The birth anniversary of our beloved Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda on January 5, every year, is the most sacred time of the year for every YSS devotee. Seva activities also form a part of the observance of this special day to honour the Guru by serving the poor and needy. This year marks the 128th Avirbhav of our Gurudeva.
Usually the seva activities include setting up a large bhandara in each of our ashrams, where thousands of people come to partake of the prasad. This year, due to the COVID pandemic, the ashrams did not serve the bhandara, nor conduct any public-interfacing activities including public functions and prabhat feris (morning processions with Guruji’s picture on the palanquin). However, the following Seva activities were held while following all safety protocols of mask wearing and social distancing.
YSS Ranchi Ashram
Material Distribution
Around 1,000 blankets were distributed among the poor localities of Ranchi and in the rural areas in the outskirts of the city. One month’s dry ration consisting of rice, dal, wheat flour, cooking oil, sugar, dalia, horlicks, and suji were donated to Jyotishka orphanage which shelters 45 children and Apna Ghar, an old age home with 25 aged residents. The bhandara prasad and blankets were also distributed to about 250 families in Nirmala and Indira leprosy colonies in Ranchi.
YSS Noida Ashram
Educational Support
Free mobile data for three months was provided to 25 students of Ashram Charitable Coaching Centre to help them attend online classes.
Financial Assistance
A sum of ₹50,000 was given for the emergency treatment of the son of a poor father, who was battling for his life after a road accident.
Material Support
Woollen innerwear was distributed to 52 students of Paramahansa Yogananda Swarn Bal Vatika—a charitable coaching centre for underprivileged children, to help them keep warm in winter. The centre is run by a YSS devotee.
Blankets and woollens were also provided to an immigrant family in the underprivileged neighbourhood.
YSS Dakshineswar Ashram
Distributing Blankets
Like every year, on the occasion of the Avirbhav Divas of our beloved Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, YSS Dakshineswar ashram distributed blankets among the homeless near Dakshineswar and Ariadaha area. These are people who take shelter on footpaths along the streets of Kolkata at North 24 Parganas and Howrah districts.
On January 2, 2021, 100 blankets were distributed among pavement dwellers, with the help of volunteers. In addition, 400 blankets were distributed in four stages, on January 4 and 5, 2021, in Dakshineswar and Ariadaha area. The needy were identified with the help of local NGOs including Dakshineswar Navjagran Club.
YSS Dwarahat Ashram
Blankets Distribution
Starting 18 December, 2020, more than 800 blankets were distributed in about 31 villages over a period of 15 days by Brahmacharis Nirliptananda and Ameyananda, near Babaji’s cave, Sadhana Sthali, Suraikhet, and Dwarahat.
