AUDITOR'S REPORT 2005-2006

We have audited the Balance Sheet as at 31st march 2006, the Receipts and payments Account and the Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended on that date of 'Somsar Sri Ramakrishna Seva Mandira' and report that we have obtained all the information and explanations necessary for the purpose of our audit and in our opinion the Balance Sheet exhibits a true and fair view of the affairs of the Society as at 31st March, 2006 and the Income and Expenditure Account exhibits a true and fair view of the Excess of Expenditure over Income for the year ended on that date according to the best of our information and explanations as supplied to us and as shown by the books, vouchers and documents produced before us.

For Sambhu N. De & Co.

Chartered Accountants
Sd/- T.K. De
(T.K. De)
Partner

Place : Kolkata
Dated : 12-05-06

SOMSAR SRI RAMAKRISHNA SEVA MANDIR
SECRETARY'S REPORT 2005-2006

We have all assembled here in the ninth annual general meeting of Somsar Sri Ramkrishna Seva Mandir. At the very outset I, on behalf of the organisation, welcome you all. Congratulations and best wishes to every one of you. Today Somsar Seva Mandir is not just an organisation, it is a centre for spiritual succour of innumerable devotees. We have crossed an eventful year of our existence. An overall view convinces us that while we have undoubtedly carried out some activities, we have been able more to prepare ourselves for the future tasks before us.

Inspired by the high ideals of Sri Thakur, Sri Ma and Swamiji, the Seva Mandir undertakes all its myriad pursuits. I am glad to place before you a resume of all the activities of the Seva Mandir last year.

The Ramkrishna temple built on the exact birth place of Srimat Swami Bhuteshananda Maharaj is the very core of the Seva Mandir. All our spiritual activities emanate from this temple.

Daily 'puja' is offered to Sri Thakur every day with due solemnity. 'Holy Arati' is religiously performed every evening accompanied by Aratrik Bhajan' of Sri Ramkrishna. Other devotional songs follow. The village-folk assemble in numbers, more so on Sundays and holidays. A truly inspiring environment throbbing with spiritual fervour is created at Somsar centering round the holy temple.

Revered Swami Jyotirmayanandaji Maharaj, President of the Ramkrishna Mission, Ramharipur discusses Sri Ramkrishna Kathamrita and other religious topics every afternoon at 5 pm on the last Sunday of each month. Numerous devotees throng the Sri Mandira to listen to the discourse.

The advent of Bhagaban Sri Ramkrishna, Sri Ma Saradadevi and Swami Vivekananda was observed with great zeal and enthusiasm respectively on the 1st March 2006, the 23rd December 2005 and the 21st January 2006. Special 'Puja', 'Bhog' and 'Home1 was arranged on all the auspicious days. All the devotees from Somsar and adjoining areas pertook 'prosad' at noon and participated in the religious meet arranged in the afternoon. Birthday of Srimat Swami Saradananda was also observed with due solemnity and reverence. 'Janmastami' and 'Shiva-Ratri' were also observed at the Seva Mandir with unswerving ardour.

Weekly 'study circles' are organised by the devotees at four important locations of Somsar every Saturday evening. Selected excerpts from Srimat Bhagavad Gita, Gospel of Sri Ramkrishna, Holy mother's life and complete works of Swami Vivekananda, is read out and discussed. Devotional songs are sung at the close of the discourses. The study circles are being held continuously without break for the last five years and the participation of devotees are increasing day by day. Study circle is also organised regularly at the Kolkata headquarters of the Seva Mandir situated at 5, Nayan Chand Dutta Street, Kolkata-700006. Revered Swami Sarbabhutanandaji Maharaj of Golepark Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture discusses 'The Gospel of Sri Ramkrishna' every second Sunday at this centre.

'Study Circle' is also held in Khandoghosh, Shyamsundarpur, Rasulpur, Amrul and other like villages around Somsar. Devotees throng at those centres.

