Batticaloa Branch This Sub –Centre conducts

1. Religious and cultural activities apart from running three Orphanages, one for Boys and two for Girls totaling 150 inmates.

2. Runs a Sunday School where 250 children (boys & girls) are instructed by 20 volunteer Teachers.

3. Maintains a temple for the lepers at the Manthivu Leper Asylum. Regular puja and festivals are organised for the welfare of the inmates and the villagers in the vicinity.

4 Relief and Welfare work done in the form of stationery, financial assistance to very deserving students. Medical assistance, clothing and food given to the needy.

5. Two Nursery Schools are run by the Mission.

7. With active local participation the Jayanthis of the Holy Trio are observed with due solemnity.

8. A Family Health Centre treats Patients


Major Relief Works done in Batticaloa -




Tsunami and IDP Relief Works


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RAMAKRISHNA MISSION STUDENTS’ HOME (Orphanage)
RAMAKRISHNAPURAM(Kallady-Uppodai)
BATTICALOA.

ITS LEGEND by Swami Jivanananda

THE THOUGHT BEHIND THE ACT

Swami Vivekananda proclaimed “ The poor, the illiterate, the ignorant, the afflicted: let these be your God “, and any act to ameliorate their lot is the highest form of worship. He added, “He who has served and helped one poor being seeing Shiva in him, without thinking of his caste, creed, race or anything , with him Shiva is more pleased than with a man who sees Him only in temples”.
The charitable dispensaries, hospitals and the homes for the orphans, the deserted, the destitute and the needy children and the various relief services undertaken by the Mission are visible expressions of this gospel of selfless service – the service of the Divine in Man as declared by the great Swami Vivekananda.


BEGINNINGS OF THE HOME

In pursuance of these objectives the Ramakrishna Mission Boys’ Home (Orphanage) now at Batticaloa was started by Swami Vipulananda with a few admirers and devotees of the Mission, namely Mudaliyar C. Rasanayagam C.C.S., Messrs K. Aiyathurai, K. Navaratnam, C. Mylvaganam, S.T. Chittampalam, K. Thambiah, T.N. Subbiah and V. Thambi on 6th June 1926 at the Velikkilamai Madam which was also called Shroff’s Madam established by the Late Sri Visvanatha Udaiyar of Vannarpannai. The object of this Institution is to provide a Man - making, Character- building education based on the Gurukula ideals, and to provide a home free of cost, affording the maximum opportunities of education to deserving orphans, destitutes and needy children.
The first batch of six boys in the Home had the good fortune of having their lives being moulded by Swami Anantananda and Br. Shivadas (later Swami Paripurnananda). This Home like any other institution of that time under the Mission, has had the blessings of His Holiness Srimat Swami Shivanandaji Maharaj (the 2nd President of the Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission) and His Holiness Srimat Swami Bigyananandaji Maharaj ( the 5th President of the Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission), both being the direct disciples of the Master – Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Deva. The latter visited the Home on 03.01.1934 and blessed it in a bountiful manner. The Home also had the blessings of Srilasri Yogar Swamigal of Jaffna. It is the cherished ambition of the pioneers to make this institution a truly cultural and ideal Home for the poor, needy and deserving children, following the Gurukula system of education as envisaged by Swami Vivekananda, taking the Ramakrishna Mission Students’ Home, Mylapore , Chennai as its model.



THE HOME AT BATTICALOA

With a view to giving a fresh impetus to the institution and providing it a permanent habitation, the Home was shifted to Kallady-Uppodai (now Ramakrishnapuram), Batticaloa on 26th November 1929 and the inmates of the Home had to take their abode in Shivananda Vidyalaya which had only one building consisting of a hall 42’ x 30’, 2 rooms 15’ x 10’ each and a verandah 8’ x 30’.This building served the purpose of the school, the dormitory for the inmates of the Home, and one of the rooms served as the Shrine of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna and the other as the living room of the resident monastic worker. The day to day administration of the Home was placed in the hands of Br. Avykta Chaitanya (later Swami Kutasthananda). During the pioneering days of the activities of the Mission, between 1928 and 1932 the Swamis who were in charge of the work and those Swamiis who visited the Centre took their abode in Kallady Street (now Anaipanthy) Hindu Tamil School where, there was a room constructed out of clay and a roof thatched with cadjan. This formed the nucleus of the Batticaloa Ashrama. Swami Vipulananda , during the pioneering days lived at “Rajmahal”, the house of Mr. K.O. Velupillai and sometimes at “Selvasthan”, the house of Mr. K. Nallathamby, Notary.

For the first time, Tamil and Hindu New Year was observed in the Manthivu Leper Asylum and in the Batticaloa Prisons in 1930 on the initiative taken by the Batticaloa Mission Centre.

STORY OF DEVELOPMENT

Swami Vipulananda left for Annamalai Nagar in 1931 and the task of managing the schools descended on the shoulders of Swami Ghanananda who had to take up this work along with his duties as Vice – President of the Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch). He was assisted by Br. Avyakta Chaitanya, who was stationed in Batticaloa up to April 1932, and then by Swami Paripurnananda. The Students’ Home of Kallady-Uppodai moved into its own buildings on 12.05.1932 with 12 inmates. The Home was built in the land donated to the Mission by Kathirgamathamby Udaiyar and Sabapathipillai Udaiyar. Swami Sundarananda succeeded Swami Ghanananda as Manager of Schools in 1932 and Swami Paripurnananda continued to assist in the Management of the Schools.

Swami Asangananda became the Vice-President of the Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) and the Swami-in-Charge of the Colombo Centre in November 1932.

Towards the latter part of 1933, Swami Vipulananda assumed duties as General Manager of Schools for the second time. Since Br. Avykta Chaitanya left for India on 30.05.1932 for higher monastic training, Swami Paripurnananda succeeded him. He was also the warden of the Home when it was at Vellikkilamai Madam. Messrs V. Murugupillai and Chidambaram, both teachers of Shivananda Vidyalaya, asisted Swami Paripurnananda in the managerment of the Home. Swami Sundarananda was
the General Manager of the schools and the warden of the Home from 1932 to May 1934. For the first time in Ceylon, Yoga Asana exercises became part and parcel of the physical training of the children in the Home and this was also introduced in the schools run by the Mission. This feature came up for special mention and commendation by the then Inspector of Schools (Physical education).

His Holiness Srimat Swami Bigyananandaji Maharaj, the Vice-President of the Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission along with three Swamis of the Order visited Ceylon on 27th December 1933. During his sojourn, His Holiness visited Batticaloa on 3rd January 1934. He was given a rousing reception and was presented with an Address of Welcome by the citizens of Batticaloa. This was a memorable occasion for all those who were connected with the activities of the Batticaloa Centre. Regarding this visit, we have heard Swami Natarajananda (then Chidambaram, a teacher at Shivananda Vidyalaya) reminicing that, His Serene Holiness Srimat Swami Bigyananandaji Maharaj in an exalted mood stood near the mango tree which was on the eastern side of Shivananda Vidyalaya (the tree has since been uprooted by the cyclone in 1978) and with his fully outstretched arms exclaimed that “This institution will grow thus! and thus!! and thus!!!”. Everytime he uttered the word “Thus”, his arms opened out as if to enclose the entire void in his embrace.

EXPANSION
His prophetic words have had their rare effect, for immediately in the wake of his visit there was a spate of activities emanating benign influence over the Batticaloa Centre.
In 1935 a residential section for the paying students of Shivananda Vidyalaya was started. The hostel buildings were named “Kamalalayam”. A temporary structure named “Chitrakoodam” became the residence of the monastic staff. Later when “Shivapuri” was built, Chitrakoodam was converted into a dining hall. The unique and most unparalleled characteristic of the Shivananda Hostel was its catholicity. Students of all religious denominations found a place there, and what is more were encouraged to practise their respective faiths in their traditional way. While common assemblies, common prayers and universal religious observances were part of the day’s routine, time and space were always allotted to the religious observances of the non-Hindu hostellers. Today there are several Muslim brothers who speak of their Shivananda Hostel days with gratitude and satisfaction.

MORE SCHOOLS
1936 marked the centenary of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna’s birth. A spate of activities marked the occasion. New schools such as Hindu Tamil School Kokkotichcholai; Anaipanthy Vivekananda Girls’ School; Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Kalmunai were opened. A Home (Orphanage) for Girls at Karaitivu and a new Hall for the Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Karaitivu were opened on 31st January 1937. A Science Laboratory for Shivananda Vidyalaya was opened on the 7th February 1937.

A shrine room dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna was built in the Boys’ Home compound at Kallady - Uppodai . The temporary roof of the Students’ Home was replaced with tiles.

TRAINING IMPARTED AT THE HOME
A rural reconstruction centre was started by Swami Kedareswarananda forming a part of the Students’ Home which took up activities like cleaning up the nearby villages, temple compounds and the inmates were given practical training in animal husbandry. Emphasis was placed on the dignity of labour and self help by the training given in the Home. A very striking feature of the Home was that the responsibility of managing the day to day activities was placed in the hands of the inmates with the guidance from the Swamis. The inmates performed various duties like cleaning the toilets, sweeping the premises, washing clothes, making garlands, performing the daily worship in the Shrine, attending on the sick inmates, preparing and serving food, scrubbing and cleaning the kitchen, purchasing provisions and vegetables in the market, tending the flower garden, organizing and conducting meetings on special occasions and festivals. This training is intended to inculcate in the individual such rare and desirable qualities of self-help, altruistic service to humanity, initiative, self-effort, self respect and detached endeavours. Thus the inmates are provided an all round training so that they can face life boldly.

Towards mid 1937, Swami Vipulananda accompanied by Swami Kedareswarananda undertook the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash.

In September 1939, Swami Vipulananda, the founder, the first warden and Swami-in-Charge of the Batticaloa Centre, left for Mayavathi to accept the Editorship of the Prabuddha Bharatha. He was succeeded by Swami Nishkamananda .

