Darjeeling to mark Sister Nivedita’s 150th anniversary

Amitava Banerjee, HT, 29 Oct 2016, DARJEELING: The Ramakrishna Mission Nivedita Educational and Cultural Centre (RKMNECC) in Darjeeling have made elaborate plans to commemorate Sister Nivedita’s 150th anniversary next year.

Darjeeling occupied a special place in the life of Sister Nivedita. She had died in Darjeeling on October 13, 1911.

“It is clearly evident from Sister Nivedita’s life that she shunned pomp and show and worked for the nation. Following her footsteps, we will commemorate her 150th birth centenary through service to the nation,” said Swami Nityasatyananda, Secretary, RKMNECC, Darjeeling.

The mission has lined up a number of special programmes for next year. “We will organise seminars on value education and on the life of Sister Nivedita in Hills schools throughout the year,” added Swami Nityasatyananda.

Along with these there will be vocational training courses conducted throughout the year. Training will be imparted in tour operations, decorative candle making, mushroom cultivation, fashion designing, jute products, electrical house wiring, garment making, plumbing, apron making for tea gardens, umbrella making, water purification, instruments for tea gardens, bamboo basket (doko) weaving for tea gardens along with piggery and animal husbandry.

“We have conducted a survey and earmarked these vocations. These vocations are in demand in Darjeeling and will provide proper livelihood,” said the secretary.

Along with this the RKMNECC has decided to start a library next year in memory of Sister Nivedita.

“Along with other books, there will be books on the life and work of Sister Nivedita,” said Swami Nityasatyananda. The RKMNECC will also complete distribution of garments to the targeted 22,000 families in the Hills in 2017. The 149th birth anniversary of Sister Nivedita was commemorated at Roy Villa in Darjeeling on Friday.