Sri Ramakrishna Seva Samity (RKSS) and Leisure Opportunities for the Urban Aged in Dibrugarh, Assam, India

Sri Ramkrishan Seva Samity(RKSS), Dibrugarh is a private centre established in 1928 and registered as a Religious Trust under the Societies Registration Act and follow the spiritual and ethnical ideals and principles of Sri Ramakrishna. Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) was a great 19^th century saint of Bengal, who is regarded as the Prophet of the modern age. The Ramakrishna Math and the Mission together have more than 187 branch centers in India and in other parts of the world.

In this paper we have tried to focus the different leisure opportunities availed by the urban aged (age 60 and above) from RKSS Dibrugarh. We have interviewed fifty (50) numbers of such urban aged who resides in and around RKSS along with ten (10) local leaders and five (05) office staff of RKSS. We have altogether 65 respondents in total. Secondary source of data is also taken into consideration.

Major findings are :

1. In the Morning session from 6 to 8, urban aged come to RKSS and performs yoga and Jogging.
2. There is a library which is used by the aged for reading.
3. Regular medical camps are attended by the aged organized by RKSS.
4. In the evening 6 to 8 pm urban aged participate in the regular prayer program of RKSS.
5. Aged Women during evening time engage in preparation of the Prasad(offerings made to god).
6. They participate and pass time in all different religious activities organized through out the year.
7. Some of the aged respondents are also office bearers of RKSS and they along with other aged ordinary members participate in official assignment and welfare activities like flood relief, to spread the ideals of Ramakrishna, spreading education, rendering medical services, extending help to villagers, upliftment of poor and the downtrodden.