The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Penang was inaugurated on 10 th November, 1938. Earlier to this event Swami Bhaswaranandaji, who was in charge of the Ramakrishna Mission Singapore periodically visited Penang and gave lectures on Spiritual values and conducted Geetha classes to members of the public. As the response to the public meetings and Geetha classes were encouraging an idea to form a body so that members could meet regularly and organize activities for the benefit of the community was mooted and with the assistance and guidance of Swami Bhaswaranandaji, the idea came to reality.

At the inauguration of the Ramakrishna Ashrama, Penang the following were elected as Office Bearers:

President : SWAMI BHASWARANANDAJI

Hons. Secretary : MR. S. NARASIMHAN

Hons. Treasurer : MR. K. ARUMUGAM

And a committee of 8 persons

The AIMS & OBJECTS of the Ashrama then were as follows :

• To propogate the teachings of Vedas, the Shastras, the Upanishads and the
teachings of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and all Great Masters.

• To disseminate the highest ideals in human existence as expounded in the Sacred Books and teachings of Hindu Religion.

• To conduct Spiritual and religious classes.

The activities of the Ashrama were conducted in a rented shop-house in Chulia Street , Penang .

In 1940 the Management of the Ashrama started a Building Fund with the aim of purchasing a building for the Ashrama.

By the year ended 31 December, 1940 the credit balance of the Ashrama Building Fund was $16224.55 cts.

A Library and a Reading Room was started which was well equipped with books of knowledge. These were well utilized by members of the public.

Prayer meetings and Geetha classes were conducted regularly. It was felt then that a full time Resident Swamiji at Penang would be an asset and the Ashrama sent a formal request to Belur Math to send a Swamiji to Penang .

In 1941 when the Japanses occupied Penang , there were many war orphans. In order to assist the needy children Bramahchari Chidabaram, a devouted soul laid the foundation for the present orphanage by accommodating the children in an attap shed at Waterfall Road , Penang .

The children were fed, clothed and were also taught to read and write.

Bramahchari Chidambaram maintained the Home form donations of food, provisions and vegetables provided mainly by members of the public. It was a time of uncertainty and scarcity and Bramahchari Chidambaram and a few boys would push a cart all the way from Waterfall Road to Penang Street to collect donations of cooked food and vegetables for the children.

During the British Military Administration (B.M.A) the total number of children in the Orphanage increased to 250. These children were mainly dependents of those who have lost their lives in the Burma Siam Railway.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama in order to house the children in a proper home bought a piece of land, the present property situated at 37, Jalan Scotland , Penang for a sum of $15,000/- from one Mr. Jayaraman Chettiar.

Having brought over the land the Executive council of the Ramakrishna Ashrama, Penang appealed to the Malayan Government and the Indian Government for financial aid. Both the Government responded favorably. The Malayan Government approved a Grant of $25,000/- and the Indian Government donated a sum of $15,000/-

In view of the large number of the Orphans in the Home, it was decided to build Tamil School in the Ashrama land. A fully aided Tamil Primary School was established and it was officially opened by Lady Gent wife of the then British High Commissioner in Malaya in 1946.

The recurring expenses of maintaining an orphanage of 250 children became a burden to the Management. There was lack of support. As a result the Executive Council decided to call a General Meeting of members to recommend the orphanage to be taken over by the Government.

Through the Resolution to hand over the orphanage to the Government was adopted in 1950 with a slim majority, at a subsequent meeting of the members, the Resolution to hand over the orphanage was withdrawn and it was decided that the orphanage continue to be maintained by the Ramakrishna Ashrama, Penang.

The Executive Council elected by the General body in 1950 sought the assistance of the Malaysian Indian Congress, Indian Organisations, Businessmen and the general public for support. The response was good and the orphanage was able to survive.

Rules and Regulations for the admission of members to the Ashrama was drawn up and a subscription of $5/- per annum was collected. The Malaysian Government agreed to give $5/- per child per month as grant to the orphanage.

Income Tax exemption for donations to the Ashrama Orphanage and for donations to the Building Fund was obtained. Ref : Exemption of Income Tax under Section 44(6)(a) Gazette Notification No. L.N. 46.

From 1950 the Executive Council worked tirelessly to raise fund for the Building Project consisting of Multi-Purpose Hall, Dormitories and a Tamil School.

There was an accumulated sum of $150,000/- and with the Financial aid from the Social Welfare Lotteries Board of $100,000/- the Executive Council was able to draw up plans for the Ashrama Complex, and the Buildings were completed in 1957.

The foundation stone for the construction of the Ashrama Complex was laid on 4 th June 1952 by Yogi Suddhananda Bharathi.

In 1958 plans for the construction of a Prayer Hall was drawn up and the buildings was completed only in 1968. It was officially opened by His Holiness Sirmat Swami Vireswaranandaji Maharaj, President World Ramakrishna Mission on 1 st May 1968.

In November, 1991 the dormitories were damaged by fire. The Executive Council was given a Mandate by the General body to construct a Three Storey Building for Dormitories, in April 1993 and Plans were drawn and exceuted for the construction of same.

The Ramakrishna Ashrama, Penang is managed by an Executive Council of 21 members elected annually at the General Meeting.

The properties of the Ashrama are vested in the name of FIVE Trustees who are appointed at the General Meeting.

The day to day administration of the Orphanage and the Ashrama Complex was taken care of by a Staff of 11 persons who receive instruction from the Hon. Gen. Secretary, in accordance with the policies laid by the Executive Council and approved by the General body.

The Orphanage then had 78 children. 43 boys and 35 girls.

The average expenditure per child per day was $6/-

The expenses of the Orphanage are met by:

• Government Grant
• Donations from members of public
• Donations from Corporate Firms and foundations
• Subscription from members of the Ashrama
• Temporary adoption scheme donations.

There were also a kindergarten class managed by the Ashrama. Ashrama children as well as children from outside attended the class. There were 40 children attending the kindergarten class.

Ninety percent of the children in the Orphanage attended Primary and Secondary Schools. The remaining 10 percent of the children were taught handicrafts, tailoring and cake making. They were also provided with the following facilities:

• Library
• Sports and Games
• Educational Visits
• Picnics and Excursions
• Tuition Classes
• Religious and Moral Classes
• Counselling

There were also Sub-Committee’s created to attend to the welfare of the boys and girls who have left the Ashrama Home. Assistance is rendered when a request is made by former children of the Ashrama. Suitable employment is found for boys when they leave the Ashrama. Senior girls may be given away in marriage to suitable young men after a through investigation is done on the prospective applicant if there is a application for a bride.