1. FESTIVALS: The Snana Yatra,
a bathing festival celebrated on the Jyeshtha Purnima (June 4 this year) is an
important festival Bhagwan Jagannath. This is the first occasion in the year when
the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan, and Madanmohan are
brought out from the Jagannath Temple (Puri) and taken in a procession to the
Snana Bedi. There they are ceremonially bathed and decorated for a public
audience with the devotees. It is a believed that by doing a pilgrimage to see
the deity on this day, one is cleansed of all sins. Hundreds of thousands of
devotees visit the temple on the occasion. The Skanda Purana mentions that King
Indradyumna arranged this ceremony for the first time when the idols were first
installed.
2. SANGH IN ACTION - CLEANING DRIVE BY SWAYAMSEVAKS IN
A GOVT. HOSPITAL: RSS, South Chennai coordinators approached 100 years old Government hospital at
Royapettah in Chennai for taking up a cleaning drive in the premises. On 13
May, 2012 over 180 volunteers of various teams like sports group, IT
professionals, auditors, teachers and students assembled in the morning at the
hospital from different parts of Chennai.
A brief inaugural session was presided by Ma.
Sanghachalak Durai Shankar ji, famous actor Damu, Hospital Sergeants Thirumal
and Khaleelullah Rahman. Shri Durai Shankar said that sangha inculcates spirit
of Sewa through Shakha. Actor Damu was highly impressed by the young
disciplined crowd assembled there and exhorted the volunteers to continue
serving the society.
Six groups were formed to clean a huge sump of 48,000
litres capacity, 5 Over head tanks, 2 wards, open space around the hospital and
a little temple.
Among the other areas planned for cleaning was
abandoned godown in the old hospital premises, area which was filled with food
packets probably dumped many weeks was also cleared.
At the end of the programme Sewa Pramukh Raman ji
briefly spoke appreciating the effort of swayamsewaks and asked them to take
the efforts to Shakha level. The RMO who went round the hospital to survey the
work carried out was very impressed and said “Only RSS can do such a work with
a cohesive team of people from different walks of life”.
3. BHARATIYA PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES THE PLIGHT OF HINDUS
IN PAKISTAN: Recently, in separate incidents, three Hindu girls in
Sindh province were reportedly abducted, forcibly converted to Islam and married
off against their will to Muslim men. The BJP Parliamentary Party discussed the
plight of Hindus in Pakistan and decided to demand a debate on the issue in
both Houses to impress upon the government to take up the matter seriously.
On May 2 during zero hour Dr Murli Manohar Joshi
raised the issue and spoke about the reported violation of Human Rights in
respect of Hindus in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh. Same issue was taken up in
Rajya Sabha. Minister of External Affairs Shri Krishna said that he will
personally convey the concerns of the house and the people of Bharat on the
attacks. Others MP’s who spoke on the issue were Shri Avinash Rai Khanna and Shri
Balbir K Punj. (www.organiser.org June
3.2012)
4.
HINDUS’ VOICE OF THEIR OWN IN AUSTRALIA:
Hindu Council of Australia has
started Radio Mangalam. Radio Mangalam has started broadcasts on Digital radio
2000 FM.The program will be broadcasted every Sunday A/N from 1 pm to 2 pm
Australian Eastern Time GMT +10
Please
use the following link:
Radio
Mangalam will be broadcasting on Hindu culture, Hindu wisdom, scriptures,
literature, traditions, Teej Tyonhar (festivals), Hindu news from around the
world, community activities, issues, discussions etc.
5. HC QUASHES CENTRE'S 4.5 PER CENT SUB-QUOTA FOR
MINORITIES: Holding that the Centre acted in a "casual
manner", the Andhra Pradesh High Court on May 28 quashed the 4.5 per cent
sub-quota to minorities carved out of 27 per cent OBC reservation-a verdict
that may affect admissions already made in central educational institutions such
as IITs.
In a setback to the Centre over the sub-quota issue,
the Court said the Office Memorandum (OM) creating the sub-quota was based on
religious grounds and not on any other intelligible consideration.
Setting aside the OM, a division bench consisting
Chief Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice Sanjay Kumar said, "In fact, we
must express our anguish at the rather casual manner in which the entire issue
has been taken up by the central government.""No evidence has been
shown to us by the learned Assistant Solicitor General to justify the
classification of these minorities as a homogeneous group or as more backward
classes deserving some special treatment.
