In January 2016 visited Tamil Nadu for yatra. After offering respects at Meenakshi Mandir Madurai visited the Sri Ramakrishna Math Sarada Vidyalaya i.e. 6 kms away. U see area where students cultural activities take place. "Catch them young,” said Swami Vivekananda. Noble ideas, good character and quest for knowledge must be inculcated from very young age."
In the Principal''s office. She is a very graceful lady. Both she and her husband work in the Math full time. As on date of visit the school had 526 children of which 257 are girls. Classes are from pre-kg to 5th standard. Right of pic person in dhoti is Rahul Ghosh who accompanied me on the yatra. Very good vibrations as we entered building, feeling of peace & serenity all around.
The school was started 32 years ago. Fees are a nominal Rs 8,000-Rs 10,700 per year. We walked around the school esp. the classrooms. Really loved this child, so sweet.
Cute boys. The children were wondering why all these photos, who are these people. "Extra-curricular activities like Traditional music, Bharatanatyam, etc., are conducted by qualified teachers. Yogasanas and Karate are taught regularly to improve the mental and physical fitness of the children."
This is the computer room. Children listening so attentively. Sometimes feel that childhood days were the best - less distraction, mind pure.
Class in progress. The school has 20 teachers. About 60% of students are from lower middle class backgrounds, 20% from very poor families and 20% from upper middle class backgrounds.
Classroom corridor. Children in the corridor because they are punished for not doing homework if I remember correctly. I remembered my school days. The Centre runs Allopathic and Homeopathic Charitable Dispensaries providing Medical help an free Medicine to poor people. Helpful esp to old aged women and men with diabetes, hypertension who need daily medication and depend on dispensary for their survival.
Children at play. The school is clean, functional, offers quality education with spiritual values. It is very popular. "Among the 55 who received the Scholarships, 27 were school-going students. Of the 28 college students, 5 were Polytechnic students, one was a Teacher Training student, 17 were Arts & Science college students and 5 were Engineering college students."
Children doing rehearsals for annual day function. The centre runs a free Tuition Centre. Teaching is free, so are books and note-books. It is in the form of extra
coaching classes for children who study in government schools. Class timings are from 5.30 to 8.15 pm. Teachers are volunteers. Sometimes kids study as late as 10 pm. Then the Centre provides them with dinner / snacks all free. 250 students come for extra coaching. RKM Narainpur Bastar provides similar coaching to about 1800 students.
Students in prayer hall. "Every Monday morning, the Adhyaksha Swami addressed the students and teachers quoting spiritual, moral and character–making stories from our scriptures and Puranas and from the lives of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda."
Medical Centre entrance. Centre organises free eye camps every month. In 2015-16 508 person treated for cataract. If you like to support school activities details are - Account name: Ramakrishna Math. Account number: 32314981922,
Name of Bank: State Bank of India. Branch: Narayanapuram, Madurai – 625014. Branch code: 11063. IFSC Code: SBIN0011063. These details are for electronic transfer.
On effecting transfer
email madurairkm@gmail.com or call 91 0452 2680224. In case you are unable to get through please mail me at esamskriti@suryaconsulting.net
Children waiting for school bus. RKM can receive donations from NRI''s and have FCRA Approval. For bank details email school at madurairkm@gmail.com or call 91 0452 2680224. To see pics of RKM Along, Arunachal Pradesh Click here
Loved this kid. To see pics of RKM School Narainpur Bastar Click here
Kids getting into school bus. To visit school web site Click here