Swami Vivekananda Mamata Banerjee

Bengal Govt to celebrate 125th anniversary of Swami Ji’s Chicago Speech as ‘Sampriti Dibas’

The state government will celebrate September 11, the day when Swami Vivekananda had addressed the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, as Sampriti Divas. It will celebrate the 125th anniversary of Swamiji’s Chicago address in a befitting manner.

Sampriti Week will be observed from September 12 to 19. The decision was taken at the first meeting of the committee set up for the celebration, which was held on Thursday, said state Education minister Partha Chatterjee.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will attend the function which will be organised at Belur Math on September 11. The concluding programme will be held at Netaji Indoor Stadium on September 19.

The state government will provide another Rs 10 crore for the proposed Centre of Excellence, which is coming up near Eco Park in New Town. The state government had earlier provided Rs 10 crore as well.

Swamiji had spoken about harmony and peace at the World’s Parliament of Religions which was a part of Columbian Exposition, a programme organised to celebrate 400 years of Columbus’ discovery of America in 1893. He had spoken about “Universal Religion” and was confident that such a religion will be the religion of the future, when all people irrespective of class, creed, sex and religion will be respected.

 

এবার থেকে স্কুলে পড়ানো হবে স্বামীজির শিকাগো বক্তৃতা

স্কুলে পড়ানো হবে স্বামীজির শিকাগো বক্তৃতা। রামকৃষ্ণ মঠ ও মিশনের প্রস্তাব মেনে পাঠ্যসূচিতে বদল আনতে চলেছে রাজ্য সরকার। স্বামীজির শিকাগো বক্তৃতার ১২৫ বছর উদযাপন করা হবে। বেলুড়, নেতাজি ইনডোরের পাশাপাশি শিকাগোতেও অনুষ্ঠান হবে। উপস্থিত থাকতে মুখ্যমন্ত্রীকে আমন্ত্রণ করা হয়েছে।

১৮৮৩ সালে বিশ্ব ধর্ম সম্মেলনে এই ভাবেই বক্তৃতা শুরু করেছিলেন স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ। দু’মিনিট ধরে হাততালি চলে। একদিন রামকৃষ্ণ মিশনের স্কুলগুলিতেই পড়ানো হত স্বামীজির শিকাগো বক্তৃতা। এবার থেকে স্কুলের পাঠ্যসূচিতেও স্বামীজির শিকাগো বক্তৃতা পড়ানো হবে। শিকাগো বক্তৃতার ১২৫ বছর উদযাপনে কমিটি তৈরি করা হয়েছে। বৃহস্পতিবার সেই কমিটির সঙ্গে বৈঠক করেন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী। ছিলেন শিক্ষামন্ত্রী ও রামকৃষ্ণ মঠ ও মিশনের সাধারণ সম্পাদক স্বামী সুবীরানন্দ। সিদ্ধান্ত হয়েছে,

– স্বামীজির শিকাগো বক্তৃতা পাঠ্যসূচিতে অন্তর্ভুক্তি করা হবে

– রামকৃষ্ণ মঠ ও মিশনের প্রস্তাব মেনে সিদ্ধান্ত রাজ্যের

– আগামী শিক্ষাবর্ষ থেকে পাঠ্যসূচিতে স্বামীজির শিকাগো বক্তৃতা

রামকৃষ্ণ মঠ ও মিশনের প্রস্তাব মেনেই এই সিদ্ধান্ত। স্বামীজির শিকাগো বক্তৃতার ১২৫ বছর উদযাপনে ১১ থেকে ১৯শে সেপ্টেম্বর দেশজুড়ে সম্প্রীতি সপ্তাহ পালিত হবে। বেলুড় ও নেতাজি ইনডোরে অনুষ্ঠানে উপস্থিত থাকবেন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী। শিকাগো বক্তৃতার ১২৫ বছর উদযাপন কমিটি শিকাগোতেও অনুষ্ঠান করবে। সেখানে উপস্থিত থাকার জন্য মুখ্যমন্ত্রীকে আমন্ত্রণ করা হয়েছে।

 

Bengal Govt institutes bravery award for girls in the memory of Sister Nivedita

The Bengal Government has instituted a bravery award for girls in the memory of the philanthropist and social reformer, and one of Swami Vivekananda’s foremost disciples, Sister Nivedita. The decision was taken recently by the committee formed by the government to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Nivedita.