6. HAF DEMANDS FORMAL STATUS FOR HINDU REFUGEES FROM PAKISTAN:
The
Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has urged the Bharatiya government this week to
provide formal legal status to Hindu refugees fleeing religious persecution in
Pakistan. According to several human rights organizations, thousands of
Pakistani Hindus have sought refuge in Bharat in recent years, but the Bharatiya
government has refused to officially recognize them as refugees. As a result,
most Pakistani Hindus live on the margins of society in Bharat, without legal
documents and unable to access government benefits.
Although there has been a steady flow of Hindus
crossing the border since the 1990s, rapidly deteriorating conditions in
Pakistan have caused a significant increase in migration over the last few
years. The upsurge in kidnappings and forced conversions of Hindu girls, in
particular, has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity amongst Pakistan's
Hindu community.
7. SIKHS IN TURBANS CAN
NOW SERVE WASHINGTON POLICE: Sikh police officers in the American capital
will be allowed to wear turbans, beards and other religious items while on the
job.
The new uniform policy announced by Washington DC
police Chief Cathy Lanier makes it the first major metropolitan police
department in the US to permit Sikhs to maintain their articles of faith.
Developed with the Sikh American Legal Defence and
Education Fund (SALDEF), the new police policy states that Sikh officers can
wear turbans that are the same colour as the uniform that they would otherwise
be required to wear, with the department badge that is normally on hats pinned
to the front of the turban.
8. FOUR NAVY SHIPS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA TO MARK BHARAT’s
PRESENCE: Despite getting
out of oil exploration blocks in the South China Sea, Bharat is keen to
maintain a strong role for itself in the region.
Four Bharatiya Navy ships, INS Rana, Shakti, Shivalik
and Kurmak are currently scudding across the South China Sea on their way to
Shanghai, where they will arrive for a goodwill visit in a couple of weeks. Two
of the four ships -- INS Rana and Shakti -- have been saying hello to the
Philippines navy in Subic Bay. Two others, Shivalik and Kurmak, are calling at
Haifong in Vietnam. Philippines and China have been on a faceoff in the past
few weeks over territorial rights over Scarborough Shoal, in an area that is
believed to be energy-rich.
Sources said Bharat continues to have a strong
interest in South China Sea, because this is
key to Bharat's Look East policy. In July, Bharatiya and US officials will hold
discussions on a key project in southeast Asia -- an East-West
Mekong connectivity corridor. Envisaged as a trilateral project
with Japan, this project
intends to set up a multi-modal transport and trade corridor from Bharat ,
traversing Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia
and Laos, ending in Vietnam. Japan
has recently stepped up its funding commitments to this corridor.
9. ENGINEERS, DOCTORS AMONG THOSE ATTENDING SANGH
SHIKSHA VARGA: Among those attending the annual camp for the
third-year training course of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, known as Tritiya
Varsh, currently underway at Reshimbagh grounds are doctors, engineers,
lawyers, teachers and students from every nook and corner of the country.
The total
number of participants this time is 1013. They include 5 qualified doctors, 12
engineers, 10 lawyers, 192 teachers, 224 employees, 119 self-employed, 90
farmers, 7 journalists, one chartered accountant and 213 students. From Jammu
and Kashmir, north-eastern states, south Bharat virtually every part of Bharat is
represented at the camp.
The valedictory function on June 11 evening will be
marked by special address by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Director of 'Punjab
Kesri' Ashwin Kumar will be the chief guest.
10. HINDU COUNCIL OF KENYA: On Sunday 27th May Hindu
Religios & Service Centre under the auspices of Hindu Council of Kenya
planted 2190 trees at The Children's Village in Naivasha. The event was
sponsored by various donors. 3 Buses left Dendayal Bhavan with 140 participants
for this noble exercise.
11. BIHAR FARMER’S 12-YEAR-OLD SON CRACKS IIT-JEE: A child prodigy from
Bhojpur district in Bihar has created history by cracking the IIT-JEE 2012 at
the age of 12 years and nine months. Satyam Kumar of Bakhorapur village under
Barahara block in Bhojpur district got all-Bharat rank (AIR) 8,137 in the prestigious
competition. He qualified from Mumbai zone, and is still awaiting his plus two
results.
