Report Courtesy: Prof Dr Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya

Since 2007, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, under the humble stewardship of Swami Munishwarananda, Branch Secretary, has been helping the poor government-school students of these twin states by distributing notebooks entirely free of cost. Keeping this noble tradition uninterruptedly, this year (2015) too, the Sangha has included several districts in its service networks while distributing over 2, 00, 000 free notebooks to the underprivileged students.

In 2015, the following districts were covered for this humanitarian cause.

WARNNGAL (June 15-17, 2015)

A total of 43 government schools comprising of about 6000 students were covered. An estimated 30,000 notebooks were distributed. Prominent dignitaries present during the distribution programs included senior district officials and heads of each school.

KRISHNA (June 22-24, 2015)

A total of 34 government schools and about 5000 students were covered. An estimated 28,000 notebooks were distributed. Prominent dignitaries present during the distribution programs included Sri K. Nageshwara Rao, DEO and school Head Masters.

NIZAMABAD (July 7-9, 2015)

A total of 29 government schools and about 5700 students were covered. An estimated 28,500 notebooks were distributed. Prominent dignitaries present during the distribution programs included Sri D. Ronald Rose, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate, a host of senior officials from the State government and heads of the respective schools.

MAHABOOBNAGAR (July 13-14, 2015)

A total of 23 government schools and about 4000 students were covered. An estimated 25,000 notebooks were distributed. Prominent dignitaries present during the distribution programs included Smt. T.K. Sridevi, IAS, Collector & DistrictMagistrate, Sri Srinivas Gaod, MLA, Sri Bhaskar, ZP Chairman and Sri APJ Thandav Reddy, MP, besides HMs of schools.

KARIMNAGAR (July 28-30, 2015

A total of 47 government schools and about 6400 students were covered. An estimated 32,000 notebooks were distributed. Prominent dignitaries present during the distribution programs included Sri Jayaveer Rao, Dy. EO, Sri Jaya Chandra Reddy, MRO, Karimnagar, Sri Ch. Lakshman, MEO, and a host of HMs from different schools.

KHAMMAM (August 10-12, 2015)

A total of 24 government schools and about 4800 students were covered. An estimated 25,000 notebooks were distributed. Prominent dignitaries present during the distribution programs included Sri P. Baswa Rao, I/C DEO, and school heads and teachers.

HYDERABAD (August 15 onwards till Sept, 2015)

In this Telangana capital, a total of 15 government schools were included in the program and about 20, 000 notebooks were distributed amongst an estimated 4000 poor students. Each school has attracted many dignitaries to participate in these distributions. Sri Shantanu Mukherjee, MD, State Bank of Hyderabad, Sri Narsaiah, ACP, Sri Sanjeeva Rao, CI, Senior Journalists Sri Narsing Rao and Sri R. V. Ramana, Sri Devadas, School Principal etc. have graced at various places.

Report Courtesy: Prof Dr Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya

On the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, attracted a huge congregation of devotees from the nook and corner of the city. Puja, Aarati, Bhajan and feeding of sacred Prasadam were the activities which saw a blessed and pumped-up energy flowing throughout the ashrama premises.

Hundreds of devotees of all ages had thronged the temple right from the early evening where a special stage was decorated with the portrait of Lord Krishna commemorating His birth that had dawned an era of His intervention to crush ruthlessly the wicked and protect the pious.

Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary of the branch, led the team of devotees from the front in organizing this annual event of the Sangha’s spiritual calendar.

Report Courtesy: Prof Dr Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya

As ever, it was again the team Bharat Sevashram Sangha, who dared the inclement weather of earthquake-hit Nepal first to provide mental and physical relief to the unfortunates.

Under the advice of Sangha’s Kolkata H.O., a strong contingent of monks and volunteers led by Swami Atmagnananda from New Delhi branch and Swami Munishwarananda from Hyderabad branch, carried out massive relief operations at the affected interiors of Nepal since April, 30, 2015 till May, 04, 2015.

