The festival starts with the installation of statues of Sri Ganesh – known as God of wisdom - in colorfully decorated homes and offering Pooja and Prasadam of ‘Modak’ – sweet made of rice, coconut and jaggery. The statues are immersed in rivers after a certain number of days from Panchami to Chaturdashi.
Lokmanya Tilak gave this festival a public platform during freedom struggle to educate masses and today thousands of Ganesh statues are installed at public places all over Bharat and huge processions are carried out on the immersion day.
It is also celebrated with fervor in faraway places like Canada, UK, France and Mauritius etc.
2. END SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST RSS, SAYS FORMER SC JUDGE THOMAS: Former Supreme Court judge K T Thomas praised the RSS for its discipline and said the propaganda that the organization was anti-minority was "baseless”. Speaking at a function in Kochi on July 31, attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, he also said the 'smear campaign' against RSS that it was responsible for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi must end. "There is a smear campaign that RSS was responsible for Gandhi's assassination just because the assassin was once an RSS worker," he said, adding that the organization had been 'completely exonerated' by the court. "I am a Christian. I was born as a Christian and practice that religion. I am a church going Christian. But I have also learnt many things about RSS," he said."Can the entire Sikh community be responsible for Indira Gandhi's assassination," Thomas asked. He said he became an admirer of the RSS in 1979 when he was posted as district judge of Kozhikode, adding simple living and high thinking was its hallmark. During the Emergency, RSS was the only non-political organization which fought against it. "We owe very much to RSS for sacrificing many lives for regaining our fundamental rights ..." "The propaganda that RSS was anti minority was also baseless," he said, adding he is a great admirer of the organization as discipline is given importance.
3. KALAM WELCOMES SCIENTISTS' EFFORTS TO VERIFY FACTS: Former Rashtrapati APJ Abdul Kalam welcomed efforts by scientists and scholars to verify the facts of ancient Bharat, saying it would be a learning experience if studies scientifically establish events of the Ramayana period and places associated with Lord Ram. He was speaking on July 30 at a national seminar on 'Scientific Dating of Ancient Events before 2000 BC', he said efforts to prove the indigenous nature of Bharatiya civilization could provide a boost to the confidence of the nation.
4. SAMSKRIT BHARATI PRESENTED THE TITLE OF AARSHA KULA RATNAM: Shruti Sewa Trust, Coimbatore, conferred ‘Aarsha Kula Ratnam’ award to Samskrit Bharati on July 22 for its vision, dedication and tireless efforts in popularizing the Sanskrit among common men. The award was presented by Swamy Dayanand Saraswati in presence of Baba Ramdev and RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat. The award consists of Rs 5 lakh and a citation. On behalf of the Samskrit Bharati, its general secretary Shri Chamu Krishna Shastry received the award.
The award has been instituted by the Shruti Seva Trust to commemorate the Shatabhishekam of its founder Swamy Dayanand Saraswati to be conferred on an organization which has made a phenomenal contribution for the promotion of any aspect of Aarsha Vidya throughout Bharat.
5. HSS-UK SSV CONCLUDES IN BIRMINGHAM: An impressive show of physical demonstrations like Yog, Niyuddh and Ghosh was presented at the samapan function of the Sangh shiksha varg organized by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh - UK at Hampstead community school, Birmingham on August 7. Prof. Narendra Kandal, educationist from Woolwich was the chief guest and Prof. Dr. Shankar Tatwawadi was the main speaker. A total of 172 attended the 9 day camp while 100 attended the camp of Sevika Samiti held in the same premises.
6. SARSANGHCHALAK HOISTS FLAG ON 15TH AUGUST: RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat hoisted national tricolor on 15th August at Bhawarkua Garden, Indore. Emphasizing the meaning of ‘Dharma’ in the Dhammachakra as depicted on the flag he said, “Dharma is the way of life based on duty and righteousness and cannot be equated to mere method of worship.” Many other prominent RSS workers were present at the function organized for college students of Indore region.