The awards have been decided to be handed over on October 5 at Netaji Indoor Stadium, during the course of a programme on the social reformer.

Sister Nivedita, for her whole life, worked tirelessly for the education and all-round empowerment of women, hence the State Government decided to constitute the award in her memory.

The other decisions taken by the committee on that day include the distribution of a collected works of Sister Nivedita, to be compiled by Ramakrishna Math and Mission, among students from standards IX to XII in State Government-run schools and the renovation of the mausoleum of the Sister in Darjeeling.

Earlier decisions taken with regard to the sesquicentennial celebrations include converting the house of Sister Nivedita in Darjeeling into an educational centre of excellence and the granting of 5 acres in Rajarhat to Ramakrishna Mission for the setting up of a humanitarian centre of excellence.

Under the express instructions of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the State Government has been extensively celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Sister Nivedita, to inculcate in today’s youth the humane values she stood for, just as it had done for the 150th birth anniversary of her guru, Swami Vivekananda.

 

 

ভগিনী নিবেদিতার নামে সাহসিকতার পুরস্কার

 

ভগিনী নিবেদিতার জন্ম সার্ধ শতবর্ষে মেয়েদের জন্য সাহসিকতার পুরস্কার চালু করছে রাজ্য সরকার। ভগিনী নিবেদিতার জন্ম সার্ধ শতবর্ষ উদ্‌যাপন কমিটি এই সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছে বলে জানিয়েছেন রামকৃষ্ণ মঠ ও মিশনের সাধারণ সম্পাদক স্বামী সুবীরানন্দ মহারাজ।
এই বছরে ৫ অক্টোবর ভগিনী নিবেদিতাকে নিয়ে নেতাজি ইন্ডোর স্টেডিয়ামে একটি অনুষ্ঠানের আয়োজন করেছে রাজ্য সরকার। এই অনুষ্ঠানে মেয়েদের বিভিন্ন সাহসিকতামূলক কাজের জন্য এই পুরস্কার দেওয়া হবে। নারী সমাজের উন্নয়ন, নারী শিক্ষা, নারীর অধিকার নিয়ে ‌ভগিনী নিবেদিতা সারা জীবন কাজ করেছেন। তাই তাঁর নামে এই সাহসিকতার পুরস্কার চালু করছে রাজ্য সরকার।
এছাড়াও ভগিনী নিবেদিতার বিভিন্ন লেখা নিয়ে একটি সঙ্কলন তৈরি করবে রামকৃষ্ণ মঠ ও মিশন। সেই সঙ্কলনটি রাজ্য সরকার স্কুল ও কলেজের ছাত্রছাত্রীদের মধ্যে বিতরণ করবে। বিশেষ করে নবম থেকে দ্বাদশ শ্রেণি পর্যন্ত পড়ুয়াদের মধ্যে সঙ্কলনটি পড়ার জন্য দেওয়া হবে, যাতে ভগিনী নিবেদিতার চিন্তাধারায় তারাও উদ্বুদ্ধ হতে পারে।
মহারাজ এদিন বলেন, স্বামী বিবেকানন্দের সার্ধ শতবর্ষ যেভাবে মুখ্যমন্ত্রী মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের সরকার পালন করেছে, তা আর কোনও সরকার করেনি। ঠিক একইভাবে পশ্চিমবঙ্গ সরকার ভগিনী নিবেদিতার জন্ম সার্ধ শতবর্ষও উদযাপন করছে।
কমিটির বৈঠকে শিক্ষামন্ত্রীর উপস্থিতিতে সিদ্ধান্ত হয়েছে দার্জিলিঙে ভগিনী নিবেদিতার সমাধিস্থল সংস্কার এবং সৌন্দর্যায়ন করা হবে। আগেই ঠিক হয়েছিল দার্জিলিঙে ভগিনী নিবেদিতার বাড়িতে শিক্ষার প্রসারে উৎকর্ষ কেন্দ্র তৈরি করা হবে।
এখানে রাজারহাটে পশ্চিমবঙ্গ সরকার ৫ একর জমি রামকৃষ্ণ মিশনকে দিয়েছে, ভগিনী নিবেদিতার নামে মানবিক উৎকর্ষ কেন্দ্র গড়ে তোলার জন্য।‌‌

