THE ORDER ON THE MARCH (Apr )
By Unexhibited
Summary
The Order on the March (April 2017) details various events and initiatives undertaken by Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission centers across India and Bangladesh. Celebrations marked the 150th birth anniversaries of Swami Abhedanandaji Maharaj and Sister Nivedita, with events including lectures, students’ conventions, cultural competitions, and blood donation camps. For instance, Swamiji’s Ancestral House hosted lectures and conventions attended by over 1,400 people, while Chennai Vidyapith organized public meetings and competitions involving 5,000 students. Kankurgachhi Math and Lucknow Math held conventions with hundreds of devotees and youths, respectively. Values education programs, such as workshops for school principals and housewives, were conducted in multiple cities. Cleanliness drives, including Swachchha Bharat Abhiyan initiatives, saw participation from thousands of volunteers across centers like Mangaluru and Coimbatore. Winter and flood relief efforts distributed blankets, garments, and essentials to thousands in need, particularly in Bihar and Bangladesh. Centers like Asansol, Lucknow, and Ranchi Morabadi organized free eye camps, treating and operating on thousands of patients. Additionally, educational and cultural events, such as quiz competitions and art camps, engaged students and the public, while centers like Tiruvalla Ashrama hosted festivals centered on Sri Ramakrishna’s teachings.
Conclusion
The Order on the March (April 2017) highlights the Ramakrishna Mission's extensive educational, social, and humanitarian initiatives across India and Bangladesh. Key outcomes include the celebration of Swami Abhedanandaji Maharaj and Sister Nivedita’s 150th birth anniversaries through large-scale student conventions, cultural events, and public lectures, engaging over 31,000 participants. The Mission’s commitment to values education and youth empowerment is evident in workshops, quiz competitions, and cleanliness drives, reaching approximately 30,000 students and 5,300 volunteers. Notably, the distribution of 12,372 winter relief blankets and flood/drought relief efforts in Bihar and Telangana underscores the organization’s disaster response and community support. These efforts collectively reflect the Mission’s enduring role in fostering spiritual growth, educational engagement, and social welfare, reinforcing its mission to serve humanity through selfless action and universal values.