AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS - 2006-2007

We have audited the Balance Sheet as at 31st march 2007, 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, 2007 and the Income and Expenditure Account exhibits a true and fair view of the Excess of Income over Expenditure 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/- P.K. Pal
Partner

Place : Kolkata
Dated : 10-07-07

SOMSAR SRI RAMAKRISHNA SEVA MANDIR
SECRETARY'S REPORT 2006-2007

We have assembled here in the Tenth Annual General Meeting of SOMSAR SRI RAMAKRISHNA SEVA MANDIR. At the very beginning we welcome you, one and all and convey our best wishes and greetings. Today Somsar Sri Ramakrishna Seva Mandir has outgrown its existence as merely an organisation; it has become a holy place where scores of devotees and aspirants come down to quench their spiritual thirst. We have of course passed yet an eventful year of our Organisation, but from an overall perspective some work has been done while mostly we have been able lay down the path for future work. The infallible inspiration of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda was the driving force behind the Seva Mandir, and your active help and cooperation have further enriched it. Today in this Annual General Meeting we shall try to place before you a brief account of last year's activities and achievement.

1. The life-centre of the Seva Mandir is Sri Ramakrishna temple which was built at the holy birthplace of the Revered Swami Bhuteshanandaji Maharaj. Naturally, Sangha's spiritual activities developed centering this temple.

2. Everyday worshipping of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna and evening vesper services are held with great devotion at the temple of the Seva Mandir. Besides, in the evening devotional songs are sung and select chapters from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna are read. Normally, the villagers assemble in Sundays and other holidays at the temple precinct and a beautiful atmosphere as in a hermitage is created centering Sri Ramakrishna temple.

3. On the last Sunday every month respected Swami Jyotirmayanandaji Maharaj, the President, Ramakrishna Math, Ramharipur visits the Seva Mandir and conducts special classes on The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and other holy subjects at 5 PM in the afternoon. Several young men and girls participate in the said classes.

4. The Avirbhava Tithi [dates of advent] of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sri Ma Sarada Devi and Swamiji fell on February 19, 2007, December 11, 2006 and January 10, 2007, respectively. Arrangements were made for special worshipping, Homa and offerings at the temple on these dates. On those days the devotees took prasad at mid-day and also participated in the afternoon Dharmasabha. Besides, the birthday of revered Srimat Swami Saradanandaji Maharaj, one of the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, was also observed with utmost devotion. Janmastami [Birthday of Sri Krishna] and Shivaratri were also observed at the temple.

5. The devotees of the village conduct a Weekly 'Study Circle'under the guidance of Somsar Seva Mandir. For the last 5 years at every Saturday they assemble together at one of the four important places in the village on rotation and study selected chapters from the Gita, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, life and teachings of the Holy Mother, and collected works of Swamiji. Devotional songs are also sung in such gatherings. This has been going on uninterruptedly for the last 5 years and the strength of the gathering is also ever increasing.

Such Study Circles have also come up in the surrounding villages like Khandaghosh, Shyamdaspur, Indus and Annul. Devotees of these villages regularly gather in the evening at those Study Circles.

At the Kolkata office of Somsar Seva Madir at H/A, 3/15, Jarda Bagan, Kolkata 700059 Study circle is conducted before starting meeting.

SERVICE ACTIVITIES

From the very beginning of Somsar Sri Ramakrishna Seva Mandir, we laid more stress on three aspects of work-education, health and socio-economic activities. Hearing this most revered Swami Bhuteshanandaji Maharaj had felt extremely glad. We have been continuing this and the area of our service activities is becoming wider and wider.

