The Departments of Hindi &
Philosophy in collaboration with NSS Unit of P.G.Govt. College for Girls, Sector-11,
Chandigarh organized a lecture on “Ideals of Sarada Ma in Modern Age” on 9th
September, 2014. Smt.
Soma Sinha (President, All India Sarada Sangh) was the chief-guest of this program. The details of the progrmme is given
below:
Dr. Anita Khosla (Head, Department of Hindi, PGGCG-11, Chandigarh) coordinated
the function and introduced Chief-Guest and gave a detail account of her
spiritual career. Dr. Anita Kausal
(Dean, PGGCG-11) welcomed the guests by presenting them a bunch of flowers.
The programme was stated with the prayers and bhajans sung by the members
of Ramakrishna Ashram, Chandigarh i.e. Dr. Saroj Jindal and Mrs. Purnima
Chanda. Mrs. Shubra Chattopadhyaya (Secretary, All India Sarada Sangh,
Chandigarh Branch) discussed about the various activities of the Sangha related
to education, women empowerment and spiritual offerings. Mrs. Manju Mukherjee (Secretary, All India
Sarada Sangh) gave a detailed account of
the activities done by the Sangh and she beautifully discussed the activities
held under the presidentship of Smt. Soma Sinha.
Smt. Soma Sinha discussed
in her lecture about the personality of Sri Ma Sarada Devi and her holy
presence in the work for the upliftment of women and children. Sarada Devi did not write any books; her
utterances and reminiscences have been recorded by her disciples including
Swami Nikhilananda, Swami Tapasyananda. Though her spiritual insight and
utterances are highly regarded by scholars like Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, who
writes, “We have bits and pieces of her exquisite remarks as testimony.” She said that Ma Sarada was the embodiment of
all wisdom, as Sri Ramakrishna used to say, and this wisdom, both worldly and
spiritual, was the guiding force behind the establishment of the Ramakrishna
Mission in 1897. Hers was a universal motherhood, characterized by
unconditional love, unruffled spirituality, extreme simplicity blended with
dignity and a loving temperament that accepted all irrespective of nationality,
religious affiliation or social position. Even after she left her mortal coil
in 1920, she remains the soothing solace for millions of afflicted hearts
longing for her nonpareil, eternal bliss. Devi played an important
role as the advisory head of a nascent organization that became a monastic
order devoted to social work—the Ramakrishna Mission. She also used quotations of Ma Sarada like, “Learn to make the whole
world Our own. No one is a stranger, my child; the whole world is Our
own.” “When one realizes God, He grants
knowledge and illumination from within; one knows it oneself.”, “In the
fullness of one’s spiritual realization one will find that He who resides in
one’s heart, resides in the hearts of others as well – the oppressed, the
persecuted, the untouchable, and the outcast.” Smt Soma Sinha also interacted
with students and asked questions about the life of Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ma
Sarada Devi and Sri Ramakrishna Dev.
A book entitled,
“Development of Personality” by Swami Vivekananda distributed among 300
students. A feedback from students also made the event successful. Several
students shared their thoughts after the lecture. “Viveka-Vahini” also arranged
for this occasion and several students read and purchase books .
In the end of the programme, Dr. Beenu Dogra (Vice-Principal, PGGCG-11,
Chandigarh) presented a thanking note. She beautifully presented her words of
wisdom. Several faculty members from various departments of the college and about 300 students participated in this event
and enjoyed the programme peacefully and thoughtfully.
Dr. Desh Raj Sirswal
9th September, 2014.
