Baishakh Krishna 5, Vik.Samvat 2074, Yugabda 5119: 16 April 2017



SAMVAD

Baishakh Krishna 5, Vik.Samvat 2074, Yugabda 5119: April 16, 2017


1. FESTIVALS: Buddha Jayanti

2. NAMAMI BRAHMAPUTRA

3. PM THROWS OPEN COUNTRY'S LONGEST ROAD TUNNEL IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

4. MOST COLLEGE HEAD CHAPLAINS ARE CHRISTIAN. AT USC, A HINDU LEADS THE WAY

5. FROM PRIMARY TO PHD, A BIG SANSKRIT PUSH

6. THE SOCIETY THAT STANDS BY THE DEPRIVED IS NEVER DEFEATED - DR. KRISHANGOPAL

7. IN A FIRST, JAPAN FLOATS HOUSE LEAGUE FOR PROMOTION OF YOGA

8. AWAKENING-FOR-SOCIAL-CAUSE

9. DALAI LAMA AT ARUNACHAL MONASTERY

10. SWISS HINDUS CREATE A UNITED VOICE

11. BHARAT TO GROW AT 7.4% IN FY'18 ON REFORMS, CONSUMPTION BOOST

12. DEUTSCHE BANK NAMES DIXIT JOSHI AS GLOBAL TREASURER

13. DONALD TRUMP PICKS TWO PIOs FOR KEY JOBS

14. NATIONALIST WARRIOR TURNS 90

15. IN A FIRST, WOMEN JUDGES HEAD ALL MAJOR HIGH COURTS IN BHARAT

16. NO RULE ON TRIPLE TALAQ IN QURAN, SAYS SALMA ANSARI

17. IIT STUDENTS COME UP WITH TECHNOLOGY THAT FIGHTS GERMS

18. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN & FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Article:

WHEN BHARAT AWAKENS, THE WORLD WILL AWAKEN


1. FESTIVALS: Buddha Jayanti is celebrated on Vaishakh Purnima, (10th May this year) to commemorate the birth of the Prince Siddharth at Lumbini who later became or Bhagwan Gautam Bhuddha. People usually were white dresses; go to Viharas to observe a rather longer-than-usual, full-length Buddhist sutra. Non-vegetarian food is normally avoided. Kheer is commonly served to recall the story of Sujata, a maiden who, in Gautama Buddha's life, offered the Buddha a bowl of milk porridge. The day actually commemorates the birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and death (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha. It is celebrated in Bharat and all over the world, especially in countries from South and South East Asia like Cambodia, China, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka etc. -GoTop

 

2. NAMAMI BRAHMAPUTRA: Asserting that Assam is emerging as an economic hub of South East Asia, Rashtrapati Pranab Mukherjee on March 31 said that the country's expansion of international trade, business and investment is changing its direction, composition and physical destination. Mukherjee said this while inaugurating the Namami Brahmaputra, the five-day long river festival from 31st March to 4th April held to drive the message that the river "is not called 'lifeline of Assam' for nothing as this perennial river presents incredible business opportunities" and the entire length of the river through the state from Sadiya in the east to Dhubri in the west "is a bridge to drive economic progress in Southeast Asian markets, as part of Bharat's 'Act East Policy'."

The festival was simultaneously held at 27 locations in 21 districts of Assam. In spite of incessant rains and floods in a number of places, there was a huge participation, support and enthusiasm from the people who came from all parts of Bharat. The presence of the Dalai Lama and Baba Ramdev added to the fervor of the festival. Rashtrapatiji complimented Mukhya Mantri of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal for conceptualizing the Namami Brahmaputra, identifying the content of the festival and ensuring proper implementation for it.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, who was also present on the occasion as the Guest of Honour, recalled the centuries old relation between the people of the Himalayan Kingdom and Assam and said that effort should be taken up to further this cooperation. -GoTop

 

3. PM THROWS OPEN COUNTRY'S LONGEST ROAD TUNNEL IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and threw open country's longest and Asia's first bi-directional road tunnel on Srinagar-Jammu national highway in Jammu and Kashmir on 2nd April. He dedicated to nation 10.8 kms long Chenani-Nashri tunnel in J&K, which is Bharat's first and the world's sixth tunnel to have transverse ventilation system, providing fresh air to passengers.