A) EDUCATION

A High School exists in Somsar village but the spread of education in this area has not been as expected. Two non-formal schools are being run under the superintendence of the Seva Mandir, one is situated well within the temple confines and other is at Paschimpara. Regularly 50 children read in the Ashram school while 100 children read at Paschimpara School. Besides academic studies there are arrangements for participating in various games, learn music lessons and Bratachari dance drills. 8 educated ladies from the very village have taken up the responsibility of teaching the children. Besides regular study at those 2 schools, children who may be studying at other schools also come for coaching. Tiffin is given to all the students. Their health is periodically checked and they are also provided with books, copies, winter garments, and school uniforms. Annual sports competition of the schools was held on January 21, 2007, where in the presence of their teachers and guardians the children took part in the competition. It became a successful event. Altogether 246 children took part in the sports and those who secured 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions in individual events were awarded prizes. All the participating children were also given consolation prizes. Teachers and guardians also took part in the competition and were awarded prizes. The local B.D.O. acted as the Chief Guest and gave away the prizes.

CONTRIBUTION OF 'LIPILEKHA' TOWARDS LEARNING BENGALI

Every year an educational institution LIPILEKHA, a centre for Bengali learning situated at New York, USA, regularly gives us financial aid for improvement and enlargement of our service activities. This is a beautiful institution for USA settled Bengali people for learning Bengali language. It actively helps and supports boarding and lodging of the helpless, poor children of Somsar. Every year its representatives personally visit the village, enquire about the developments and help in all possible ways for development of the children. In fact, LIPILEKHA is currently running 2 Schools one for the children of a village of New York and the other one is Somsar Children's' School.
Details of Non-formal Schools at Somsar

B) HEALTH

No medical facilities were available at Somsar village. Keeping in view the need for medical facilities for the villagers of Somsar and surrounding areas, the authorities of Seva Mandir arranged for providing health and medical services with the help of Vivekananda Swasthya Seva Sangha [V.S.S.S].

At an interval of every 15 days Doctors along with other Health workers who carry medicine and other facilities, reach Somsar village. The doctors stay at the village throughout the day and prescribe medicine. On each third week of every month Specialist doctors, Dentists, Eye specialists, Gynaecologists go to village and examine the patients and thus enormously benefiting them. At quarterly interval the mobile Medical Van of V.S.S.S goes to the village and camps there for 3 consecutive days. The Health workers attached to the Van conduct X-Ray, Blood tests of the villagers for ascertaining their ailments and take remedial steps. In this year as many as 4540 patients were treated. Not only Somsar but people of many villages around Somsar have thus been benefited. The Health workers of V.S.S.S not only treat the ailing villagers but they also impart necessary training to the young men and girls of the villages making them heath conscious. Those trained workers then visit every home in the villages and ascertain facts. Thus within a short time a. marked improvement is noticed in the health awareness of the ordinary villagers living even in remote rural areas. In the meanwhile due to earnest desire of the villagers of Somsar area Homeopathic treatment through a separate section has already been stared from January 29, 2007. In the fourth week of every month 2 experienced doctors along with 2 volunteers go to Somsar village. In this year total number of 272 patients were treated. It is hoped that within a short time this particular section shall become popular.

SWAMI BHUTESHANANDA CENTENARY HOSPITAL BUILDING

To commemorate the birth centenary of Revered Srimat Swami Bhuteshanandaji Maharaj several programmes were implemented at different parts of the country in 1998. One of the important programmes of the total plan was to raise a permanent Hospital at Somsar. Even though this part of the plan remained unfulfilled so long, it could be taken up in this year.

The foundation stone for SWAMI BHUTESHANANDA CENTENARY HOSPITAL BUILDING was formally laid down by Srimat Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj, on Sunday, July 30, 2006, at Somsar Sri Ramakrishna Seva Mandir's Ashram precincts where besides several monks Swami Tathagatanandaji Maharaj, President, New York Vedanta Society was also present When completed this two-storied building shall provide enough space for the waiting patients, doctors' chamber and the dispensary. In the first floor there shall be accommodation for lodging of a doctor and a compounder. Here Anti-venom medicine for use in snake-bite cases shall be property preserved and when necessary this shall be applied to patients with the help of doctor. This is going to meet a long standing need of the area. In this regard we have received assurance from the Government. Hopefully it will take one year to complete the building and would cost approximately Rs.12.00 lacs. Many devotees and ardent lovers of Sri Ramakrishna have already extended their helping hands for this noble task and it is hoped that, we shall not face any financial problem in completing the project.

C) SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Every year from the very beginning on establishment of Somsar Sri Ramakrishna Seva Mandir, many training programmes were taken up for enabling the people improve upon their socioeconomic conditions. During the preceding years many plans were implemented after careful deliberations and planning. In the last year training programme on Bag-making and a workshop thereon was also conducted. Even though no such specific training programme was taken up this year, but follow-up camps of the young men and girls trained in many vocational trades were conducted, that enabled many of them to start their career. This was indeed one of the programmes taken up on priority basis by Somsar Seva Mandir. Like all other villages of India which are plagued with the problems of unemployment and under-employment the picture of Somsar was the same. So we gave due priority to the young men and girls of the village and offered them training in Sewing, Radio/TV repairing, Carpentry and many other vocational trades though we know the need is more than what has been done. Our latest addition a training programme on Bag-making with the help of Ramakrishna Mission Lokashiksha Parishad, Narendrapur. Under the guidance of the Seva Mandir the process for identification of the next programme has already been started and after careful consideration and due discussions the future programme acceptable to all shall be adopted.

REHABILITATION PROJECT

The planning of the authorities of the Seva Mandir in the matter of rehabilitation of the members of the Roy family has been properly implemented. Now the members of the Roy families had shifted to their new homes and started living. Besides, the Jagadhatri Mandap and the small Shiva temple of the Roy family were shifted at a place near the old Shiva temple. All work of the Rehabilitation plan has been mostly completed; left behind small tit-bits are also being attended.

FOUNDATION DAY OF THE ASHRAM AND GENERAL FESTIVAL

The annual foundation day of SOMSAR SRI RAMAKRISHNA SEVA MANDIR was observed in a befitting manner with due gaiety. The morning started at 4-30 AM with Manga/ Arati. The monks of the Ramakrishna Math performed special worshipping and Homa of Thakur. A colourful procession of about 2500 devotees carrying images of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swamiji went around the village at 7-30 AM. The little students of Sri Ramakrishna Seva Mandir of Primary School specially won the hearts of the gathering by their cute dance performance. At 10 AM blankets were distributed to 270 villagers. At 12 noon, Baul song was conducted at the dais by famous Baul artist Sri Sukumar Bauri enthralling the hearts of the devotees. At noon prasad was distributed and as many 8000 devotees took prasad on the day. After distribution of prasad a Dharmasabha was held where main speakers were respected Srimat Swarrri Mumukshanandaji Maharaj, President, Ramakrishna Math, Baghbazar and Srimat Swami Balabhadranandaji Maharaj, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Asansol. About 5000 devotees were present in the said Sahha, who heartily enjoyed the proceedings of the Sabha and the Yatra-Sadhak Ramprasad. Devotees, workers and villagers who attended the function greatly acclaimed it. Thus through various functions the day was observed. Overall statistics of the Health services have been separately placed.

ANNUAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE

This year the Annual Variety performance of the Seva Mandir was held on Saturday, March 10th at the Mahajati Sadan Hall. Though fund-raising is the principal focus of such performance, it also becomes a forum for meeting one and all and communication. Everybody looks eager to meet each other. The principal aim of this performance was to raise funds for the upcoming 'Swami Bhuteshananda Hospital'. It was specifically in this context the Variety performance was inaugurated by Srimat Swami Sarvalokanandaji Maharaj. the Secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission Seva Prathisthan. The star attractions of the cultural event were Odissi Dance performance by Srimati Kasturi Sarkar and Rabindra Sangeet by the eminent artist Srimati Shravani Sen. Devotional songs were sung by respected monk Srimat Swami Divyabratanandaji Maharaj of Ramakrishna Math & Mission, Contai. The entire performance was highly enjoyed by one and all. On this occasion a souvenir was brought out which was also highly appreciated by everybody.