Born on July 20, 1999, in an illiterate farmer's
family, he showed his talent from childhood itself. His father Sidhnath Singh
and mother Pramila Singh recognized his talent and he was admitted to Central
Public School, Patna, in Standard IX at a tender age. But he left his study
there midway and went to Kota in Rajasthan to join a coaching institute there.
The institute's director, R K Verma, himself took his test and found latent
genius in him. Verma helped finance his studies from Standard 9 to class 12
that resulted in his success in the one of the toughest examinations in the
country at such a tender age. Satyam had passed class X board examination from
a Kota school.
Sidhnath Singh said his family members, Satyam's
teachers and he himself always marvelled at his talent and they felt that the
boy would do something extraordinary in his life one day. The success of his
son had brought laurels to the family, which was till now in oblivion.
12. ZUMA LAUDS HINDUS’ ROLE IN SOUTH AFRICAN STRUGGLE: South African President
Jacob Zuma has praised Hindus in the country for their role in the freedom
struggle.
"Many South Africans of Indian origin and
specifically Hindus, played a prominent part in our struggle for freedom and
are still playing a meaningful role in the social, economic and political
reconstruction of this country," he said at the centenary gala dinner of
the Hindu Maha Sabha in Durban on May 26.
South African Bharatiyas constitute 1.28 million of
the country's total population, of which over 60 percent are Hindus, the
state-run BuaNews reported.
He said he was inspired by the strong values, which
include accountability, selfless service, fairness, respect and unity that
guided the activities of the Hindu Maha Sabha. "Let us encourage the Hindu
youth for example to learn Indian languages so as to be in touch with their
culture and traditions.
13.
YOGA STRESS RELIEF FOR SOLDIERS: Faced
with the highest army suicide rates in at least 30 years, U.S. military officials
are examining ways to help treat psychologically wounded soldiers. A study
published in the March issue of the journal Injury Prevention found the number
of U.S. military suicides rose by 80 percent from 2004 to 2008. The increased
risk of suicide is linked to combat service in Iraq and Afghanistan and mental
health problems like post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that may occur after
exposure to a traumatic event such as military combat, violence or a natural
calamity. Research reports that yoga practice can help relieve PTSD symptoms
like psychological distress, anxiety and sadness. According to the RAND Center
for Military Health Policy Research, approximately 18.5 percent of returning
soldiers from Iraq or Afghanistan have PTSD.
Now
the U.S. military is turning to yoga to help manage combat stress and decrease
the risk of PTSD and suicide.
14.
YOGA, A NEW SOUTH AMERICAN PASSION, SPREADS PEACE IN BRAZIL:
Inspired by the idea that one can change the
world through personal transformation, a large event called Yoga pela Paz (Yoga
for Peace) will happen in Brazil,
from August 13 to August 19, 2012. The event's goal is to provide the tools
needed to bring about inner change.
The
brainchild of yoga teacher Marcia de Luca and publicist Fran Abreu, the
non-profit event focuses on educating the local population to live a life of
higher consciouness and increased awareness. The program includes classes,
lectures and art events. More than 300 different activities will happen across
the nation of Brazil. During the Yoga pela Paz, yoga schools in more than 10
cities will open doors to students and newcomers during free classes. Yoga pela
Paz has become the largest yoga event in South America, a huge success in
previous years. For more info www.yogapelapaz.org
15. ANNUAL DR, BAKHALE MEMORIAL LECTURE IN NAGPUR: Rajyasabha sadasya,
thinker Ma. Tarun Vijay delevered Dr. S. W. Bakhle Memorial Lecture on 27th May
at Devi Ahalya Mandir Sabhagrih on the topic “BHARAT AUR POORVI DESH". He
appealed the audience to focus on learning Chinese language as well as try to
visit China. While describing centuries old cultural harmony with China he also
touched upon the cultural and emotional bonds with Tibet and Nepal. He raised
the question in his speech about the need for permission of another country to
visit the most esteemed and holy place for Indians i.e. Kailash and Maan
Sarovar!
The programme organized by International Center
for Cultural Studies was presided by Shri Arun Chinchmalatpure and was attended
by noted dignitaries viz Basantlalji Shaw, Swamiji from RK Math, President of
Butibori Industries Association shri Hemant Ambaselkar and others.