7. FREE EYE TESTING CAMP BY RSS SEVA VIBHAG BANGALORE: Nearly 430 people with different visual ailments were successfully treated in a free eye camp organised by Seva Vibhag of JP Nagar Unit of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Banashankari, and Bangalore on August 7. The eye testing camp was organised with joint participation of RSS JP Nagar Unit and reputed Narayan Nethralaya Bangalore.
In the Eye testing camp after diagnosing 430 people, for 170 patients free spectacles were distributed who suffers a poor vision. For 33 patients, successful eye surgery was done during the eye camp.
8. BHARAT TO GIVE $2BN TO FUND BAILOUTS IN EUROPE: Bharat is set to fund bailouts in financially-stricken Europe, marking a dramatic role reversal from 20 years ago when it went to IMF to avert a balance of payments crisis.
The government on August 2 sought parliamentary approval to provide over Rs 9,003 crore (over $2 billion) in loans to the multilateral agency's New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB), a fund whose corpus was raised to over $500 billion in March when the debt crisis in Europe showed no signs of abating. So, from Greece, which has received $300 billion so far, to Portugal's $100 billion bailout, Bharat could be playing a part in the international rescue operations.
9. EYE ON CHINA’S UPGRADE, GOVT PLANS 3 KEY RAILWAY LINES, ONE TO TAWANG: With China in mind, Bharat is embarking on a major infrastructure drive in Arunachal Pradesh, with plans for three railway lines in the border state, including one to connect the strategic Tawang plateau with Assam.
While the Defense Ministry has traditionally been discreet about its infrastructure projects in the North-East, the latest standing committee report has revealed detailed plans to enhance border infrastructure. Of the railway lines that have been proposed, the Tawang line is the most significant, considering the strategic importance of the area which is also a major Bharatiya military base. At present, the only access is via road which frequently closes down in bad weather, or helicopters which again do not operate in adverse weather conditions.
10. OZ RADIO HOST APOLOGISES FOR CALLING GANGA ‘JUNKYARD’: An Australian radio show host facing criticism for using a derogatory word against Bharat and calling river Ganga a “junkyard” has issued an apology Council of Indian -Australians president Yadu Singh said on Aug 5: “I am pleased to report that Sydney’s 2Day FM radio station an (host) Kyle Sandilands have realized the mistake in their comments and issued an apology.
“This apology has been on air by Kyle, and in writing by Adam Lang, General Manager of 2day FM radio station, who had sent a letter to me yesterday,” Singh said. Kyle, in his apology note, stated: “I’m apologising... anyone that’s Indian that listens to this show, knows that I love Indians... I don't discriminate. I love everyone. I don’t care where they are, where they are from, what colour they are. I just made the mistake that the river which, to me, looks polluted, I said it was a junkyard and I did not realise it was holy.”
11. SYMPOSIUM ON ‘HINDUS IN PAKISTAN-CRISIS OF EXISTENCE’: Human Rights Defense (India) organised a symposium on the subject ‘Hindus in Pakistan-Crisis of Existence’ on 11th August 2011 at the Speaker Hall of the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi.
Justice O. P. Verma former Chief Justice Kerala High Court suggested that ‘we should sensitize ourselves to take up matter of human rights of Hindus in Pakistan with the Pakistan Government and UNO.
Sh. Jaswant Singh, former External Affairs Minister of Bharat revealed his personal experience from his visit to Pakistan. His narrations about his visit to holy temple there and how he mobilized public opinion to stop erection of a dam by demolishing a temple were listened to with rapt attention.
Others who spoke at the seminar were Mr. Jitender Bajaj, renowned economist, Sh M.N.Krishnaman, Senior Advocate Supreme Court of Bharat, Shri Laxami Dass, President Harijan Sewa Sangh, Sh. Shiv Khera, Internationally renowned educator and Ad.Rajesh Gogna, secretary – HRDI. The symposium was attended by the representatives of several organizations including of Akshardham Sansthan, Vishav and Ramakrishna Mission.
