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Wednesday, October 11, 2017

AMRITA KEERTI PURASKAR



Service, though selfless, should be duly recognized and encouraged. If the knowledge, wisdom, and talent of those who serve society are ignored and left to languish, it is society’s loss. In order to prevent such tragedy, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math has conferred its annual Amrita Keerti Award since 2001, distinguishing people who have made significant contributions to Indian Culture and the Vedic tradition. The goal is to assist the preservation of the ancient and enduring human values of Sanatana Dharma.The awards are presented each year on Amma’s birthday. 

Two categories of people are eligible to receive the award: those engaged in writing original, in-depth studies of India’s spiritual texts and those dedicated to constructive social or national service. Sannyasins are not eligible for the award, as their service is part of their spiritual practices. 

This year the awardee has been selected by the five-member committee and decided to honor a woman who has dedicated her life for spreading the message of Swami Vivekananda throughout the country for the last four decades. Ma. Lakshmi Didi has been selected unanimously for the Puraskar this year. The same was awarded to her this year AMRITHAVARSHAM64 by Mata Amrithanandamayi Devi on 9th October in a function wherein top dignitaries from all over the world participated. This is a happy occasion for all the workers of Vivekananda Kendra and its well-wishers for whom Ma. Lakshmi Didi has been a source of inspiration 


Sri Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, presenting the Amrita Keerti Puraskar to Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari in the presence of Mata Amritanandamayi on Monday.


Man. Lakshmi's Didi reply after receiving the award

My most humble Pranaams to most revered Mother Mata Amritananda Mayi Devi, her huge retinue of highly devoted and dedicated disciples, sevikas and sevakas, most respected dignitaries on the stage, and brothers and sisters who have assembled here to partake the Prasad which Amma distributes on her birthday everywhere.

All of us have heard the story of the squirrel who helped Sree Rama during the construction of the Great Ramasethu, how, picking up sand grains and putting up in the Sethu he made himself immortal receiving the grace of Sree Rama. Amma’s contributions to the welfare of humanity and preservation of Hindu Dharma cannot be described even by thousand tongued Anantha. What wonders me is how in this mammoth service programmes she could recognize this small squirrel and confer her blessings on it. I humbly accept the award, taking it to be recognition by the Divine Mother Herself executed through our beloved Mother.

Such an occasion demands that I express my gratitude to all those who were responsible for making me what I am today. First in the line is my adorable father who put up the strikingly attractive picture of Swami Vivekananda in Chicago posture in our home and opened up the spring of guru-bhakti when I was just 12 or 13 years old. It was he who lighted up the Vivekadeep in my heart. Later my mother saw to it that this Vivekadeepa doesn’t get extinguished and when the call came permitted me to offer my life at the feet of my master at Vivekananda Kendra. It was Swargeeya Agamananda Swami who awakened in me the very first waves of spiritual yearnings. Those were further nourished by the two great teachers of modern India, Swami Ranganathanandaji and Swami Chinmayanandaji. It is through them that I tasted the practical Vedanta of Swami Vivekananda.

Even with such a treasure chest in my possession, the attractions of materialistic life kept their grip on me like an octopus. It was none other than Swargeeya Eknathji Ranade, the Master Builder of Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Founder of the spiritually oriented service mission Vivekananda Kendra, who pulled me out of that mire and handed over the responsibility of looking after Vivekananda Kendra as its Mother. Thus was fulfilled my dream of surrendering my life for the service of Swami Vivekananda. This award reminds me of the magnificent gift which Eknathji gave me by which I rediscovered myself. The cumulative effect of all the love and respect with which the well-wishers of Vivekananda Kendra all over India received me have now become consolidated in Mata Amritananda Mayi’s choice of me to receive the Amrita Keerthi Puraskar.  This will definitely add a special glow to the evening of my life. To mother, I offer my shathakodi pranaams.  My thanks also to the selection committee for choosing me. Last but not the least, once again I assert ‘Apara Mahima Guru Mahima’. 

Thursday, October 5, 2017

STHANIK KARYAKARTA PRAKSHISHAN SHIBIR



(Kodungallur from 30.09 2017 to 2.10 2017)

KPS at the Sthanik level started at 3 p.m. on 30.09.2017 with the registration of the shibirarthis. 26 of them registered out of whom, 7 karyakartas were from Thiruvananthapuram, 1 from Aripalam, 6 from Edavilangu, 2 from Thrissur, and 10 were from Kodungallur . 10 members were present in the organizing team.  Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi addressed the Karyakartas after lighting the lamp.  Su.Radha Didi, Prant Sanghatak of Dakshin Prant talked to the shibirarthis on the objective of KPS. There was groupwise Ice breaking so that most of them could feel at home. Bhajans, supper and in the end a powerpoint presentation on Vivekananda Kendra and its activities- Kendra Parichay was beautifully explained by Ma.Sudhakarji.
The second day started with wake up at 4.30a.m. Morning prayer at 5.15 a.m, followed by yoga, pranayama, shramanubhav, sessions by Ma.Lakshmi Didi, and Su. Radha Didi, group discussion,  practice of chantings and songs, games and agnyas, breaks for breakfast, lunch, tea, and supper. A number of video clippings on the inspiring lives of well-known young achievers and discussions based on the clippings, was the last item of the day before they went to bed.
On the third day, usual routine was followed up to lunchtime. After lunch preparation for the concluding session was kept to get maximum participation from the shibirarthis. Concluding session was from 3 pm to 4 pm. In her concluding address Ma.Didi talked on the qualities needed for a
 karyakarta.In revealing their shibir experience many of them felt that they should put more effort on practicing what the have learned in the Shibir, so as to gain confidence at the same time experience the thrill of 'seva'.  Ahuti satra was arranged so that all the Karyakartas could take the resolve for their future work and offer it at the feet of the Holy Trio.




