AT SILIGURI on 31 March,2017 : Jointly organized by : Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Jalpaiguri & Ramakrishna Mission, Darjeeling.
A day long programme to mark the 150th Birth Anniversary of Sister Nivedita jointly organized by Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Jalpaiguri and Ramakrishna Mission, Darjeeling was held on 31 March, 2017 at Siliguri.
A colourful grand procession was organized in the early morning of 31 March, 2017 in Siliguri town, where around 1400 students/ youths and general public participated . Besides, there were 14 tableaus( including Shashwata Bharata Ratha and Viveka Vahini) depicting the life and teachings of Sister Nivedita and Indian cultural heritage. Women participants blew Sankha and carried decorative Kalashas, Kulos etc making the procession more appealing. Similarly, NCC troupes, Bands, Dhaks, tribal dance, Bihu and Sattriya dance troupe from Assam, added colours to the grand procession organized in the streets of Siliguri town. Different social organizations , Govt Departments, local bodies etc actively participated to mark the procession a grand success. Thousands of people gathered in the streets to witness the event. Books, mementos, photos and tiffin packets were given to the participants after the procession.
A Youth Convention was organized later in the day after the procession, at Matri Bhawan, 2 ½ Mile, Siliguri, where 310 student/youth delegates from different educational institutions of Siliguri town, attended. Senior monks of our order addressed the students, youth and teachers, propagating the message of Swami Vivekananda and Sister Nivedita. They were briefed to develop a wider outlook and pursue higher ideals to prepare themselves in the task of Nation building. Books, attractive mementos and lunch packets were distributed among the attending delegates.
In the evening, a devotees convention was organized at the same venue where around 450 devotees attended. Swami Divyananda, Swami Nityamuktananda, Swami Divyabratananda, Swami Nityasatyananda, Swami Arunatmananda and Swami Purnabrahmananda were the prominent speakers in both the conventions held throughout the day. Besides, devotional songs were performed by monastic members, followed by a film show on Bhagini Nivedita. All the attending devotees were given snacks after the convention.
