œ We are
delighted to inform you that the Golden
Jubilee celebrations went off well on 9th, 10th and 11th
January 2004. The celebrations were
attended on all the three days by a large number of our alumni, parents and
well-wishers who whole-heartedly appreciated the performance of our students on
the stage as well as on the field.
Inauguration of the Golden
Jubilee Block
œ The
rising bell on the morning of 9th January 2004
heralded the beginning of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of our institution.
œ From 8.00
to 8.30 am various exhibitions - Book, Science, History, Philately, Fine Arts,
Computer Projects, Alumni Photo Gallery, Astronomy and a photo exhibition on
Holy Mother- were inaugurated by senior Monks of Ramakrishna Order.
œ Dr Murli
Manohar Joshi, Hon’ble Minister of HRD, Government of India inaugurated the
Golden Jubilee Block constructed at a cost of Rs.1.68 crore. The
new block will accommodate 100 students and is built in order to decongest the
existing building.
œ Chief Minister of Karnataka Sri S M Krishna who stayed in the
erstwhile Sri Ramakrishna Students’ Home during the early 50s shared his
reminiscences. He illustrated how his
life took a different turn by associating himself with the monks of the
Ramakrishna Order. “Whatever I am today is because of the education I received
here,” he declared.
œ An ardent proponent of quality
education, Dr Joshi
in his address admired the various innovative methods adopted in Vidyashala in
order to provide holistic education to the students. He said,
“It is schools like Vidyashala that the country needs today. The western
education has made us fragmented personalities in a disintegrating world…..”
œ Srimath
Sw. Smarananandaji Maharaj, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, in his
inaugural address, emphasised the need for acquainting youngsters with great
thoughts that we have inherited from our ancestors through thousands of years.
He observed “While we must be proud of advancement in Science, we cannot be
careless to the noble thoughts of our forefathers. Affluence alone cannot solve
our problems. Good actions and good thoughts must be inculcated in the young
minds.”
Man Making
Education
œ A
film on Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala titled ‘Man Making Eduction’ -
Vidyashala down the decades’ produced by the school and directed by Maya
Chandra of Corporate Communications, Bangalore was released by Sri S M Krishna,
the Chief Minister of Karnataka and screened on the occasion.
Integral Education
œ A book titled ‘Integral Education’
authored by Swami Bhajananandaji Maharaj, Asst Secretary, Ramakrishna Math
& Mission, specially for the Golden
Jubilee celebrations was released by the HRD Minister Dr M M Joshi on the
occasion. The book was given as a memento to all our alumni on the occasion.
œ Dr Kota Harinarayana, Vice Chancellor of University of Hyderabad
elaborated on the need of innovations to take India forward. He recollected
his experiences in developing the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) while at DRDO.
Despite sanctions from the U.S, scientists at DRDO took it as a challenge to
design and develop the LCA. Today the software developed for LCA is being
exported to leading countries! “Innovation is nobody’s monopoly. Innovation is
possible and very much required for a developing country like India,” he said,
calling upon youngsters to take the lead. He stressed that what India needs
today is moral leadership and the ability to research coupled with spirit of
inquiry.
Release of the Golden
Jubilee Souvenir and First Day Covers
œ In the
afternoon, the First Day Cover and
the Golden Jubilee Souvenir were released by Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj,
President Ramakrishna Ashrama Chennai and Dr. J.Shashidhar Prasad, Vice
Chancellor of Mysore University
respectively.
Earlier,
Sri Mattur S Kumaraswamy, Lecturer, SRKVS enthralled the audience by his
melodious Kavyavachana.
Floodlit Field Display
œ In the evening, the students of Vidyashala - about 390 in number turned out a
colourful and impressive Floodlit Field Display at the Vidyashala stadium. His Excellency Sri T N Chaturvedi, Governor
of Karnataka was the chief guest, who admired the students for their excellent
performance. Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji of Sri Suttur Mutt, Mysore
witnessed the display. From gymnastics to parallel bar exercises, yoga to
torchlight display, it was indeed a grand finale to the first day of the Golden
Jubilee Celebrations. One of the highlights of the evening’s programme was a
musical ballet—Noopura.
The
Field Display was attended by an unusually large gathering of an estimated
5000.
College Day
œ On 10th - the
second day, Defence Minister George Fernandes was the Chief Guest. He
distributed prizes to the winners in various literary and sports activities. Noting that Vidyashala had a NCC division, he
recollected instances where NCC cadets responded to the call of the Nation
before anyone could do so at the time of calamities. His speech sought to infuse the spirit of patriotism among
the youngsters. Before he left for his other engagements he made sure that the
NCC cadets of Vidyashala had a photo shoot with him. ‘Ashakirana’
- a skit in Kannada was presented by our students
œ Renowned cardiologist Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Chairman,
Narayana Hridayalaya, Bangalore, who was the Guest of honour encouraged
students to take up medicine as their career. He elaborated on the need for
basic healthcare in India. Students indeed listened to his inspiring address
with rapt attention.
Aquatic Display, Narayana Seva and Felicitation
œ Earlier
on the day, there was an Aquatic Display by our students which was presided
over by Rev. Swami Atmaramanandaji Maharaj, Secretary Ramakrishna Mission
Vidyalaya, Coimbatore. Later, the
neighbouring school children and children from slums were served food and gifts
were distributed as part of Narayana Seva and friends of the poor programme. In
the afternoon, honouring teachers and other employees – past and present, and
felicitations to donors had been arranged.
