The wavy waters in the picture are symbolic of Karma; the lotus, of Bhakti; and the rising-sun, of Jnana. The encircling serpent is indicative of Yoga and the awakened Kundalini Shakti, while the swan in the picture stands for Paramatman (Supreme Self). Therefore, the idea of the picture is that by the union of Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and Yoga, the vision of Paramatman is obtained.
Establishment
The "Brahmananda Ramakrishna Mission" of the twentieth century is today's "Baranagar Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama". Then the twentieth century was in its childhood – the great hero and saint Vivekananda had elevated himself like a phoenix from the ashes – his divine preaching had enchanted the young mind. India was then under the British bondage. The British Government had already issued the order, of partition of Bengal in accordance with the divide and rule policy of The Lord Curzon. The air was being rented with the melodies of Rabindranath "Banglar Mati Banglar Jol" Bengal became turbulent and agitated like "Nataraj" with the waves of anti-partition movement and this turbulence had given birth to a number of brave dreamers who were inspired by the paradigm of Swami Vivekananda. Yogindnanata Tagore, a disciple of Swami Brahmananda (Rakhal Maharaj) – a brave soldier of the anti-British movement and an active member of Anushilan Samiti, set up an orphanage in the name of his preceptor at the house of Panjas at Alambazar in North Kolkata. In 1912 on the pious day of Akshaya Tritiya, the organisation started its journey with the name "Brahmananda Balakashrama".
History
1912–2018
Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School has become an embodiment of the ideology 'service and welfare through education', since its initiation in 1912, on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. Since then, through selflessness and service to the mankind, this organization so successfully caters the spiritual genre, convened by Lord Sri Ramakrishna, in every possible way.
The foundation stone of this ashrama, as a "Brahmananda Balakashrama", was laid by Sri Yogindranath Tagore, an eminent freedom-fighter and disciple of Srimat Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj, the first president of Ramakrishna Order. Later it was shifted into a one storied building adjacent to Jaikrishna Mitra Kalibari at Kutighat in the name of, "Baranagar Ramakrishna Ashrama for Orphan". Then, in 1924 the Ashrama was acquired by Belur Math as a branch centre and hence, renamed as "Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Baranagore". On 20 February 1928, by the patronage of the late zaminders of Narali, Jessore, the Ashrama procured a land of 8 bighas and 8 chhatak beside Gopal Lal Tagore Road. It was the same Akshaya Tritiya on 11 May 1929 the Ashrama was shifted to the plot.
The primary school, set up in the Ashrama premises in 1934, was sequentially upgraded to upper primary and then to lower secondary section in the year 1952. The multifaceted upper secondary wing of the institution was inaugurated in 1954 and it, henceforth, got the recognition of 'Madhyamik' (Secondary).
11 May 1998, on the auspicious Buddha Purnima, a parallel primary wing of the institution (from Class I to Class IV) was incepted under the jurisdiction of Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math. This new segment was named "Ramakrishna Mission Centenary Primary School, Baranagore" and was inaugurated by Revered Srimat Swami Lokeshwaranandaji on the occasion of 'Centenary Celebration'.[9]
2018–Present
Inauguration of the higher secondary section school building "Nivedita Bhawan" in 2018
After a prolonged yet rigorous effort of 42 years, this institution has been elevated to the Higher Secondary level in 2018 and education is being imparted through Bengali and English medium in this section. The first batch of Higher Secondary has come out of the school with flying colours in the pandemic-hit year of 2020.[23]
Campus
Top view of BRKM campus during annual festival in 2018
Open air corridor in front of the primary section building
Monk's quarters
Fibreglass relievo of Sri Ramakrishna's Monastic Disciples
Ashrama has a large and green campus. It contains a primary school section, secondary and higher secondary school section, libraries, three free coaching centres, a charitable homeopathic dispensary, a mobile medical unit, prayer hall, a temple, monk's quarters and playgrounds.[3] A fibreglass relievo (17 ft x 22 ft) of Sri Ramakrishna's Monastic Disciples was inaugurated in Ramakrishna Mission Baranagar by Revered Swami Shivamayananda ji Maharaj on 15 March 2021.[24] On 6 October 2023, the showroom-cum-sales Counter at Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Baranagar was inaugurated by Swami Suvirananda ji, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.[25]
Infrastructure
Secondary section
Corridor of secondary section building of school