12. TECHIE, NOW A TEACHER OF NEEDY: It all started one fine day, when Latha K R came across a group of kids while supervising the construction of her house in Poorna Prajna Layout in Bangalore. She saw the construction workers' kids strolling around and playing all day long without indulging in anything constructive, and that's when she decided to take over.
A software engineer by profession, Latha quit her job to look after her daughter and felt that this was the best way she could utilise her spare time. The idea struck Latha, after she came across Youth For Seva, an NGO providing the youth meaningful opportunities to serve the community.
An initiative that was started with 15 students now has as many as 35 students attending Latha's three-hour long classes that she conducts six days a week. “Even if their parents leave after some time, I will ensure that these kids stay back and finish their studies,” said Latha.
For more info visit www.youthforseva.org
13. GADKARI FOR CLOSER BHARAT-U.K. COOPERATION AGAINST TERROR: Bharatiya Janata Party President Nitin Gadkari on Aug 14 called for closer cooperation between Bharat and Britain to fight terrorism and endorsed British Prime Minister David Cameron’s remarks during his visit to Bharat last year accusing Pakistan of “exporting terror”.
Addressing a well attended convention of the Overseas Friends of BJP in London, he expressed concern over terror attacks in Mumbai and urged the international community to come together to strengthen the “global framework’’ against terrorism.
Others who spoke included former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Smriti Irani, a Rajya Sabha member and President of the BJP Mahila Morcha. Sh. Gadkari met several parliamentarians, leading businessmen, key government officials, media persons and other Bharatiya groups during his 6-day visit to UK.
14. THIS RAKHI, RAJPUT GIRLS CELEBRATE LIFE: Infamous for female foeticide, Devda village in Jaisalmer on August 13 held a unique Raksha Bandhan function. Girls from Rajput families tied rakhis to boys to symbolise that they were no more unwanted in the community.
This is the same village, which about a decade ago, made national headlines when it witnessed a baraat arriving after a gap of nearly a century. Inder Singh, who had shown great courage in not killing his daughter despite strong pressure from his community, had got her married at the time.
“But now things have changed considerably. In Devda village alone now there are more than three dozen teenage girls in Rajput families,” says Ummed Singh, member of Panchayat Samiti.
Women activists — along with local RSS functionaries — have, for the past few months, been continuing with a campaign among Rajput-dominated villages to encourage the girls to persuade their parents to allow them to tie rakhis to boys of their respective villages if they do not have their own brother.
“Today, we succeeded in our campaign as a number of girls joined us to tie rakhis to boys,” said Giriraj Singh, associated with the campaign.
Darshan Singh Bhati of village Singhdhar points out that now his two daughters, Diya (8) and Nemu Kanwar (9) go to school like any village boy. “This was unthinkable in the recent past,” he added.
15. SPECIAL US RESOLUTION VINDICATES STAND OF KPs: PANUN KASHMIR: Expressing satisfaction over introduction of a special resolution on Kashmiri Pandits in the US House of Representatives by influential Democratic Congressman, Frank Pallone, Panun Kashmir said on Aug 5 that the resolution has vindicated their stand that the community is a victim of terrorist violence, aided and abetted by Pakistan.
President Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo today said while addressing the executive council meeting that Pallone had insisted in his resolution that terrorist infrastructure in the region must be dismantled and the terrorists held accountable for their actions, he said.
16. HINDU GROUPS PROTEST SCREENING OF ‘SITA SINGS THE BLUES’: Several local Hindu organizations joined forces on August 6 to protest the San Jose Museum of Art’s screening of Nina Paley’s 2008 animated film, “Sita Sings the Blues” — which intersperses events from the Bharatiya epic Ramayana with the artist’s own life — at the Camera 12 theater here.
“I’m very angry about this film and feel very humiliated by the portrayal of Lord Ram in this very perverted way,” Khanderao Kand told India-West at the rally, “Negative portrayals of Hinduism cause discrimination and religious intolerance,” he said.
