Foundation Day and Jagaddhatri Puja Celebration, Nov 2024

Event

Dec 10

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Vivekananda Vedanta Center, Connecticut (VVCC) celebrated the third anniversary of Foundation Day. Puja was performed in the morning.

The Foundation Day celebration was unique this year due to the Food Festival that engaged the devotees and friends to participate in food cooking, serving and fund raising for the center. There was an overwhelming participation and the event was successful.

VVCC Choir performed songs and narration on a theme dedicated to Sister Nivedita. The Youth Choir presented a short story about Sister Nivedita, her life, her contributions, teachings and interactions with Maa Sarada, Swami Vivekananda and the direct disciples of Thakur. Several choir team members drew pictures on Sister Nivedita expressing their devotion and appreciation.

VVCC Choir Presentation

By Ruhi Patra

Margaret Elizabeth Nobel meets Swami Vivekananda in UK and decides to come to India and provide service for Ramakrishna Mission. Responding to Swami Vivekananda's call, Margaret traveled to India, leaving her friends and family behind. She arrived in Calcutta on January 28, 1898, and visited Dakshineshwar temple on February 22. Swami Vivekananda taught her about India's history, culture, and people, broadening her character and developing her love for the country.

**By Nivedita Sarkar**

On March 25, 1898, Margaret Noble's life changed forever when she was initiated into a life of spirituality and service, receiving the name Nivedita, meaning "dedicated" or "devoted" in Sanskrit. Swami Vivekananda encouraged her to follow the path of selfless service and enlightenment.

Margaret Elizabeth Noble is initiated by Swami Vivekananda and named as Sister Nivedita.

**By Upali Nag**

Sister Nivedita joined Ramakrishna Mission to provide services to poor and under privileged people of India.

The transformed Sister Nivedita

**By Samarth Sarkar**

During his travels in British India, Swamy Vivekananda realized that education was key to solving societal issues, especially for women. He chose Margaret (Sister Nivedita) to educate Indian women, calling her a "real lioness" for the task. She believed in the importance of educating women for the nation's progress.
On November 18, 1898, she founded the Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Sister Nivedita Girls' School, that was inaugurated by Sarada Devi blessing the girls.

Sister Nivedita taught young girls and adult women sewing, elementary rules of hygiene, nursing etc.

**By Upali Nag**

Sister Nivedita and Maa Sarada Devi shared a deep and respectful bond. Their relationship was one of mutual respect and spiritual kinship. Sister Nivedita greatly admired Maa Sarada and often sought her blessings and guidance.

Maa Sarada, in turn, showed immense affection and support for Sister Nivedita's work, especially her efforts in education and women's empowerment. Sister Nivedita approached Maa Sarada Devi, seeking solace and guidance.