Source: Aajkaal

Vivek Chetana Utsav to pay homage to Swami Vivekananda being observed across Bengal

Bengal Government is celebrating the 154th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda in association with Ramkrishna Math and Mission through the three-day long Vivek Chetana Utsav, from January 10-12.

All the 341 blocks, 117 municipalities, 6 municipal corporations and 144 wards of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, GTA and all the district Sadars are elebrating the Vivek Chetana Utsav through padayatras, exhibition, symposiums and quiz on the life of Swami Vivekananda, debates, exhibition football matches and other cultural programmes.

The State Youth Welfare department, like previous years, has geared up for the festival.  It may be noted that Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had declared State holiday on January 12, on the birth day of Swami Vivekananda, from the year 2012.

 

স্বামী বিবেকানন্দের জন্মবার্ষিকী উপলক্ষে পালিত হচ্ছে বিবেক চেতনা উৎসব

স্বামী বিবেকানন্দের ১৫৪তম জন্মবার্ষিকী উপলক্ষে রাজ্য সরকার উদযাপন করছে বিবেক-চেতনা উৎসব। রামকৃষ্ণ মঠ ও মিশনের সহযোগিতায় এই উৎসব রাজ্যজুড়ে উদযাপিত হচ্ছে ১০-১২ জানুয়ারী।

রাজ্যের ৩৪১টি ব্লক, ১১৭ পুরসভা, ৬টি কর্পোরেশন, কলকাতা পৌরসংস্থার ১৪৪ ওয়ার্ড, জিটিএ, প্রত্যেকটি জেলা সদরে এই উৎসব উদযাপিত হচ্ছে। অনুষ্ঠিত হচ্ছে পদযাত্রা, এক্সিবিশন, বিতর্কসভা, ফুটবল ম্যাচ, সাংস্কৃতিক অনুষ্ঠান।

রাজ্যের যুবকল্যাণ দপ্তর, প্রত্যেক বছরের ন্যায় এবছরেও, নতুন উদ্যমে এই উৎসব পালনে উদ্যত হয়েছে। প্রসঙ্গত, ২০১২ সালে স্বামী বিবেকানন্দের জন্মদিনে রাজ্যে ছুটি ঘোষণা করেছেন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী।

Honouring Swami Vivekananda’s legacy: Bengal shows the way

West Bengal Government, led by Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee has been pro-active since 2011 in honouring the great visionary and icon Swami Vivekananda.

“His life, work and vision is our inspiration and we are committed and proud to carry forward his message of universal brotherhood, peace, unity and development of humanity,” wrote Mamata Banerjee on her Facebook page.

Some works by West Bengal government in preserving the legacy of Swami Vivekananda:

  • West Bengal government has given autonomy and special status to Ramakrishna and Sarada Mission educational institutions, which are associated with Swami Vivekananda’s ideology to impart education and foster character building.
  • “Vivek Tirtha”, a Centre for Human Excellence coming up as a replica of the famous Art Institute of Chicago is being set up on 5 acres of land in New Town given by our Government. Government has also allocated Rs.10 Crore to start work of this centre of international excellence.
  • Premises adjoining Swamiji’s ancestral house has been acquired and handed over to Ramakrishna Mission.
  • “Mayer Bari” in Baghbazar is also being befittingly renovated and our government has allocated Rs.30 Crore for rehabilitation of people around the premises suitably.
  • Ramakrishna Mission has renovated “Roy Villa” in Darjeeling associated with the memory of Sister Nivedita and we allocated Rs.2 Crore for this work. It has also been handed over to Ramakrishna Mission.
  • The government has already acquired Sister Nivedita’s one house at Baghbazar and duly handed over to Ramakrishna Sarada Mission and are considering giving it heritage status.
  • The famous shrine at Dakshineswar associated with the memory of Swami Vivekananda is being connected with a Sky Walk to facilitate easy movement of visitors.
  • “Yuva Bharati Krirangan”, Bidhannagar of international repute has been named after Vivekananda.
  • The Self Help and Self Employment Department runs a major self-help scheme for our youth in the name “Swami Vivekananda Swanirbhar Karmasansthan Prakalpa”.
  • This year “Vivek Chetana Utsav” commemorating his birth anniversary is being celebrated in a befitting manner across all Blocks, Sub-divisions, Districts, Municipalities, Municipal Corporations, State from 10th to 12th January, 2016.

WB CM announces financial assistance to Ramakrishna Mission to promote value education

West Bengal government on Friday offered financial assistance of Rs 5 crore to Ramakrishna Mission to promote value education.

Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee handed over a cheque to Swami Suhitanandaji on Friday and said it would be used for constructing the replica of the building at Chicago which had hosted the World Parliament on Religion where Swami Vivekananda delivered his historic address over a hundred years ago on this day.

She said her government was trying to promote the works of Swami Vivekananda and other great men as their teachings were immortal.

“It is a duty to support such organisation working on Ramakrishna and Vivekananda,” she said.

WB CM had handed over the building where Sister Nivedita had died at Darjeeling and helped in its restoration. She had also offered Rs.1.5 crore for publication of Vedas.

The state government had offered 5 acres at Rajarhat township in the fringes of the city for the institute.

Ramakrishna Mission

We must preserve the cultural heritage of Bengal: WB CM

West Bengal Chief Minister inaugurated a slew of projects at Nimtala Ghat crematorium, which included electric chullis and two environment-friendly wooden chullis. She also inaugurated the renovated memorial for Rabindranath Tagore at Nimtala Ghat and a memorial for Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa at Kashipur Ghat.

 Highlights of her speech on the occasion:

  • Several years passed since independence. No one ever thought of renovating the place where last rites of Ramakrishna was held.
  • We took over Roy Villa in the Hills where she breathed her last. We handed over to the Ramakrishna Mission. It is a heritage.
  • We will not allow any insult to the culture of Bengal. We will maintain the heritage.
  • We asked Rabindra Bharati University to set up another campus so that we could renovate Jorasanko museum.
  • Kazi Nazrul Islam was ignored in West Bengal. He was an iconic poet. We named a university after him.
  • We set up Nazrul Tirtha, Rabindra Tirtha. We are setting up a Centre of Excellence named after Swami Vivekananda.
  • We are building Dhano Dhanye stadium, named after the patriotic song penned by Dwijendralal Roy.
  • Religion does not teach discrimination. Sadbhavana means Sarva Dharma Samannyay.
  • We have built a new temple of Kapil Muni at Gangasagar. We are building a big Gateway to Gangasagar. The priest at Kapil Muni Ashram said the gateway will be called Sarva Dharma Sambhava.
  • No matter how much you abuse me, I will keep working for the people.
  • It is our duty to preserve the spot where Rabindranath Tagore was cremated.
  • There were only 4 electric chullis in Nimtala Ghat. Now there are 12.
  • Today is a holy day. People will take holy dip at Gangasagar from tonight. Lakhs of pilgrims come here for the occasion.
  • We have made arrangements for the pilgrims visiting Gangasagar. We withdrew tax that they had to pay for visiting Gangasagar.
  • Bengal is the only State where we have not levied water tax.
  • CREDAI has given Rs 2.5 crore for development work under CSR. I thank them for the support.
  • We beautified Ganga ghats. We beautified Millennium Park. Like London, Kolkata Eye is coming up soon.
  • We will develop Nimtala Ghat like other ghats in Kolkata.
  • Ramakrishna Mission, Bharat Sevasram Sangha work for all. We believe in harmony of all religions.
  • United we stand, divided we fall. We respect all religions. Ramakrishna Paramhansa said Joto mot, toto poth. We must follow his ideals.