Nearly over a thousand households spreading through the remote villages of Lapsephedi, Langlabara, Afabrinoon Chaikee Bhang, Sindhupal Chwoke, Dhokhalthok, Buddha Area, Shanku, Indrayani, Mulpani, Malapot, Jawahar Sing Powa etc. from Kathmandu district were given 10 Kg of rice, 2 Kg of edible oil, 2 kg of pulses and a blanket to every member of those divested families.

Mr Deepak Prasad Kuikel, Member of Nepal Constituent Assembly, MrTaranath Dahal, former member and Mr Mitrasen Dahal, Chairman, National Geriatric & General Hospital, Kathmandu, have rendered logistic and supply chain supports during this humanitarian operations.

Report Courtesy: Prof Dr Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya

Annapurna Puja, the numero-uno festival in the Hyderabad branch of Sangha’s annual-calendar, was celebrated on Friday, March 27, 2015, with much pomp and gaiety. Thousands of devotees from the city and its immediate outskirts participated in the day long programme. Puja, Hom, Nama sankritan marked the day’s divine activities.

Aiming to guide the today’s society towards virtuous paths, a ‘Religious Conference’ was held in the evening wherein Prof Chaitanyamoy Ganguly, INSA Senior Scientist and Advisor, Engineering Staff College of India, Hyderabad, presided over the function. Dr B. Prasada Rao, IPS, Principal Secretary Home, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, was the Chief Guest. Beside both of them, Swami Munishwarananda, Branch Secretary of the Sangha and Swami Venkateshwarananda also spoke on the theme of “ Annapurna Puja and Sangha’s Approach Towards Uplifting the Poor”.

Prof Pranab Bhattacharya, while comparing the entire programme, also addressed the divine assembly. Over three thousand devotees were served with Holy Anna-prasadam during the devotional congregation.

Report Courtesy: Prof Dr Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya

SHIVOHAM….SHIVOHAM……SHIVIHAM (Tuesday, Feb 17, 2015): Like elsewhere in the country, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad centre, has arranged a mammoth Shivaratri celebration at its temple premises during the evening. Shiva puja-arati alongside Guru puja, marked the auspicious rituals of the evening.
Large numbers of devotees from the city and around congregated at this pious moment. Branch Secretary Swami Munishwarananda, led the community prayers amidst chanting of ‘Om Namah Sivaya’ reverberating in the air. Prasadam comprising seasonal fruits and other sweet delicacies were served to all the devotees present on the occasion. Few glimpses of the ecstatic moments follow.

On the occasion of this Maghi Poornima, the 120th birth anniversary of Guru Maharaj, Acharya Swami Pranavanandaji, which is also the day of His supreme spiritual enlightenment, was celebrated with much pomp and gaiety. During this occasion, the Ashram premises turned to have a huge festive look.

During His brief mortal presence (1896-1941) on this sacred land of Bharata, He inspired millions of His ardent followers to work wholeheartedly for mitigating the impounding sufferings of the poor and underprivileged lots of the society. His spiritual understanding was different than those of His contemporaries. He demonstrated that the worship of Lord Shiva can best be served through the services of the needy without differentiating one’s cast, creed, language, nation or religion.

Swami Munishwarananda, Sangha’s Secretary of its Hyderabad branch, to commemorate this auspicious day, after a brief address to the devotees, performed Guru puja amidst loud enchantment from the devotees. Hundreds of devotees who participated in the Puja were offered free prasad.