Cultural Programme
œ Nritya Sangeeta Bharata – a cultural
programme was held in the evening which was attended by an unusually large
gathering and was widely appreciated by one and all. It presented the glimpses
of Indian Dance and Music. Srimat Swami Harshanandaji Maharaj, President RK
Math, Bangalore presided and Sri M S Sathyu, Theatre and Film Director
Bangalore was the Chief Guest.
Old Boys’ Meet
œ On the concluding day of the celebrations i.e. on 11th,
the Old Boys’ Meet was held in the morning.
Valedictory Function
œ In the evening about 120 students of the
Vidyashala enacted a Kannada play ‘Sarvadharma Samanvayacharya’—depicting the life of Sri Ramakrishna. Sri Shivaratri
Deshikendra Swamiji of Suttur Math, Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana were the Chief Guests. Smt Rani Satish,
Hon’ble Minister for Kannada and
Culture, Govt of Karnataka presided over the function.
Ø The Old
Boys’ Meet was well attended this year. Nearly 1200 alumni participated in the
meet.
Registration
Ø
For the first time, registration was computerised with the
goodwill assistance from M/s SIEMENS, Pune. Badges with photographs of the
alumni were issued at the time of registration. A kit containing gift boxes,
programme list, GJ Diary and memento for donors was also given to each old
student immediately after registration.
(A
specimen of the badge)
Quiz on
Vidyashala memories
Ø The Meet began with an active
participation by almost everyone. Credits to the Derek-o-Brien of Vidyashala
Sri Rahul S Kini (Batch 1978-83) who had conceptualised a quiz on Vidyashala
memories. The
first
question: Name the variety of coffee that is grown in Vidyashala
in large quantities. Sri RSK was
assisted by Sri A Sudheendra Hebbar
(batch 1976-81)
Ø
Moola Srinivas of Hospet (Batch 1975-78) bagged at least five
prizes. He seemed to have lived in Vidyashala for ages.
OBA Meet - I Session
Ø Admiring the turnout, Revered Swami
Prabhanandaji, Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture,
Kolkata, presided over the Old Boys’
Meet. Revered Maharaj in his address
complemented the OBA by his observation “Of all the alumni network of the
Ramakrishna Mission Schools across the country, your alumni network is the
strongest.”
Earlier, the report of the OBA was read by
Sri K Narendra, Secretary.
Felicitations:
Ø The inmates of the erstwhile Ramakrishna Students’
Home and the students of the 1st batch (1953-54) were honoured on
the occasion.
Ø Sri R Parthasarathy, the
Vice-President of the Old Boys’ Association, Sri K P Ananthapadmanabha, Staff
Secretary, Dr Sujay Kumar and Sri Narendra, Secretaries, were honoured for
their services to the association.
Ø On behalf of the alumni, Revered
Swami Satyeshanandaji, Sri J R Mahesh Kumar and Sri W P Krishna spoke on the
occasion.
Ø The first session of the meet ended
with the benedictory address of Revered Swami Sureshanandaji Maharaj.
II
Session
General Body
Ø The second session immediately
followed and the General Body deliberations began with the presentation of
accounts and the distribution of prizes.
Ø Rev. Swami Jagdatmanandaj, Rev.
Swami Paratmanandaji (Gangadhar Mj.) and Sri GSS spoke on behalf of the
ex-wardens and ex-teachers.
Vidyashala
Today:
Ø A multimedia presentation
acquainting the participants with the latest changes and improvements in the Vidyashala
routine and infrastructure, had also been arranged on the occasion.
Group
discussion:
Ø A group discussion with
representatives of different batches was arranged. Sri Niranjan Vanalli (Batch
1977-78) and Sri N R Ashok (Batch 1973-75) co-ordinated the discussion. The facilities provided to students,
discipline etc, figured in this interaction programme.
Ø When one of the old students
suggested that Vidyashala should consider starting a similar school for girls,
Swami Sureshanandaji quipped amidst laughter, “I can understand the motto
behind this suggestion. The person who has given this suggestion has no sons
but only daughters!”
Entertainment:
Ø
Sri Bharat Raj G N ( Batch 1972-77) and Sri M P Nagesh ( Batch
1974 - 78) entertained the participants by their mimicry and by recalling
interesting anecdotes of their stay in Vidyashala,
Ø
After
the benediction by Rev.Swami Atmavidanandaji Maharaj President, Sri R
Parthasarathy Vice-president thanked the alumni for being present on the occasion in large number.
Dr. B
Sujaya Kumar, Secretary OBA, compered the proceedings of the programme.
Fellowship
Programme
Ø After lunch, the alumni were divided into
three groups which met in different venues for an informal get together. The
alumni introduced themselves to their group and shared reminiscences of their
stay in Vidyashala. Each group was presided over by a senior staff member. This
was a unique programme to know each other across batches.
Photo
Gallery
Ø One of the
highlights of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations was the ‘Nostalgia Theatre’.
Efforts had been put to secure the precious archives consisting of all group
photos, activity photos and priceless video/audio clips of activities of
yesteryears. Almost every old student had praise for the efforts that had been
put to bring up the Nostalgia Theatre.
Vintage
Car Exhibition
Ø Dr. Ravi Prakash (batch 1971-74) had
arranged a Vintage Car Exhibition near the Golden Jubilee Block. Out of his
exquisite collections, the model Ford Model-T Year 1915 was the
center of attraction. It was visited by large number of invitees.
Affinity
Cards
Ø The Standard Chartered Bank issued
special, pre-embossed credit cards carrying a picture of Vidyashala to the old
boys during the celebrations. Alumni were also given an exclusively designed
memento branded with Vidyashala logo along with the credit cards. About 420 old
boys’ availed this opportunity.
Ø The Old Boys’ Meet was well attended this year. Nearly 1200
alumni participated in the meet.