| News
& Notes - June 2005 |
 |
Gurupoornima
& the Retreat programmes:
As announced earlier, Gurupoornima
& the Retreat will be conducted during July
21-28. Those who wish to participate but have not yet sent
their applications through letter or e-mail, must do so
immediately. Confirmation will be communicated by 3rd
week of June.
Global Tele-Satsang: As part of celebrations of Poojya’s
Swamiji’s Jayanti, Global Tele-Satsang (GTS) was held on May 14th (May 13th,
USA Time). The readers may recall the news item about the earlier tele-satsang
with the US devotees in the April issue of Vicharasetu. Both satsangs were
conceived of and coordinated by the US devotees.
The
tele-satsang brought together Poojya Swamiji’s devotees from different parts
of the world using ordinary telephone network. Devotees from USA, UK,
Malaysia, New Delhi, Jamshedpur, Pune and Chennai participated in the Satsang.
At Narayanashrama Tapovanam in Thrissur, in addition to Poojya Swamiji along
with Nutan Swamiji and Maa directly participating, about thirty devotees were
listening to the conversation, sitting in the front hall.
The
program started with the devotees offering their pranaams to Poojya Swamiji.
Addressing all those listening-in, Poojya Swamiji stressed on the spirit and
purpose of sannyaasa and how it has to be incorporated, fulfilled and
displayed in the life of everyone.
Ma
began her talk with the invocation
‘Svaamin
Namaste…’.
She impressed upon the participants the importance of devotion to the Guru.
Nutan Swamiji then said that occasions such as Poojya Swamiji’s Jayanti
should make us think deeply what is the significance of the presence of a
Mahaatma in our midst and what are the qualities of the mind that make a
person a Mahaatma.
A
representative from each of the locations read out a brief report highlighting
the activities of the location. Nutan Swamiji updated everyone on the current
activities in the Ashram. The conference concluded with Ma chanting ‘Prabuddham Vimuktam…’
in which all devotees across the globe joined.
At
the end of the first Global Tele-satsang, everyone expressed extreme joy at
the coming together of Poojya Swamiji’s devotees spread across the Globe.
On
10th May Poojya Swamiji inaugurated the Reinstallation and Rejuvenation
programme of the Vallialukkal Bhagavati Temple in Kanimangalam, near the
Ashram, by releasing the sale of coupons. In his address to the devotees
assembled in the temple, Swamiji spoke about the role of Temples and Devotion
in the life of people. The reinstallation is scheduled for June this year.
Reopening of Railway Gates: Efforts to get
the Paralikad and Minaaloor railway gates opened, as reported earlier, passed
through various stages of
Dhar¸a
in Wadakancheri and Trichur Railway
Stations, relay fasting in both gates leading to indefinite fasting. In response to the insistent prayers and pleadings of the
people of the place, Poojya Swamiji consistently persuaded the State and
railway authorities at New Delhi, Chennai and Thiruvanantapuram to concede the
righteous demand of the people. Forcefully and convincingly Poojya Swamiji
emphasized the impropriety in closing the railway gates and
in constructing the
overbridge at a point which could not substitute either Paralikad or Minaloor
level crossing. Communication of ordinary citizens was virtually paralyzed.
Poojya Purushothama Swamiji along with Vyasa Tapovanam inmates continuously
strengthened the morale of the people in their demonstrations and demand.
A
crucial meeting was arranged in the Thrissur Collectorate in which senior
officials of the Southern Railways participated. They then visited the site of
the Railway Crossings to directly understand the plight of the people affected
by the closure of the two gates. As a result, the Additional General Manager,
Southern Rly. (Chennai) issued instructions on 20th
May to reopen the gates, an
unprecedented step in the Railway history. It also brings to light how
political will, administrative insight and expediency are verily crucial in
resolving important issues like this.
Residents
of Mundathikkode Panchayat, under the leadership of the Panchayat and other
local body heads, gave a civic reception to Poojya Swamijis Bhoomananda
Tirthaji and Purushothama Tirthaji along with the local MP Sri Ajay Kumar and
MLA Sri AC Moideen in acknowledgement of the unique roles played by them in
guiding the movement and finally getting the level crossings restored to the
public as before.
On
the 23rd May, both gates were reopened officially.
***
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