Report Courtesy: Prof Dr Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya

‘Hudhud’ cyclonic storm ravaged the coastal districts of Vishakhapatnam, Vijiyanagaram and Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh during October, 2014. The city of Vishakhapatnam and its adjoining Mandals were worst affected. Thousands of people were marooned causing unprecedented miseries to the people at large, and especially the poor inhabitants of the area. Nature’s curse had shown its unprecedented fury around. Sangha’s Hyderabad branch led by its Secretary, Swami Munishwarananda, braved the massacre and armed with relief materials to the tune of 2000 sharis, 2000 ‘T’shirts and about 8000 biscuits packets, distributed among those inundated lots of underprivileged during October, 14-17, 2014. During the course of this relief mission, government officials who had extended their executive associations included the local MLA, Sri Vasupalli Ganesh garu, Mrs G. Gauri, Corporator, VMC, SBH’s GM Sri Harihara Rao, Sri K. Ramesh Babu, DGM and Ms K Parvathi, Vizag Mahila Action Org. and few others.

Report Courtesy: Prof Dr Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya

The 57th annual Sangha festival of Deepavali-Kalipuja was celebrated in the ashrama premises with much pomp and gaiety during October, 23–25, 2014. Hundreds of thousands of devotees from across the twin-cities thronged the especially decorated Mother Goddess Kali’s make-shift temple. On the first day, before the start of the puja, a Religious Conference on the theme of ‘The Significance of Kali Puja in Human Life Today’ was held where Sri Shantanu Mukherjee, Managing Director, State Bank of Hyderabad, held the fort as the Chief Guest. Prior to the start, Sangha Secretary, Swami Munishwarananda welcomed the gathering.Over a 1000 poor men and women were given new cloths (‘T’ Shirts & Sharies) and biscuits packets. Das International, a city-based musical troop, entertained the gathering with scintillating devotional songs. The special puja of the presiding deity started at 10:30 PM and ended by about 3:00 AM. The second day saw a huge congressional participation of devout at the discourse and vedic havan. Later, over 3000 devotees including about 500 poor people were fed Mother’s sacred Anna Prasadam. The third day, in a culminating mode, immersion ceremony was conducted with a grand procession to the Buddha Purnima sagar bank.

Report Courtesy: Prof Dr Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya

Incessant rains and over flooded rivers, caused flood fury in the district of Khammam during August-September, 2014. The temple town of Bhadrachalam and its adjoining Mandals were worst affected. Thousands of villages were marooned causing unprecedented miseries to the people at large, and especially the poor inhabitants of the area. Sangha’s Hyderabad branch recently came to the rescue for those inundated lots of underprivileged. A service team led by Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, armed with relief materials like 1000 sharis, 1000 ‘T’shirts and about 5000 biscuits packets toured the affected people during September, 12-14, 2014, and handed over relief materials to those people, beaten by natural calamity. During the course of this relief mission, government officials who had extended their executive associations included Dr K. Illumburthy, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate, Khammam, Mr K. Surendra Mohan, IAS, Jt. Collector & Addl. District Magistrate, Mr K. Rajendra Kumar, MRO, Bhadrachalam, Mr R. Anjaiah, RDO, Bhadrachalam, Mr E. Nageshwar Rao, MRO, Dummugudem, Mr S. Srinivas, MRO, Charla, and others.

Report Courtesy: Prof Dr Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya

Like every year, since 2007, this year too, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, under the stewardship of Swami Munishwarananda, Branch Secretary, doled out thousands of free notebooks for the poor students of several backward districts from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh States. This massive annual study-aid, continuing for the last eight years without any break, comes as a supplement to State government’s humanitarian efforts of already providing free textbooks, uniforms and mid-day meals but not the notebooks. Here the Sangha comes to fill the necessity gap to some extent.

The districts which were covered this year were, namely, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Medak, Guntur, Adilabad, Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy. District-wise chronological briefs are as follows:

1) MAHABUBNAGAR (Telangana State): In tise district, the Sangha had taken up free distribution of about 30000 Notebooks to around 8900 students of 19 economically backward schools. Local city MLA Sri V. Srinivas Goud, Jt. Collectors, Sri Sharman and Sri Rajaram were among those dignitaries who personally accompanied the programme at different locations, besides having earned the presence of other notables like municipal corporatists and renowned educationalists from the State.