It was Swami Nishkamananda’s lot to consolidate and put into prim and proper shape the progress made so far vis-à-vis the Ashrama, the Schools, the Homes (Orphanages) and the Shivananda Hostel. A long felt need of the Home and the School Hostel was fulfilled with the installation of an electric plant and radio capable of receiving all important broadcasts of the world.
Acharya Mandir – the residence of the Principal of Shivananda Vidyalaya was built in the year 1941.
The visit of Swami Madhavananda, the General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, to the Batticaloa Centre in May 1940 was a source of great encouragement and lot of enthusiasm was generated.



FURTHER DEVELOPMENT
The temporary roof of Sarada Bhawan, the dining hall, was replaced by a permanent one.
On the initiative and interest taken by Swami Nishkamananda a religious *** cultural society called the Thiruthondar Kalagam was formed. The members were young men.They .were encouraged to engage themselves actively in observing the Birthdays of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, Swamiji, National Leaders and leading personalities in the religious, cultural and literary fields. Public awareness of the activities of the Ashrama and the Homes was cultivated by the door to door collection of rice. The devotees of Thamaraikerni and Pioneer Road played a very significant role in this exercise.

A handmade paper making centre was started as an industrial section of the Students’ Home at Kallady-Uppodai. A good quantity of hand made paper was produced by the centre. The process of paper making was demonstrated by the students at the Kalmunai Harvest Exhibition in 1941. The cover page of the 1941 Annual Report of the Ramakrishna Mission, Shivananda Vidyalaya and the Students’ Home was printed on the paper produced in the Home in 1941.
Swami Siddhatmananda succeeded Swami Asangananda as Vice-President of the Ramakrishna Mission(Ceylon Branch) and the Swami-in-Charge of the Colombo Centre in July 1941.

SECOND WORLD WAR
Swami Nishkamananda was succeeded by Swami Ritajananda in 1942. This was an extremely difficult period in the history of the Country. The 2nd World War was on, and in its wake a whole string of rations, restrictions and controls were in vogue. Running a charitable institution became an uphill task. The Swami with his loving nature was a unifying and soothing factor in the small family of children who had become quite united to withstand all trials.
As a result of the 2nd World War, specially after the declaration of war by Japan in 1941, Ceylon came within the orbit of the war zone and had to pass through untold sufferings. The Colombo Ashrama was temporarily shifted to Lunugala in April 1942 and from there to Batticaloa where the sacred relic of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna Deva was enshrined till it was taken back to Colombo. One has to feel that the Lord (Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna Deva) preferred to stay in spirit at the Batticaloa Centre so as to bestow His blessings for all time. This adds to the sanctity of the Centre.

Swami Kailashananda of New Delhi, Swami Chidbhavananda of Thirupparaithurai and Swami Vaikuntananda visited the Batticaloa Centre in September 1943.

Br. Nirveda Chaitanya (Swami Natarajananda) who was posted to the Batticaloa Centre to assist in the activities of the Mission, was placed in charge of reorganising

the two schools of the Mission in Trincomalee, the normal working of which had been affected due to war conditions.

Swami Pavitrananda, President, Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, Himalayas, visited Batticaloa on 6th February 1945.

A temple and prayer hall dedicated to the Holy Mother were built in 1945 and were donated to the Sarada Vidyalaya in Karaitivu by Mr. S. Saravanamuthu, Government Contractor, Karaitivu.

Swami Ritajananda who had managed the Schools and Orphanages from mid 1942 went on transfer in September 1945 and was succeeded by Swami Hrishikeshananda in November 1946. He stayed just less than a year but he left an indelible mark in the history of the Batticaloa Centre. He introduced congregational prayers in the campus (Shivanandapuram) which comprised the Students’ Home and the Hostellers of Shivananda Vidyalaya. Attending the congregational prayers was a must to all inmates of the Home and the Hostel irrespective of religious persuasion. Songs of a universal nature were sung for about five minutes and Swami’s talk followed for a few minutes. The congregation then dispersed to their respective places of worship. These congregational prayers were held at 6.15 everyday both in the morning and evening. This practice was in vogue till the take – over of the schools in October 1960.

GOLDEN JUBILEE OF SWAMIJI’S FIRST LANDING IN CEYLON
In 1947 the commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of Swamiji’s 1st landing in Colombo and the Silver Jubilee of the Mission schools was marked with several events of celebration.

Swami Natarajananda who was intimately connected with educational activities of the Mission as a lay teacher and then as a monastic worker, was appointed Manager of the Schools and Warden of the Boys’ Home in 1946. Under his tutelage the activities of the Mission in Batticaloa saw a phenomenal growth.
Swami Ranganathananda then in charge of the Karachi/Delhi Centres visited Batticaloa on 10th February 1947.

PASSING AWAY OF SWAMI VIPULANANDA
Swami Vipulananda the Founder of the Home, the Founder of the Educational Institutions in Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Jaffna and Lunugala , founder Vice-President and Founder Secretary, breathed his last in Colombo on 19th July 1947. His remains were brought to Batticaloa by train, and at every railway station people gathered to pay their last respects.His mortal remains were interred in the then premises of Shivananda Vidyalaya. This portion of the property was not taken over by the Government in 1960. A Vipulananda Memorial Committee was formed to find a

fitting memorial to this great savant who had served the Ramakrishna Mission and the cause of education for over two and a half decades.

On 18th September 1948, the then Minister of Education, Government of Madras, Shri T.S. Avinasilingam laid the foundation for a Memorial Hall.

Swami Bhaswarananda visited Batticaloa. on 10th August 1947.

His Excellency the then High Commissioner for India in Ceylon, Shri V.V. Giri, later the President of the Republic of India visited the Batticaloa Centre on 18th January 1949. He was instrumental in sending scholars from the estate sector in the Hill Country to further their studies at Shivananda Vidyalaya. This paved the way for their educational advance.

At the Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Akkaraipattu a Memorial Hall for Vipulanandaji Maharaj was built by the untiring efforts of Mr. K. Natarajan, the then Headmaster of the School with assistance from the public. This Hall was declared open by Swami Nishkamananda on 12th May 1949.

Swami Gambhirananda, Swami Saradeshwarananda, Swami Nityaswarupananda, Swami Punyananda and Swami Dayananda visited the Batticaloa Centre on 16th November 1950.

SARADA GIRLS’ HOME. ANAIPANTHY
Sri Sarada Girls’ Home (Orphanage) was opened on 9th May 1951 by Swami Natarajananda (the then Manager of the Mission Schools) at Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Anaipanthy, Batticaloa. It was housed in the building called Vipulananda Mandir which was built by the enthusiastic efforts of Mr. V. Nalliah and Dr. C. Sabapathy in the years 1940-41. Twenty two children from the Ramakrishna Mission Karaitivu Girls’ Home were transferred to the newly started Home. The Home aimed at providing in a more comprehensive manner, all the facilities needed for the building up of a modern Gurukula for girls.

Swami Vireswarananda, Assistant General Secretary of the Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission visited the Batticaloa Centre on 5th July 1951.

Swami Asangananda succeeded Swami Siddhatmananda as Vice-President of the Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) and Swami in-charge of the Colombo Mission on 12th November 1951.

Swami Sarvatitananda who was a worker in the Colombo Centre was posted to Batticaloa in July 1952 to assist the Swami-in-charge .


Swami Natarajananda who was General Manager of Schools left for India on transfer on 27th April 1953. He was succeeded by Swami Kutasthananda who was again succeeded by Swami Natarajananda on 9th August 1954.

Swami Prematmananda succeeded Swami Asangananda as Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) on the 5th September 1954.

BIRTH CENTENARY OF THE HOLY MOTHER

The year long celebrations of the Birth Centenary of the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi from December 1953 to December 1954 were conducted with due solemnity. The highlight of the celebrations was in Akkaraipattu where the portrait of the Holy Mother was carried ceremonially in procession on an elephant.

In July 1957 Swami Sarvatitananda was posted to the Ramakrishna Mission Madam, Katharagama.

Swami Avyayananda arrived in Batticaloa in mid 1956 to assist the Swami-in-Charge.
A new hostel for girls was begun in 1958 at Anaipanthy meant for upcountry children seeking admission to English Schools in Batticaloa.

FLOODS AND RELIEF WORK
In the last week of December 1957 there were heavy floods in Ceylon, causing heavy damage to life and property. The Mission undertook relief work in the worst affected areas of Kangaianodai, Unnichchai,Mahilavedduvan, Ichanthivu, Navatkadu, Palugamam, Sittandi, Araipattai, Akkaraipattu, Kaluthavalai, Karaitivu, Kalmunai, Sethukudah, Kalladi-Uppodai, Nochchimunai, Kattankudy, Pillaiyarady,Uppodaimunai, Mandur and Kokkotichcholai in the Batticaloa District.
One lorry load of provisions sent by the Colombo Mission Headquarters was distributed in 35 villages. Financial assistance to the tune of Rs.4,000/- was given to each of the 200 families for the repair and renovation of their damaged dwellings.
The Ramakrishna Mission Schools in the flood-affected areas were closed in order to accommodate the homeless and to function as relief camps.
All the teachers and senior students readily responded to the Mission’s call and made the relief measures a grand success. The relief programme lasted for about two months during which period relief was extended to 4668 families comprising 9983 members in 35 villages.

CIVIL DISTURBANCES
At the invitation of the Government Agent, Batticaloa, the Mission undertook the responsibility of running a Refugee Camp at the Ramakrishna Mission Shivananda Vidyalaya Campus (Kallady-Uppodai), Batticaloa, for the affected people. The school was temporarily closed and the School Hostel and Orphanage buildings were
converted into a camp for accommodating refugees from Padiyatalawa, Maha Oya, Polannaruwa, Hingurakgoda, Panadura, Moratuwa and Kataragama. Food, clothing, shelter and travelling expenses were provided for about 120 families during a period of two weeks.
Services rendered during the floods and civil disturbances were appreciated both by the Government and the Public.