The Chenani-Nashri tunnel is twin-tube, all-weather tunnel connecting Udhampur and Ramban districts in Jammu and Kashmir. It is built at an elevation of 1200 metres on one of the most difficult Himalayan terrains.

The tunnel will cut the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by 30 kms and ensure safe and swift passage for commuters even in adverse weather conditions. It will reduce the journey on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which is the only road link connecting Kashmir with rest of the country, by two hours. The work for the tunnel was started in 2011. -GoTop

 

4. MOST COLLEGE HEAD CHAPLAINS ARE CHRISTIAN. AT USC, A HINDU LEADS THE WAY: Varun Soniis an unusual college chaplain. He is a Hindu. He has a law degree. In 2008, when USC hired him as its dean of religious life, he was the sole head chaplain at a major American university who was not only not a Christian but not an ordained Christian at that. As USC's spiritual leader and moral voice, Soni oversees about 90 campus religious groups including atheists and agnostics, Baha'is, Zoroastrians.

Soni holds five degrees - from Harvard Divinity School, UC Santa Barbara, UCLA's law school and the University of Cape Town, where he wrote his doctoral dissertation in religious studies on Bob Marley as a spiritual figure who used his work to spread a divine message. While an undergraduate at Tufts University, he studied in Bharat at Bodh Gaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment.

He's consulted for the Obama administration, produced a graphic novel and advises celebrity religious scholar Reza Aslan. The son of immigrant doctors, he was raised in Newport Beach, where he went to a Catholic elementary school and learned from his best friends, who were Jewish, and his grandfather, a Buddhist who grew up around Mahatma Gandhi.

"If we want to know what religion is going to look like in the United States in 20 years, just look at what's happening on college campuses now," said Varun Soni, dean of religious life at USC. "Varun does a good job of keeping us moving in the same direction," said Dov Wagner, a rabbi at USC.

Soni, who is 42, could be mistaken for a graduate student. His hair is cut in a fade. He often teaches in jeans. He knows how to speak to a generation used to abbreviations and hashtags.

One afternoon, he walked his students through the religious history of northern India's Punjab, where his family is from. He rolled up his sleeve to show them his Sikh "kara," a delicate steel bracelet he has worn since his mother gave it to him when he was small.

Soni tries hard to reach everyone. As a way to include students who don't believe in God, for instance, he hired a "humanist chaplain" to collaborate with other religious leaders on campus.

One day in February, dozens of USC religious leaders of many faiths gathered in a conference room next door to Soni's office. It was their first all-chaplain meeting since Donald Trump’s inauguration, and each came troubled by the anxieties many of their students were feeling.

Soni sat back and listened to his colleagues - Episcopalian, Catholic, Mormon, Buddhist, Jewish - weigh in on the hatred unleashed by the recent political rhetoric.

"So what should our role be, running our different groups on campus?" Soni asked. "Is an attack on one religion an attack on all religions?"

Campolo, the humanist chaplain, brought up the words of German Pastor Martin Niemoller, familiar to everyone in the room:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out - Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out - Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me.

A fellow pastor led the group in a prayer. They stood in a circle, raised their right hands toward Soni and vowed as one to lead their communities on the path they all shared. (By Rosanna Xia, latimes.com, April 3, 2017) -GoTop

 

5. FROM PRIMARY TO PHD, A BIG SANSKRIT PUSH: Sanskrit is to get a big push, with the union government planning big changes for the language, from a three-language formula in central education boards to research course in universities. The human resource development ministry has a 10-year perspective plan starting with the training of five lakh Sanskrit teachers in the next three to four years, while the National Council of Research and Training will collect a range of data and prepare a status reports on Sanskrit textbooks.       
A road map has been suggested by a 12-member committee headed by N Gopalaswami, chancellor of Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupati. The panel's recommendations, according to senior officials of the HRD ministry, will be part of the New Education Policy that the government is likely to announce shortly.-GoTop

 

6. THE SOCIETY THAT STANDS BY THE DEPRIVED IS NEVER DEFEATED - DR. KRISHANGOPAL: RSS Sahsarkaryavah Dr. Krishangopal Ji said any society that stands by and supports people of the deprived sections never gets defeated. Delivering his presidential address at the 22nd Bhaurao Deoras Smriti Seva Samman samaroh in Lucknow, he called upon the privileged section of the society to help the downtrodden.