(FROM L to R) Mr Shravan Kumar, Mr Murthy, Mr V. Srinivas Gaud, MLA, Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, Mr Natraj, Mr V. Reddy and Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya (with microphone)

Mahabubnagar City MLA, Mr Gaud felicitating Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, on June 23, 2014, at Modern High School.

(L to R) Headmaster Mr Subrahmaniam, Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad,  Mr Sharman, IAS, Jt Collector, Mr Natraj and Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya.

A section of the school students is awaiting disbursements.

(L to R) Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, Mr Swami Babu, Headmistress Mrs Shubhalakshmi, Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, Mr Natraj, Mr Vimal and Mr Suresh.

Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, is distributing notebooks to school students, while others look on.

(L to R) Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, Mr Natraj, Mr Rajaram, Jt Collector, and Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad,

(L to R) Mr Ravinder, Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya (Narrating Sangha’s activities), Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, and Headmistress Mrs Bharathi are at the distribution ceremony.

Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad,  is facilitating the notebook distributions.

2): NALGONDA (Telangana State) July08-10, 2014: In the district, it took up free distributions of about 24000 Notebooks to around 7600 students of 29 economically backward schools. Mr. Venkat Rao, DRO & Addl. Jt. Collector, Mr Vishwanath Rao, Dist. Education Officer, Mr Raju, Dy DEO, Mrs Arundhuti, MEO, Mr H. K. Nanda, AGM (SBH) etc. were present while inaugurating this humanitarian cause. Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary of the Sangha's Hyderabad branch and Prof Dr Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya coordinated the 3 days programme.

Notebook distributions are underway at a Nalgonda School.

Distributions are underway at a Government school at a remote village in Nalgonda.

(L to R) Mr Sudhaker, Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya (Speaking to the audience), Headmistress Mrs Malathi, Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad,  Mr Gurumurthy, Mr Jeevan and Mr Swami at a school in Nalgonda.

(L to R)Mr Bikshpathi, HM, Mr Vishwanath Rao, DEO, Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, Mr Venkat Rao, DRO & Addl. Jt Collector, Mr H. K. Nanda AGM (SBH), Prof Dr Pranab k. Bhattacharya, Mr Raju, Dy DEO, and Mr Dayanidhi (partly hidden) at a  charitable distribution function in Nalgonda.

(L to R) Mr Vishwanath Rao, DEO, Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, Mr Venkat Rao, DRO & Addl. Jt Collector, Mr H. K. Nanda AGM (SBH), Prof Dr Pranab k. Bhattacharya, Mr Raju, Dy DEO, at a distribution function in Nalgonda.

(L to R) Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, Mr H.K.Nanda, AGM(SBH), Mr Raju, Dy DEO, Mrs Arundhuthi, MEO and Headmaster Mr Bikshapathi at a Nalgonda school.

2) MEDAK (Telangana State) July14-16, 2014: In this district over 28000 notebooks to around 9000 students from 44 economically backward schools. Mr. B.S.V.V.S. Murthy, DRO & Addl. Jt. Collector, Mr Rajeshwar Rao, Dist. Education Officer, Mrs Yasmin Basha, Proect Officer, Rajiv Vidya Mission, Mr.Madhukar Reddy, RDO, Mr Venkateshan, MEO, etc. were present while inaugurating this charitable venture. Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary of the Sangha's Hyderabad branch and Prof DrPranab Kumar Bhattacharya coordinated this 3-day humanitarian programme.

(L to R) Headmistress Mrs Sudha, Mr Venkateshan, MEO, Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, Mr B.S.V.V.S. Murthy, DRO, Mr Rajesh, Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad,and Mr J. Reddy, Dy Director, DEO office, at a distribution function arranged in a Sanga Reddy school in Medak district.

(L to R) Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya (Explaining Sangha's services), Mr B.S.V.V.S. Murthy, DRO, Mr Rajesh, Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, and Mr J. Reddy, Dy Director, DEO office, at a distribution function arranged in a Sanga Reddy school in Medak district.