TAKE-OVER OF SCHOOLS BY THE GOVERNMENT

In October 1960 all denominational schools assisted by the Government were taken over fully by the State. The Government took over the following schools that were being run by the Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch):
1. J/Vaidyeshwara Vidyalaya Mixed Senior Secondary English School.
2. J/Kokuvil Senior Secondary Tamil Mixed School.
3. T/Trincomalee Hindu School.
4. T/Primary Tamil Boys’ School.
5. T/Tambalagamam Tamil Mixed School.
6. V/Thandikulam Tamil Mixed School.
7. Bd/Lunugala Junior Secondary Tamil Mixed School.
8. Bt/Akkaraipattu Senior Secondary Tamil Mixed School.
9. Bt/Karaitivu Senior Secondary Tamil Mixed School
10. Bt/Karaitivu Junior Secondary Tamil Mixed School
11. Bt/Kalmunai Senior Secondary Tamil Mixed School.
12. Bt/Mandur Senior Secondary Tamil Boys’ School.
13. Bt/Mandur Girls’ Tamil School.
14. Bt/Kaluthawalai Senior Secondary Tamil Mixed School.
15. Bt/Palugamam Senior Secondary Tamil Mixed School.
16. Bt/Kokkotichcholai Junior Secondary Tamil Mixed School.
17. Bt/Araipattai Senior Secondary Tamil Mixed School.
18. Bt/Eachanthivu Junior Secondary Tamil Mixed School.
19. Bt/Kallady-Uppodai Senior Secondary Tamil Girls’ School.
20. Bt/Shivananda Vidhyalaya Residential Senior Secondary Boys’ English School.
21. Bt/Anaipanthi Residential Senior Secondary Girls’ EnglishSchool.
22. Bt/Anaipanthi Junior Secondary Boys’ Tamil School.
23. Bt/Sittandy Senior Secondary Tamil Mixed School.
24. Bt/Morokkottanchenai Junior Secondary Tamil Mixed School.
25. Bt/Karadithottam Tamil Mixed School.
26. Bt/Veeramunai Tamil Mixed School.
With this the direct relationship of the Mission with the schools came to an end.

In September 1962 the Students’ Hostel for the boys at Shivananda Vidyalaya was handed over to the Government.

CENTENARY OF THE BIRTH OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
The Centenary of the the Birth of Swami Vivekananda was observed with due eclat. The year long celebrations culminated in June 1963 with a mammoth procession. Swami Ranganathananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Calcutta, was the Chief Guest. That Centenary Year saw the opening of the Vipulananda Memorial Hall by Swami Prematmanandaji on 06.09.1963. Veteran Shivananda Vidyalaya teachers: K. Kanapathipillai and K. Candasamy and lawyers K.V.M. Subramaniam and K.N. Coomarasamy served on the Memorial Hall Building Committee. Swami Srirangananda of the Colombo Mission performed the religious ceremony and delivered the inaugural speech at the meeting held in the newly opened Hall.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

On Vijaya Dasami Day, September 1963, Swami Natarajananda inaugurated the Sunday School in the Vipulananda Memorial Hall to encourage the study of Hinduism to schoolgoing children. The Mission thought it fit to award a gold medal annually, in memory of Swami Vipulananda, to the best candidate creditably successful at the G.C.E. ‘O’ Level at the first appearance from schools in the Batticaloa District and obtaining the highest marks in Hinduism. Accordingly the following candidates were awarded the medals in the years noted against their names :
1965 - R. Thangavadivel- Bt/Vantharamoolai MMV.
1966 - K. Arumugam - Bt/Vantharamoolai MMV.
1967 - Miss Thambiaiyah Dhanalakshmi – Bt/KoddaimunaiM.M.V.
1968- K.Manivannan -Bt/Methodist Central College
1969 - T. Thirunavukkarasu – Bt/Shivananda Vidyalaya
Awarding of this could not be continued as information from the Department of Examinations could not be obtained.

In August 1965, Swami Kutasthananda passed away. He had been the General Manager of the Mission Schools in Batticaloa, Swami-in-Charge of the Batticaloa Centre and Warden of the Boys’ Home (1953-1954). Swami Kutasthananda, (formerly Avykta Chaitanya) was in charge of the Batticaloa Centre during its pioneering days.

On 11th October 1965, His Excellency Shri Bhimsen Sachar the High Commissioner for India in Ceylon visited the Ashrama and Home.

Swami Jivanananda was transferred to the Batticaloa Centre on 17th March 1966.

Swami Natarajananda who had served the Batticaloa Mission as a teacher, as a worker and Manager of the Schools for over two decades passed away on the 16th March 1967.


Swami Jivanananda succeeded him on 17th March 1967.

VISIT OF THE 10TH PRESIDENT, RAMAKRISHNA MATH & RAMAKRISHNA MISSION

His Holiness Srimat Swami Vireswaranandaji Maharaj, the 10th Presidentof the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission visited the Batticaloa Centre for the 2nd time on 10th May 1968. His Holiness and party were received at the Batticaloa Airport and conducted to Kallady-Uppodai in a motorcade. The route was decorated with pandals. In the Batticaloa Ashrama he gave spiritual initiation for four devotees. That evening he laid the foundation for the new building of the Boys’ Home and Ashrama. A well-attended civic reception was accorded him by the Batticaloa Municipality where His Holiness addressed the gathering. His visit to this Centre gave it a new life.The salutary effect of His Holiness’ visit could be gauged by the steady expansion of the activities of the Mission that withstood the extensive damage caused by the cyclone of November 1978. It will not be out of place to quote the comments made by His Holiness in the Visitors’ Book:” I visited this Institution after nearly twenty five years. This is my second visit. I am glad to note that the original spirit of dedication is kept up by all connected with this Institution. I find the children happy and smart. May the blessings of Sri Ramakrishna Deva be on the children. I wish the Institution further progress and usefulness to Society".
It will have to be conceded that the blessings of Sri Guru Maharaj invoked by the Revered President Maharaj of the Order have had the benedictory effect on the Mission from then onwards, and in consequence the Centre has recorded a phenomenal growth. It has expanded despite the inestimable ravage caused by the cyclone of November 1978.

RELIGIOUS CLASSES FOR LADIES OF THE LOCALITY
On 08.06.1968 a religious class was inaugurated at the earnest request of the women devotees of this locality. The classes were conducted in the Shrine Hall attached to the Students’ Home. Classes were held regularly from 5.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. on every post-poya day. Congregational prayers and reading from the Life of Sri Sarada Devi formed the main programme.

Srimat Swami Gambhiranandaji Maharaj the then General Secretary of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission visited the Karaitivu Girls’ Home and the Batticaloa Centre on the 28th July 1969. In the evening the Swami addressed a meeting at the Town Hall, presided over by Mr. Devanesan Nesiah, C.A.S., Government Agent, Batticaloa.

NURSERY SCHOOL
Started in 1970 by a few ladies of Kallady - Uppodai under the banner of Sri Krishnabai Mather Sangam, is now called the Sri Sarada Early Childhood Care and

Education Centre. Since its inception it is being housed in the Vipulananda Memorial Hall. From April 1992 the administration of the school has come directly under the Mission.

RUGAM AGRICULTURAL & ANIMAL HUSBANDRY FARM

The Mission, right from its inception, has been fully dependent on public goodwill and State assistance for its philanthropic activities. With a view to establishing a steady source of income and also training for the children, the opening of an Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Farm was mooted. The Government through the then Government Agent Dr. Devanesan Nesiah made available in 1967, 36 acres of jungle land near Sinnamavalai area adjoining the Nuwaragala Forest Reserve at Rugam.By the unstinted financial assistance extended by the Freedom from Hunger Campaign, West Germany, this land was converted to an up-to-date agricultural-*** animal husbandry training farm up to 1990. Since then, we have had to stop all activity in that area due to security reasons. The Freedom from Hunger Campaign Board was responsible 100% for the conversion of this jungle land to a veritable rice bowl. The Swami-in-Charge Sivathondan Nilayam, Dr. A. Caralasingham, Member of the Board of Management, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch), Mr. K. Kunanayagam, Assistant Irrigation Engineer, Mr. Bradman Weerakoon, then Government Agent, Mr. S. Alaganandam, Assistant Director of Works, Mrs. Nithialakshimi Tambiraja of Kurunegala, Mr. K. Sivasubramaniam, Landed Proprietor from Vantharamoolai and Anban Natarajan (Mr. K. Natarajan) have to be mentioned in a special manner for the success of this project.

The Right Reverend Lakshman Wickremasinghe, the Anglican Bishop of Kurunegala visited the Batticaloa Centre on 29th July 1971.

The District Judge of Batticaloa, Mr. M. Shanmugalingam, a close and devoted friend of the Mission visited the Batticaloa Centre on 15th September 1971.

OPENING OF THE NEW BUILDINGS OF THE STUDENTS’ HOME AT KALLADY-UPPODAI
On the 27th of May 1972, Swami Prematmananda, Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch), performed the consecration of the newly-built Shrine for Sri Ramakrishna Deva and opened the new buildings of Kallady – Uppodai Home, which was designed and planned by Mr. M. Villavarayer, Engineer and which was constructed under the immediate and physical supervision of Mr. K.Natarajan (Anban).
This fulfilled a long felt need of the Centre. A whole day programme was gone through. There was a vast gathering of devotees, of Old Boys and sympathisers of the Mission. Ahanda Nama Bhajan was conducted from dawn to dusk. The occasion was marked by Homa and special pooja performed by Swami Virupakshananda of the

Colombo Centre. The Message from His Holiness Srimat Swami Vireswaranandaji Maharaj, President , Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, conveyed his blessings. This was followed by the feeding of devotees and friends. The notable feature of this occasion was the presence of representatives of all religions. On the same day, there was a meeting in the evening where there were musical recitals and lectures. Mr. S. Somasunderam, O.B.E., a Member of the Board of Management addressed the gathering and thanked all those who had helped the Mission in its religio-cultural, humanitarian and educational activities in the District.

Swami Asangananda who was Vice- President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) and also the Swami-in-Charge of the Colombo Ashrama passed away on 27th December 1974.
Swamis Uddhavanandaji and Yatirajanandaji with the Headmaster, Physical Training Master and students of Ramakrishna Mission Hostel, Thiyagarajanagar, Chennai were on an All-Island tour. They were guests of our Home for two days from 09.10.1975.

Swami Mukhyananda of the Colombo Centre visited Batticaloa on 10th October 1975.