16. SCHOLARSHIP FOR DIASPORA CHILDREN. The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
launched a scheme called the
“Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children” (SPDC) in 2006-07, to
assist children/wards of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident
Indian (NRIs) in pursuing under graduate courses in several disciplines in Bharat.
For SDPC 2012-13;
100 scholarships are being offered for undergraduate
courses in several disciplines including Engineering/Architecture/Technology,
Humanities/Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management – BBA/BBM, Journalism, Hotel
Managemen etc. The programme is
open only to PIOs/NRIs from the specified 40 countries having a larger
concentration of Bharatiya Diaspora. For more info www.edcilindia.co.in.
17. DRDO RELEASES AWAC ADD-ON: Bangalore defence
laboratory, the Centre for Air-Borne Systems (CABS), on May 23 released an
indigenously-developed suite, which is one of the major components of the
airborne early warning & control (AWAC) system. The Identification of
Friend or Foe (IFF) was released by DRDO chief VK Saraswat, who said it was a
crucial and critical input in AWAC. He added, “It will be mounted on land
systems, fighters and civil planes, aerostats, unmanned air vehicles and medium
and long range surface-to-air missiles.”
18. UK POLICE BRAVERY AWARD FOR NRI BUILDER: Sukhwinder Singh, a
London-based NRI builder who was stabbed to death while he was confronting two
muggers who had snatched a woman's bag in London in 2010, has been given a
police public bravery award posthumously. The ACPO Police Public Bravery Awards
that were presented in Manchester yesterday recognise outstanding acts of
courage. The awardees are nominated by the Metropolitan Police Service. Singh,
31, chased the muggers after witnessing the attack on a 28-year-old woman in
Barking, East London. When he caught up with them he was fatally injured by a
single stab wound. Acting Detective Chief Inspector, Andrew Kelly, who is
leading the investigation, said: "Sukhwinder's family remain devastated by
his loss but are very proud that he has been nominated for this award and of
his courageous actions in helping a vulnerable victim of street robbery".
19. RUSSIA NOT TO SEEK BAN ON BHAGVAD GITA: After strong protest of
Hindus in Russia, Russian prosecutors have decided to withdraw their demand
seeking ban on a translated version of Bhagvad Gita.
State prosecutors in the Siberian city of Tomsk will
not challenge a lower court decision to refuse to declare the translation of
the Hindu scripture as "extremist", RAPSI legal news agency reported.
Vasily Voykin, a regional prosecutor, was quoted as
saying by RIA Novosti that the Prosecutor's Office will not appeal the court's
decision.
20. BRISTOL AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW HINDUS TO SCATTER
ASHES IN THE AVON: Authorities in Bristol are considering allowing the
Hindu community in the city to use the River Avon to scatter the ashes of loved
ones rather than travelling to the River Ganges in Bharat. Bristol’s new Mayor
Peter Main said providing an appropriate site for the ritual was a priority. Mr
Main said: "It's their tradition to scatter ashes on water and quite often
now they're flown back to India to do that.
"They're Bristolian, most are born and bred in
Bristol, why shouldn't they have somewhere in Bristol to scatter their
ashes?"
A community spokesperson said there were currently
about 10,000 Hindus in Bristol and the surrounding area.Parag Bhatt, from the
Bristol Hindu Temple, said it would be welcomed by other communities as well:
"It's not just the Hindu community
that's going to benefit, it will be other communities like the Sikh and
Buddhist as well.
21. ANAND IS WORLD CHESS CHAMPION FOR FIFTH TIME: Bharatiya Grandmaster
Viswanathan Anand showed immense resilience to beat challenger Boris Gelfand of
Israel in a tense rapid chess tie-breaker to win the World Championship crown
for the fifth time and fourth in a row here on May 30. Anand won the second
game and drew the other three to win the title at the State Tretyakov Gallery
here.
Luck played a major part in the final game, favouring
the Bharatiya chess wizard when it mattered the most.
The hallmark of Anand's success was his speed. Often,
Gelfand was seen down to his last few seconds when Anand still had a few
minutes left on his clock.
22. KASARAGOD: SEVA BHARATI ORGANISED BLOOD DONATION
CAMP: Seva Bharati, the RSS outfit for social service projects had organised
a Blood Donation camp at Bayaru, a small village of Kasaragod on May 27th. The event was
organised by Seva Bharati Bayaru Unit at Kasaragod.
The blood donation camp was inaugurated by well known
physician Dr. Ramakrishna Bhat. Dr.
