Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, Wins ‘Spirit of Mylapore’ Award 2025 from Sundaram Finance

Chennai, January 21, 2025:

Sundaram Finance Ltd. proudly presented this year’s prestigious Spirit of Mylapore Award 2025 to Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, in recognition of its monumental contributions to the cultural, educational, and healthcare landscape of Mylapore for over 125 years. The award was handed over by Mr. Moahan Venkatesan, Sr. Vice President and Head, Tamil Nadu, Sundaram Finance Ltd., during the recently concluded Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival 2025.

The Spirit of Mylapore Award was first instituted in 2009 by Sundaram Finance to celebrate and honor long-standing residents and institutions of Mylapore that have made outstanding contributions to the heritage and culture of this iconic neighborhood. The award is presented annually during the Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival.

Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, founded in 1897 by Swami Ramakrishnananda, is the first southern branch of the Ramakrishna Order and a significant spiritual landmark in Mylapore. The Math has been a beacon of social transformation, with its profound influence felt in the realms of education, healthcare, and community service. It is honored as a vital spiritual center that has welcomed numerous revered saints, including Sri Sarada Devi, and continues to inspire generations with its teachings.

Ramakrishna Math’s contributions to education are exemplified through institutions like the Vivekananda Centenary Higher Secondary School and Sri Ramakrishna Math National School. The Math further enriches the academic community with resources such as the Centenary Library and the Vivekananda Book Bank, which aim to foster both academic excellence and character development.

In the healthcare sector, the Math runs a Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre and a Charitable Dispensary, offering affordable or free medical care to economically disadvantaged individuals. It has also played an active role in disaster relief efforts, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to humanitarian service.

The Math’s initiatives extend to rural communities, where it has been offering a free one-year Nursing Assistant course to underprivileged rural girls for over two decades. This training equips these girls to secure jobs in city hospitals, providing them with stable incomes and essential livelihood opportunities, contributing to the empowerment of rural women.

The Spirit of Mylapore Award has previously been presented to several distinguished recipients, including Rayar’s Mess, The Sanskrit College and SSV Patasala, Vijaya Stores, Rasi Silks, Ramanathan Krishnan, P S Higher Secondary School, Dabba Chetty Shop, and Prof. R Ramachandra.