GOLDEN JUBILEE OF THE BOYS’ HOME
The Boys’ Home at Kallady-Uppodai completed its 50 years of service on 06.06.1976. This event was observed in a befitting manner. The Golden Jubilee celebrations were inaugurated with the hoisting of the Mission Flag by Swami Virupakshananda. The Home Song which was composed by Pandit V.S. Kandiah was sung for the first time and followed by the garlanding of the statue of Swami Vipulananda, in Batticaloa Town, the Founder of the Home. Then there were Homa, special pooja and feeding of the devotees. Day long Ahanda Nama Bhajan was conducted. In the evening there was a public meeting at the Vipulananda Memorial Hall, presided over by Mr. A. Thedchnamoorthy, Retired C.C.S., and Member of the Board of Management. On 07.06.1976 the second day of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations two processions were organised. The processions converged near the statue of Swami Vipulananda in Batticaloa, forming one stream and wended its way to the Town Hall of Batticaloa. Nearly two thousand people participated in the procession. The Town Hall was tastefully decorated. Mr. G.C. Dissanayake, Government Agent presided over the meeting. The function commenced with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Heads of different religious denominations including the Bishop of Batticaloa. They also invoked the blessings of the Lord Almighty on the Institution. Swami Virupakshananda of the Colombo Centre and Pulavarmani Pandit Periyathambipillai spoke on the occasion. This was followed by Villuppattu by Master Sivalingam troupe. To conclude the Golden Jubilee Commemorative events, a very informative souvenir was published and released on 07.08.1977 by Swami Tapasyananda, President, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Madras under the distinguished Chairmanship of Justice T. W. Rajaratnam in the Vivekananda Centenary Memorial Hall at the

Mission Headquarters in Colombo. Later it was released in the Batticaloa Town Hall on 09.08.1977 by Swami Tapasyananda.

Swami Sarvatitananda came to the Batticaloa Centre on 10.10.1977 to spend his retirement.

HEALTH UNIT
The good health of the inmates of the Home was given a further impetus by the opening of a Health Unit by the Lions Club of Batticaloa on 14.01.1978 by The Honourable T.J. Rajaratnam, High Court Judge, Batticaloa. Dr. V. Panchadcharam has to be remembered for the initiative and background work he rendered for this facility to see the light of day.

CYCLONE OF 1978
The progress of the Homes was put back about 10 years by the devastation caused by the cyclone of 23-11-1978.The Boys’ Home and Ashrama at Kallady-Uppodai, the Girls’ Homes at Karaitivu and Anaipanthy, and the Farm at Rugam suffered the biggest calamity ever since their inception. Many of the buildings of the Orphanage, the Ashrama and the Vipulananda Memorial Hall where the Mission conducted its religio-cultural and social activities; the handicraft unit of the Boys’ Home, the coconut garden at Karaitivu, the cashew garden at Kallady-Uppodai with its out-house and the Rugam Farm were all devastated beyond description. Some of the buildings belonging to the Centre were completely razed to the ground, necessitating complete reconstruction. The inmates of our Homes and the boys stationed at the Rugam Farm had to face the fury of nature for full 10 hours. The loss was colossal. The premises of the institutions were littered with broken tiles, reapers, beams and asbestos sheets in splinters. Walls were blown down and trees uprooted and were lying like dead bodies in a battle field on 24.11.78. We could painfully realise that what took almost half a century to build up, had been brought to nought within 10 hours by this disaster. The entire place looked as if it had suffered a “ Hiroshima Horror”. The Centre at Batticaloa and the Orphanages at Karaitivu and Anaipanthy and the Rugam Farm were completely out of touch with the rest of the country for a week after the disaster. Any form of communication was an impossibility. News, however, reached the Colombo Mission and foodstuff was rushed from there for the use of the Orphanages, and to start relief operations. Our Headquarters at Belur Math was in sympathy of our plight. Swami Uddhavananda of the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Thiyagaraya Nagar, Chennai rushed with six bales of white material and towels for the use of our Orphanages and for distribution among the people affected by the cyclone.The Mission had lost nearly 17½ lakhs of rupees worth of property on account of this cyclone.



REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES

Our Centre could not actively engage itself on relief operations as on previous occasions due to the fact that, we were ourselves victims of the cyclone. Immediately after the disaster, several religious, cultural , social, welfare associations and numerous devotees and sympathisers of the Mission came with their assistance which took the form of foodstuff, clothes (old & new) and household articles. These articles were distributed in more than 10 far-off villages.
The Mission was confronted with the problem of giving a roof to the inmates of the three Homes under its management. So, steps were taken to restructure the buildings without loss of time. Repairs to the buildings at the Anaipanthy Girls’ Home, Batticaloa, and the Girls’ Home at Karaitivu were taken up. Finding building materials and skilled labour was posing a problem. The restructuring of the Boys’ Home, the Vipulananda Memorial Hall, the buildings at the Farm Project, Rugam, the Ashrama (Shivapuri) were done at a later stage. The repairs to the Boys’ Home and the Ashrama were done and the Shrine was brought back to its former premises on 30.07.1979. The statue of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna Deva which was brought from the Ramakrishna Mission Madam at Kataragama, was installed in the Shrine on the same day. To mark this occasion a special invocation pooja was conducted by Swami Chidghanananda of the Ramakrishna Mission , Colombo.

Swami Sarvatitananda the stalwart of the Kataragama Madam and a close and regular compatriot of the Swamis of the Batticaloa Centre passed away on 28th October 1979. He was instrumental in harnessing substantial support for the running of the Batticaloa Centre.

GOLDEN JUBILEE OF THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, COLOMBO

The Golden Jubilee of the Ramakrishna Mission, Colombo was celebrated for eight days from the 21st September 1980. The Batticaloa Centre actively participated in these celebrations. This Centre was allotted the 3rd day i.e., 23.09.1980 for participation. The children of the Boys’ Home and the Girls’ Home staged a folk dance based on the Ramayana; a ballet on the life of Swami Vivekananda and a karaham dance. All these performances were highly appreciated by the audience.
His Holiness Srimat Swami Bhuteshanandaji Maharaj, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission , Belur Math, who came especially to participate in the Golden Jubilee celebrations in Colombo, visited Batticaloa on 30.09.1980. He was received at the railway station by the devotees, old boys of Shivananda Vidyalaya and was taken in procession to the Ashrama at Kallady – Uppodai. He stayed for three days. He was accorded a Civic Reception by the Batticaloa Municipality and on the same evening he presided over the function connected with the release of the Golden Jubilee Souvenir of Shivananda Vidyalaya at

the Vipulananda Memorial Hall. On 01.10.1980, he visited our Girls’ Home at Karaitivu where he was given a rousing reception.

PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Honourable R. Premadasa visited the Ashrama and Home on the 23rd May 1981 and signed the Visitors’ Book maintained at the Centre.

NEW BUILDING FOR THE GIRLS’ HOME
The foundation for the new building to house the Anaipanthy Sarada Girls’ Home at Ramakrishnapuram was laid on 2nd June 1982 by Swami Prematmanandaji, Vice-President of the Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) on a six-acre plot of land belonging to the Mission at Ramakrishnapuram.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

On 16.03.1983, the past inmates of the Boys’ Home had formed an Association called the “The Ramakrishna Mission Students’ Home Past Pupils’ Association” with a view to be in close touch with their mother-house and to participate in the activities of the Mission. They actively took upon themselves, organising receptions etc., to Swamis when they happened to visit Batticaloa. Sometimes, they, on their own initiative, organised the birthday celebrations of Sri Guru Maharaj, the Holy Mother and Swamiji.

RESTRUCTURING OF THE MANTHIVU SRI CHITRA VELAYUTHASWAMI TEMPLE
Sri Chitra Velayuthaswami Temple which is the hub of all Hindu religious activity at the Leprosy Asylum, Manthivu was badly damaged by the cyclone of 1978. At the request of the Hindu Tholunoyalar Sangam of Manthivu and at the instance of the Ministry of Regional Development and Hindu Religious Affairs, the Mission undertook the works connected with the restructuring of the Temple. This was completed at a cost of more than 1 1/4 lakh of rupees. The Mahakumbhabhishekam was performed on 06.05.1983. All ceremonies were gone through in the orthodox way.

OPENING OF SRI SARADA GIRLS’ HOME AT RAMAKRISHNAPURAM
The most memorable event for the year is the successful completion and dedication of the Holy Mother’s (Sri Sarada Devi) Temple and the opening of the newly constructed Sri Sarada Gilrs’ Home (Orphanage) at Ramakrishnapuram (Kallady - Uppodai ). Swami Raghaveshanandaji of the Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore who had come specially for the occasion, performed the dedication ceremony. Swami Prematmanandaji Vice- President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) ,ceremonially opened this humanitarian centre on 03.06.1985. The Temple of the Holy Mother continues to be the focal point for the entire six-acre building complex built at a cost of two and half million rupees. The successful completion of this project is a singular tribute to the personal interest and efforts of Swami Prematmanandaji who

had kindly persuaded the donors to the Kataragama Madam to divert their kind contribution towards the Sri Sarada Girls’ Home Project.

In 1985, 10 houses, each costing Rs.17,000/= were built In Karaitivu for the washerman community, whose houses were completely destroyed due to communal violence.

NEW MONASTIC WORKERS
Swami Rajeswarananda and Swami Ajaratmananda who had been posted to Sri Lanka as workers, visited Batticaloa on 30.06 1988. They were received at Valaichenai by the past pupils, devotees and friends. On their way to Batticaloa they were given a warm reception at Vantharumoolai. At the Ramakrishnapuram Junction, Kallady they were taken in procession with school children and devotees lining the route with flags. At almost every entrance to the houses on the way, the Swamis were received with Poornakumbams and were profusely garlanded. The vicinity of the Ashrama exuded a festive atmosphere. On 01.07.1988 the main function in Batticaloa was held at Anaipanthy Ramakrishna Mission Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya and another function at Mariamman Temple, Koddaimunai on 02.07.1988.On their different visits to the south up to Thirukkovil the Swamis were received at more than twenty villages. The Swamis had to walk in procession for miles and hours at the earnest request of the devotees. The enthusiasm displayed may be because, no Swami had arrived as a worker to this Centre for twenty two years.
Swami Rajeswarananda was posted as a worker to the Batticaloa Centre on 01.07.1988.

