Started in 1971, Ramakrishna Mission’s branch at Narottam Nagar runs one of the most acclaimed residential schools in Arunachal Pradesh. Spread over a large campus of about three hundred acres at the confluence of the Namsang and Dehing rivers, the school has played a key role in shaping the life of Arunachali boys. To mark fifty years of its glorious existence and selfless service in the remote forests of the challenging Tirap district, a six-day long Golden Jubilee Celebration was organized in its premises during 18-23 May 2022.
The Celebration was formally inaugurated on 21 May 2022 by Sri Amit Shah, Hon’ble Union Home Minister. Other Ministers who joined him in the celebration are Sri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister for Law and Justice, Sri Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Sri Chowna Mein, Dy. Chief Minister, Sri Tapir Gao, Member of Parliament, State Cabinet Ministers Sri Bamen Felix, Sri Wangki Lowang and others.
Sri Amit Shah, as Chief Guest of the function, unveiled an eighteen feet high statue of Swami Vivekananda (30 feet from road level including pedestal) by the side of a new 2.6 km diversion road that would free the campus of Ramakrishna Mission from public trespassing, gifted few cows, laid the foundation stone for new hostel buildings, released a special documentary video and a commemorative Souvenir. As submitted by the Secretary of the Centre and under the advice of Shri Amit Shah, Shri Pema Kandu, Chief Minister declared that the new diversion road by the side of which the statue of Swami Vivekananda has been unveiled would be named “Vivekananda Marg”. About 5000 people attended the Public Meeting on 21st May which is huge considering the sparse population in the region.
The Alumni Meet held on 20 May 2022 was the first such Get-together for the past pupils of the institution. Shri Pema Khandu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh as the Chief Guest for the function. Sri Tapir Gao, Member of Parliament, Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Wangki Lowang, Minister for PHE, W.S. & DoTCL, Arunachal Pradesh and Sri Taba Tedir, Hon’ble Minister for Education and Cultural Affairs, (the last two also Alumnus of Ramakrishna Mission),
Smt. Padmini Singla, IAS, Commissioner (Education) and Shri Prashant Sitaram Lokhande, IAS, Commissioner (Planning & Investment) were other honoured guests. About 500 alumni participated in the day-long function and presented cultural items in the evening. All the Alumni were presented with special mementos and other gifts.
Before all these events, on 18 May, a special Get-together for Monastics was organized. About fifty monastics including those currently serving at Narottam Nagar participated. Reminiscences by senior swamis about the challenges faced at Narottam Nagar and how it could be taken to new heights were the theme of discussion.
A combined Half-yearly Uttara Purvanchal Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Bhava-Prachar Parishad Conference (Unit I & II) was organized during 19-20 May where fifty-nine Ashramas from Assam and Arunachal participated.
22 May 2022 was reserved for a day-long Bhakta Sammelan where about 1600 devotees from different Ashramas in Assam and Arunachal joined. Prayer, Meditation, Discourse by senior monks, Devotional Songs by monks and devotees, skits and a few other items by school students were part of the program. Revered Swami Gautamananda ji Maharaj, Vice-President, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission gave a benedictory address in all the sessions during 18-22 May except during the Alumni meet.
Huge steel-structured pandal, ornamented gates, cultural programmes by different tribes from the region, Odissi dance by professionals etc. added to the grandeur of the celebration. All Staff including their family members were gifted T-shirts/Sarees and were provided festive food on 21 and 22 May. Participants were presented with Golden Jubilee gift kits. One hundred and six devotees including a few indigenous candidates got Spiritual Initiation from Most Revered Vice President Maharaj on 19th and 23rd May. Some of the visiting monks, former staff and volunteers were taken to Parshuram Kund and Golden Pagoda on 23rd May. Revered Vice President Maharaj and other monks were received at Arunachal borders on 18th May (at Deomali) and seen off on 23rd May (at Mopaya) with traditional warmth and fervour by the locals.
