A Devotees’ Convention (both residential and non-residential) was organised in the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram, Tamluk from 10 – 12 Aug 2019, in commemoration of 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago Addresses.
78 residential devotees, 210 non- residential devotees and 15 guests attended the convention.
The opening session of the convention was held at the Vivekananda Hall of the Sevashram with the inaugural song sung by Sri Ashok Bera, Tamluk at 7:50 pm after the evening prayer and meditation. Swami Shrutisarananda, Adhyaksha and Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram, Tamluk delivered the welcome address. Sri Brahmamoy Nanda, a retired professor of Moyna College spoke on Sri Chandidevi Mahatmyam.
The second session started at 8:30 am on August 11, 2019, with the song sung by Sri Sumahan Adhikari, Tamluk. Then the gospel of Sri Ramakrishna (Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita) was read and explained by Swami Aliptananda, Ramakrishna Math, Tamluk. Swami Tattwavidananda, Assistant General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math delivered his valuable speech on the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna.
After the tea break Swami Amalatmananda, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Gadadhar Ashrama, Kolkata spoke on Swamiji’s Chicago Addresses and its consequences. Srimati Bandana Bhowmik of Sarada Sangha, Tamluk read out from ‘Sri Mayer Katha’. Swami Vinishchayananda delivered his lecture on Sri Ramakrishna as envisaged by Sri Ma Sarada Devi.
At the beginning of the third session, Sri Jayanta Bera sang a devotional song. Swami Nirmohananda, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram, Tamluk then spoke on the relationship between God and devotees. Sri Parthasankar Adhikari of Uttaranchal Sri Ramakrishna Pathachakra and Sadhan Shibir then read out from the writings of Swami Vivekananda. Swami Mahatapananda, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram, Tamluk and Sri Soumyakanti Ghosh jointly presented ‘Sri Ramakrishna-Ma Sarada BhabGanga’ with their songs and sayings. After that Vedic chanting and three devotional songs were performed by the members of Vivekananda Study Circle. Sri Ramanama Sankirtanam was sung by the devotees in the Vivekananda Hall after the evening prayer and meditation in the temple.
The programme on August 12, 2019, started with the devotional songs by Sri Asim Sawdagar. Sri Narayan Chandra Maity, ex Principal of Mahishadal Girls’ College delivered his speech on the life making of the devotees in the light of the gospels of Sri Ramakrishna. Swami Amartyananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Paschim Medinipur, highlighted on how an individual can uplift his/her spiritual life.