TRANSITION
The year 1990 had been a very sad year, in that, the Mission had the misfortune of losing two of its stalwarts in close succession, viz., Swami Prematmanandaji, on 7TH April aged 88 and Swami Samprajnananda, on 19th May, aged 71. The former was a disciple of Swami Shivanandaji Maharaj. He served the Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) for 33 long years from 5th September 1954 to July 1987. During his tenure of office the activities of the Mission in Sri Lanka recorded a phenomenal growth.
The latter who succeeded Swami Prematmanandaji as Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) in July 1987 passed away on 19th May 1990. His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka paid him a glowing tribute through the mass media. The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka with several Ministers called at the Ashrama to pay their last respects.

Swami Jivanananda was appointed by the Headquarters as Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) on 01.07.1990.

Swami Atmaghanananda succeeded Swami Jivanananda as Vice-President,Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) from June 1991.


Srimat Swami Gahananandaji Maharaj, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission was in Batticaloa on a two-day visit . The Swami along with Swami Atmaghanananda arrived in Batticaloa by an Airforce plane on 16th January 1992. He was received at the airport, by Mr. Monogurusamy, Government Agent and members of the reception committee. He reached the Ramakrishna Mission, Ramakrishnapuram at 11.15 a.m. The Swami after worshipping in the Shrine met all those who were waiting to have his Dharshan and blessings. Revered Maharaj was accorded a reception by the public. Everywhere he was received with Poornakumbam. There were a number of banners displayed at intervals welcoming the Swami. He was profusely garlanded by devotees and different organisations.He reached Vivekananda Hall, Anaipanthy, Hospital Road, the venue of the meeting. The Hall was fully packed. Mr. R. Monogurusamy, G.A., presided over the meeting. Students of Vipulananda College of Music and Dance rendered the welcome song. Doctor V. Sivalingam, Registrar of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka presented the address of welcome while Mr. K. Thiyagarajah, S.L.E.A.S., Director of Education, delivered the welcome address. This was followed by a talk by Swami Atmaghanananda. Mr. M. Sivanesarajah, the President of the Batticaloa Young Men’s Hindu Association, then enumerated the activities of the Mission and thanked the Revered Maharaj. The Revered Maharaj then gave a talk befitting the occasion. Mr. R. Nagalingam, Assistant Government Agent proposed the Vote of Thanks. The Swami’s visit to the Centre and his words of advice were encouraging to the monastic workers, devotees and friends to get themselves more involved in the activities of the Mission. At 7.00 p.m. the Maharaj was received at the Boys’ Home. On 17 .01.1992 morning, Swami went to Karaitivu where the Mission has one of its Home for Girls. The Swami was given a rousing reception at the entrance of the village and was conducted in procession to Kannagiamman Temple where he paid his obeisance and from there he went to Ramakrishna Vidyalaya for a meeting. He returned to Kallady – Uppodai for evening Arati. The Maharaj visited the Sarada Girls’ Home and addressed the inmates there. On 18.01.1992 after visiting the Vipulananda College of Music and Dance,he left for Colombo. The visit of Swami Gahanananda was a memorable one, since Batticaloa had the opportunity of welcoming a Swami after a lapse of many years. On his advice the management of the Sri Sarada Early Childhood Care and Education Centre (Nursery School) was taken over by the Mission on 01.04.1992.

Swami Smaranananda, President, Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Madras, was on a 4-day visit from 30.03.1992 to 02.04.1992. He was accompanied by Swami Atmaghanananda and they were received at the Batticaloa Airport by Swami Jivanananda and devotees. That evening the Swami addressed a meeting in connection with the 157th birthday of Sri Ramakrishna Deva at Vipulananda Memorial Hall.
On 31.03.1992 he visited Thirugnanasambandhar Gurukulam, Thambiluvil, 45 miles south of Batticaloa where he gave dharshan to friends and devotees. From there he

went to Akkaraipattu where he laid the foundation for the 10-houses project by the Mission. From Akkaraipattu, the Swami visited our Karaitivu Girls’ Home. He gave dharshan to the inmates of the Home, friends and devotees. In the afternoon that day, he gave a talk at the Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Kalmunai where the 157th birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna was being celebrated.
On the morning of 01.04.1992 the Swami visited Vantharamoolai Maha Vidyalaya where he was received with full temple honors. He addressed the school children, there. In the evening he participated in the meeting to mark the 157th birthday of Sri Ramakrishna Deva at Anaipanthy Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya. The Swami distributed prizes to the children who had been successful in the various competitions held to mark the 157th birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna within Batticaloa Municipal limits.
On 02.04.1992 the Swami visited Mangayarkarasiyar Illam, Thamaraikerni and blessed the inmates.

EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
A girl of our Home successfully completed her Post Diploma Course in music at the Kalakshetra Foundation–College of Fine Arts, Thiruvanmiyur,Chennai and is due to obtain her Master’s Degree in music at the University of Madras. During her stay at Kalakshetra she qualified for the prestigious R. Venkataraman Award in 1996. The child’s entire expenses for education in music was met by Mrs. Kamala Krishnan of Malaysia. She left Sri Lanka on 06.12.1992 for the Course.

The two illustrious daughters of Shri Ramachandra of “Religious Digest” fame – Thanalakshimi and Bhuvaneswary released an audio cassette of their melodious rendition of devotional songs termed “Shivanjali”. The entire proceeds from the sale of this cassette were donated to the Homes (Orphanages).

On 23.12.1992 Swami Ajaratmananda joined the Batticaloa Centre as its worker.

RELIEF WORK

The 10-houses project at Akkaraipattu was completed on 22.01.1993 and handed over to 10 deserving families by Swami Atmaghanananda. A sum of Rs. 240,000/= had been expended on this project. One of the families in this group with three dumb and deaf members was presented with a sewing machine too.

23.01.1993 – a Committee was formed to commemorate the Centenary of the Chicago Address made at the Parliament of Religions, Chicago.

06.06.1993 – a booklet, titled “Swami Vivekananda and World Parliament of Religions in Chicago 1893” was published.



13.09.1993 – as 11.09.1993 was a Saturday, the commemoration in schools was celebrated on Monday the 13th September 1993, by reading the Message of Swami Vivekananda at the school assemblies.


02.12.1993 – Swami Prabhananda, Trustee, Ramakrishna Math & Member of the Governing Body of the Ramakrishna Mission was here in connection with the Centenary celebrations of the Chicago Address. Dignitaries of various religions addressed the gathering where the Swami was the Chief Speaker.
(i) The Right Reverend Kingsley Swampillai, Bishop of the Diocese of Trincomalee – Batticaloa
(ii) The Chief Incumbent of the Managalaramaya , Batticaloa, Ven. Yatiyane Gnananda Thero
(iii) Reverend Anandarajah of the Methodist Church, Batticaloa
(iv) Moulavi Buhary, Federation of Mosques in Kattankudy.
The meeting was suggestive of the Parliament of Religions.

21.03.1994 – 24.03.1994 – Flag Day was organised for 05 days where the Schools, Government Departments, Non-Governmental organisations took an active part.

Norad, the Funding Agency of the Royal Norwegian Embassy gifted the Sarada Girls’ Home with a Cultural Centre costing Rs.1,492,794/= . This was declared open on 03.12.1993 by Swami Prabhananda, Trustee, Ramakrishna Math & Member of the Governing Body of the Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math.

Mr. S. Mahenthiran, Managing Director Mascons Limited brought out a beautiful and well-laid out brochure about the Homes with a view to enlisting support. This brochure was circulated widely and the response, especially from overseas has been very encouraging.


26.05.1994 – Swami Atmasthananda, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission arrived in Batticaloa. The leading citizens of Batticaloa Town received him at the Batticaloa Airport and conducted him to the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Ramakrishnapuram. The traditional reception at the Ramakrishnapuram Junction, Kallady was accorded to him. The same day evening a public reception was accorded to the Swami at the Hindu College Hall and an Address of Welcome was presented. The Swami replied to suit the occasion.
On 27.05.1994 morning ,Swami visited Sarada Girls’ Home and proceeded to Karaitivu. En-route he was accorded receptions at Arayampathy, Kurukkalmadam, Kaluthawalai and Kaluwanchikudy. He was received at the entrance to the village of Karaitivu and conducted in procession to Kannagiamman Temple to pay his obeisance. From there he went to our Girls’ Home at Karaitivu where the new building

of the Home was ceremonially declared open. He bestowed his benediction to the gathering. The same evening , Swami visited Mattikkaly where a housing scheme was being planned. The next day morning he left for Colombo.

Swami Gautamananda, President, Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai was in Batticaloa from the 14th October 1995 to the 17th October 1995. He took part in the concluding sessions of the Chicago Address Centenary Celebrations.

BOOK EXHIBITIONS
In order to disseminate the knowledge of Ramakrishna - Vivekananda literature among the public, book exhibitions were organised in the following schools in connection with the Centenary Celebrations of the Chicago Address:
(i) Mahajana College, Batticaloa
(ii) Hindu College, Batticaloa.
(iii) Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Karaitivu
(iv) Araipattai Maha Vidyalaya
(v) Ramakrishna College, Akkaraipattu
(vi) Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Sittandy
(vii) Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Kalmunai
(viii) Thambiluvil Madhya Maha Vidyalaya
(ix) Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Vantharamoolai

A book: “ Nootandu Vizha Kaanum Swami Vivekananda Chicago Chotpozhivukal” ( “Ehw;whz;L tpoh fhZk; Rthkp tpNtfhde;j rpfhNfh nrhw;nghopTfs;”)written by Shri Pe. Su. Mani of Chennai was released on 03.04.1994 at Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya, Anaipanthy. Swami Atmaghanananda presided at this meeting. Mr. J. Visvanathan, District Judge, introduced the book. Subsequently this book was ceremonially released in Karaitivu and Kalmunai.

