Three day Annual Celebration (2nd Phase) of Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong was organized at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Quinton Road premises from 27 to 29 April 2018. Each day had two sessions, morning and afternoon.
On 27 April 2018 in the Morning session the Inauguration of Saradananda Bhavan (Skill Development Building) started with the Floral tribute at Swami Vivekananda’s statue at 9:00 a.m. Inauguration of the building was done jointly by Hon’ble speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Dr Donkupar Roy and Srimat Swami Gautamananda ji, Vice-President, Ramakrishna order. A Souvenir was released by Hon’ble speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Dr Donkupar Roy, and Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong felicitated five achievers in the different field of Human endeavor. Eminent speakers like Swami Abhiramanandaji Maharaj, Asst. General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math and Swami Baneshanandaji, Minister-in-Charge, Vedanta Society, Berlin graced the occasion.
The Afternoon Session took off with floral tributes to the statue of Swami Vivekananda at 2:10 pm. Shri Ganga Prasad, Hon’ble Governor of Meghalaya and Prof. Henry Lamin, the Pro Vice Chancellor of NEHU along with revered monks, paid their tribute to the legendary patriot saint. Swami Achyuteshananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Narottam Nagar delivered the welcome address. A documentary film on the activities of the Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong was released on this occasion. Swami Abhiramananda, Assistant General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, West Bengal was the Guest of Honour in the function. He spoke about the need of harmony all over the world. Professor Henry Lamin, Vice Chancellor, NEHU reminded the students that “Hard work is the key to Success” and encouraged them to become successful persons in life. Many cultural programmes were performed including Jaintia, Rajasthani, Rabindra Sangeet Nritya and Nepali Dances. Altogether 2500 audience comprising with devotees, well-wisher and students took part.
Celebration continued on April 28 2018 at the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Center, Shillong. A symposium on “Assimilation and not Dissension: a message of universality and catholicity” was organized to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s appearance to World Parliament of Religions in the morning session. The program started with the lighting of the lamp by the monks of the Mission. Swami Abhiramananda reminded the audience that the city of Shillong is blessed and sanctified by the footprints of Swami Vivekananda. He also referred to the significance of universality and catholicity in Swami Vivekananda’s message. Four papers were presented by students who came from various institution of Shillong. Later, Swami Baneshananda, Minister-in-Charge, Vedanta Society, Berlin, spoke about “the acceptance and not tolerance is the key to assimilation”. He presided the discussion who also in his speech discussed the practicality and implementation of the messages related to universality and catholicity. Smt. Theilin Phanbuh said that ‘’we may be from different religions but we all are praising a single God in different ways”. Smt. Krishna Das Gupta was the moderator who summarized the whole discussion and emphasized that “the concept of tolerance should begin at home”. Ms. Ananya Roy anchored the whole program. In all 150 students and teachers of different educational institute took part.
Afternoon session was dedicated to the students of the Art Training unit of the Ramakrishna Vivekandna Cultural Centre. Swami Samachittananda, Minister In-charge Designate, Ramakrishna Mission, Singapore presided over the session and Swami Jayadananda introduced the session. 140 new students was welcomed by the senior students of the unit with few cultural events. All together 800 students along with their parents
Third day of the celebration i.e 29 April 2018 started with Bhakta Sammelan Theme: “Assimilation and not dissention” in the morning session. Srimat Swami Gautamananda ji spoke on the importance of the Sammelan along with some of the senior monks of the Ramakrishna Order who were assembled on the occasion. All together 125 devotees registered in the programme.
Afternoon session was dedicated to the “Sanskriti” – a value education programme for children age group 7 to 12 year. Swami Alokananda was the Chief Guest and Swami Samachittananda shared the dais as Guest of Honour on the occasion and Swami Yajnadharananda Maharaj delivered a welcome and introductory speech. Programme was attended by 300 students with their parents.
