Vishwabhanu

When the announcement came that this year’s ‘Amrita keerthi’ award is to be presented to me, the first question that arose in my mind was whether I deserve it. That led to an exercise of looking back as to how I came to deserve this honour. I thought I should share my thoughts with our friends and well - wishers at this momentous occasion. 

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. Thecumulative 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 Amritakeerthi 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’

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CELEBRATION OF 125TH YEAR OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA'S VISIT TO KODUNGALLUR

           CELEBRATION OF 125TH YEAR OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA'S VISIT TO KODUNGALLUR

In order to celebrate Swami Vivekananda's 125th year of visit to Kodungallur, a committee 'Swami Vivekananda Smarak Samity was formed by the like-minded Hindu organizations of Kodungallur. Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi was made ONE OF the patrons  A month-long programme from 1st November to 3rd December, mainly consisting of a series of competitions for the school children from LP level to Higher Secondary level and also for the youth was chalked out. To coordinate in the conducting of the various programmes, Vivekananda Kendra Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation,  Tapasya, Bharateeya Vichara Kendram, Vishwa Samskrta Pratishthan and Nehru Yuva Kendra also participated.
Apart from competitions, a seminar in Malayalam and Sanskrit, Yuva Sammelan, Parikrama and Pushparchana and various other programmes were conducted.
School children many of them dressed as Swamiji took part in the Parikrama programme.  After offering flowers at the feet of  Swamiji (Photo), there was parikrama of the Bhagavathi temple from outside. Amrita Vidyalayam children had their band troop also. Sandeepani Sishuvihar LKG and UKG students also took part.

The month-long programme came to an end with the concluding programme held at Navaratri Mandapam, Kodungallur on 3rd December, Kartika Pournami evening. In the presence of the General Convener and Chairman of the Swami Vivekananda Smarak Samity Sri D.Sundareshan and  Sri  M.P. Venugopal, and other members of the team including the audience, Mananeeya Lakshmi DIdi was felicitated by Rev.Swami Nandatmajanandaji, editor of Prabuddha Keralam-Ramakrishna Math Thrissur who was also one of the patrons of the above Samity. Prize distribution and talks by Sri K.B.Surendren of Bharatiya Vichar Kendra and Rev Swami Nandatmajanandaji, Smt Saraswathy -principal of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan-Kodungallur, formed part of the evening programme.

SADHANA DIVAS

On the auspicious morning of 19th November, a session was kept for the Yoga Certificate Course students along with Yoga Varga participants, with Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi. She explained the significance of the day and also the purpose of choosing yoga as a  way of life. The herculean task was performed by Mananeeya Eknathji in the construction of the Mighty Rock Memorial and after the construction of the Memorial nowhere was there a mention of his name and even during the inauguration of the memorial, he was behind the screen. This was what is called as a Karmayogi, a silent worker.

Yoga Varga participants  and YCC students
performing Kriya

Ma.Didi with the coupons for fund collection

A group of Sishuvihar parents along with Sri Sudhakarji and Sushree Bindu began the first door to door collection of funds for the creating a children's park the cost of which will exceed rupees ten lakhs.

Ma.Didi talking to the participants

A donor( Sri Ramankutty Master) handing the money for Children's park