08.09.1994 – Swami Sridharananda, Head of the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Lucknow, participated in the concluding sessions connected with the commemoration of the Centenary of Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago Address. He was received at the Ramakrishnapuram Junction and conducted in procession to the Ashrama where he gave dharshan to the devotees. He attended the meeting held that evening at the Hindu College Hall. Swami Atmaghanananda, Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) translated the Swami’s speech to Tamil. Next day the Swami visited the Karaitivu Girls’ Home.


Swami Gokulananda came to Batticaloa on 01.10.1996 to participate in the Public Celebrations of Swami Vivekananda’s 134th birthday. On 02.10.1996 morning he declared open the Vivekananda Bhavan (Monks’ quarters) in the Ashrama premises.


On the same day he took part in the Universal Children’s Day observances at Arayampathy conducted by the Pradeshiya Sabha. That evening a public meeting was held in Devanayagam Hall, Batticaloa presided over by Mr. K. Thiyagarajah, Secretary, Ministry of Education, Cultural Affairs and Sports, North-East Provincial Council. The Swami addressed the large gathering that packed the hall.

COMMEMORATION OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S VISIT TO CEYLON AFTER HIS CHICAGO ADDRESS
Swami Kamalatmananda, Editor of “Ramakrishna Vijayam”, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai, India found time to visit us on 01.12.1996. He participated in the Annual Awards Ceremony of the Batticaloa Educational Development Society held at the Shivananda Vidyalaya Hall, Ramakrishnapuram.

As a lasting monument to commemorate this important year the construction of a model village for the socially handicapped was mooted. This was to be Vivekanandapuram. With the assistance of NORAD, National Housing Development Authority, Batticaloa and others, 27 dwellings complete with a well and toilet were provided for sanitary labourers displaced by ethnic violence at Navatkudah. Hitherto these labourers were living in cadjan sheds. The foundation for this project was laid on the 1st November 1996.

On 03.05.1997, Swamis Atmaghanananda and Jivanananda, along with devotees and the would-be-occupants of the newly built houses, attended the evening pooja at the Kangani Pillayar Temple, Navatkudah. They then proceeded in ceremonial procession to Vivekanandapuram where Swami Atmaghanananda lighted an oil lamp in each of the houses to signify the religious opening of the dwellings.
The village consists of 27 houses, 27 wells, 27 lavatories, one community hall, a nursery school, a children’s park, a network of gravel roads and a temple refurbished by the initiative of the villagers. The cost of the whole project was Rs.3,373,386/=. Out of this NORAD and NHDA contributed Rs.1,911,755/=; donations from devotees amounted Rs.92,310/=; Ramakrishna Mission Headquarters, Belur Math gave Rs.1,207,263/= and Ramakrishna Mission, Batticaloa‘s share was Rs.162,057/=.
On 03.05.1997 the memorial plaque was unveiled by Swami Atmaghanananda, Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch), followed by the opening of the Community Centre, Nursery School, a Children’s Park, switching on the electricity supply, opening of the network of roads, planting of trees and handing over of the houses.
In the evening, that day, a public meeting was held under the Presidentship of Swami Atmaghanananda in front of Mariamman Temple, Vivekanandapuram. A cultural programme was presented by school children. Swami Ajaratmananda welcomed the audience. Doctor V. Vivekanandarajah, the Hon. Joseph Pararasasingham,M.P., the Hon. K. Thurairasasingham, M.P., the Honourable P. Selvarajah, M.P., addressed the gathering. The meeting concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Swami Jivanananda.


Shri N. Krishnamoorthi of Vivekananda Kendra, Vivekanandapuram, Kanya Kumari, Thamil Nadu, was here from the 5th to 8th January in 1997 in connection with the Commemoration of Swami Vivekananda’s visit to Ceylon after His Chicago Address. He had a busy schedule visiting the following places:
(i) Karaitivu Girls’ Home (organised by the Vipulananda Memorial Committee and the Vivekananda Sports Club, Karaitivu)
(ii) Vipulananda Memorial Hall, Ramakrishnapuram under the auspices of the Mission, where the children of our Boys’ Home, Sarada Girls’ Home, Shivananda Vidyalaya, Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya and Vipulananda College of Music and Dance, Nochchimunai, participated.
He took by storm the audience with his lively narrations, skits, forceful speeches, community songs and group work.
Advanced Level Students numbering over100, drawn from 08 schools benefited from his rich experience in working with youth when he conducted a day-long seminar under the auspices of the Mission. He held a similar seminar at the College of Education, Batticaloa.
Mr. N. Kaarthikeyan, Lecturer at the Open University, Colombo was his able lieutenant throughout Krishnamoorti’s sojourn in Batticaloa.

RELEASE OF COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ON 15TH JANUARY 1997

The entire Island and specially the Districts of Batticaloa and Trincomalee were made aware of this event by the release of a commemorative postage stamp in over a dozen centres.
The main function organised by the Batticaloa Young Men’s Hindu Association took place at the Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidhyalaya , Anaipanthi. Under the distinguished patronage of the Government Agent and District Secretary, Mr. A.K. Pathmanathan, the Deputy Post Master General, Mr. R. Thiagalinkam released the first stamp. His Worship the Mayor of Batticaloa, Mr. Chellian J. Perinpanayagam and the Honourable District Judge, Mr. J. Viswanathan were the first to receive the new stamp. Simultaneously, with the very active and whole-hearted support of the Deputy Post Master General (Eastern Region) and his Chief Post Master, the stamp was released in the following places:
1. Arayampathy by the Pradeshiya Sabha, Manmunai South
2. Periya Kallar by Social Service Organisations and the Board of Trustees of the Hindu Temple, Kallar
3. Kalmunai by the Young Men’s Hindu Association
4. Muthalaikudah by the Pradeshiya Sabha, Manmunai South-West
5. Palugamam by the Vivekananda Welfare Society
6. Karaitivu by the Vivekananda Sports Club
7. Thambiluvil by the Thirunavukkarasu Nayanar Students’ Home
8. Akkaraipattu by the Young Men’s Hindu Association


9.Chenkalady Maha Vidyalaya by the Education Officers 10.Vantharamoolai Sri Maha Vishnu Vidhyalaya and School Principals
11.Valaichenai Hindu College
12.Natpettimunai by the Young Men’s Hindu Association

CENTENARY CELEBRATION OF THE FOUNDING OF THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION

01.05.1997 marked the first day of the centenary year of the founding of the Ramakrishna Mission. This was observed with due significance. There was a whole day programme in the Ashrama commencing from 6.15 a.m. Bhajan, Mangala Arati and Hoisting of the Flag took place in the morning. Special pooja, Homa , Arati and distribution of prasad brought the morning’s events to a close. In the afternoon, bhajan and reading of the portions pertaining to the proceedings of the 1st and 2nd meeting of the Ramakrishna Mission Association and the relevant portions from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda took place. There was a good gathering of devotees and friends.

The centenary was celebrated in various places under the auspices of the Mission. On 05.05.1997 there was a three-pronged procession – One beginning from the Pillayar Temple at the Batticaloa High Court premises carrying the portrait of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, headed by Swami Atmaghanananda wended its way through Mahatma Gandhi Road, Munai Street, Lake Road No:01, Nalliah Road, Sooriya Lane, Hospital Road, Covington Road, Mahilady Road, 2nd Cross Street, Hospital Road to reach the venue of the Public Meeting at Anaipanthy.
The 2nd procession carrying the portrait of the Holy Mother headed by Swami Jivanananda, commenced near the Batticaloa Public Library and took the following route : lake side of the Mahatma Gandhi Road, Munai Street, passing the C.T.B. bus –stand, Lake Road No:01, Nalliah Road, Hospital Road to Anaipanthy.
The 3rd procession started at the Mariamman Temple, Koddaimunai carrying the portrait of Swami Vivekananda, led by Swami Ajaratmananda. It proceeded through Arasady Junction, Bar Road, Trinco Road, Koddaimunai Bridge, Central Road, Hospital Road, Mudaliyar Street, Maruthady Street, Adigar Road, Hospital Road and reached the venue of the meeting.
The three processions converged at the Anaipanthy Pillayar Temple before entering the Hall. The meeting was presided over by Swami Atmaghanananda, Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch). Mrs. Valli Somasundaram, Principal, Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya, Anaipanthy welcomed the audience. Swami Jivanananda gave the benedictory address. Swami Ajaratmananda delivered the Centenary Memorial Speech.



On 07.05.1997 the Centenary Celebrations took place at Shivananda Vidyalaya under the Presidentship of the Principal, Mr. N. Rajaratnam. Swami Jivanananda gave his blessings; Swami Atmaghanananda was the Guest Speaker.
On 08,05.1997 in Karaitivu, there was a procession starting from Shanmuga Vidyalaya, passing through Kandasamy Temple Road, Central Road, Sarada Vidyalaya Road and ending at Ramakrishna Mission Boys’ School. A public meeting was presided over by Mr. V. Jeganathan, Principal, Shanmuga Vidyalaya, Karaitivu. Mr. S. Kandasamy, Principal, Ramakrishna Mission Boys’ School, Karaitivu, welcomed the invitees. Swami Jivanananda blessed the gathering. Swami Ajaratmananda delivered the Centenary Memorial Speech.Mr. V. Kanapathipillai, retired Divisional Education Officer was the Guest Speaker. Children from all the schools in Karaitivu participated.
As part of the Centenary Celebrations , the Kallady - Uppodai Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya conducted a procession on 09.05.1997 from the Ramakrishna Mission Boys’ Home carrying the portrait of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda. There, a meeting was held where leading religious dignitaries, Members of Parliament and Education Department Officials spoke. One hundred boxes of mathematical instruments were distributed to deserving children. Sarees were distributed to 100 ladies from Vivekanandapuram. Certificates were awarded to children who had completed the Leadership Training Workshop conducted by the Ramakrishna Mission, Colombo. Al Haj M.M.M. Mahroof Careem, Principal, Meera Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Kattankudy also spoke.

On 23rd June 1997, Shri Pe. Su. Mani’s Tamil book on the Ramakrishna Movement in Sri Lanka was released. Mr. S. Yogarajah, Senior Lecturer, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, introduced the book with his scholarly review.