Vijay Simha, national joint secretary of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, echoed Kand’s remarks. “I feel offended and concerned by this kind of slur to our value system,” he told India-West. “Ram is the ideal father, husband and king. Millions of Hindus are inspired by his character and worship him daily.”
17. BHARATIYAS HOLD GOLD WORTH $1 TRILLION: If gold is considered as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, then definitely Bharatiyas are prosperous. After the sizzling rally in gold rate in the last two years, the total value of the gold holdings in Bharat — estimated at around 18,000 tonnes — has zoomed to around Rs 45,00,000 crore ($1 trillion). For 121-crore strong Bharatiya population, this works out to around Rs 1.5 lakh per household of four members. This is also equivalent to around 71 per cent of Bharat’s market capitalisation of listed shares and 66 per cent of total GDP.
According to the World Gold Council, Bharatiyas hold the largest stock of gold in the world — 18,000 tonnes of which is held by Bharatiya households. It is estimated that 7 per cent of Bharat’s $256 billion in total household savings is currently held in gold, WGC says. And demand is increasing.
18. HINDU HERITAGE CAMP DRAWS OVERWHELMING RESPONSE: With the help of local Nashville community, HSS organized a free full day camp for all age groups at Sri Ganesha Temple, on 30th July 2011. Through yoga, games, arts & crafts, discussions and stories, Hindu Heritage Camp brought out hidden talents among the kids and also helped all participants understand their cultural roots in a fun-filled atmosphere.
About 150 people including appoximatly 70 children from various communities came to camp on July 30 to have children learn about Hindu values and to allow adults to reconnect with one another.
19. BRITISH SIKH TV PRESENTER IS NOW FACEBOOK HERO: Upinder Randhawa, a young presenter of a Sikh TV station in Birmingham who has won accolades for its coverage of the arson and looting in the British city has become a Facebook hero having over 4000 followers. And scores of Britons, including Prime Minister David Cameron, are lauding the face of Sangat TV, which is run from a small, makeshift newsroom in Edgbaston. Its footage has been used by CNN, BBC and media outlets in Bharat .
On Tuesday night of August 9, Sangat TV shot a police pursuit of rioters in Birmingham, home to a large number of Bharatiyas, including Sikhs. As police lagged behind, Randhawa asked the police officer: "Do you need a lift? We'll give you a lift. Get in the car." Less than a minute later, the rioters had been arrested.
20. RED FORT ATTACK: SC UPHOLDS ARIF'S DEATH PENALTY: The Supreme Court on Aug 10 confirmed the death sentence for Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Mohd Arif alias Ashfaq in the 2000 Red Fort attack case in which three people, including two Army jawans, were killed. A bench of justice VS Sirpukar and justice TS Thakur dismissed the appeal of Ashfaq, challenging the death sentence awarded for the December 22, 2000 Red Fort attack case by the sessions court and affirmed by the Delhi high court.
21. JOURNALISTS FELICITATED ON NARAD JAYANTI: Indraprastha Vishwa Samvad Kendra, the media arm of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on August 5 celebrated the Narad Jayanti by felicitating journalists and hailing their contribution towards betterment of the society. Shri Kanchan Gupta, Shri NK Singh and Shri Shyamlal Yadav were the three journalists who were felicitated on the occasion.
Shri Achyutanand, senior journalist and former Vice Chancellor of Makhan Lal Chaturvedi University presided over the function. “Narad Jee was the first reporter this universe ever had. Through his witty communication skills he worked for the well being for everybody in the entire universe,” said Shri Achyutanand during his speech. Shri Rakesh Sinha, professor in Delhi University, spelt out the role of media and journalists in shaping the thinking pattern of society.
22. RAKSHABADHAN 2011: As part of outreach for Rakshabandhan, Rakhis were tied on August 12 to Mr William McLeod, the Mayor of Hoffman Estates – Illinois, and his staff. Purpose of the outreach for Rakshabandhan Utsav was explained to the Mayor and his staff. Emphasis was put on the universal oneness appeal of Rakshabandhan.
