Narendrapur Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya Praktani EOGM MoM
Minutes of EOGM held on April 27, 2025 at Swami Asaktananda Conference Hall, RKM Vidyalaya, Narendrapur, and attended by 122 members.
1. The meeting started with members observing two minutes’ silence to remember monks, teachers and ex-students whom we have lost since the last AGM, and the victims of the terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. (List of names of departed monks, teachers and praktanis attached at the end of this document)
2. A video message from revered secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Narendrapur, Swami Shastrajnananda ji maharaj was played on screen. He identified himself as an alumnus of RKM as well and narrated his experiences with various alumni associations that he has been associated with. He reminded everyone that NRVP is linked to an educational institute. It is not an independent NGO. He narrated the history of the introduction of the first RKM-related alumni association at Belur Vidyamandir in 1956. The then President of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, most revered Swami Bireswarananda ji, blessed the initiative and asked the founding members to stick to the ideal of service (seva) in line with the ideals of RKM. He encouraged everyone to go beyond small differences that may crop up within the association and ensure that such differences do not escalate into acrimony. Secretary maharaj proposed that if there is an impasse, the advice of the headmaster of the Vidyalaya and/or the secretary of the ashrama may be taken. Selection instead of election is one way to avoid such escalations, he noted. He ended his speech by reminding everyone of the august heritage of the Vidyalaya preserved and enriched by great monks and teachers.
3. Joint secretary, NRVP, Sri Shivaji Basu Ray welcomed respected headmaster of Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Narendrapur, Swami Ishteshananda ji maharaj, and president, NRVP, Sri Sarad Kumar Mirani, on the dais. The president of NRVP was appointed as chairman of the EGM. The president took over the proceedings.
4. The first session on MoA amendments began with joint secretary, NRVP, Sri Anirban Bagchi giving the members a brief context on what necessitated the changes. He informed the house about Sri Aloke Nag’s availability as joint treasurer from May 1, 2025. He also expressed his disappointment over some distasteful comments made on NRVP WhatsApp group/s from time to time that were far below the dignity NRVP and RKM Narendrapur expect from its members and alumni, respectively. He requested everyone to cooperate with the office bearers to successfully run the association with constructive criticism and suggestions.
5. Sri Sasanka Chatterjee, the newly appointed head of batch-coordinators (BC) addressed the house. He thanked the EC for offering him the position. While presented facts and figures about the association in an engaging way, he noted that several phone numbers on BC group were non functional. The presentation made by Sri Chattrejee is attached at the end of this document.
6. Sri Ashok Mukherjee from the 1977 batch made a precise presentation on the shared thoughts of 1977 batch on MoA amendments. Among other things, he observed that the roles and responsibilities of the assistant secretary and joint secretaries were in conflict and might create confusion. (See presentation attached below).
7. Sri Sumanta Mandal from the 1977 batch made his presentation (attached below). He proposed the use of either of the two terms, executive committee and governing body, to avoid confusion.
8. Sri Suvadeep Sarker from the 1993 batch addressed the members. He wished to resign from the executive committee to make space for representatives of younger batches.
9. Sri Pradyot Majumdar from the 1986 batch raised the question whether someone from outside the EC can directly become a portfolio holder. He sought more clarification on the procedure followed in the formation of the EC and its advisors. He also observed that the overall mood of the EOGM was somewhat different. Smiles and friendly warmth were somewhat missing, he noted.
10. Sri Amitava Bhattacharyya from the 1984 batch proposed doing away with the ‘advisors’. he also invited NRVP to look beyond RKM to serve the larger community. He also proposed that honorary membership should not be offered to any politically exposed person and that disqualification or removal of members should require ratification from AGM to avoid misuse of such laws.
11. Sri Suryasarathi Barat from the 1973 batch appreciated the indomitable spirit of NRVP. He sought mention of email ids in the register of members mentioned in the MoA and a calendar of annual events. He also sought clarification on the definition of ‘quorum’ in the revised MoA, rationalization of the life membership criteria and raising the number of batch coordinator above two.
12. The first session ended with the address of respected headmaster of Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Narendrapur, Swami Ishteshananda ji maharaj. He urged the members to look beyond personal agenda and interests and work jointly as members of NRVP and torch-bearers of the ideals of RKM Vidyalaya, Narendrapur. He noted that there was a need to take swift decision on necessary amendments. He sought the opinion of the house on the necessity of the post of advisors. The house opined it was not needed. The post of assistant secretary, too, was felt to be redundant by some. It was proposed that the present committee should be allowed to function till the next AGM.
13. Discussion on NRVP: The Path Ahead began with a presentation by Sri Arindam Bakshi from the 1987 batch. He appraised the members of the activities of an NGO run by the 1987 batch named ‘Uddyom’. (See presentation attached below) He proposed that Udyom and NRVP may undertake joint ventures in future.
14. Janab S M Ali Akbar from the 1971 batch proposed starting an ambulance service and helping people with disabilities. He also suggested taling up some charitable work for villagers of Ukhila, a place linked inextricably to the formation of RKM Ashrama, Narendrapur.
15. The meeting ended with the address of NRVP president, Sri Sarad Kumar Mirani. He reminded everyone that laws and bylaws exist for the smooth functioning of an organization and not the other way round. He also shared his concerns on the ever dwindling number of NRVP members who are physically present with all hand on deck during NRVP programmes like Retreat and Reunion. Sri Mirani also proposed the widening of the scope NRVP’s activities beyond the campus. He concluded the programme by thanking everyone for cooperation and inviting the members to lunch at Shivananda Bhavana.
16. Members enjoyed a hearty lunch after the meeting, courtesy Sri Partha Priyo Samanta (1980) and Sri Siddhartha Samanta (1982).
Monks, teachers and praktanis whom we have lost between AGM held on September 22, 2014 and EOGM held on April 27, 2025, as per information available. A) Monk: Swami Akshatananda (Pradip Maharaj) on 11.10.2024 B) Teacher: Shashanka Sekhar Ghosh (former asstt. headmaster) on 15.11.2024 C) Students: 1. Bibek Debray (1970) / 01.11.2024 2. Sudhin Acharya Chowdhury (1963) / 11.12.2024 3. Debabrata Ghosh (1975) / 11.12.2024 4. Aparesh Chowdhury (1968) / 11.12.2024 5. Amitabha Biswas (1980) / 18.12.2024 6. Debasish Ghoshal (1980) / 16.01.2025 7. Debarghya Ghatak (1996) / 28.01.2025 8. Soumitra Dutta (1972) / 18.02.2025 9. Bana Behari Pahari (1965) / 27.02.2025 10. Debajyoti Pal (1968) / 10.03.2025 11. Brojen Paul (1961) / 19.03.2025 12. Prasenjit Ghoshal (1980) / 29.03.2025 13. Abhijit Bose (1972) / 21.04.2025
Please refer to detailed MOM of the meeting – MoM-EOGM_Apr27_merged