 

Swami Vivekananda Mamata Banerjee

We are committed to developing sports infrastructure in Bengal: WB CM at Vivek Chetana Utsav

On the occasion of 152nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the Department of Sports & Department of Youth Services, Government of West Bengal is organising a 3-day Vivek Chetana Utsav, in association with Ramakrishna Math and Mission from 10-12 January, 2015.

A centralised programme was inaugurated at Netaji Indoor Stadium earlier today by WB CM Mamata Bandyopadhyay and General Secretary of Ramakrishna Math and Mission Swami Suhitanandaji Maharaj.

On this occasion WB CM gave away the ‘Khel Sanman’ awards to the eminent players and financial grants were provided to club organisations. From now, every year January 10 will be celebrated as ‘Khel Divas’.

On 11 and 12 January, 2015 the Vivek Chetana Utsav will be organised in 341 Blocks, 121 Municipalities, 15 Boroughs of Kolkata Municipal Corporation including 5 Corporations and in all the District Headquarters in the State.

Highlights of WB CM speech:

  • We are honouring 19 sports icons today including veteran sportsperson like PK Banerjee, Chuni Goswami and others. We will also give financial assistance to various clubs.
  • Local clubs at grassroots are keeping the tradition of sports alive. Sports and culture and complementary.
  • We will give Rs 2 lakh to 3500 clubs for infrastructure development.
  • 3500 clubs will get Rs 1 lakh for infrastructure development.
  • We have given assistance to upcoming sports players at grassroots.
  • Budget for Sports Ministry has been increased fivefold. We are building infrastructure.
  • We dedicated Yuva Bharti Krirangan to Swami Vivekananda.
  • Belur Math has always been involved in social work. They have always stood beside the people.
  •  Swami Vivekananda won hearts at Chicago Conference.
  • We are setting up a Centre of Excellence in the name of Swami Vivekananda at Rajarhat.
  • Sister Nivedita’s house was acquired and handed over to Ramakrishna Mission.
  • We have taken the initiative to preserve the ancestral home of Maa Sarada.
  • We have set up two chairs – at Calcutta University and Presidency University – after Swami Vivekananda.
  • Swami Vivekananda stood for the youth. He called for dedication, devotion and determination.
  • We have to overcome all hurdles and keep moving ahead. This is the ideal of Swami Vivekananda.
  • We have to believe in Sarva Dharma Samany.
  • The teachings and ideals of icons like Swami Vivekananda will never die. They are immortal.

 

WB CM felicitates sports icons with Khel Samman:

  • Dola Banerjee (Archery), Trisha Deb (Archery), Sourav Ghoshal (Table Tennis) receives Khel Samman for 2014.
  • PK Banerjee (veteran footballer) and Gurbux Singh (Hockey) honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award.
  • Amal Dutta, Joyprokash Chakrabarty, Joydeep Mukherjee honoured with Krira Guru Samman.
  • Rita Sen, Saraswati Saha, Sanjay Kumar Rai (Athletics) honoured with Banglar Gourab Samman.
  • Manoj Guha, Deepu Ghosh ( Badmninton) honoured with Banglar Gaurab Samman.
  • Malay Roy (Body-building) receives Banglar Gaurab Samman.
  • Tushar Kanti Sil (Body-building) receives Banglar Gaurab Samman.
  • Shakti Majumder (Boxing) receives Banglar Gaurab Samman.
  • Gopal Krishna Ghosh (Cricket) receives Banglar Gaurab Samman.
  • Supravat Chakraborty(Cycling) receives Banglar Gaurab Samman.
  • Pradip Chowdhury (Football) receives Banglar Gaurab Samman.
  • Shankar Banerjee (Football) receives Banglar Gaurab Samman.
  • Footballer Mihir Baran Basu and Tarun Kumar Bose receive Banglar Gaurab Samman.

 

Image: File Photo of WB CM paying tributes to Swami Vivekananda