He recalled how Bhauraoji came to Lucknow and started the RSS work from 1937 to 1992. In fact, Bhauraoji started the RSS work in the UP by going to every district, every city in the state at a time when nobody knew about the RSS. He prepared RSS volunteers like Deendayal Upadhyaya and Ashok Singhal. Two seva karyakartas namely Lalthyalegliana from Mizoram and MA Balasubramanyam from Chennai were felicitated on that day. -GoTop

 

7. IN A FIRST, JAPAN FLOATS HOUSE LEAGUE FOR PROMOTION OF YOGA: A group of 42 members of Japanese Parliament on April 4 launched a Parliamentary League for Promotion of Yoga, a first of its kind institutional mechanism which will promote both the ancient discipline and ties between Bharat and Japan. The league, launched by Bharat's ambassador to Japan Sujan Chinoy in the presence of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, will be headed by Hakubun Shimomura, former minister for education, culture, sports, and science and technology, who had attended the World Culture Festival in Delhi in 2016 at the invitation of the spiritual leader.  The establishment of the league provides a boost to preparations for the Third International Day of Yoga in June 2017. -GoTop

 

8. AWAKENING-FOR-SOCIAL-CAUSE: As part of a unique initiative to connect the swayamsevaks with various social institutions and also to focus on the social cause, a 'Samartha Bharat Swayamsevak Sammelan' was organized by RSS Pune on 5th March. The Sammelan was attended by about 1500 swayamsevaks who came forward to take up various social projects in and around Pune. Representatives of over 80 social institutes actively involved in the Sewa and Social work in Pune region interacted with the participants during the day long structured sessions.

The Sammelan was inaugurated by Swami Govind Prabhu, president of ISKCON International, Mumbai. Swamiji praised the self-less service orientation of the Sangh and the swayamsevaks alike. During the day, swayamsevaks were categorized into 130 teams and had 16 sessions of deliberation and presentations and got acquainted and associated with various avenues of sewa projects.

During the concluding session, organizing secretary of Vijnan Bharati, Jayantrao Sahastrabuddhe stressed upon various aspects related to the social service consistently being undertaken by the RSS and emphasized on the need to spread the Sewakarya to the needy people of our society. -GoTop

https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif

 

9. DALAI LAMA AT ARUNACHAL MONASTERY: Tibetan Spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on April 6 consecrated the Thupsing Dhargye monastery in Arunachal Pradesh through an elaborate Buddhist ritual. The foundation stone of the monastery was laid by the former Mukhya Mantri Dorjee Khandu in 2007.The ceremony was conducted in the presence of Rajyapal PB Acharya and Mukhya Mantri Pema Khandu and others.

Thousands of devotees clad in yellow robes thronged the venue to witness the consecration ceremony by their living god. "I was destined to be here for this momentous occasion. It is more important to be a good human being than a mere Buddhist or adherent to any faith," the Dalai Lama said in his address. -GoTop

 

10. SWISS HINDUS CREATE A UNITED VOICE: There are 50,000 Hindus in Switzerland. Until recently they had no common voice. On April 2nd, however, various organizations came together to form the "Schweizerischen Dachverbandfuer Hinduismus" - the Swiss Hindu Association. With the Swiss Hindu Association the various groups and communities have "a unified, equitable and official place in multi-religious Switzerland" - and "finally a common voice," according to the press release of the new umbrella organization on April 4th.This is intended to strengthen the cooperation among the various Hindu communities, as Krishna Premar pa Dasa told. "We also wish that we could make Hinduism more visible to the public." Inter-religious dialogue can only take place if this religion "becomes more comprehensible and accessible to outsiders," continued Premar pa Dasa. To this end, the umbrella organization would organize events, create a website and publish publications. -GoTop

 

11. BHARAT TO GROW AT 7.4% IN FY’18 ON REFORMS, CONSUMPTION BOOST: ADB: Bharat is expected to grow at an accelerated pace of 7.4 per cent in 2017-18, which will continue to be the fastest-growing major economy in the world, ahead of China, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on April 6. On the back of reforms initiatives being taken by the Government, Bharat's growth rate will improve further to 7.6 per cent in 2018-19, ADB's flagship publication Asia Development Outlook (ADO) said.

