THE ORDER ON THE MARCH (May )

Summary

Sri Ramakrishna’s birthday was celebrated at Belur Math on 8 March 2019 with spiritual fervor, with over 35,000 devotees receiving prasad. A public meeting presided by Swami Vishwanathananda was held, and Devotees’ Conventions on 13 and 14 February attracted around 2,500 participants each day. The annual Public Celebration on 17 March drew over one lakh visitors, with 40,000 receiving prasad. Fireworks were canceled due to unavoidable circumstances. Various centers marked the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s addresses at the World’s Parliament of Religions with lectures, cultural competitions, and youth conventions across India and internationally, engaging thousands of students, teachers, and devotees. Branch centers reported activities such as the golden jubilee celebrations of the Vivekananda Polyclinic in Lucknow, the distribution of buttermilk and sharbat during Chennai’s Ratha Yatra, and the inauguration of a prayer hall extension at Gadadhar Ashrama. RKMVERI received the highest NAAC accreditation grade of A++. Values Education Programmes included workshops, lectures, and LED projector distributions for schools. Medical relief efforts involved blood donations, free treatments, and eye camps. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan activities in Mangaluru included cleanliness drives and awareness campaigns. Winter relief distributed thousands of garments, and distress relief provided clothing and essentials to those in need. Flood and fire relief efforts supported affected families, while economic rehabilitation distributed sewing machines and tricycles. A pilgrimage for Leprosy Cured but Deformed Persons (LCDPs) to Rameshwaram, Madurai, and Sri Rangam was organized, with special rituals performed. A notice was issued regarding Swami Vrajamohanananda’s departure from the Order.