(L to R) Dr Dipankar Paul, Mr Shanker, Mrs Sudha, Headmistress Mrs Shasi, Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya (Speaking to the audiance), Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, and Mr Venkateshan, MEO, at a function at a village school in Medak District.

(L to R) Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, Mr Rajeshwar Rao, DEO and Mrs Yasmin Basha (Addressing), PO (RVM)  were attending at the Zila Parishad School, Sanga Reddy, Medak.

(L to R) Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad,  Mr Rajeshwar Rao, DEO(addressing) and Mrs Yasmin Basha, PO (RVM) at Zila Parishad School, Sanga Reddy, Medak.

(L to R) Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya (addressing), Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha,

Hyderabad, Mr Rajeshwar Rao, DEO and Mrs Yasmin Basha, PO (RVM) at a Zila Parishad High School, Sanga Reddy, Medak.
Children are happily displaying their most after possession of notebooks

Children are elegantly showing their possessions.

Dignitaries are distributing notebooks to the children at the Zila Parishad High School, Sanga Reddy, Medak.

4) GUNTUR (Andhra Pradesh) July 21-24, 2014: In the district, it took up free distributions of about 32000 notebooks providing immediate help in studying to around 8500 students from 70 government schools situated in extremely remote villages/thundas.
Mr. Kantilal Dande, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate of Guntur, Mr Naga Babu, DRO & Jt. Collector, Mrs P. Nagaveni, Commissioner, Guntur Municipal Corporation, Mr P. Ramesh Babu, Dy. Dist. Education Officer, Mr A. Kiron Kumar, DyEO, Mr B.V.A.L. Varaprasad Rao, MEO, Mr V. Nagaiah, MEO, Mr Kamalakar, MEO, including over a dozen of senior head-masters from different schools, were present while inaugurating this humanitarian charitable venture at different locations.

(L to R) Mr Naga Babu, DRO & Jt Collector, Mr Kantilal Dande, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate, Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, Mrs P. Nagaveni, Commissioner, GMC, Mr P. Ramesh Babu, Dy DEO, and Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya.

A section of huge students turnout.

Dignitaries distributing free notebooks to the students.

A section of the function is in progress at a village school in Guntur.

Free notebooks distributions are in progress.

Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad,  is distributing free notebooks to students

Free notebook distributions is in process

Dignitaries displaying the notebooks

Happy children lined-up with the guests with their possessions.

5) ADILABAD (Telangana State), August 04-07, 2014: Sangha had covered mainly the extremist infested tribal agency areas in order to distribute over 23000 notebooks free of cost to those underprivileged students of 45 schools (deaf & dumb and orthopaedic-handicapped including). Besides free notebooks, these students were also treated with loads of biscuits and chocolates. Several important district functionaries including Dr M. Jagan Mohan, Collector & District Magistrate, Mr JVGK Prasad, DRO, Mr Ramachandraiah, RDO, Mr Sanat K. Sastry, DEO (Agency Area), Mr. Subhash Chandra. MRO (Adilabad) and many more had rendered their personal touches. Both print and visual media had given extensive coverage of the events.

At a distribution function: (L to R) Mr Sudheer Babu, Mr Swapan, Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, Dr M. Jagan Mohan, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate, Swami Venkateshwarananda, of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad,and Mr Sudhaker, Sarpanch.

With the students by his side (L to R) Mr Sanat K. Sastry, DEO, Prof Dr Pranab k. Bhattacharya, Mr Ramachandriah, RDO, Mr Subhas Chandra, MRO, Virupaksha and Mr Ramchander are at the distribution ceremony.

Assisting the distribution: Mr Mohan Kumar, Mr Sanat K. Sastry, DEO, Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, Mr Ramachandriah and Swami Venkateshwarananda, of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, (partly hidden) are attending.

