Governor Applauds Ramakrishna Mission Narottam Nagar in the concluding Function of its Golden Jubilee celebrations

On September 11, 2023, a significant event took place in Tirap, where Lt. General Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik, PVSM, UYSM, YSM (Retd.), the Hon'ble Governor, attended the concluding function of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Ramakrishna Mission Narottam Nagar, Observance of Universal Brotherhood Day, Commemoration of 125 years of Foundation of Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math the headquarter of Ramakrishna Mission, Narottam Nagar. The Governor as the Chief Guest, presented scholarships and awards to deserving students and motivated them to become exemplary citizens by following the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and serving the motherland.

Sri Wangki Lowang, Minister of PHE& WS, DoTCL, Arunachal Pradesh, the Guest of Honor, who also happens to be an alumnus of the institution, shared fond memories of his time at the institution and commended the Ramakrishna Mission for their outstanding service activities in the state. The Minister took the opportunity to felicitate teachers and students who had recently brought laurels to the institution.

The event attracted a diverse audience, including guests, villagers, and guardians, all of whom gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion. During the event, the Governor laid the foundation stone for a proposed new building of Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Vidyalaya, a co-educational primary school. Additionally, he paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda at the Vivekananda Statue situated at Vivekananda Marg, emphasizing the importance of Swami Vivekananda's teachings in today's world.

Several key officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Tirap, the Superintendent of Police of Tirap, and the Commanding Officer of the 6th Assam Rifles, were present at the function, highlighting its significance in the region.

Swami Achyuteshananda, the Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Narottam Nagar, warmly welcomed and expressed gratitude to the Governor for visiting the institution. Swami Vedasarananda, Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Dibrugarh, delivered the vote of thanks.

Swami Jneyananda, the Principal of Ramakrishna Mission School Narottam Nagar, presented a comprehensive report on the Golden Jubilee celebrations and the achievements of the institution from 2000 to 2023. The students of the institution captivated the audience with their patriotic songs, adding a touch of cultural richness to the event.

Swami Vedasarananda, Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Dibrugarh thanked the Hon’ble Governor for taking all pains to visit the institution irrespective of the weather and assured that his presence has boosted the morale and vigor of the students further to contribute to the motherland.

The institution was beautifully adorned with colourful decorations, creating a vibrant atmosphere that enhanced the sense of celebration and achievement. The presence of prominent figures, alumni, and officials underscored the institution's importance and its role in imparting education and instilling values inspired by Swami Vivekananda.

This event not only marked the culmination of a remarkable fifty years for Ramakrishna Mission Narottam Nagar but also served as a reminder of the enduring legacy of Swami Vivekananda and his message of universal brotherhood. It celebrated the achievements of students, teachers, and the institution, reaffirming its commitment to the betterment of society and the development of the region.

Revered Swami Vimalatmananda ji a Senior Trustee of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, and Governing Body Member of Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math presided over the meeting. Swami Achyuteshananda ji, the Centre's Secretary, welcomed everyone, and Swami Vedasaranandaji, Secretary of Ramakrishna Misson, Dibrugarh proposed the vote of thanks.

Ramakrishna Mission Narottam Nagar observed the second phase of its Golden Jubilee Celebration and the 125th anniversary of the foundation of its headquarters Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission on the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose which heightened the festive mood of the campus. The celebrations reached its peak as the dust of the institution had been trodden by the feet of celebrators belonging to every section of the society. The presence of various dignitaries namely Sri Chowna Mien, Deputy Chief Minister, Sri Dharmendra, Chief Secretary, Sri Wangki Lowang, Minister of PHE & WS, DOTCL, Sri Kaling Tayeng Principal Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh, Sri Wanglian Lowangdong, Hon’ble MLA, Sri Wanglam Sawin, Hon’ble MLA, Smt. Chakat Aboh, Hon’ble MLA, Sri Sumnyak Sumnyan (Retd), Chief Engineer ( High Way), Arunachal Pradesh and the presence of Most Revered Swami Suviranandaji, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission added a feather in the cap. 

Sri Chowna Mein unveiled a 12 feet statue of Bhagavan Buddha seated on a 12 feet pedestal, laid the foundation stone of the proposed Convention Hall (which had been proposed by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pema Khandu during the first phase of the celebration held on May 2022) and attended the Annual Prize Giving Ceremony of the school. 

In the public meeting, Swami Achyuteshananda, Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Narottam Nagar, welcomed and thanked all the dignitaries for accepting his request and for their presence at Tirap. Swami Jneyananda, Principal briefed the activities of the year 2021 – 22, Sri Chowna Mein in his speech, elaborated on the humanising power of Buddha, and how he came up with the concept of Sangha first. He put forward his insight on Swamiji and Buddha and mentioned the similar approaches to mankind that both these great masters shared. Swamiji favoured Buddha's love and compassion for humanity, which was beautifully pointed out by him. He congratulated Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission for completing a golden run of 125 years and praised its perpetual effort to peddle love to millions and serve humanity. He recalled his memories of an infant in Arunachal Pradesh and how Arunachal Pradesh and Ramakrishna Mission struggled so hard on their way and successfully made their presence felt. He stressed the importance of discipline and reading in everyone’s life. He beautifully brought to everyone’s attention the existence of unity in our nation despite having cultures which are so diverse in nature. He urged everybody especially the inhabitants of Arunachal Pradesh to know the rich history and culture of their state. He propounded an interesting prospect of serving as a tourist destination which Narottam Nagar and Namsai carry. He proposed the concept of cultural integration and brought to the notice the connectivity which is needed between Narottam Nagar and the rest of Arunachal and how this connectivity can be achieved through cultural integration was mentioned. 