Similar programs were held at many places in USA like Columbia, Sugarland Town etc., at London, Bolton and Leicester in UK by the initiatives of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh volunteers. In Canada, HSS volunteers presented a beautiful memento depicting the meanings and values associated with the Rakshabandhan festival.
23. INDRESH KUMAR SERVES NOTICE ON NIA: RSS leader Indresh Kumar, who has been accused of involvement in the 2007 Ajmer blasts, on August 2 served a legal notice on NIA for threatening arrest and vitiating atmosphere for justice by beginning a media trial. Kumar’s notice to the NIA was prompted by a TV report, which claimed that the agency was planning to arrest the RSS leader for questioning.
“You instead of using arrest as a tool of investigation are abusing it for political ends. The decision is obviously guided by political expediency rather than necessity or justification,” Kumar’s notice to NIA reads.
24. SHRI VSHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Dr. Shankar Tatwawadi, former samyojak Vishwa Vibhag would return Bharat on Aug 24. Ravikumar, sah samyojak Vishwa Vibhag will leave Mumbai for a month long tour to USA on Aug 22. Visitors: Sunil Pala, Anup Prajapati, Krupa Samani, Tejal Shah and Uma Chandegra from UK
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: To keep the body in good health is a duty or otherwise we shall not be able to trim the lamp of wisdom, and keep our mind strong and clear. – Gautam Buddha
JAI SHREE RAM
BHARAT’S YOUTH WILL OVERCOME ALL CHALLENGES
Pu. Dr. Mohanrao Bhagwat
For instance, there was an RSS meeting in Assam recently and at the end of the meeting; a large number of our karyakarthas went on a trip to Parashuram Kund. Parashuram Kund is a place where the river Brahmaputra is nestled amid hills. Even at its slowest, the swirling river can sweep a person away off his feet. One has to climb 300 steps on a steep gradient to worship at the temple. The kund has freezing cool water. Some of the ‘black-haired oldies’ preferred to give the climbing up a miss and others refused to even sprinkle the water on their bodies due to excessive chill. But, 87-year-old Sudarshanji, who had recently emerged from surgeries, not just climbed up the 300 steps effortlessly, but also dared to venture into the freezing cold waters. In fact, he had a full-bath there. All this, after a grueling four-hour bus travel on a pot-holed road!
So, youthfulness is an aspect of mental attitude. We are fortunate to have a huge youth force in this country of ours, a force that is young both in age and mental character. While the rest of the world is ageing, India will remain a young nation for the coming 20 to 30 years. My speech is for those who are young in both body and mind.
This speech of mine is also directed towards those who feel that the challenges before the nation are his or her challenges and feel compelled to stand up to those challenges
CHALLENGES GALORE
Even after 64 years of independence, Bharat is besieged by a slew of problems and challenges. Challenges, indeed, will be the there and after all, what is life but for such challenges. Yet, no country in the world is facing as many challenges as Bharat. We have challenges so daunting that they make the weak quiver. We have a long list of problems and these problems have been dogging us for longer periods of time. The problems are indeed daunting. But, we must not allow ourselves to cower and cringe.
EXTERNAL CHALLENGES
Our borders are un-demarcated, not well-defended and porous. There are known enemies like Pakistan, whose anti-Indian intentions are clear and unambiguous. Pakistan keeps up threatening postures so long as India doesn’t bare its fangs. Once India becomes assertive, Pakistan will cower. So, Pakistan is not really a problem for us.
But, what we should be worried about are the Chinese intentions. China is using overt and covert means to destabilize and challenge Bharat. The Chinese are worried about Bharat emerging as a future global leader and are shaken by the prospects of Bharat upstaging them in the race for supremacy. Then, there is the problem of illegal influx from Bangladesh, where our borders are porous and are not fenced. We, as a nation are utterly unprepared politically and diplomatically to tackle these challenges.
So much for the borders, Now to the situation within the country; Within the country, there is this spectre of terrorism exported by our unfriendly neighbor. Terror here is orchestrated from across the border and instances are also not lacking of the locals who reach out to Pakistan to become willing partners in destabilizing Bharat.