Rashmi, KMC Mangalore and Sri Ramakrishna Bhat, Manager, Heddari AUP School,
Bayaru were the chief guests. Sri Muralidhara Yadav, VHP Manjeshwara Mandala
President was present during the occasion.
A total of 57 donors participated in this event.
23. SEMINAR ON DATTOPANT THENGADI’S THOUGHTS: A
two-day
national seminar was organised by ‘Dattopant Thengadi Smriti Pratishthan,
Nagpur, at Amravati in Vidarbha. ‘The ‘Third Way’ written by late Shri Thengadi
formed the basic theme of this seminar in which a good number of scholars
participated and interacted with the audience. The topic of the seminar was
“India in search of an alternative economic order” and “Changing context of the
trade union movement in India”.
Vice-Chancellor of Sant Gadgebaba Amravati University
Dr Mohan Khedkar said in his inaugural address that Thengadiji’s prophesy came
true when in the 90s Communist empire collapsed with the disintegration of the
Russian Empire and collapse of the Berlin Wall.
Senior RSS pracharak Sadashivrao Deodhar in his
address threw light on the various facets of the late Thengadi’s life and
mission. He said that Thengadi was more interested in man-making mission. Noted
economist and Akhil Bharatiya Sah-Sampark Pramukh of RSS Prof. Aniruddha
Deshpande gave the keynote address.
24. SHRI
VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors:
Devendra Sharma – Mauritius,
FOOD FOR
THOUGHT: Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you
cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way. – Swami
Vivekananda
JAI SHREE RAM
SANSKRIT MAKES A MINI-COMEBACK IN THE U.S.
Visi Tilak
As you pull into the driveway of the Sri Lakshmi Hindu
Temple in the Boston suburb of Ashland, Sanskrit chants reverberate from a
building across the way where free classes are being held. From seven-year-olds
to 70-year-olds, people in Boston, New York, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Los
Angeles and other cities over the U.S. are attending Sanskrit classes, not just
to chant shlokas but also to learn to speak, read and write this ancient
language. A revival is brewing.
This endeavor is being led by Samskrita Bharathi, a
non-profit organization that is working to bring Sanskrit back into the
mainstream. Sanskrit, traditionally a classical and liturgical language, has a
position in India and South Asia similar to that of Latin and Greek in Europe,
and it is a central part of Hindu tradition.
Samskrita Bharathi runs weekly Sanskrit classes and
camps for children and adults. Weekend and vacation classes and camps are one
thing, but a full-fledged, well-structured three-year high school language
program is another, particularly when it’s being driven by an organization primarily
run by volunteers.
SAFL (Sanskrit as a Foreign Language) was created in
2008 as a resource for high school students, who wished to continue their
Sanskrit studies without interruption after their summer camps and weekend
classes. “The idea for such a course came about after discussions with several
parents of teenagers who had attended our classes and camps,” says Giri
Bharathan, a volunteer who is the director of the SAFL program.
“An online course to meet the requirements of a
foreign language study was created similar to normal high school courses. At
$700 per student per year, SAFL runs through the year and has continuous
evaluation in the way of homework, projects and exams. Grades and transcripts
are issued and students will potentially be able to get credits as a foreign
language course or as an independent study.”
The curriculum for the three years, (six semesters and
three direct contact programs, or residential camps) was designed by Sowmya
Joisa, who also teaches in the program with another teacher, Vrunda Thakrar,
and some university level Sanskrit professors.
The number of students signing up for this program has
risen steadily. In the first year (2009-2010) there were 17 students from seven
different states. The next year, there were 30 students from 11 different
states, and this year there are 48 from 13 states. For the 2012-2013 year, the number is
expected to increase to 75. The first group of eight students completed the
third year course in 2011.
Giridhar Anand, a junior at Newton High School in
Newton, Massachusetts, finds that the sound of the spoken language itself is so
different from any other he has encountered: “The language is phonetic, and so
it rolls off the tongue. There is little slurring, and there are no accents, as
there are in English and Spanish,” he says. “I’ve also found the Sanskrit
community to be very inviting. Every camp and every Samskrita Bharati event I
have attended has been a fun, informal experience, and I have learned a lot in
the process.” His siblings Aneesh and Suma (they are triplets) say they feel
the same way about the program.