"In India, the sub-region's largest economy, growth is expected to pick up to 7.4 per cent in fiscal year (2017-18) and 7.6 per cent in 2018-19, following the 7.1 per cent registered last fiscal," the report said. -GoTop

 

12. DEUTSCHE BANK NAMES DIXIT JOSHI AS GLOBAL TREASURER: Germany's biggest lender Deutsche Bank has named Bharatiya-origin Dixit Joshi as its group treasurer. Joshi was head of the debt institutional client group and head of listed derivatives and market clearing in the corporate and investment banking (CIB) arm of the bank.  Dixit succeeds Alexander von zurMühlen, who served for seven years as treasurer. He (Dixit) has contributed to numerous industry-wide initiatives, including serving as a board member of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association. -GoTop

 

13. DONALD TRUMP PICKS TWO PIOs FOR KEY JOBS: Bharatiya-Americans Vishal Amin and Neomi Rao will be Trump's new IP and regulatory czars, respectively; as he nominated them on April 7 while making many administrative appointments. Amin has been nominated to be the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator while Rao will be the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). Vishal Amin is a smart, thoughtful leader and we look forward to working with him," said Cary Sherman, chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America. Rao has been nominated as the administrator of the OIRA, a statutory part of the office of management and budget within the executive office of the President. -GoTop

 

14. NATIONALIST WARRIOR TURNS 90: As a legendary nationalist thinker and former national General Secretary and Vice-President of Bharatiya Jana Sangh Shri P Parameswaran turns 90, the Navati celebrations were organized in Kerala by Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram.

 "Parameswarji was able to see his efforts bear fruits in the 2014 general elections. Likewise, he will also be able to see Bharat become the Vishwa Guru", said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. He was speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the Shri P Parameswaran Navati Celebrations organized by Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram (BVK), in Kochi, Kerala on April 2. Shri P Parameswaran, one of the senior RSS pracharaks in Kerala and the founder director of BVK, is a prolific writer and researcher who pioneered the intellectual war against the Communist onslaught against history and civilizational ethos. Presiding over the function, Justice K T Thomas, Chairman of Shri P Parameswaran Navati Aghosha Samithi (PNAS), said, "There are some forces which are spreading a false campaign that Hindutva is anti-secularism. Objectivity can always be seen in the speeches and works of Parameswarji as it was also seen in the words of Swami Vivekananda."

Greeting Parameswarji on the occasion, Dr Krishna Gopal, RSS Sahsarkaryavah hailed the life of Parameswarji as an example for others on to how the life of a pracharak should be lived. Swayamsevaks are those who serve the nation at the will of the Sangh without selfish motives. -GoTop

 

15. IN A FIRST, WOMEN JUDGES HEAD ALL MAJOR HIGH COURTS IN BHARAT: In the male-dominated world of higher judiciary, there is a silver lining - women now head the four major and oldest high courts in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.

With the appointment of Indira Banerjee as chief justice of the Madras HC on March 31, women created history by heading the four historical HCs, which were among the first few created in Bharat. -GoTop

 

16. NO RULE ON TRIPLE TALAQ IN QURAN, SAYS SALMA ANSARI: Upa-Rashtrapati Hamid Ansari's wife Salma Ansari has said that uttering 'talaq' thrice does not amount to divorce and asked Muslim women to read the Quran thoroughly instead of relying on clerics. In Aligarh to attend a function at a madrassa operated by Al Noor Charitable Society on April 8, she said, "There is nothing like triple talaq in the Quran and women in Bharat are being misguided over the issue. Read the holy scriptures to clear your doubts."

Salma Ansari also raised doubts on the interpretation of the Quran by the clerics. "You read the Quran in Arabic and don't read the translation. You accept whatever the maulana (clerics) or the mulla says. You must read the Quran, read Hadis. Just see what Rasool had said," she said. Women must have the courage to read the Quran by themselves and introspect, she said. -GoTop

 

17. IIT STUDENTS COME UP WITH TECHNOLOGY THAT FIGHTS GERMS: A team of five IIT-Madras students has developed a mechanical device that can lead to safer use of public toilets. The device lifts, sanitizes and wipes a toilet seat, and is hands-free. These students have developed a prototype that comprises a simple foot pedal at the base of the commode that lifts, sanitizes and wipes the seat. They estimate that the product can be marketed at Rs 750 a piece if mass-manufactured. However, the development cost of it is Rs 5,000. The students took five months to develop the device, which can be fitted to the existing toilet structure as an add-on. -GoTop