INTELLECTUAL AGGRESSION
Besides this aggression, there is an intellectual aggression through researches aimed at destabilizing and dividing Bharat. This research, mentored and manufactured abroad, is sought to be foisted on us. So, there is a sponsored terror as also a sponsored intellectual terror. This is a way to weaken Bharat and is an incipient war against us as physical war is both costly and diplomatically counter-productive.
Those, who have a responsibility to set this right, are behaving in a strange manner. For instance, our journalists begin to support azadi when they go to Kashmir. Isn’t this strange? Kashmir is an inalienable part of India and there is a unanimous resolution of Parliament to this effect. Yet, there is such talk of azadi. The army is deployed where it should not be and is withdrawn from where it should be deployed. All this is vote politics for sure.
LOOT OF BHARAT
The hard-earned money of our people is being robbed and is being stacked in safe havens abroad. When there is a hue and cry, some scapegoats are identified for punishment while the biggies go scot free. Sources say that the amounts illegally stacked abroad are just enough to pay all our national debts and ensure growth and development for the coming 40 years. This is truly shocking and mind-benumbing.
FISCAL POLICIES
Are our fiscal policies doing well to the country? Are they ushering in growth? The aspirations are growing and there are certainly some benefits and there is some growth. But, this is jobless growth, which implies that there is bound to be unemployment. The prices are rising as a result of our economic growth, which is essentially inflation-based.
Only 20 per cent of the population is able to reap the benefits of these policies, while the remaining 80 per cent is sliding down into poverty. The rich are becoming richer and the poor are becoming poorer. This is leading to disaffection, violence and large-scale corruption.All these are due to our blind aping of the West. Our ancestors had said ‘Aano Bhadra Kratavo Yantu Viswataha” (Let noble thoughts come from all sides). But we should also have an idea as to how to use them.
CAPABLE, BUT BEREFT OF SENSE OF PURPOSE
Further, our society is bereft of a sense of unity and a sense of purpose. Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has pointed out that the very Indians, who revel in breaking law and circumvent rules in the country, become paragons of good behavior and utmost discipline when they go abroad. Why this dichotomy? Though educated, most of us cause traffic jams due to our irresponsible behavior during rush hours. Why is this happening?
Then there are differences that are caste, community, region and language-based. We are divided on the basis of caste. I had recently met an Indian, who had settled in Brazil long time ago. He had shunned several things Indian. But, when I wanted to know about him, he said he belonged to such and such gotra. He had left many things behind, but caste consciousness continues to stay despite the fact that both scientifically as well as historically, the Bharatiyas have been one nation. Even the recent scientific studies have shown that the Bharatiyas have the same DNA since 40,000 years. Yet, we continue to believe in caste and class. Unfortunately, such differences persist even among the most discriminated castes.
Thus there are several internal, external as well as ethical challenges facing the country. We have the ability to overcome these. Our students are very capable. For instance, the students of the technology museum bagged second prize in technological innovations leaving behind Japan and Korea. This time they are aiming for the first prize. Such is the merit of our boys and girls.
We are also doing well in the realm of sports. The world has recognized Bharat as a great power. In a place like Chitrakoot, we have shown that with the cooperation from the locals, we could harvest three crops where we used to have one crop till the recent past. This has been happening in over 500 villages.
Similarly, we had a poor boy from an interior rural area in our Chhatravaas (hostel). On seeing our highly qualified Pracharaks, he was inspired to work for the society and became one. He had spent close to 15 years as a full-timer. There is no dearth of such people in our country.
The pillar of our strength is the family. The family system offers us social security and is the driving force of our economy. For us, individual is never the basic socio-economic unit. We consider the family as the basic socio-economic unit. We save for our family. It is this saving for the family that has helped Bharat tide over the global economic crisis. Thus, we have several strengths, which need to be augmented.
Bharat is on the throes of a three-fold crisis. They are the crisis of Identity, the crisis of character and the crisis of credibility.
