The 147th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda

The 147th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was observed at the Centre, Glen Anil, on Saturday 16 January 2010. The programme comprised prayer, an address by Swami Vimokshananda, recitation of Swami Vivekananda's poem "My Play is Done" by youth devotees, and the singing of devotional songs by the Sri Ranganathan Temple Society. Special ritual worship was performed on Swami Vivekananda's Tithi birthday (6 January 2010).

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Swami Vivekananda Youth Programme

This programme was held on Sunday, 24 January 2010 at the Centre, Glen Anil. The half-day retreat began with prayer and the singing of devotional songs and hymns. Pravrajika Divyanandaprana of the Sri Sarada Math, Kolkata delivered an address entitled "Swami Vivekananda's Message to the Youth". A youth seminar was then held with the following topics and speakers:

• Will-Power and a Disciplined Mind by Mr Nikhil Ramdass
• Sri Alasinga Perumal - The dedicated disciple of Swami Vivekananda by Ms Jessica Thakurpersadh
• Swami Vivekananda's Secret of Work by Mr Yashmeel Raghunandan

This was followed by a traditional kathak dance performance, a talk on "Lessons Youth Can Learn from the 1860 Settlers" by Dr HB Parbhoo, a DVD presentation on "Human Excellence" (message by Swami Bodhamayananda), a question and answer session, the singing of the South African National Anthem and peace chants. This retreat was restricted to 100 youth only. Similar programmes were held at our various Sub-Centres and Satsang Groups.

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The 174th Birth Anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna

The 174th Birth Anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna was observed at the Centre, Glen Anil on Saturday 27 February 2010. The programme consisted of prayer, a traditional bharatha natyam dance performance by a youth member of the Centre, an address by Swami Vimokshananda, a sketch on anecdotes from the life of Sri Ramakrishna by the youth of the Newcastle Sub-Centre and peace prayers. Over 450 devotees and well-wishers attended the programme. Special ritual worship was performed on Sri Ramakrishna's Tithi birthday (16 February 2010).

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Festivals

The following religious festivals were observed at the Centre, Glen Anil:

• Shivaratri (Friday, 12 February 2010, 6.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.) was observed with night-long vigil. Each of the four sessions comprised the singing of bhajans and kirtans, a talk, ritual worship and arati.
• Shivaratri (Friday, 12 February 2010, 6.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.) was observed with night-long vigil. Each of the four sessions comprised the singing of bhajans and kirtans, a talk, ritual worship and arati.
• Hanuman Jayanti (Tuesday, 30 March 2010, 6.30 - 8.00 p.m.). Satsang included the singing of devotional songs, a discourse by Pandit Kamal Maharaj and arati.

All of the above festivals were well-attended. Similar programmes were held at several of the Centre's Sub-Centres and Satsang Groups.

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Hinduism for Children Examinations

These were held on Sunday 7 March 2010 at various venues throughout KwaZulu-Natal. Three hundred and fourty-six children, from grades 0 - 12, were examined this year.

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Faculty of Peace Studies, Spirituality and Culture

Examinations for the Certificate in Hindu Studies and Certificate in Bhagavad Gita Studies were written on 6 February 2010 at various centres throughout the country.

The Annual Gradation Ceremonies for the Faculty were held on Saturday, 27 March 2010 at the Glen Anil Ashrama for students from the coastal and Gauteng regions, and on Saturday, 10 April 2010 at the Ladysmith Town Hall for students from Northern KwaZulu-Natal. A total of 99 students (67 Certificate in Hindu Studies and 32 Certificate in Bhagavad Gita Studies) graduated.

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Regular Classes

Swami Vimokshananda conducts the following regular classes:
Bhagavad Gita:

• Tuesdays (7.00 - 8.00 p.m.) at the Centre, Glen Anil
• Two lectures once a quarter at the Newcastle Sub-Centre

The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna:

• Chatsworth Sub-Centre (last Friday of each month, 6.50 - 8.00 p.m)
• Pietermaritzburg Sub-Centre (first Friday of each month, 7.00 - 8.30 p.m.)
• Redhill / Durban Central Satsang Groups (fourth Sunday of each month, 9.00 - 10.00 a.m.)

Women Devotees of Sri Ramakrishna on the second Sunday of each month (9.00 - 10.30 p.m.) at the Sri Sarada Devi Ashram.
Maharaj also conducted a visit to the city of Port Elizabeth (29 March - 1 April), where he delivered discourses and participated in the satsangs hosted by the local community.

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Nutrition Programme

The Centre's Nutrition Programme is conducted from the Glen Anil Ashrama, all Sub-Centres and Satsang Groups and through other non-government organisations with established infrastructure. Humanitarian assistance in the last quarter took the form of soup kitchens, distribution of hot meals, monthly grocery hampers, sandwich packs and fresh fruit and vegetables. An average of 6000 indigent persons are assisted through this Programme on a daily basis.

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The Ramakrishna Clinic of South Africa

continues to provide specialist services to five state hospitals and extends its services through medical camps. In total 958 patients were seen in the last quarter. This includes 30 operations and 55 endoscopies. A separate detailed Report is available.

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