Wednesday, October 4, 2017

NAVARATRI AND VIDYARAMBHAM CELEBRATION

Navratri started on 21st September.Navratri, the nine-night festival, honours Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Saraswathi in the South. It is known as Bomma Koluvu in Andhra Pradesh and Navarathri in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.  Navratri is observed as Dusshera in Karnataka, where it is observed for ten days. The main event during Navrathri is the display of dolls and idols – Kolu and the placing of Kalash, which represents Goddess.
At Anandadham too there was a beautiful decoration of the stage with bommas of different types, including the dashavatars.Daily chanting of the Devi Mahatmyam and puja and offerings to the Devi during all the nine days was observed by the inmates.
On Maha Asthami day a bhajan session was arranged for all the students who had come in the evening to offer their books for Mother Saraswathi's blessings.
On the Maha Navami day, Deepa pooja with pushpaarchana was performed by all the students and their mothers who had come the previous day.
 On Vijaya Dashami day, Vidyarambham (Ezhuthiniruthu) is performed in many temples of Kerala. It is believed that it is the most precious day to write the first letter by a child. Parents brings the small children of two to three years to temples to perform Vidyarambham (Ezhuthiniruthu). It is a grand festival in Panachikkada Saraswathi temple in Kottayam, Thiruvullakkavu in Thrissur and Mookambika Temple of Vadakkan Paravur. Vidyarambham is also performed in Guruvayur temple and many other temples of Kerala. In general older children have  to write the alphabets on rice or sand and according to custom only after this ceremony child becomes entitled to take the books offered at the feet of Mother Saraswathi and write or read. The tiny tots children sit on the lap of the guru and the guru writes ‘Hari Shree Ganapataye ’ on the child’s tongue with a golden ring. Then, the child writes ‘Hari Shree Ganapathye Namaha’ in Malayalam with the right index finger, with the help of the Guru, on a bed of raw rice. 
At Anandadham too, it was a sight to watch all the tiny tots of Sishuvihar come and all the other children from the neighbourhood come and write on rice and take their books which they had offered for puja.About 50 children and their parents had come altogether out of which 30 of them were the tiny tots of Sishuvihar and the neighborhood. Ma. Didi and Sri Sudhakarji wrote on their tongue and made them write on rice. After this, all received payasam prasadam. 

Friday, September 15, 2017

SRI KRISHNA JAYANTI

SREEKRISHNA  JAYANTHI CELEBRATIONS


The much-awaited Sreekrishna Jayanthi was celebrated on  12th  of Sept ’17at Anandadham.    Mananeeya Lakshmi Deedi along with one of the 'tiny Krishna started the celebration by lighting the lamp.    She gave a short speech on how celebrations like this get imprinted on the children's mind and it helps them to think positive and live a life of values. The hall was buzzing with the sounds of the naughty Krishnas, dressed by their mothers. Some girls were also dressed as  Radhas.  There were a total of 32 Krishnas (including 7 babies) and 8 Radhas. All the children dressed nicely came on the stage and posed as Krishnas with their flute in hand or Radhas with their earthen pots on their heads.  It was a really beautiful sight to see the children happy and smiling.  After their posing was over and the judges had given their comments, children were treated with sweets and prasadam.  `Uriyadi`or 'breaking the pot', a traditional challenging game was the next item.  The children participated in it enthusiastically. At the last was the most interesting part. All the children received small gifts from Didi for their achievements!  






Sunday, September 3, 2017

CHOWMASIK BAITHAK DAKSHIN PRANT-20TH AUGUST 2017


CHOWMASIK BAITHAK DAKSHIN PRANTH-20TH AUGUST 2017



Vivekananda Kendra Dakshin Pranth Chowmasik Baithak was held on 19th and 20th August 2017 at Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation, Kodungallur. Apart from karyakartas of Kodungallur, there were 31 karyakartas who had come for the Baithak. 21 members were from Tamil Nadu, 7 from Karnataka and Mysore, and 3 from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.


The baithak began with Bhajan Sandhya in the evening at 6.30pm. At 7.30 Su. Radha Didi welcomed all karyakartas and introduced Ma. Hanumantha Raoji, Ma.Lakshmi Didi and Ma.Sudhakarji. It was an informal session in which self-introduction of all the workers was  followed by a sharing of experiences by the Ma. Didi and other elders.

On the 20th, the morning sessions included report reading of the various branch and project centres. After lunch session was kept for planning for the next four months. Concluding session was from 3.30 p m to 4.15 p m. Ma.Didi blessed all the karyakartas with tokens of her affection. Almost all the karyakartas left by 20th night.