This three-fold crisis is the biggest challenge facing our country. Neither China nor Pak are our problems. Our problem is our loss of character and credibility and the crisis of identity.
I recall an anecdote. There was a rabbit that was mortally afraid of everything. Even when such an innocuous thing as a dry palm leaf comes down, the rabbit scampers back to its home in fear. Fed up with this, the rabbit asked the God to turn him into a big animal like the elephant. The God did accordingly. The elephant had one day tried to venture into waters of a lake. But, it was stalled by a crocodile. Unable to bear this, the animal wanted the God to make turn him into a tiger, which the God readily agreed and did accordingly. This tiger was attacked by a herd of oxen. The animal again approached the God. The God then said instead of asking for metamorphosis over and over again, he could very well have asked for instilling courage in him.
The problem lies within and we fail to notice this. We have problems that are seemingly insurmountable. But, before taking them on, we should address the inner struggle.
KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS
The real strength lies in the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. India has always been democratic and non-violent. There is no place for violence in the society. We should be strong enough to protect ourselves, but should not become perpetrators of violence. Violence and undemocratic means can never become successful. This process should start from within.
We should firmly believe that we shall be successful in this great mission where India will fulfill the needs of the world and will overcome all impediments. In fact, this is the only thing that is certain to happen. Bharatiyais the only hope for the battered world as it has Dharma. India is the only country where the body, mind and pleasures are leashed in a balanced manner and individual –society –nature continuum becomes one with God (Vyashti – Samashti –Srushti- Parameshti). All this is achieved through the practice of pursue Arth and Kaam that are firmly leashed in by Dharm and Moksh. The ultimate aim is attainment of complete and everlasting happiness for the whole world. This is the divinely ordained duty of India towards the world.
STAND UP FOR THE LOFTY AIM
We should stand up for this lofty aim with self-pride, belief and credibility. One should shun careerism. What is life it we cannot work for the society? Did not Savarkar say that all the great qualities are a mere unbearable wastage if they are not useful for the country? One should live by spending less and less resources while giving more and more for the country. We are here for the country and we are not here for name and fame. We should strive to do good, encourage the good and try to eliminate bad from the society. There will be crises, but we should overcome them and work actively for the betterment of the society.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a tendency to increasingly lose fighting spirit and dogged determination as we become more and more prosperous. We should shun this and work actively for the society. One should remember that our work should be both democratic as well as non-violent. Revolution is a myth. There is only an evolution. Even Mao Tse Tung’s revolution of 40 years was preceded by a 150-year-long struggle. We should be willing to work with all democratic and non-violent forces. More than my speech, it is the work that we do that will impact the society in a positive manner because actions speak louder.
There was a Bouddha Bhikku who had gone to China to spread the message of Lord Buddha. After preaching the message of Buddha for several years, he decided to bring out a book on the teachings of the master. He then set about collecting the money for publishing the book. Just as he was about to get the book published, the region suffered a massive earthquake and there was widespread destruction. The Bhikku spent all the savings to serve the needy. Later, he again pooled up money. But, again there was a calamity, this time in the form of a massive flood. The Bhikku had again spent the savings in serving the needy. Then he had again pooled up the money and eventually published the book. In the preface, he said this is the third edition of the book. The first two editions were dedicated to the service of the people and represented the teachings of the master in practice. Such should be our spirit when we set out for the work of rousing the national consciousness.
Let us remember Swami Vivekananda’s call to the nation asking it to stop worshiping all other Gods and pray only Bharat Matha. He had called upon the people to worship the Daridra Narayan (under-privileged, the impoverished and the dispossessed). Let us strive to protect Jan, Jal, Jameen, Janghal and Janvar of this country and service through the fullest strength of our Jeeva . The situation will surely change for the better. Let’s start working.
(Abridged version of RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohanrao Bhagwat's lecture at Satya Sai Nigamagam, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, Bharat on the eve of Martyr’s Memorial Research Institute's bi-decennial celebrations on July 24,2011.)
Pl visit: http://www.rssonnet.org for the full speech.
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