Narendrapur Ashrama marks 75 years of excellence

Kolkata: Seminar, symposium, science exhibition and cultural programmes marked the four-day celebration of the platinum jubilee of Narendrapur Ashrama, along with the diamond jubilee of the school and golden jubilee of the Industrial Training Centre.

It was inaugurated on January 26 by Swami Smarananandaji, president of Ramakrishna Math and Mission. A special postal cover was released by Arundhaty Ghosh, Chief Post Master General, West Bengal Circle.

Swami Balabhadranandaji, assistant general secretary, RK Math and Mission, delivered the key note address on Ramakrishna Mission Sikshar Prabha.

On January 27, there was a seminar on "Ideal schools can produce ideal nation". While Professor Suranjan Das, vice-chancellor of Jadavpur University inaugurated the seminar, the key note address was delivered by Swami Atmapriyananda, vice-chancellor, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute. In the afternoon, there was a seminar on the life and works of Sister Nivedita, in which academicians took part.

Alapan Bandyopadhyay, additional chief secretary, Transport and a past pupil of the school, will speak on sixty years of excellence of the Vidyalaya. The session will be presided over by Swami Suviranandaji, general secretary, RK Math and Mission.

There were cultural shows on all the four days, where Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty enthralled the audience with his renditions. Classical songs by Swami Kripakarananda, devotional songs by Saurabh Chaki and folk songs by Kartick Das Baul, mesmerised the gathering. There was Chhau dance from Purulia, along with a host of other programmes.

Narendrapur School was founded by Swami Lokeswaranandaji, an educationist and a visionary. He was the secretary of Pathuriaghata Ashrama. Senior monks of the order, like Swami Prabhanandaji, one of the vice-presidents of the order and Swamis Ashaktananda, Aksharananda and Mukukshananda, all deceased now, had served Narendrapur in various capacities.

Apart from the school, the Blind Boys' Academy and the Lok Siksha Parishad, serve as model institutions all over the country.