Sri Wangki Lowang, Sri Dharmendra and Sri Kaling Tayeng, Sri Wanglin Lowangdong, Sri Wanglam Sawin , Smt. Chakat Aboh along with other respected guests shared their viewpoints and praised Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission in general and Ramakrishna Mission Narottam Nagar in particular for their contribution to society. Sri Lowangdong, Sri Dharmendra and Sri Tayeng specifically uttered a very precise way that could lead the students to success.

Swami Suviranandaji who presided over the gathering thanked everyone for their precious presence, talked about the 'yagna' which Ramakrishna Math and Mission performs all over the world, every second through its works for the betterment of everyone and wished a very bright future to Ramakrishna Mission Narottam Nagar. He talked about the immense influence that Vivekananda has on the west. How the spirit of nationalism and service to the nation has been channelized into Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose through the writings of Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Mission was mentioned. In his speech, he reminisced about the experiences of his long two decades of service at Ramakrishna Mission, Aalo. And he presented before the audience Swamiji’s view of a progressive India and how India should be premised upon the upliftment and development of each section of society was talked about.

All of them felicitated the prize winners on their winning. The vote of thanks was presented by Sri Sumnyam. The programme climaxed in the national anthem. 

Around a gathering of 3000 people including monks from different parts of North East India and Bhantes from Assam & Arunachal Pradesh along with the local populace assembled joined the institution inmates in the grand celebration. Food was supplied to everyone present. The cooperation and assistance of every single person made the whole occasion colourful and contributed to the success of the grand extravaganza.

The district administration under the able guidance of Shri Hento Karga, DC, Tirap and execution by Miss. Vishakha Yadav, ADC, Deomali, Shri Kardak Riba, SP, Tirap made the function memorable to all sections of the society. The presence of the Commandant, 6th Assam Rifles and other dignitaries added to the grandeur of the function.

Started in 1971, Ramakrishna Mission’s branch at Narottam Nagar runs one of the most acclaimed residential schools of Arunachal Pradesh. Spread over a large campus of about three hundred acres in the confluence of Namsang and Dehing rivers, the school has played a key role in shaping the life of Arunachali boys. To mark fifty years of its glorious existence and selfless service in the remote forests of challenging Tirap district, a six-day long Golden Jubilee Celebration was organized in its premises during 18-23 May 2022.

The Celebration was formally inaugurated on 21st May 2022 by Sri Amit Shah, Hon’ble Union Home Minister. Other Ministers who joined him in the celebration are Sri KirenRijiju, Union Minister for Law and Justice, Sri Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Sri Chowna Mein, Dy. Chief Minister, Sri Tapir Gao, Member of Parliament, State Cabinet Ministers Sri Bamen Felix, Sri WangkiLowang and others.

Sri Amit Shah, as Chief Guest of the function unveiled an eighteen feet high statue of Swami Vivekananda (30 feet from road level including pedestal) by the side of a new 2.6 km diversion road that would free the campus of Ramakrishna Mission from public trespassing, gifted few cows, laid foundation stone for new hostel buildings, released a special documentary video and a commemorative Souvenir. As submitted by the Secretary of the Centre and under advice of Shri Amit Shah, Shri Pema Kandu, Chief Minister declared that the new diversion road by the side of which the statue of Swami Vivekananda has been unveiled would be named “Vivekananda Marg”. About 5000 people attended the Public Meeting on 21st May which is huge considering sparse population in the region.

The Alumni Meet held on 20 May 2022 was first such Get-together for the past pupils of the institution. Shri Pema Khandu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh was Chief Guest for the function. Sri Tapir Gao, Member of Parliament, Arunachal Pradesh, Shri WangkiLowang, Minister for PHE, W.S. &DoTCL, Arunachal Pradesh and Sri TabaTedir, Hon’ble Minister for Education and Cultural Affairs, (the last two also Alumnus of Ramakrishna Mission), Smt. Padmini Singla, IAS, Commissioner (Education) and Shri Prashant SitaramLokhande, IAS, Commissioner (Planning & Investment) were other honored guests. About 500 alumni participated in the day long function and presented cultural items in the evening. All the Alumnus were presented special memento and other gifts.

Before all these events, on 18 May, a special Get-together for Monastics was organized. About fifty monastics including those currently serving at Narottam Nagar participated. Reminiscences by senior swamis about the challenges faced at Narottam Nagar and how it could be taken to new heights was the theme of discussion.

Huge steel-structured pandal, ornamented gates, cultural programme by different tribes from the region, Odissi dance by professionals etc. added to the grandeur of the celebration. All Staff including their family members were gifted T-shirt/Sarees and were provided festive food on 21 and 22 May. Participants were presented Golden Jubilee gift kits.

Most Revered Srimat Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj, Vice President, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math blessed 106 devotees, including some local Tribals with Mantra Diksha on 19th and 23rd May 2022.