There are two secondary section buildings in the school campus, one for classes (V – VIII) and the other for classes (IX – X). There are five sections in each of the classes from V – VIII and in IX and X there are four sections each.[26]
Higher secondary section
Nivedita Bhawan
There is one higher secondary section building in school campus for classes XI and XII. The building is named "Nivedita Bhawan" which was inaugurated by Swami Suhitananda ji maharaj on 14 May 2018.[5][27]
Swami Suvirananda's speech at the inauguration programme, Saugata Roy (right) was a chief guest
BRKMAHS started the Higher Secondary course, in commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's historic speech in the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago. Swami Suvirananda, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, inaugurated the course in a programme at the Ashrama premises on 22 June 2018 evening.[27]
Computer laboratory of higher secondary school of school
As of 2021[update], the curriculum of higher secondary section, affiliated by WBCHSE, consisted of Arts and Science streams.[9]
Organisation structure
Headmaster of Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School
Incumbent Swami Mahamritananda since 2020
Status
Head of Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School
Swami Mahamritananda, 2020–present[2]Swami Tathagatananda was the head during the period 1975 – February 1977.[30]
Student life
Academic
Students are highly influenced by the faith and philosophy of Ramakrishna at this school. Former student Shiboprosad Mukherjee said:
In our school, we used to have a special class on religion, and we weren't a big fan of the class. Whenever we got an opportunity, we would bunk classes. But one particular lesson in that class moved me to the core and changed my whole perception about religion. It can be anything and any philosophy.[31]
Social activities
Swachh Bharat Mission
Swachh Bharat Mission
BRKMAHS arranged an intensive cleaning programme Swachh Bharat Mission in the neighbouring locality on 30 June 2016, in accordance with the instruction given by the headquarters Belur Math. More than 600 students of standards VIII, IX and X actively participated in the programme under the guidance of monastic members and brahmacharies of the Ashrama and almost all the teaching and non-teaching staff of the high school.[32]
COVID-19 relief services
Distribution of masks during COVID-19 pandemic
BRKM is continuing the relief services to the families affected by the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[33]
Ex-students of BRKMAHS (2010 Madhyamik batch) organised a COVID relief fund and delivered much-needed oxygen, food, and necessary things to COVID-19 affected patients and their families of Baranagar and neighborhood areas.[34]
Amphan relief services
Distribution of foods after Amphan cyclone
BRKM started Amphan cyclone relief services to aid families affected by the Cyclone Amphan which wreaked havoc on 20 May 2020.[35]
Others
Distribution of blankets at school's sport ground Nivedita Krirangan in January 2022
BRKM distributed 500 blankets from 14 November 2021 to 9 January 2022 in Baranagar, Dakshineshwar and Harit.[36] BRKM conducted eye camps at Harit on 7 August and 18 September 2022.[37][38]
Following cultural festivals and activities are held at school premises & Nivedita Krirangan in a befitting manner by the students of school in every year:
Devotees’ Conference is also once held in every year during annual festival of school.[41][42]
Alumni association
Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School Ex-students Reunion Celebration Committee is the name of alumni association committee of BRKMAHS. This committee every year celebrates reunion ceremony for ex-students of the school. They are connected with many social activities throughout the year.[43]
Blood donation camp
Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Praktan Chhatra Samsad under the guidance of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Baranagore, organised a "Voluntary Blood donation Camp" on 15 September 2019, in association with blood bank of Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan, Kolkata, as a part of the concluding – 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's Chicago Addresses at Sarada Bhawan. Total 51 units of blood were donated by ex-students of the ashrama high school, teachers, monastic members of different branch centres of the Ramakrishna Mission, Ashrama staff, volunteers and devotees. Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Praktan Chhatra Samsad Charitable Trust felicitated all the doctors who have been dedicatedly serving the poor & distressed patients throughout the year in the ashrama's medical unit & also in medical camps at various remote places.[44]
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Open air corridor of the secondary section
Interior of Sister Nivedita Cultural Hall
Biology laboratory
