Stories from Jammu: My Visit to Jammu Ramakrishna mission center

🙏 Jai Maatha Vaishnodevi 🙏

(Matha Vaishnodevi temple as seen from the eyes of my phone cam)

As part of my trip to Maatha Vaishnodevi, I visited Jammu Ramakrishna mission center. Thus, I had a chance to meet the swamis of RKM, there. Their contribution to the society and their sacrifice are as strong as the blazing sun and yet their work goes unheard, silent and subtle as a dew drops. On the outskirts of Jammu in a place called udayewala is the mission center about 4 kms from the LOC.

(RKM center in Jammu)

It has a hospital with outpatient facilities such as x-ray, ultrasound scan, physiotherapy, laboratory, dispensary, etc. It also hosts an educational and cultural centre (funded by Sri matha Vaishnodevi shrine board) that has computer training, library, tuition/coching class rooms for school children, auditorium, etc.

All this while, till the recent removal of Article 370, since there was no facilities by the govt with restrictions, the cream of the milk, the youth of the society would all go out of Jammu in search of the job. Now that the restrictions have been removed, there are greater possibilities and opportunities:
On one side, development and job opportunities are to be created as there can now be investment and land purchases are possible. On the other hand this state was all along kept in isolation and separated from rest of the nation. Thus there is a need to unite the people of this state with rest of the nation. Its not only necessary to integrate them politically but also in uniting them emotionally, culturally and socially. While there is a possibility of industries investing in J&K, there is also a need to help the youths, who have never seen industries in this state, guide them with the right skills to match the industry requirements. And help them financially and morally to settle down with appropriate jobs.

(One of the many institutions that has awarded in 
honour of the service by RKM to the society.)

Several people i met in Jammu, all have one common opinion. At present, the only jobs that gets you a sufficient and satisfying earning are the govt jobs. They cannot even imagine private jobs, the luxury that we enjoy everywhere else in this country!

I met a few youths who are from poor background that the Ramakrishna mission, Jammu is taking care of their needs of lodging and boarding and healthy food, completely free of cost. One of them Rahul (name changed), a Kashmiri pandit whose family migrated during the 1990 genocide, settled in a small village in Jammu at the state border of Himachal Pradesh near Atal Setu (which was commissioned in Dec 2015).

(Atal Setu near Rahul's home - image courtesy: Google)

Having worked as a faculty at schools and other small establishments, not able to earn a sufficient income to help settle down nor a satisfying career, is now preparing for the UPSC civil services exam. He only has two more chances before reaching the age limit! At the mission center, he is now not only able to safely prepare for his exams, as he shared his views, he doesn't have to worry about preparing food, nor spoil his health by eating outside food.

The little savings he has done through his previous earning can be comfortably used to purchase books if any after utilising the books in the mission's library and for paying exam fees. Along with his preparation, he also takes classes at the mission's coaching centre for a small remuneration. Interacting with the swamis and in a spiritual atmosphere, along with the literature of Swami Vivekananda boosts his morale and builds soft skills such as self confidence, discipline, caring for the society, etc.

  Another youth from Jammu from a Dogra community, has only been able to study till class 12. He too works at the mission center as a driver and other small activities for a small remuneration hoping to find a suitable job.    Yet another youth of Jammu, also from Dogra community stays near by, about 2kms from the border. He has finished a degree and not able to find a suitable job, works at the mission's dispensary maintaining the accounts.
    Ramakrishna math and mission is a spiritual organization that accepts people from all walks of life and religions as they are. More importantly, it is truly a gateway to the rich and a complete gamut of cultural and spiritual heritage of Bharatha. Thus at this juncture of integration of J&K into rest of the nation, it becomes essential that the literature of Swami Vivekanand, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Sri Sharada Devi reaches as many people as possible in this new union territory. Having this mission center at one end of Jammu, obviously has challenges of both maintaining present center as well as reaching out to the rest of the public. It also has an opportunity now to purchase a piece of land and open a sub center at the city centre, so that spreading of the message of the holy trio becomes a possibility.
    While the Swamis who have come from different parts of this country including Karnataka (to where i belong to) are working tirelessly, considering themselves part of Jammu, i felt I too should be able to do something to Jammu. To me, meeting people of J&K and the soldiers, knowing their condition and to contribute my time and money to the welfare of these folks at this juncture was far more joyful than the sightseeing in and around Jammu.

(From the garden of Jammu RKM)

    If you like to contribute to this noble activity, you may donate to RKM, Jammu, Here are the bank details (Please make sure to inform the mission center via email about your donation) :

Account Name: RAMAKRISHNA MISSION
Account No.: 10250097182
Bank: State Bank of India
Branch: Talab Tillo, Jammu
Branch Code: 2494
IFSC : SBIN0002494

Email: jammu@rkmm.org
Website: http://rkmjammu.org

    More stories from Jammu in my next article.