Somsar Sri Ramkrishna Seva Mandir from its very beginning, when even the temple was not built up, laid emphasis on the three categories of service to the people stated hereinunder. Most revered Swami Bhuteshananda Maharaj came to know this and became very happy about it. We are still continuing with these works with more and more extension of their scope.

EDUCATION :

In spite of the presence of a school at Somsar the spread of education here is very much muted. Two informal schools are run by the Seva Mandir, one at the Ashram area and the other at Paschimpara. One hundred and thirty three (133) and one hundred and sixty seven (167) children regularly attend respectively the Ashram School and the Paschimpara School. Children in these schools get regular tution, and in addition participate in games, music, bratachari dance etc. Six educated ladies from the village itself have been entrusted with the responsibility to teach the children. Regular students as well as students from other schools are coached intensively. Midday tiffins are arranged for each and every student. They are clinically examined regularly and all necessary medicines are made available to them. Books and similar other things, winter garments, school dress etc are also supplied to the children. This integrated development scheme for children has been taken up by the Seva Mandir with the kind and active cooperation and financial support from Ramakrishna Foundation of California (USA).

This year the annual sports was successfully held on the 5th of February, 2006 in the presence of and with the participation of the school children, their guardians and teachers. Altogether two hundred children participated in the sports programme. The first, second and third winners of each event received prizes. Consolation prizes were given to rest of the children. The guardians and teachers too received prizes. It may be concluded that the two schools are becoming popular day by day. A brief statistics of the informal school is given below.

HEALTH :

In the past there was no medical support available at Somsar worth the name. Keeping in view the requirements of medical service and medicines, the Somsar Seva Mandir with the active support and cooperation of Vivekananda Swastha Seva Sangha has arranged the needful services for the villagers of Somsar and adjoining villages. Doctors from Kolkata visiting Somsar every fortnight practise medicine. The doctors examine patients the whole day and prescribe medicines which are made available to the patients free of cost. At times specialist doctors too render medical service at the village. Dentists, eye-specialists, gynaecologists and like specialist doctors have rendered immense help to the villagers. The Vivekananda Swastha Seva Sangha arranges for deputing its fully equipped medical van for three days at a stretch every three months to Somsar enabling the doctors, technicians and supporting staff to diagnose diseases and prescribe requisite medicines to the villagers. In the year 2005-2006 a total of three thousand three hundred and thirty one (3331) number of patients were served. The medical mission served people living in Somsar and adjoining villages. The medical personnel of Swastha Seva Sangha not only treat patients, but they, imparting training on health-related matter to young men and women of the villages, make them health-conscious. Those trained health-workers take note of the health-related situation in the villages. This leads to increase in health-consciousness of ordinary country folk living in a rural milieu.

PROGRAMME ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC UPLIFTMENT :

This is one area where the Somsar Sevamandir took up its programme on a priority basis. Every countryside of West Bengal or for that matter of India is marked by widespread unemployment among masses and the scenario is no different at Somsar. Taking this in view, the Seva Mandir has arranged for training in the realm of sewing, repair of television and radio, carpentry etc for the village youth. We have added a new dimension to our programme with a training programme for making jute bags with the cooperation of Ramakrishna Mission Loka Siksha Parishad, Narendrapur and NABARD. Thirty young men and women from Somsar and surrounding villages participated in this training programme for three months absolutely free. This programme was inaugurated in the august presence of Revered Swami Onkarananda Maharaj of Ramakrishna Mission, Narendrapur, Shri Mridul Haider BDO, Panchyat Pradhan Sheikh Ibrahim Mondol and other distinguished persons. At the conclusion of the programme certificates were awarded to all successful participants by Revered Swami Onkaranandaji Maharaj of Ramakrishna Mission. As a result of this training the participants would have the know-how to manufacture different type of bags using very little capital and would be able to satisfy the local demands.

The Sevamandir is eager to take up new programmes. To that end we have started evaluating our past programmes. In the light of such appraisal we would propose to identify new plans. We would thoroughly discuss them with local youth and would start new training programmes thereafter.

