Ramakrishna Mission Balakashrama, Mangalore A Profile

Ramakrishna Mission at Mangalore is a branch of the worldwide organization, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission started by Swami Vivekananda with the motto of serving God in man. ith this ideal we are striving for the good of many and for the welfare of many. Started in !"#!, o$r %shrama is catering to different sections of the society thro$gh vario$s mod$les of activities and has carved a niche of its own in this region. &he central foc$s of o$r 'nstit$tion is (ree St$dents )ome * +alakashrama, where ,- .oor and meritorio$s r$ral st$dents, irres.ective of caste or creed, are maintained free of charge. They are provided with FREE boarding, lodging and ed !ational fa!ilities" Aids s !h as s!holarships, fees, books, !lothing, medi!al !are et!" are also e#tended" &his instit$tion was started in the year !"#! and since then h$ndreds of deserving st$dents have benefitted from the selfless services rendered. 'n the +alakashrama the boys are enco$raged to c$ltivate virt$o$s tendencies, ac/$ire the art of social d$ty. 0ne of the im.ortant feat$res is that the boys are allowed to manage the affairs of the +alakashrama, incl$ding the $.kee. of the .remises, gaining thereby the s.irit of self*reliance, dignity of labo$r, co*o.eration and .ersonal effort. &hey .artici.ate in the daily ro$tine of the Math s$ch as morning and evening congregational .rayer. &hey are also ta$ght to chant Vedic )ymns, +hagavad*Gita and sing bha1ans. &he em.hasis has always been on the /$ality of the boys rather than mere n$merical strength. &hey are also ta$ght com.$ter and basic training is im.arted in m$sic, both vocal 2 instr$mental. &hey are also enco$raged to c$ltivate soft skills. $ele!tion Pro!ed re % Admission& 'nly meritorio s boys from r ral areas with poor e!onomi! ba!kgro nd are sele!ted . &he notice is .$blished in all the leading news.a.ers of the region and the st$dents have to a..ly along with their , th std. marks card. &hey are asked to stay in o$r hostel d$ring their vacation for a .eriod of ! week to test whether they can get acclimatized to this environment. %fterwards they will be writing an entrance test based on the syllab$s of ,th std. St$dents will be intimated abo$t their selection after scr$tinizing their .erformance in this entrance e3am. &he st$dents th$s selected will contin$e to st$dy staying in o$r hostel till they com.lete !- th. %fter matric$lation most of the st$dents go back home and res$me higher st$dies. (or deserving st$dents we .rovide financial assistance to contin$e higher st$dies. 'f the st$dents do not have good colleges in their villages, then they are entertained to stay in o$r hostel and contin$e their ed$cation. e try to see that no st$dent leaves his st$dies d$e to .a$city of f$nds or reso$rces. (aily Ro tine& +oys wake $. at abo$t # in the morning and after washing they get b$sy with yogasanas for abo$t half an ho$r followed by Morning 4rayer for half an ho$r. 5ater they do their allotted work like gardening, cam.$s cleaning, b$ilding maintenance etc for abo$t 6# min$tes and after taking bath they are engaged in st$dies. %fter abo$t an ho$rs st$dy they get ready to go to school, have their breakfast and leave for the school. 7vening at abo$t 6 they ret$rn from the school, wash and engage in the daily activities like cleaning etc for abo$t 6# min$tes. &hey are given light tiffin and then they .lay for abo$t an ho$r in the .laygro$nd. %fter the evening bell they take a bath and attend the evening .rayer for abo$t 6- min$tes. 5ater they st$dy for abo$t "- min$tes followed by night dinner. %fter the dinner they read for abo$t half an ho$r and later go to bed. A!!olades8 e have been conferred the 9akshina :annada dist. Ra1yotsava award for the services rendered by the district administration in the year ;-!!. e are also given 7rya %ward, in the year ;-!;, for o$r activities.

F nding for the a!tivities& +eing a charitable instit$tion, o$r +alakshrama is mainly de.endent on the donations received from the general .$blic, friends and well*wishers. e do not receive any govt. or cor.orate grants. 9onations to o$r ashrama in the name of Ramakrishna Mission are e3em.t from 'ncome &a3 $<s =-g of '& %ct.