(L to R) Swami Venkateshwarananda, of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad,Mr Ch. Ravinder, HM, Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya (Addressing) and Mr Praveen, Teacher.

At a distribution scenario from Upper Primary School- Telugu & Urdu Medium: (L to R) Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, Mr Shravan Murthy, HM, and Swami Venkateshwarananda of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, .

A distribution ceremony in progress: Students are queuing up to collect free notebooks.

(L to R) Mr Sampat, Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, Mr Murthy, District manager (SBH), Swami Venkateshwarananda of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad,and Mr. Swapan at a free notebook distribution function at Adilabad.

Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, is addressing the students while Swami Venkateshwarananda of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, looks on.

With the students at a school: (L to R) Mr Praween, Mr Jeevan, Mr Sukumar, Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, Swami Venkateshwarananda of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, and Mr Yadagiri, Sarpanch.

At a Govt. Urdu Medium School, Adilabad: (L to R) Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, Swami Venkateshwarananda of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad,  Mr Dinesh, Mrs Sultana, Head Mistress, and Health workers, Mrs Savitha, Mrs Amala and Mrs Gayathri.

6) HYDERABAD (Telangana State):In the district, about 15 government primary schools were covered and distribution of over 20, 000 free notebooks wre handed over to the students. Dignitaries accompanied the programmes from time to time were namely, Mr Shantunu Mukherjee, Managing Director, SBH, Dr R. V. Chandravadhan, Commissioner, Information & Public Relations, Govt. of Telangana State, Mr Shantanu Mukharjee, Managing Director, SBH, Mr Chatterjee, AGM, Punjab National Bank, Hyderabad, and Director and General Manager of Andhra Bank.

A section of school children awaiting distribution

Dr R. V. Chandravadhan, IAS, Commissioner, Information & Public Relations, Govt. of Telangana State, is distributing free notebooks.

Mr Shantanu Mukherjee, Managing Director, SBH, addressing the gathering

Mr Shantanu Mukherjee, Managing Director, SBH, and  Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, distributing the notebooks to the students.

Director and General Manager of Andhra Bank, Hyderabad are participating at a notebook distribution programme at a school in Hyderabad.

Director and General Manager of Andhra Bank, Hyderabad are participating at a notebook distribution programme at a school in Hyderabad.

Mr Chatterjee, AGM, Punjab National Bank, Hyderabad, distributing free notebooks at a school in Hyderabad

7) RANGA REDDY (Telangana State): In the district, a total of 64 schools were covered here and over 30,000 notebooks were distributed among the poor students of government schools. Among the dignitaries, from time to time, Mr N. Sridhar, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate, and Mr S. Suresh Kumar, Jt Director, Social Welfare Dept, Govt. of Telangana State, participated in the programme.

Happy children awaiting the distributions of free notebooks at a school in Ranga Reddy district.

Mr N. Sridhar, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate,  isdistributing free notebooks at a Ranga Reddy school. Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad, looks on.

Mr N. Sridhar, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate,  isdistributing free notebooks at a Ranga Reddy school. Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad,  and others look on.

Children displaying their proud possessions

Like every year, this year (2014) too, the birthday celebration of Lord Sri Krishna was performed at the Sangh’s temple premises with much pomp and gaiety.

A highly charged divine environment prevailed during the four hour long programme comprising of Bhajans, Discourse, Krishna aarati and special puja, followed by Guru puja, Shiva puja and Ganesh pija.

Over 400 devotees from the twin-cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad were in attendance during the celebration.

At the end of the puja, devotees were treated with ‘Anna prasadam.

The annual invocations of Mother Goddess Annapurna, the presiding deity for providing Anna (foods) to all living beings in the universe, has its umbilical cord connected to every Sangha monks and its ardent devotees since the time of Founder Acharya Srimat Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj, who first impregnated His divine conception at its Varanasi Ashram during the early twentieth century.

Hyderabad branch of the Sangha has been celebrating Annapurna Puja and Annakut Utsav for over a decade with much éclat under the active participations from every section of devotees thronging from in and around of the city.