REHABILITATION PROJECT :

The rehabilitation programme for the members of 'Roy' family has been satisfactorily completed in accordance with the plan chalked out by the Seva Mandir. The members of the Roy family are presently residing in their newly built homes. The 'Jagadhatri Mandap' and the 'Choto Shiv' mandir of the Roy family has been relocated close to the old Shiva Temple. It may be concluded that the rehabilitation programme chalked out by the Seva Mandir has come about.

ASHRAM INAUGURATION DAY :

The ninth anniversary of the foundation of the Ashrama was observed with due solemnity on the 4th of December 2004. Celebrations began at 4-30 AM with Thakur's 'Mangalarati' at the Ramkrishna temple. Thakur's special puja started at 7 AM being conducted by Sannyasins of Ramkrishna order. At 7-30 AM in the morning a colourful procession carrying pictures of Thakur-Ma-Swamiji started from the Ashrama and went through the village and surrounding areas. The tiny little boys and girls of our schools danced and their performance received accolades from all viewers Shri Sukumar Bauri, the renowned Baul singer, along with his companion singers enchanted the devotees with devotional songs in the cultural meet organised at 1 PM.

On this special occassion blankets were distributed to 100 needy villagers of the area. At noon 'prosad' was distributed and about eight thousand devotees were delighted to pertake 'prosad' sitting together. A religious congregation was held at the ashram precinct at 2.30 pm. Most revered Swami Girishanandaji Maharaj, President of the Ramkrishna Mission Saradapith was the chief speaker. Shri Debidas Chakravarty also spoke on the occassion. About 5000 devotees listened with rapt attention the absorbing speeches delivered by the speakers. In the evening lady volunteers and workers of Vivekananda Swastha Seva Sangha presented a jatra 'Jagat Janani Ma Sarada' after the evening 'Arati'. The hallowed day was thus observed with great joy and fervour.

FUNCTION AT KALA MANDIR :

Every Year Sri Ramkrishna Seva Mandir arranges a cultural function with a view to generate necessary fund to carry out its myriad activities. To this end a function was arranged on the 15th of December 2005 at the Kalamandir. This very date being the birthday of most revered Swami Ranganathananda Maharaj, the thirteenth president of the Ramkrishna Order, is of special significance to the followers of the Ramkrishna-Vivekananda movement. The Sevamandir is fortunate to have the blessing of the most revered Maharajji. We therefore divided the function into two parts, the first part aimed at the reminiscence of most revered Maharajji. Revered Swami Mumukshanandaji Maharaj and Tattasthanandaji Maharaj presided over the function. Tributes to most revered Swami Ranganathananda Maharaj was paid by Swami Jitatmanandaji Maharaj and Dr. Subrata Maitra.

In the next part a cultural function was presented. Devotional songs were rendered by the renowned singer Srimati Haimanti Shukla. Next a 'jugalbandi', a duet, was played by Ostad Bidyut Khan at the Sarode and Ostad Kiriti Khan at the Sitar. Pandit Nityananda Bhattacharya accompanied them at the Tabla. The auditoriam was packed with enthusiastic devotees. Many revered monks of the Ramkrishna order graced the occasion by their holy presence. Everyone present in the auditorium was captivated by the renditions.

WORKERS' MEET :

The Somsar Seva Mandir arranges a workers' meet (Karmi Sanmelan) every year with an eye to keep intact the ongoing programmes and service and to give further boost thereto. This year too on 25.9.05 a worker's meet attended by about three hundred volunteers of the Seva Mandir was held at Somsar amidst great zeal and enthusiasm. The meet was arranged with the 'Juba Sammelan' under the, aegis of 'Ramkrishna Mission Institute of culture' as its exemplar. Swami Ritanandaji Maharaj and Swami Jyotirupanandaji Maharaj kindly graced the occasion by their august presence.

