Inauguration of the "Omkarananda Saraswati Hall"
in Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam Inter-College, Muni-ki-Reti,
on 14th August 2013

Report by Ritambhra Rawat, Student of Class XII

On 14th August 2013 our school inaugurated the "Omkarananda Saraswati Hall". This spacious Hall was constructed, because there was no big place indoors for conducting important school-functions, in which a huge number of students, teachers and parents could assemble all together.

Since Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam Inter-College has grown into a very big school with 2500 students, quite much space is required for functions, which had been held up to now on the outside school-grounds, where sometimes bad weather conditions hampered the smooth conducting of the programmes.

The new Hall was decorated tastefully for the inaugural ceremony. Beautiful Rangoli, made by the students, added a traditional touch to the congeniality of the environment. Also the entrance of the Hall was nicely decorated with Rangoli and Kalashas.

The honourable guests for this occasion, Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, President Omkarananda Ashram, Kumari Somashekhariji, General Secretary, Mr. Mahaveer Singh Negi, Mr. G. Sukumar and Mr. I. D. Joshi, were received by the Principal and the Staff.

The Chief Guest Swami Vishveshwarananda, along with Kumari Somashekhari and Shri Sukumar,
are being guided by Principal Col. Sachdeva to the newly constructed Omkarananda Saraswati Hall.

Lighting of the Deepas in front of the picture of Swami Omkarananda, Founder of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam, by Swami Vishveshwarananda.

Besides Teachers, selected School-Students took part in this event. The Student Monitors, right from Nursery up to Class XII, were present, along with the Captains of Houses and the School-Captains.

The ceremony started with the lighting of the lamp of Wisdom by Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, and then the presentation of Saraswati Vandana, sung by the school choir, filled a new zeal in the whole atmosphere.

After Saraswati Vandana, a Hawana was conducted to purify the environment and to dedicate the new Hall to the Divine.

It connected our soul with the Almighty to receive His blessings.

Ghee offered to the holy fire of the Yajna by Kumari Somashekhari.

The holy smoke of the Yajna is blessing each and every one on this great occasion.

After the Hawana a devotional song, "Hey mere Gurudev", was presented by the school choir, through which we prayed to God to give patience and courage to us to face the obstacles in our lives.

The river Ganga, being the spiritual lifeline of our country, is very important to each and every Indian, and thus, to tell about its beauty, a melodious song "Ganga Tarange"  was presented by the school choir, which mesmerized everyone present there.

The school choir, along with music teacher Mrs. Banerjee, presents beautiful Bhajans.

Swami Vishveshwarananda gives thanks to the Principal Col. Sachdeva
for his success in the all-round development of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam.

Then Swami Vishveshwaranandaji Maharaj gave an inspiring speech in which he encouraged the students to always work hard, and he wished them success.

The Principal praised the students' discipline and thanked all the guests for attending the ceremony.

The Priests of Omkarananda Ashram performed a special Omkarananda Arati for Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati and then sprinkled holy Water from the Kalasha at the Hawanakunda all over the Hall and also at the entrance, in order to sanctify everything.

With Kumkum they were writing the holy Om and Swastika Symbols on the entrance door of the new Hall.

After this divine inauguration of the new Omkarananda Saraswati Hall, Prasadam was distributed to everyone present there.