Conducting ‘Religious Conference’, on occasions, beside the sacred rituals, is one of the foremost activities of the Sangha. Aimed at guiding the society towards virtuous paths, an array of distinguished speakers, comprising Sri S. Som, Director, Defence Research Development Laboratory, Hyderabad, Sri R. Mohan Kumar, Jt. Commissioner of Income Tax, Hyderabad, and Sri T. V. S. Chandrasekhar, G. M., Andhra Bank, shared their thoughts amidst thunderous applauses from the engrossed audience.

While Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Hyderabad branch of the Sangha, mesmerized the lively devotees with his scholarly deliberations, Swami Venkateshwarananda offered vote-of-thanks to one and all with his soothing voice.

Prof Dr Pranab K. Bhattacharya, Sr. Professor, kardan University, Kabul, Afghanistan, compared the entire programme on behalf of the Sangha.

Shivaratri, one of the annual celebrations of the Hindu trinity God, is a regular divine congressional affair in the calendar of Bharat Sevashram Sangha’s Hyderabad branch. Tonight, amidst the presence of hundreds of ardent devotees, coming from the neighborhood as well as far flung, the special worship of Lord Shiva was organized with much pomp and grandeur.

Swami Munishwaranda, Branch Secretary, along with priest Sri Banerjee, led the ceremonial puja with much devotion. Amidst the chorus chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ from the devotees, the entire temple auditorium reverberated in divine acoustic.

Prior to Shiva puja, Guru Arati of Sangha founder Acharya Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj, who is believed to be the incarnate of Lord Shiva was performed as per the tradition of the Sangha ritual.

All the attendees were served with fruits and special Prasad befitting the occasion at the end.

Today (Feb 14th , 2014) on the occasion of Maghi Poornima, the 119th birth anniversary of Guru Maharaj, as Swami Pranavananda is fondly referred by His hundreds of thousands of monks and devotees, the world over, a modest celebration was organized at Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad. Incidentally, the occasion also happens to be the day of His supreme enlightenment.
During His brief mortal presence (1896-1941) on this sacred land of Bharata, He inspired millions of His ardent followers to work tirelessly for the upliftment and mitigating the impounding sufferings of those poor and underprivileged lots of the society. His spiritual understanding was different than those of His contemporizes. He demonstrated that the worship of Shiva can be best served through the service of the needy irrespective of their cast, creed, language or religion.

His life is in itself an open book that spells practical religion. Today’s enormous turmoil in the country, as per Him, is due to the reasons that the people are increasingly disassociating themselves from our ancient ideals. Country Bharata can rise to its golden era, if its people cling to its roots, Guru Maharaj emphasized.

Swami Munishwarananda, Sangha’s Secretary of its Hyderabad branch, to commemorate this auspicious day, after a brief address to the devotees, performed Guru puja amidst enchantment of the devotees. Later free prasadam was distributed to each and every-one of the congregation.

Oflate Hyderabad, otherwise is famous as a highly attractive cosmopolitan city in the country, is drawing people from the globe as an important destination for medical tourism. Medical treatment is one of the basic needs for all citizens irrespective of one’s picunary status.

Escalating costs in all spheres of life is becoming a serious concern in today’s society especially for the poors. Keeping in view of this alerming situation, Bharat Sevashran Sangha, Hyderabad, came out with a noble idea of providing free transportations for poor people seeking treatments at NIMS, a government hospital with highly specialised facilities in Hyderabad.

To this in effect, Swami Munishwarananda, Hyderabd Branch Secretary of the Sangha, handed over a fully-equiped state-of-the-art Ambulence Van to Dr. L. Narendranath, Director, Nizam,s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, on January, 07, 2014, before a distingushed gathering.
The service was formally inaugurated by Shri L. V. Subrahmanyam, I. A. S., Principal Secretary to the Government of A. P. for Health, Medical and Family Welfare Departments, after proper rituals.
The service will be under the administrative control of NIMS, while cost of operation, including driver,s salary, fuel, maintenance etc. will be borne by the service provider i.e., Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad.