At the outset of the meet floral tributes were offered to Shri Thakur-Ma-Swamiji. Vedic mantras were chanted. The inaugaral song and recitation was followed by a welcome address by Dr. Gour Das. 'The role of youth to build India of Swami Vivekananda's dream' was the subject matter of discussion in the meet. The deliberation was initiated by Revered Swami Ritanandaji Maharaj. Many of the youth representatives participated in the discussion. Revered Swami Ritanandaji Maharaj clarified the issues raised by the participants. Revered Swami Jyotirmayanandaji Maharaj delivered the presidential address discussing how Swamiji could be meditated upon. Both the speeches of the revered Swamijis were of extraordinary order and the participants listened with spellbound attention. In the afternoon session revered Swami Ritanandaji Maharaj answered to the queries raised by the participants. Thereafter Dr. Gour Das gave a brief resume of the activities of the organisation. Sri Ajit Dey offered a vote-of-thanks. The meet finally closed after the rendering of the concluding song.

ANNUAL BHAKTA SAMMELAN :

The annual Bhakta Sammelan of Somsar Sri Ramkrishna Seva Mandir was held on 19th February 2006 within the precincts of Dakhineswar Kali Bari established by Rani Rashmoni. It is this place where Thakur Ramakrishna performed most of all his 'Sadhana's. One thousand two hundred devotees spent the whole day in this blessed presence of the divine Mother and also enjoyed the holy company of respected monks and venerated nuns. At the outset floral tributes were offered to Sri Sri Thakur, Sri Sri Ma and Swamiji. Dr. Gour Das made the opening speech. Opening song and other devotional songs were sung by Swami Narendrananda Maharaj. The president of Somsar Seva Mandir, Dr. Tapash Banerjee, gave his welcome address. Revered Swami Achutananda Maharaj discussed the theme, "I call 'Kali' whom you call 'Brahma'." Revered Swamis Nirantarananda Maharaj Purnananda Maharaj and Jitatmananda Maharaj also spoke on Sri Sri Thakur at this temple of hallowed memory. Their exhilarating and thoughtful speeches made the audience spell- bound.

The second session started with the rendering of 'Prakriting Paramam Avayang Paramam' by the revered Mataji's of Sri Sarada Math. A really outstanding environment was created that delighted one and all. The thought-provoking speeches of revered Probrajika Pradiptaprana Mataji, revered Probrajika Sachitprana Mataji, revered Probrajika Amalprana Mataji lifted the audience to a new height of spiritual quest. Dr Gour Das, secretary, thanked all participants and offered 'Pronam' to all Matajis. The participants collectively sang 'Sri Ramkrishna Smaranam' and with that the day-long programme came to a close.

SHIVA RATRI :

'Siva Ratri' was celebrated on the 9th March 2005 with due solemnity at the Bagbazar Shiva Mandir was attended by about 300 devotees. Devotional songs were sung and 'prosad' was distributed.

SWAMI BHUTESHANANDA MEMORIAL LECTURE :

Every year Swami Bhuteshananda memorial lecture is arranged under the aegis of Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture. This year on revered Srimat Swami Annapumanandaji Maharaj, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Calcutta Students' Home, Belghoria delivered the annual lecture. Revered Swamiji's captivating speech was received with rapt attention.

MA SARADA NARI KALYAN KENDRA :

The scheme taken up to commemorate the 150th holy ascent of our Ma Sarada was inaugurated at Somsar on 30-10-2006. This scheme aims at Service to old and needy women of the locality recognising them as the manifestation of the universal mother in human body. Day care is arranged to selected 'mothers' who also take part in the production of spices and other products.

CONCLUSION :

Somsar Sri Ramakrishna Seva Mandir is but a tiny drop in the vast ocean of Ramkrishna Vivekananda movement. The villagers face innumerable problems. We have little ability to solve those problems; all the same we have ardent zeal and enthusiasm to do the needful. We are forging ahead with the help and inspiration from all quarters. We pray to Sri Sri Thakur, Sri Sri Ma and Swamiji that we may succeed in our works.

With Namaskar

Dr. Gour Das
Secretary