WORKERS' CONVENTION

Every year the authorities of the Seva Mandir organise a convention of all its workers so that its service activities go on uninterruptedly and its pace is accelerated. On September 16, 2006 the said convention was held with great enthusiasm at the open field of the Ashram school. Such convention is normally designed following the format of the Youth convention of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark. With the passage of time many such Ashrams grew up in the villages centring Somsar village. Encouraged by the Workers' convention of Somsar the workers of the said Ashrams also joined the above convention. Thus the strength of the participants greatly increased. Respected Srimat Swami Jitatmanandaji Maharaj, the Secretary of Swami Vivekananda Ancestral Home and Cultural Centre, Kolkata was present in the said convention. Tlic convention was initiated by placing offerings at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swamiji. Vedic mantras were recited. Even the young men and girls of the villages also participated in the discussion session. Thus the convention is not merely a Workers' Convention. It is also a forum of propagation of the ideals of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda. The participating youths get the chance to familiarise themselves with Ramakrishna-Vivekananda thought besides service activities of the Seva Mandir.

DEVOTEES' CONVENTION

The Devotees' Convention of Somsar Sri Ramakrishna Seva Mandir of the year was held on December 31, 2006 on the eve of the holy KALPATARU festival. It was held at a historical place Shovabazar Rajbati on Raja Nabakrishna Street, North Kolkata where Swami Vivekananda was given civic reception on his triumphant return to Kolkata. The Convention besides being highly successful was also touching. The historical Royal palace was filled to its brim by almost a brand of thousand-strong devotees. Initiating the ceremony Srimat Swami Girishanandaji Maharaj offered flowers at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda. Lectures were given by Swami Atmapriyanandaji Maharaj, Swami Tyagarupanandaji Maharaj and Swami Shastrajnanandaji Maharaj. Devotional songs were sung by the respected monks of the Belur Math and Sri Pradip Banerji and his party.

After launch the Devotees' convention was conducted by the respected nuns of Sri Sarada Math. In that session were present respected Pravajika Amalpranamataji, respected Pravajika Bhaskarpranamataji and respected Pravajika Achintyapranamataji. Devotional songs were sung before the gathering by the respected Brahmacharinis of Sri Sarada Math.

In this holy temple set against its historical background, the entire day's deliberations and devotional songs filled the devotees' mind with a profound sense of peace and content. The occasion became highly significant on the eve of the New Year as per English calendar.

SHIVARATRI

On February 16 of 2007 like other years, on the holy occasion of SHIVARATRI arrangements were made for special worship and offering at Shiva temple at Baghbazar associated with the hallowed memory of the revered Swami Bhuteshanandaji Maharaj. About 300 devotees participated in the said worship, which was conducted by the respected Swami Harapriyanandaji Maharaj. Devotional songs were sung and prasad was distributed. Streams of devotees visited the holy Shiva temple throughout the day and night and paid their oblations.

SWAMI BHUTESHANANDA MEMORIAL LECTURE

Following the tradition of the preceding years the BUTESHANANADA MEMORIAL LECTURE was also held on behalf of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark this year. The lecturer of the year was respected Swami Satyarupanandaji Maharaj, President, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Ashram and the meeting was presided over by respected Swami Prabhanandaji Maharaj. Their thought-provoking discourses were greatly enjoyed by the audience.

APPEAL AND CONCLUSION

Somsar Sri Ramakrishna Seva Mandir merely a bubble on the ocean-bed of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda thought. The problems that confront the villagers are far too many and our efforts and resources to fight them are indeed meagre, but our inspiration never wanes. We have been marching ahead with the kind cooperation and support of all. We earnestly pray before Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swamiji that we may be able to steer our efforts in the right direction and all our work may indeed be united with them.

Humbly submitted

DR. GOUR DAS
Secretary
SOMSAR SRI RAMAKRISHNA SEVA MANDIR