Shillong, Oct 26:The 70th anniversary of Sri Sarada Sangha Shillong was celebrated on October 25 at Ramakrishna Mission, Laitumkhrah.
Speaking on the occasion, Swami Hitakamanandaji Maharaj, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong, described the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi as the embodiment of all the qualities of women described in the Gita.
Earlier, the programme started with the lighting of ceremonial lights and Vedic chanting, followed by a welcome speech by the president, Uma Purkayastha.
Purkayastha said from its inception in 1955, Sarada Sangha, Shillong, acted as a women’s philanthropic organisation. This is the branch of the All India Sri Sarada Sangha based in Kolkata. It has 57 branches across India.
She recalled the contribution of the past and present members, which keeps the organisation alive.
The platinum jubilee souvenir ‘Saradanjali was also released on the occasion.
Others who spoke at the event were Sunanda Purkayastha, secretary, Sri Sarada Sangha, Shillong; Swami Purnavratanandaji Maharaj, Secretary Bharat Sevashram Sangha; Swami Buddhadevanandji Maharaj, Shella Ramakrishna Sevashram and Arijit Sarkar, Professor, Engineering College, Lilua, West Bengal. The programme concluded with vote of thanks by Sumita Dutta.
Activities of Sarada SanghaÂ
The secretary of Sarada Sangha read out the activities of the organisation on the occasion.
The year-long celebration of the Platinum Jubilee was inaugurated on July 17, 2024.
The Sarada Sangha felicitated six renowned personalities for their outstanding contribution and uplift of the society, and three poor students who excelled in studies and sports. Financial support was extended to them and two poor women who faced an accident and lost their legs. Rs 10000 was given to the women for their treatment.
The organisation carried out philanthropic services this year, which included the distribution of food items, fruits, Horlicks and others to the patients of T.B. Hospital, Shillong. On the death anniversary of Swami Vivekananda (July 4), the organisation distributed ration-food Items and clothes to 40 poor families of a particular locality.
Sarada Sangha sponsored a drama ‘ANIKET SHANDHYA’ which was staged by ‘SRABANI’, a cultural organisation of Shillong, on July 13, 2025, at U So So Tham Auditorium.
Members of Sri Sarada Sangha also conducted a Matri Nam prayer at Umpling Community Hall on September 7, 2024, to spread the Holy Spirit of Ma Sarada, such as blessings, love and forgiveness among the people of the society.
A seminar titled ‘Is old age home the ultimate destination of old parents’ was organised on July 8, 2025, at Bangiya Sahitya Parishad, Jail Road, Shillong, as part of its platinum jubilee celebrations. Distinguished speakers of Shillong deliberated at length on the issue. A large number of people from Shillong attended.
In 2021, the distribution of lunch packets through ‘AAHAR’ among 200 poor people of Shillong was carried out, giving immense emotional and psychological comfort.
The organisation distributed clothes, food items, and winter materials to around five hundred flood victims of Silchar, Assam, affected by the devastating flood in 2022.
It also distributed clothes, rations, and food items to the people of Beltoli village near Sohra. New clothes were also distributed to children of different ages in Beltoli village on the eve of Durga Puja in 2023.
“We had extended financial support of rupees one lakh & five thousand for the kidney transplantation of a patient of Shillong by the collective donations of Sangha members. With our limited resources, we tried our best to contribute to the poor and the deprived classes of the society”, the secretary said.
The Sangha thanked all the donors and well-wishers, especially the State Bank of India, Laitumkhrah Branch, Shillong.