“While some refer to Samskritam as a ‘dead language,’
learning Samskritam has proven to be one of the most challenging and rewarding
endeavors. It has taken me on a journey of self-discovery and helped me
identify with my Indian roots,” adds Swathi Krishnan, a freshman at the
University of Chicago who completed the SAFL program at Rye Country Day School
in New York. Last summer, she attended a two-week immersion camp in Bangalore, an
experience she describes as “one of the most intellectually stimulating” of her
life.
Nandita Kumar a Senior at Westview
High School in Portland, Oregon
echoes that view. “I am an American of Indian origin, and I don’t want to lose
that Indian part of me. Learning Samskritam directly lets me understand my
culture and religion in the language it was written: it keeps me grounded.”
This ancient language that has served as the backbone
of Hinduism is evolving into a resource for those who want to learn more about
their roots, culture and tradition. ( Visi Tilak is freelance writer and can be
reached via email visitilak@gmail.com
or visitilak.com. http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2012/05/20/sanskrit-makes-a-mini-comeback-in-the-u-s/))
RSS MISSION IS A TRIBUTE TO SWAMI VIVEKANANDA'S
VISION
Dr S Kalyanaraman
In this 150th centenary year of Swami Vivekananda, a
tribute is being paid by RSS which is just following the spiritual-nationalist,
patriot-saint’s call for action.
The best account of RSS in action is provided by K.
Suryanarayana Rao, a Senior Pracharak of RSS who has edited a veritable tour de
force. Recollecting the writings and thoughts of Swami Vivekananda for national
regeneration, is but a reaffirmation of the mission of RSS.
The mission carrying out Swamiji’s vision, is spelt
out by another great Hindu nationalist, MS Golwalkar: “Let our workers keep
their minds free and work for our people, our Dharma, in the right spirit, lend
a helping hand to all our brethren who need help and strive to relieve distress
wherever we see it. In this service no distinction should be made between man
and woman. We have to serve all, be he a Christian or a Muslim or a human being
of any other persuasion: for, calamities, distress and misfortunes make no such
distinction but affect all alike. And in serving to relieve the sufferings of
man let it not be in a spirit of condescension or mere compassion but as
devoted worship of Lord abiding the hearts of all beings, in the true spirit of
our Dharma of surrendering our all in the humble service of Him who is Father,
Mother, Brother, Friend and everything to us all. And may our actions succeed
bringing out the glory and effulgence of our Sanathan-Eternal-Dharma.”
Suryanarayana Rao is eminently qualified to select the
compilation of Vivekananda's inspiring call for national regeneration because
Suryanarayana Rao joined the RSS in 1942 at Bangalore, and has been a
swayamsewak for 70 years. He has been a witness to the growth of the RSS from
the days of the inception setting forth the mission of the organisation which
has no parallel anywhere on the globe in terms of its membership and range of
socio-cultural activities in multi-disciplinary domains.
Starting with a review of the life-sketch of Swami
Vivekananda and his mentor, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the editor shows how the
institution-builders Dr. Hedgewar and Guruji Golwalkar, followed the shankha-naada (the clarion call)
of the young patriot-saint, who has inspired a very large number of citizens of
the world. The editor also underscores the evolving role of RSS, in the
process, creating a garland of tributes, which brings forth the effulgence of
the resurgent Hindu Nation.
The compilation is also a reminder to every citizen of
the nation that the unfinished task has to be completed with dedication. The
editor recalls the words of Swamiji’s ardent disciple, Sister Nivedita in her
book, The Master as I saw him: “Swamiji’s main mission in his life as expressed
often by himself, was to make Hinduism aggressive and uplift the country to its
ancient glory finding out the common bases of Hinduism.” The editor cites Swami
Vivekananda: “I am proud to call myself a Hindu, through the grace of the Lord,
may you my countrymen, have the same pride, may that faith in your ancestors
come into your blood, may it become a part and parcel of your lives, may it
work towards the salvation of the world.”
I can do no better than recount the observations of
many savants about the importance of the compilation to guide the activities of
swayamsevaks of RSS. (K. Suryanarayana Rao, Ed., 2012, National Regeneration,
The Vision of Swami Vivekananda and The Mission of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
(RSS), Chennai, Vijaya Bharatham Pathippagam, 12 MV Naidu Street, Chetpet,
Chennai 600031. Rs. 100).
