in Ashrama premises at Puri with 156 students participated. In the day long State Level competitions all the topper three participants in each event were awarded with a trophy, a good quality Swamiji's acrylic portrait, books and other articles given in district wise including cash award of Rs. 2000 for 1st position, Rs.1500 for 2nd position, Rs. 1000 for 3rd position holder. Srimat Swami Sudarshananandji Maharaj, Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong presided over the prize giving ceremony. In State Level competitions, the student participants who have come from other district were provided food and lodging.

Competitions on Swami Vivekananda:
To grow more awareness on Swami Vivekananda apart from the state level competitions, sit and draw, recitation competitions amongst kids and children, speech competitions for school going and college going students have been conducted from 16th to 18th January 2012.

Value Education Programmes:
In this connection with this youth programme we have organized 13 (thirteen) value education programmes in different districts of Odisha (Koraput - 1, Jeypour - 1, Nabarangpur - 2, Mayurbhanj - 1, Khurda -1, different villages in Puri-7. Every where Swamiji,s photo and booklet were distributed among the students.

Special Youth Programmes:
Three special youth programme was organized mainly for college going students in our Ashrama Premises :
a) On 23rd November, 2011 in presence of Swami Divyanandaji Maharaj where about 130 students participated,
b) On 11th December, 2011 in presence of Swami Haridevanandaji Maharaj where 100 students participated,
c) On 26th January, 2012 in presence of Swami Brahmeshanandaji Maharaj and Swami Ishatmanandaji Maharaj, participant were about 225.
Besides our revered monks many scholars of the society spoke on Swamiji in these programmes.

Seminar on Swamiji in the University:
1. On 21st September , 2012 a seminar was organized at Sree Jagannath Sanskrit University, Puri. Swami Suviranandaji Maharaj and Swami Hitakamanandaji Maharaj addressed to the students and teachers.
2.On 27th February, 2012 one more youth programme was organized in Sree Jagannath Sanskrit University, Puri in presence of more than 150 students, all the departmental head - Acharyas. Swami Ishatmanandaji Maharaj was the main speaker.
In both the seminar teacher and students were very much inspired by the inspiring speech of Maharaj. Books of Swamiji and tiffin packets were distributed among audience present there. All the sessions have received overwhelming response.

National Youth Day:
To commemorate the memorable day a large student's procession was conducted with slogan of Swamiji, colourful banner, poster, and placard on 12th January 2012. The procession started from Ashrama and go round the main road of the city - Bara Danda the Grand Road, touching Sri Jagannath Temple. In the rally more than 1200 school and college going students, devotees, admirers and dignitaries of the society also joined.

Bhakta Samelan:
We have organized one-day long Bhakta Sammelan in commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda on the following dates.
a) On 4th July, 2011 in our Ashrama premises. Srimat Swami Vishwanathanandaji Maharaj, Adhakshaya, Ramakrishna Math, Kamarpukur inaugurate the Sammelan by lighting the lamp and offering the Arghas to Sri Ramakrishna Deva, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi & Swami Vivekananda.
b) On 26th Feb, 2012, in presence of Swami Bhaktirupanandaji Maharaj, Ramakrishna Mission, Kanpur, a sammelan was organized. Where about 200 devotees took part.

Interfaith Religious Harmony:
In presence of Swami Bhaktirupanandaji Maharaj, Ramakrishna Mission, Kanpur, a seminar on Interfaith Religious Harmony was organized on 25th February 2012. The Topic was "As many faiths so many ways". Representative of different religions like Jainism, Buddhism, Chirstianity, Sikhism, Muslim & Hinduism expressed their views on the above topic. All the representatives were very much impressed by the universal message of Ramakrishna, Vivekananda and expressed their satisfaction. A highly thought provoking discussion based on "Jata Mat Tato Path" was held. The seminar appreciated by the devotees and scholars of the society. News paper, electronic media, T.V. channel covered the total programme. Many seniors remarked that this type of attempt was taken first time in this holy land of Puri.