Swami Tanmayananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Periyanaickenpalayam, Coimbatore was on a three-day visit from 01/09/1997. He was received at the Ramakrishnapuram Junction, Kallady and conducted in procession along the New Kalmunai Road to the Ashrama. The Swami, after worshipping in the Shrine gave his blessings to the devotees, friends and school children who had gathered to welcome him. On the second day (02.09.1997) the Swami went to Kalmunai, where two well-formed processions in the traditional Hindu manner carrying the portraits of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, The Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda from Periya Neelavanai and the other from Senaikudiyiruppu converged in Kalmunai. Dignitaries, Swamis of the Mission, Priests and Nuns of the Catholic Church, Principals, Teachers and senior students of schools, Heads of temples and religious institutions, Officials from the Department of Education and the Divisional Secretariats took part in the procession.
Reverend Brother S.A.I. Matthew, S.S.J., Principal, Carmel Fatima National College
welcomed the Swamis and garlanded them. Brahmashri K.A. Yogarajah, Temple Priests, Reverend Father Ignatius Joseph representing the Catholic Church,

Reverend S. D. Thayaseelan of the Methodist Church, Ven. Gokkralla Thilagasara Thero, Incumbent of the Buddhist Vihara, Kalmunai, Mr. K. M. H. Kalideen, President All-Ceylon Federation of Khathibs, Janab A.L.M. Faleel, Divisional Secretary, Kalmunai and Mr. A,K, Thiagarajah, Divisional Secretary, Tamil Division, Kalmunai graced the occasion. The meeting commenced in the main hall of the Ramakrishna Mission Maha Vidhyalaya , Kalmunai at 10.30 a.m. with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Guest Swami Tanmayananda. The Centenary Souvenir was released by Swami Tanmayananda. and Swami Ajaratmananda gave a scholarly analysis of the souvenir. After the distribution of prizes by Swami Tanmayananda for winners in the competitions held earlier as part of the Centenary celebrations, he delivered the Centenary Memorial Address. Mr. K. Peethamparam proposed the Vote of Thanks.
On the 3rd day, the Swami inaugurated the classes in the Vivekanandapuram Nursery School.
On 24th and 25th October 1997, the Centenary was celebrated at the Periya Kallar Maha Vidyalaya. On the 24th there was a procession starting at 7.00 a.m. from Sri Sivasubramania Swami Temple carrying the portrait of Sri Ramakrishna through Kallar Oor Veethi and the Main Road to reach Kallar Maha Vidyalaya. On the same day at 9.00 a.m. a Book Exhibition was declared open and continued till 2.00 p.m. the next day, after which, a public meeting was held and prizes distributed to the winners of the various competitions conducted by the Centenary Celebration Committee,Periya Kallar.

Swami Chaityanananda, Vice-President, Hindu Dharma Vidhya Peedam, Vellimalai, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu was here from the 20th to the 23rd April 1998.He spoke at public meetings organised at Kallady - Uppodai, Anaipanthy, Arayampathy and Akkaraipattu.

Swami Jitatmananda, President of the Ramakrishna Mission, Rajkot, Gujarat, was here with us from the 28th August to the 1st September 1998. On 29th August, he participated in a seminar organised by Mr. R. Nagalingam, with Mr.J. Visvanathan, District Judge as Chairman at Anaipanthy. That evening Swami Jitatmananda was in Arayampathy at another seminar organised by the Chairman, Pradeshiya Sabha, Mr. K. Navaratnarajah. On 30th August he presided over a Sat Sangh at our Girls’ Home in Karaitivu.
On 31.08.1998, at the express request of the Honourable Joseph Pararasasingham, M.P., the Swami unveiled the tablet of the clock-tower at the Ramakrishnapuram Junction, Kallady at 10.00 a.m. That evening, he was accorded a Civic Reception by the Batticaloa Municipality with His Worship the Mayor Cheliyan J. Perinpanayagam presiding where a galaxy of dignitaries were present. His visit was rounded off with visits to the Vipulananda College of Music and Dance, Shivananda Vidyalaya and Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya, Ramakrishnapuram.



Swami Virupakshananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Chengalpattu revived old memories when he spent three days with us from the 15th to the 18th September 1998.

NURSERY SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS
An innovation in 1999 was the Exhibition of the Children’s handiwork for two days:9th and 10th July. This drew unprecedented crowds of children from the neighbouring nursery schools. The traffic jam was so acute that the services of the Traffic Police had to be sought.

Swami Tadbhasananda was posted to the Batticaloa Centre and he arrived here on 17th September 1999. He was received at the Ramakrishnapuram Junction, Kallady and conducted in procession by the devotees, friends and school children.

PLATINUM JUBILEE OF THE BOYS’ HOME : 06th June 1926 – 06th June 2001
The inaugural meeting of the Platinum Jubilee of the Boys’ Home was held on 18th June 2000 (Sunday) in the Vipulananda Memorial Hall presided over by Swami Jivanananda. Onehundred and fifty one members attended the meeting. It was decided to have a year-long celebration. Swami Atmaghanananda was unanimously nominated to function as advisor for the successful completion of the Jubilee Celebrations.
The following activities were proposed at the meeting:
1. Release of a commemorative stamp
2. Enhancing facilities at the Swami Natarajananda Students’ Home, Sittandi.
3. Book Exhibitions at various places
4. Personality Development seminars for students
5. Publication of a souvenir and a book about the Students’ Homes
6. Putting up shelters at bus-halts at Kallady - Uppodai
7. Upgrading the facilities in the schools, once managed by the Ramakrishna Mission
8. Helping to start Nursery schools
9. Rehabilitation activities and free medical camps in the backward areas of Batticaloa District
10. Improvement of the playground at Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Vidhyalaya, Karaitivu
11. A mammoth procession and public meeting
12. A model village in the Valaichenia Division, resettling 50 displaced families
Several meetings of the sub-committees had taken place since.

Sri N. Krishnamoorti of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, was here specially to conduct personality development workshops as part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.



The workshops were conducted for selected students in the following places:
1. 20.11.2000 – Vantharumoolai Central College
78 students from 07 schools
2. 21.11.2000 - Vipulananda Memorial Hall, Kallady-Uppodai
67 students from 07 schools
3. 22.11.2000 - Kaluthawalai Maha Vidyalaya
69 students from 09 schools
4. 23.11.2000 - Kalmunai Wesley College
59 students from 09 schools
5. 24.11.2000 - Vipulananda Memorial Hall, Kallady - Uppodai
68 students from 02 schools
6. 25.11.2000 - Vivekananda Girls’ Vidyalaya , Kallady-Uppodai
72 students from 07 schools
The workshops included bhajan, meditation, lectures (Swamiji’s Message), group activities,games, questions and answers.
Swamiji’s book and picture, Swamiji’s Messages in three pamphlets, certificate of participation, eight-page bhajan handouts and an exercise book were distributed to students, while the 39 participating schools were presented with mementos by Shri N. Krishnamoorti on behalf of the Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari.

Swami Yuktatmananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, Mysore, India was here in connection with the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations from 3rd to the 8th March 2001.
On his arrival in the company of Swami Atmaghanananda, he was received at the clock tower junction of Ramakrishnapuram, Kallady and conducted in procession to the Ashrama. The Swami, after worshipping in the Shrine blessed all those who were present. On the 4th March morning at 9.30 a.m. he declared open the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Handicapped Children in the premises of the Shivananda Vidyalaya Hostel. That evening, Swami Yuktatmananda was taken in procession from the Arasady clock tower junction to the Mahajana College for a public meeting.
On the 5th March around 8.15 a.m. he was accorded a reception at the Arayampathy Pradeshiya Sabha Grounds en route to Kaludavalai . At Kaludavalai the Swami was warmly welcomed by the villagers. A seminar for school students around Kaludavalai area was held at the Kaludavalai Maha Vidyalaya
That evening the Swami presided over the Annual Athletic Meet of Shivananda Vidyalaya
On the 6th March from 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. the Swami conducted a seminar for Advanced Level Students at the Vipulananda Memorial Hall, Ramakrishnapuram.
On the 7th March, Swami presided over the Sri Ramakrishna Cultural Programme at the Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidhyalaya , Kalmunai.
Two hundred and forty Hindu and Christian senior students of the Kalmunai Educational Zone together with leaders of religious organisations, priests from temples, Reverend Brothers and Sisters of the Catholic Church, officials from the Department of Education, teachers from schools and village leaders packed the hall.


The Swamis of the Ramakrishna Mission were welcomed at the Main Street with oriental band by the public of Kalmunai and conducted in procession. The traders of the bazaar received the Swamis with poorna kumbams and garlands. When the procession reached the venue of the meeting the Swamis were accorded a grand reception in the traditional Hindu manner. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Principal of the School, Mr. N. Nagarajah. Swami Jivanananda gave his blessings and Swami Ajaratmananda introduced the visiting Swami Yuktatmananda which was followed by the speech of the Chief Guest.
On the 8th March after visiting Shivananda Vidyalaya, National School around 8.00 a.m., Swami presided over the 166th Birthday celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna at Ananipanthy Vivekananda Girls’ Maha Vidhyalaya. He left for Colombo on the same day around 1.00 p.m.

