History of Ramakrishna Mission of Sri Vijaya Puram
In the British rule of India, the Government of Bengal named the Islands of Bay of Bengal as Port Blair in the honour of Archibald Blair who was a naval surveyor. At first he surveyed the Andaman Islands in 1777.
On 23 March 1942, the Japanese captured Port Blair and established control over the Islands. Permanent control was handed over to the 'Azad Hind Sarkar' of Subhash Chandra Bose on 29 December 1943. The present name of this Island is Sri Vijaya Puram.
Many freedom fighters of subjugated India were exiled to Cellular Jail, one of the prisons established by the British on the Island and endured unbearable hardships and sufferings. And the lives of many revolutionaries went to the gallows by British Govt.
After the independence of India in 1947, it became a dominion of India and the Islands became a separate Union Territory of the Government of India.
Shri Yashoda Kant Roy, the disciple of Most Revered Srimat Swami Avedanandaji Maharaj who was the direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Deva came to these Islands in 1949 as a high-ranking government official. After that he gradually started an organization called ‘Vivekananda Society’ and till 1961 this Society took a leading role in various service activities in Port Blair.
In 1962, the thirteenth President, Most Revered Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj arrived and took a key role in the Islands to spread the Ramakrishna Vivekananda Movement. The Chief Commissioner Bholanath Mukhopadhyay inaugurated the Ramakrishna Center by donating some land along the sea beach.
From 1963 to 1986, Thakur, Maa and Swamiji's spirit spread through various services and development works in different Islands. Among the notable events of that period were Swamiji's centenary celebrations, establishment of Vivekananda Hall, inauguration of Ramakrishna Temple, Tithi Puja of Sri Sri Thakur, Sri Sri Maa and Swamiji Maharaj, Kali Puja, Diksha Ceremony and many other auspicious activities.
In 1980, the work of the orphanage started with the first four or five boys by the hand of Shri Adhir Chandra Dutta. On 14th February 1986 Vice-President, Srimat Swami Tapasanandaji Maharaj inaugurated the new orphanage building. The building was named Vivekananda Boys’ Home. Sri Dutta fully dedicated his life for the Ashrama.
From 1981 to 1992 the Belur Math continued its acquisitions. In September 1992, Swami Ishatmananda, Swami Naradevananda and Brahmachari Swapan Maharaj arrived at Port Blair. On 20th January 1993 the Ashram acquisition ceremony was held. General Secretary, Srimat Swami Atmasthanandji Maharaj, Asstt. General Secretary, Srimat Swami Pravanandaji Maharaj, President of Port Blair Center Mr. G. L. Sharma and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. When Sharmaji handed over the deed to General Secretary Maharaj, he placed it on Thakur's forehead and said "The thing belongs to the person whom I have given it". (In Bengali ‘Yar Jinish Tankei Dilam’)
Below is the list of Ashrama’s Secretaries from 1993 to 2024.
Swami Ishatmanandaji Maharaj from 1993 to 2000
Swami Amritarupanandaji Maharaj from 2000 to 2003
Swami Nityamuktanandaji Maharaj from 2003 to 2009
Swami Amartyanandaji Maharaj from 2009 to 2018
Swami Parthananandaji Maharaj from 2018 to 2023
Swami Omkaratmanandaji Maharaj from 2024 to …
At present a beautiful Universal Temple of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna Deva has been inaugurated by Most Revered Srimat Swami Vagishanandaji Maharaj and in the hallowed presence of Revered Srimat Swami Suviranandaji Maharaj on Monday, 15th October 2012 in the Ashrama premises. Apart from this, there are Vivekananda Students’ Home, Sadhu Niwas, Guest Sadhu Niwas and Guest House for Ashrama inmates and others also.
At present Computer Training Center, Tailoring Training Center and Drawing Painting Center are running very well and many students are getting suitable positions and employed in various workplace of Government Sector.
There is a public library for all. Vivekananda Vedanta Literature Sales Counter is arranged to spread the massage of Thakur, Maa, Swamiji and Vedantic thought throughout India and abroad. Because of it is an International Tourism Place.