The Ambulance van was donated to the Sangha by the State Bank of Hyderabad on November, 28, 2013 by Shri M. Bhagwantha Rao, Managing Director, Shri Jyoti Ghosh and Dr V. Suresh Babu, both Chief General Manager.s
Over 200 invities both from medical and civil fraternity witnessed with awe this humantarian act and appreciated the Sangha’s endeavour for a genuine cause.
It would not be out of place to mention here that a similar type of service is already in vogue at Gandhi Hospital, another famed hospital of the city and was successfully in operation for the last seven years.

(SWAMI MUNISHWARANANDA)
Secretary

Under the aegis of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabd, Swami Munishwarananda, Branch Secretary, handed over a fully-equiped state-of-the-art Ambulence Van to Dr. L. Narendranath, Director, Nizam,s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, this morning at 10:30 AM for transportations of poor patients getting treatements from NIMS.

The service was formally inaugurated by Shri L. V. Subrahmanyam, I. A. S., Principal Secretary to the Government of A. P. for Health, Medical and Family Welfare Departments, after proper rituals.
The service will be under the administrative control of NIMS, while cost of operation, including driver,s salary, fuel, maintenance etc. will be borne by the service provider i.e., Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hyderabad.

The Ambulance van was donated to the Sangha by the State Bank of Hyderabad on November, 28, 2013.

(SWAMI MUNISHWARANANDA)
Secretary

The aftermath of 'Philine Super Cyclone' saw heavy rain flood during October 23 - 27, 2013 at many coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh including Guntur.

Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Hyderabad branch of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, duly assisted by a six-member expert team, toured extensively the worst affected areas of Guntur district. During the period of November, 05 - 08, 2013, Prathipadu, Koyavaripalem, Pedanandipadu, Kakumanu, Returu, Bapatla, Jillellamudi, Vatticherukuru, Pedakakuni etc. were covered while reaching over 2000 hapless families with relief kits, comprising of Sarees, 'T' sharts and Biscuits packets (one each per kit).

Sri S. Suresh Kumar, IAS, Collector and District Magistrate, Guntur, had personally directed the relief operations through his team of dedicated officers. To name a few, who had kindly made available their valuable presence during the distributions of kits, were Sri K. Naga Babu, District Revenue Officer, Sri B. Ramamurthy, Divisional Revenue Officer, Sri Bhaskara Rao, Sri A. Krishna Bhaskar, Sri G. V. Subba Reddy, Sri M. Venkatswaralu, Sri G. Anil Kumar (All Mandal Revenue Officers), Sri Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Sri Giridhar (All Village Revenue Officers) and Sri Koteswara Rao, Sarpanch.

The festival had commenced with a religious conference on the topic of “Significance of Kali Puja on Human Life Today” which was presided over by Justice N. Rama Mohan Rao of A. P. High court. Speakers that included along with others were Sri Jyoti Ghosh, Chief General Manager, SBH and Sri K. Vijay Kumar, Jt. Managing Director, Sri Chakra Cements, who had adorned the function as Chief Guest and Guest-of-Honor respectively.

Swami Ambarishananda, Asst. Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, H. O. Kolkata, and Swami Munishwarananda, Secretary, Hyderabad branch, also highlighted their versions on the theme talk.

Das International, a renowned local musical outfit, rendered scintillating devotional songs to the delight of the vast audience.

Besides getting benefited through free feeding of prasad, hundreds of poor were given new cloths during the occasion on the first evening.

On the second day, thousands of devotees were treated with sumptuous Anna-Prasad amidst the joy of spiritual fervors.

The four-day festival concluded with the immersion of Goddess Kali at Vinayakasagar (Tank Bund) at 4 PM on November 04, 2013.