On July 25, 2023, the sacred occasion of Mahavatar Babaji’s Smriti Divas, students of YSS Vidyalaya, Jagannathpur, Ranchi shifted to the new school complex built for them. These new buildings have been constructed on the same premises where the old school building is located, but in a different portion of the school grounds. Students were happy to be moving to their new classrooms that are much more spacious and well-organized, and that offer modern facilities for education and learning.
Facilities Created at the New School Complex
The design of the new school complex aims at melding the ancient Gurukul principles that Paramahansa Yoganandaji espoused — such as conducting classes in an environment that allows close proximity to nature — with state-of-the-art facilities for education and all-round growth. These facilities include well-ventilated modern classrooms; fully equipped science and language laboratories; buildings for National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Social Service (NSS) activities; a spacious and well-stocked library; an auditorium (shared with the YSS college); an administration building; kitchen and dining area for the mid-day meal programme; and a bicycle shed.
A Celebratory Function to Mark the Move
A small function, comprising of Prabhat Pheri, Guru Puja, and meditation led by a monastic, was organized to mark the shift to the new school complex. The function commenced with Prabhat Pheri, in which students took out a procession carrying Guruji’s photo on a palanquin, starting from the old school complex. The air resounded with the mellifluous tones of Cosmic Chants as the students slowly proceeded in a group towards the new complex, in the wake of the beautifully decorated palanquin.
On reaching the new complex, students sang Guru Stuti. This was followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp and pushpanjali (offering flowers at the lotus feet of the Guru), while the students sang Cosmic Chants in the background. The function ended with prasad distribution to the students in their respective classrooms, and then the first period of study began.
A Spiritual Dedication of the New Facilities
Earlier, on January 29, 2023, YSS/SRF President and Spiritual Head, Sri Sri Swami Chidananda Giri, had dedicated the new facilities to our Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda in a memorable function attended by 1,100 people. Dignitaries from the Ranchi Educational Community, YSS sannyasis, and devotees attended the event.
Inauguration of the New Facilities
The Ministry of Culture (Government of India), through the National Implementation Committee (NIC), provided substantial financial support for this project. Hence, the new school complex and auditorium at the YSS Education Complex, Jagannathpur were formally inaugurated on July 01, 2023, by Sri Bhupender Yadav, Union Cabinet Minister of Labour and Employment, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who was also a member of the NIC. In his address to the students, Sri Yadav commended the efforts of Yogoda Satsanga Educational Institutions in promoting the educational ideals of Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, while at the same time providing quality education to children from the lower socio-economic strata. He appreciated the role they played in fostering an educational ecosystem that emphasizes the holistic well-being of its students, thus encouraging the transformation of the impressive young minds into ideal citizens of the world.