One of the activities in connection with the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations is the conducting of free medical camps in areas where medical care is not available. The first such camp was held on 24.12.2000 at Mandur Ramakrishna Vidyalaya . 13 medical officers and 02 para medics conducted the camp where 798 patients were treated. They came from far off places like divisions 1,2 and 3 of Mandur Village, Palamunai, Thambalavattai, Ganeshapuram, Maringaiadipooval, Kurumenveli, Vellavali, Karaitivu, Kalmunai, Ollimadu and Sinnavattai. Rs.22,580/- worth of medicines were used at this camp. The members of the Ramakrishna Manram, Mandur were of invaluable assistance.
The 2nd medical camp was conducted at the Maha Vidyalaya, Vakarai on 18.02.2001. 13 medical officers and 02 para medics and 08 nurses served this camp. 1395 patients from Vakarai, Kadiraveli, Paalchenai,Vammivettuwan, Thattumunai, Mankerny, Uryankattu, Kandalady, Ambathanveli, Puliyankandadi, Vellaiadimadu and other villages were treated. The cost of drugs used at this camp amounted to Rs.25,000/=. The Divisional Secretary, Mr. Balasubramaniam rendered valuable service for the success of this camp.
The 3rd medical camp was held at the Mahilavedduvan Maha Vidyalaya on 29.04.2001. 12 medical officers and 10 nurses served this camp. 1750 patients from the villages of Nellur, Pavatkodichchenai, Karaveddy, Thandiyadi, Navatkadu, Mahilavedduvan, Naripulthottam, Ayithiamalai, Karadianaru, Vilavedduvan, Manipuram, Unnichchai, Pankudaveli, 6th Mile Post, Eachanthivu, Paalakkadu, Siruwamunai, Mullamunai, Vavunathivu, Kurinchamunai, Annainagar, Kannankudah and Kelithimadu benefited. The cost of medicines used at this camp amounted to Rs.80,000/=. Mr. P. Sangar the Divisional Secretary rendered all assistance to make the camp the success it was.



CONCLUSION
The Home by its services has improved the living conditions of many who came under its wings. It has helped inter-community understanding and fostered harmony among them. The direct benefits of the Home are well understood by the words of gratitude expressed by the inmates.
Today the Home celebrates its Platinum Jubilee. As predicted by Swami Bigyananandaji Maharaj, it is indeed growing as an institution, dedicated to the service of humanity, transcending all human-made barriers, spreading the gospel of selfless service.
On this historic occasion we thank all for their kind-hearted co-operation without which such an achievement of the Home would not have been possible.


SOME IMPORTANT EVENTS

06.06.1926 - Founding of the Ramakrishna Mission Students’ Home in Vellikkilamai Madam, Vannarpannai,Jaffna.
26.11.1929 - The Home was shifted to Kallady - Uppodai
12.05.1932 - The Home moved to its own building
30.05.1932 - Br. Avyakta Chaitanya (later Swami Kutasthanandaji) who was in charge of the Home left for India.
1932 - Swami Paripurnananda took the wardenship from Br. Avyakta Chaitanya
1932 - Swami Sundarananda was appointed Manager and Warden.
1933 - Latter part of 1933, Swami Vipulanandaji assumes duties as Manager.
03.01.1934 - Visit of His Holiness Srimat Swami Bigyananandaji Maharaj
1935 - Residential section for paying students was started at Shivananda Vidyalaya
1936 - Centenary of the Birth of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna
31.01.1937 - A Home for Girls was opened at Karaitivu
Mid 1937 - Swamis Vipulananda and Kedareswarananda went on a pilgrimage to Maount Kailash
Aug. 1939 - Swami Nishkamananda succeeds Swami Vipulananda as Manager and Warden.
Sept. 1939 - Swami Vipulananda went to Mayavati as Editor of Prabuddha Bharatha
May 1940 - Srimat Swami Madhavanandaji Maharaj visited Batticaloa.
1941 - Acharya Mandir (residence of the Principal of Shivananda Vidhyalaya) was built.
1942 - Swami Ritajananda succeeds Swami Nishkamananda as Manager and Warden. Br. Nirveda Chaitanya (Swami Natarajananda) was posted to Batticaloa Centre to assist the Swami.
10.02.1947 - Swami Ranganathanandaji visited Batticaloa.
19.07.1947 - Swami Vipulanandaji passed away.
18.09.1948 - Foundation for Vipulananda Memorial Hall was laid by Shri T.S. Avinasilingam.
16.11.1950 - Swami Gambhiranandaji and four other Swamis visited the Centre.
09.05.1951 - Sri Sarada Girls’ Home, Anaipanthy was opened.
05.07.1951 - Swami Vireswaranandaji visited Batticaloa.
12.11.1951 - Swami Asangananda succeeds Swami Siddhatmananda.
July 1952 - Swami Sarvatitananda was posted as worker
27.04.1953 - Swami Natarajananda left for India and was succeeded by Swami Kutasthananda.
09.08.1954 - Again Swami Natarajananda succeeds Swami Kutasthananda.
05.09.1954 - Swami Prematmanandaji succeeds Swami Asangananda as Vive-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) .
Dec. 1953 to
Dec. 1954 - Year long celebrations of Holy Mother’s Birth Centenary
Mid 1956 - Swami Avyayananda came to Batticaloa to assist the Swami.
July 1957 - Swami Sarvatitananda was transferred to Kataragama.
Dec. 1957 - Flood havoc in Batticaloa District
May 1958 - Ethnic violence.
Oct. 1960 - Mission Schools take-over by the State.
Sept. 1962 - Shivananda Vidyalaya Hostel taken over by the State
June 1963 - Birth Centenary of Swami Vivekananda. Swami Ranganathanandaji was the Chief Guest.
06.09. 1963 - Opening of Vipulananda Memorial Hall.
Sept. 1963 - Sunday School to impart Hinduism to school-going children was started.
Aug. 1965 - Swami Kutasthananda passed away.
17.03. 1966 - Swami Jivanananda was posted to Batticaloa.
17.03. 1967 - Swami Jivanananda becomes Manager of the Batticaloa Centre.
May 1967 - Rugam Farm Land was handed over to the Mission.
10.05. 1968 - His Holiness Srimat Swami Virewswaranandaji Maharaj visited Batticaloa and laid the foundation for the Boys’ Home and Ashrama.
27.05.1972 - Swami Prematmananda opened the Boys’ Home.
06.06.1976 - Golden Jubilee Year Commemoration, Colombo.
07.08.1977 - Swami Tapasyanandaji released the Golden Jubilee Souvenir in Colombo.
23.11.1978 - Fury of the cyclone
28.10.1979 --Swami Sarvatitananda passes away.
21.09.1980 - Golden Jubilee Commemoration, Colombo.
30.09.1980 - His Holiness Srimat Swami Bhuteshanandaji Maharaj visits Batticaloa.
02.09.1982 - Foundation for the Sri Sarada Girls’Home, Ramakrishnapuram, laid.
03.06.1985 - Opening of the new building of the Sri Sarada Girls’ Home by Swami Prematmananda.
30.06.1988 - Swamis Rajeswarananda and Ajaratmananda posted as workers
07.04.1990 - Swami Prematmanandaji passes way.
19.05.1990 - Swami Samprajnananda passes away.
01.06.1990 - Swami Rajeswarananda acted for Swami Jivanananda in Batticaloa.
01.07.1990 - Swami Jivanananda succeeds Swami Samprajnananda as Swami-in-Charge as Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch).
01.06.1991 - Swami Atmaghananandaji succeeds Swami Jivanananda as Vice-President,Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch).
16.01.1992 - Swami Gahananandaji Maharaj, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, visited Batticaloa.
30.03.1992 - Swami Smarananandaji, Trustee, Ramakrishna Math and Member of the Governing Body of the Ramakrishna Mission, visited Batticaloa.
23.12.1992 - Swami Ajaratmanandaji posted to the Batticaloa Centre
23.01.1993 - Formation of a Committee to commemorate the Centenary of the Chicago Address.
02.12.1993 - Swami Prabhanandaji, Trustee, Ramakrishna Math and Member of the Governing Body of the Ramakrishna Mission, visited Batticaloa.
03.12.1993 - Swami Prabhanandaji opens the Cultural Centre at Sarada Girls’ Home.
26.05.1994 - Swami Atmasthanandaji Maharaj, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, visited Batticaloa.
27.05.1994 - The new building of the Karaitivu Girls’ Home was opened.
08.09.1994 - Swami Sridharananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Lucknow, visited Batticaloa.
14.10.1995 - Swami Gautamananda, President, Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai, visited Batticaloa.
01.10.1996 - Swami Gokulananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi, visited Batticaloa.
01.11.1996 - Foundation for the Vivekanandapuram Housing Scheme was laid by Swami Jivanananda.
01.12.1996 - Swami Kamalatmananda visited Batticaloa.
15.01.1997 - Release of postage stamp as part of the Chicago Address Centenary Celebrations
01.05.1997 - Centenary celebrations of the founding of the Ramakrishna Mission.
23.05. 1997 - Sri Pe.Su. Mani’s Book on Ramakrishna Movement in Sri Lanka was released.
01.09.1997 - Swami Tanmayananda visited Batticaloa.
28.08.1998 - Swami Jitatmananda visited Batticaloa.
09th &10th
July 1999 - Nursery School Exhibition
20.08.1999 - Swami Jegatatmananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Singapore visited Batticaloa
17.09.1999 - Swami Tadbhasananda posted to Batticaloa.
18.06.2000 - Inaugural Meeting of the Platinum Jubilee



The Swamis – in – Charge of the Ashrama and the Managers of the Students’ Home for the past seventyfive years.

JAFFNA From To

1. Swami Vipulanandaji 1926 1929
Swami Anandanandaji
Assistant (Br. Sivadas) later
Swami Paripurnananda

BATTICALOA (KALLADY-UPPODAI)

2. Brahmachari Avyakta Chaitanya
(afterwards Swami Kutasthananda) 1930 1932

3. Swami Sundarananda

Assistant -- Swami 1932 1933
Paripurnananda

4. Swami Vipulanandaji 1933 1939

5. Swami Nishkamananda 1939 1942

6. Swami Ritajananda 1942 1945


7. Swami Hrishikeshananda 1945 1946


8. Swami Natarajananda 1946 1953

Assistant-- Swami Sarvatitananda 1952 1953

9. Swami Kutasthananda 1953 1954

Assistant-- Swami Sarvatitananda

10. Swami Natarajananda 1954 1967

Assistants: Swami Sarvatitananda 1956
Swami Avyayananda 1956 1963
Swami Jivanananda 1966 1967

11. Swami Jivanananda 13.03.1967 30.04.1990

Assistant --- Swami Rajeswarananda 01.07.1988 01.05.1990

12. Swami Rajeswarananda 28.06.1990 June 1991

13. Swami Jivanananda July 1991 to date

Assistants: Swami Ajaratmananda 23.12.1992 to date
Swami Tadbhasananda 17.09.1999 2009