* A brilliant compilation. It is indeed a fitting
tribute to Swami Vivekananda when the nation is in the midst of celebrating his
150th Birth Anniversary – Swami Gautamananda, Adhyaksha, Sri Ramakrishna Math,
Mylapore, and Chennai.
* While providing enlightening information and new
insights for general readers the book becomes a 'must-read' for swayamsewaks
working in any field of activity including the sangh work. It is an excellent
and sustaining recharge for their missionary zeal—Shri Mohan Bhagwat,
Paramapujaniya Sarsanghachalak, RSS.
* This compilation shows that the working of the RSS
is a divine dispensation and is sure to enthuse, inspire, awaken and arouse all
those who are working for the vision and mission of RSS and not to stop till
the goal is achieved. - Justice Dr. M. Rama Jois, Retd. Chief Justice of Punjab
and Haryana High Court, Former Governor of Bihar
and Jharkhand, MP, Rajya Sabha.
* RSS is in fact, the vision of Swami Vivekananda in
action. This is a book with a difference. It is a treasure-house of practical
wisdom and also guidance. Shri Suryanarayana Rao has generously bestowed on us
a priceless gift. - Padmashri Shri P Parameswaran, president, Bharateeya
Vichara Kendram, Thiruvananthapuram, President, Vivekananda Kendra,
Kanyakumari.
* This compilation is a brilliant effort, a must read
for all nationalist, social activists. Also a must on your bookshelves –
Organiser, English Weekly, New Delhi.
The call for a resurgent Hindu Nation is also a gentle
reminder to RSS on the tasks ahead. Citing Aurobindo (Vol. 17, p. 332), the
compilation notes: “Vivekananda was a soul of puissance if ever there was one,
a very lion among men, but the definite work he has left behind is quite
incommensurate with our impression of his creative might and energy. We
perceive his influence still working gigantically. We know ot well how, we know
not well where, in something not yet formed, something that is genuine, grand,
intuitive upheaving that has entered that soul of India and we say “Behold
Vivekananda still lives in the soul of his Mother and the souls of his
children.”
Highlighting the work of RSS in Tamil Nadu in the
context of Swami Vivekananda’s vision,
Swami Chidbhavananda of Shri Ramakrishna Tapovanam told an annual meet of
Sanghachalaks of Tamil Nadu: “...it is the desire of God Almighty that Hindu
Dharma and Society should be saved and developed and hence he has created this
organisation (RSS). This work is God's work!”
The editor of the compilation cites the views of Shri
Bhupendranath Datta, the youngest brother and biographer of Swamiji: “The
primary object of Swami Vivekananda was nationalism. To arouse the sleeping
lion of India and to put it on its proper pedestal was his life's mission. His
national ideal was the ideal of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyaya as depicted in the
revolutionary novel Ananda Math, (in which the present national song Vande
Mataram first appeared in full)...while Swamiji was guest of Bal Gangadhar
Tilak, it was agreed that 'while Tilak would work for nationalism in the
political field, Swami Vivekananda would work for nationalism in the religious
field.” (Swami Vivekananda – Patriot – Prophet, 1954, Calcutta, Nav Bharat
Publishers, p. 201).
The book has to be essential reading for every student
of the nation to clearly understand what the life-mission of Swami Vivekananda
was. Within a very short span of life, he breathed life into the nation. As
Sister Nivedita exclaimed: “He was the embodiment of India in flesh and blood. He was
India. He was Bharat.” This patriot shall live on in the minds and hearts of
everyone in this youngest nation on the globe, with 35 per cent of the
population less than 15 years of age. That is, every third person we meet in India, that is
Bharat is a child and the elders have an enormous responsibility to educate the
youth about the Sanatana Dharma of the Hindu Nation. Guruji said: “From
experience I have realised that what I am doing in Sangh (RSS) is in consonance
with Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy, guidance and method of work. No other
great personality’s life and teaching has influenced me so much. I believe by
doing the Sangh work, I shall be carrying out only Swamiji’s work.”
The range and expanse of this work has been begun
beautifully and eloquently summarised by Suryanarayana Rao in his compilation
which should be cherished by everyone who lives to protect Dharma. This should
be a reference-guide to take the citizens of the Indian Nation on their
destined path of contributing to the welfare of all while reaching out to unite
with the Paramaatman. (Organizer Weekly May 6, 2012 www.organiser.org )
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