UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD DAY CELEBRATION

The Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's famous lecture at the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago, is celebrated by Vivekananda Kendra as Universal Brotherhood Day every year. This year is of special significance as it is the 125th year of Swamiji’s Chicago speech.

In this connection, a number of competitions were planned for the school children. 

Since most of the schools had been badly affected by the sudden floods, only the students of three schools viz. SN Vidyalayam- Chentrappinni, Amrita Vidyalayam and Shantiniketan International School- Kodungallur, registered their names.

On 6th September , there was painting competition for Junior( class Vto VII) and Senior groups( classes VIII to X ). 20 students participated.After lighting of the lamp, Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi spoke to students, encouraging them to perform with full vigour and concentration. Topic for the junior classes was'Scenes from Ramayana' and for the senior classes it was' Incidents from the life of Swamiji'.

On 7th September, Elocution Competitions (English and Malayalam) ie. getting by heart and delivering speech of Swamiji ( selected from the first and last speeches delivered by Swamiji in Chicago Parliament of Religions) were conducted. 33 students participated. While speaking to the competitors, Didi asked them to believe that while delivering the speech they should feel as if it was an offering at the feet of Swamiji because it was because of this great patriot saint that we are able to lead a dignified life today. It was because of Him that the world recognised the greatness of our culture.

On 11th September, the public function was held.Along with the prize distribution for the winners of schools, distribution of pressure cookers as the third phase of relief work for 400 flood affected people, was also held. 

Sri Piyush a young Vedantist from Thrissur as the Chief Guest along with Retired Major General Vivekanandan - a close well wisher of Vivekananda Kendra.and Ma.Didi were present on dias.

This time the winners of rolling trophy for Malayalam Elocution was Amrita Vidyalayam and that of English Elocution was SN Vidyalaya. After the Shanti mantra, all were given prasada. Overall 400 people attended the Universal brotherhood programme. 

After the prasad, the beneficiaries were given pressure cookers.

72nd Independence Day Celebrations

This time 15th August turned out to be the most memorable day in the history of Anandadham.

Early morning at 6.30 in spite of incessant rain, more than 60 yoga practitioners in uniform gathered in the hall to perform Samuhika Surya Namaskar and a few asanas. Due to rains national flag was hoisted in the hall.

All the students of Sandeepani Sishuvihar with their parents were present for the flag hoisting. Sri Sudhakarji hoisted the flag. The parents had planned for Onam Aghosham on that day. Fresh flowers of different colours were bought. A beautiful ‘Pookalam’ (design or rangoli with flowers) was created by the mothers. Lots of games for children were conducted by the parents. Prize distribution for the winners were given and prizes were all vegetables like corm(chena), Snake gourd, Pumpkin etc. wrapped in shining papers to look attractive. There was lots of laughter and jokes, dances and merry making with the children, their parents and teachers. Lunch followed after this. All kinds of delicacies brought by the mothers were served. After the nice sumptuous lunch all departed.

It was after the program that the inmates became aware of the rise in water level of the canal adjacent to our compound and by night the water had entered the compound! Beginning of a devastating flood unaware!

   

SAMAPANAM OF RAMAYANA MONTH

In all 31 houses were visited during the whole month of Karkatakam.

On 12^th August Ramayana Samarpanam two hour program was arranged. The bronze idols of the trio including Hanumanji’s, were kept on stage. The program started with parayanam of the stuthis from the Adhyatma Ramayanam like Ahalya stuti, Parshuram stuti and Kabandha Stithi. Following this was Sangeet archana by budding artists Kum. Neha Nair and her brother Siddhartha Nair, Smt. Jayashree Satheesh of Paravur, a well known vocalist and Sri. Sanjay Raj, another local vocalist.

After this followed pushpaarchana with Rama and Hanuman Ashtottara chanting. At the end a talk by an Ayurvedic practitioner Dr C Padmajan, a devotee of Sri Rama. He elaborated the various characters in Ramayana and stressed on the regular study and chanting of Adhyatma Ramayana and not limit the parayanam only for the Ramayana month.

The program concluded with the arati of Sri Ramachandra  and Prasad distribution

GURAPURNIMA

On the 27th Ganapathi Homam and Sri Chakra Puja was performed by none other than Dr Vijayanji, founder of Vijayan Gurupadam Karumatra where a number of seekers enroll themselves to learn the scriptures and scriptural practices.

Sishuvihar children with their parents came to pay their respects to Ma.Didi.

On the 29th evening Guru Purnima was celebrated publicly.The yoga varga practitioners, YCC students and QCI students about 50 in number, gathered in the Dakshina hall. Mananeeya Didi spoke to them on the importance of Guru. Guru stotram was chanted together followed by guru archana with flowers.

QCI COACHING CLASS

14th July was the day for registration for  participants for the QCI coaching class. 16 students registered . The syllubus and other requirements were briefed to the students by Sri Sudhakarji.Formal inauguration of the class was on 21st July in the presence of Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi. 5 more students registered so that the total number camewent up  to 21. Classes have been fixed on every Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Resource persons will be from among the Kendra inmates and welwishers in Kodungallur.