Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, Dhaka, observed 150th Birth Anniversary of Sister Nivedita on 23 December 2016, with due solemnity and festivity. The day long program included several events.
In the temple, special Puja of Sri Sri Thakur, Bhajan, reading from the scriptures, Homa were held in the morning. Eminent Artist Sri Satyajit Chakraborty played setar from 9:00 am to 10:00 am in the temple. Cooked prasad was served at 12:30 pm to the devotees after the end of temple events. About 1500 devotees took noon prasad.
An art competition, among the children from play level to class eight, was arranged at 11:00 am., which was preceded by a discussion meeting in connection with this Art Competition, at Vivekananda Hall of Ramakrishna Mission. Swami Dhruveshananda Maharaj, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Dhaka, in the chair, the discussion meeting was graced by Prof. Nisar Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, as the Chief Guest, Dr. Chandranath Poddar, Assoc Prof., Dept of Mathematics, University of Dhaka, as special guest, Mr. Sadhan Bose, Chief Artist of Daily Ittefaque (an esteemed daily of Bangladesh), Shishir Adhikari, Artist of Daily Ittefaque and Artist Sribas Basak as honourable guests. Swami Sthiratmananda Maharaj, Asst. Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission,Dhaka, delivered welcome speech in this session, attended by about 700 audiences including the competitors from different schools of Dhaka City and their guardians. The Chief Guest and Hon’ble Guests spoke on Sister Nivedita, her contributions for the female specially in evolving their inner faculty with regard to Art. A few slides on the life and activities of Sister Nivedita were presented by Prof. Kalyanmoy Sarker, Advisor, Ramakrishna Mission High School, Dhaka at the onset of the session.
A cultural program by the children artistes was held from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. at Vivekananda Hall.
The cultural program was followed by a discussion meeting on ‘Contributions of Sister Nivedita to Female education’, at 6:30pm. at Vivekananda Hall. Prof. Dr. Shawkat Ara Hossain, Dept of Political Science, University of Dhaka, as the Chief guest, Prof. Syed Anwar Hossain, Dept of History, University of Dhaka, Sister Paulin Gomez, Director of student affairs, Holy Cross College, Dhaka, Md. Idris Ali Khan, Senior teacher, Jaynagar M U Senior Madrasa, Kashiani, Gopalganj, as honourable guests graced the discussion meeting, chaired by Prof. Rita Dutta, Rtd. Principal of Govt. College, Chittagong. Swami Sthiratmananda delivered key note speech in this session, attended by about 1000 audiences. Srimat Swami Dhruveshanandaji Maharaj delivered welcome speech while Srimat Swami Ameyanandaji Maharaj made benedictory address. Prasad was served in packets to the audience after the discussion meeting. All ended peacefully.