 

18. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Shri Ravikumar, sah samyojak Vishwa Vibhag will be going to New Zealand from Australia.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Feelings of heat and cold, pleasure and pain, are caused by the contact of the senses with their objects. They come and they go, never lasting long. You must accept them. - Bhagwad Geeta -GoTop

JAI SHREE RAM

--

 WHEN BHARAT AWAKENS, THE WORLD WILL AWAKEN

Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

"The present moment is full of challenges. However, if we work in anticipation of a bright future, all obstacles will disappear on their own.  Bharat will once again regain its glory and shine as brightly as the Sun"

I bow down to everyone, who is embodiment of divine love and supreme self. I am immensely delighted to take part in this Mahasangam (grand conference).  At the outset, I would like to express my happiness at being able to meet personally and spend some time with all of you, with utmost love, serve and worship Bharatamba - the cradle of the eternal Hindu dharma.

Bharat is a land of spiritual radiance. It is the sacred land in which the everlasting and sanctifying vibrations of the Rishis' austere penances and enormous sacrifices continue to reverberate. This is the sacred land of the universal Guru, who first taught the world that "All living beings, including humans, and this whole universe are pearls strung together on the thread of divine consciousness, like a necklace of pearls in myriad colours and forms." Bharat is the universal mother, who intoned the all embracing mantra of love, Vasudaivakutumbakam - 'The universe is one family.'

The noble mantras of our spiritual culture have always emanated from this hallowed land. She is the inspiration and source of knowledge that can open the eyes of the world.  When that blazing light enters and illumines the heart, Bharat will awaken. When Bharat awakens, the world will awaken. This is because Bharat is not merely a geographical entity. She has a unique consciousness, power and charisma that no other country can lay claim to. This soil has been anointed with the sankalpa (divine resolve) of the Rishis, who realised the universal power within themselves during mediation. When we act with faith in this sankalpa, the entire universe will help us all. No other power can debase or destroy the eternal truth. However, we mustn't succumb to the sleep of carelessness. We must act with utmost vigilance.

We need the vigilance of cricket players, who, forgetting all else focuses wholly on winning the match, play with one mind and as one team.

Just as in the spiritual field, there was a time when Bharat was also highly developed materially. Way before the word 'modern' was invented, India and Indians were modernised. Today, parents send their children abroad for higher studies.  However, in the past, even scholars from ancient Greece, Egypt and China, among other countries, came to Bharat to learn and acquire new knowledge. In order to establish commercial ties with India, the Spanish Queen spent a lot of money in trying to send Columbus to Bharat. Economics, mathematics, astrology, warfare, medicine, chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology, grammar…. there is no branch of knowledge that was not born here.

Three thousand years ago Bharat was as resplendent as a priceless jewel in the crown of the world, a jewel whose value the world could not reckon. How did we lose this position? The answer: back then, we gave priority to Atma Vidya (Spiritual Knowledge). It was on that foundation that we  ventured forth into other spheres. The splendor of spiritual knowledge lent brilliance and clarity to our mind and intellect. That fortitude, keen intelligence and self-confidence also helped us progress materially. Once we conquer the mind, we can conquer anything in the material world.

So, long as Bharat acted while firmly rooted in Para Vidya (Spiritual Knowledge), she made great strides in Apara Vidya (Material Knowledge). From the moment we started living without paying heed to (living heedless of our) spiritual culture, our material life started declining.

Every atom of Bharat - the very atmosphere here - is surcharged with the pure vibrations of the universal vision that emerged from the rishis' utterly self-sacrificing life and power of austerities. Not discerning this, today we scurry after material success and pleasures. Like the warmth of the Sun, the soothing light of the Moon, the flow of the river and the gentle breeze, spirituality is Bharat's essence and nature. When we act in opposition to that culture and the nature of this nation, this land, every atom therein and its very environment will react.  It will not allow us to move ahead.  This is the reason for the troubles that we see here. The moment we understand and experience the spiritual quintessence of this land, and act accordingly, then Bharat will awaken once again; the lost glory, nobility and renown will be restored.

However, our actions must not be predicated on an understanding of the limitations of the body and mind.  What fulfills any action is divine grace. In order to gain that grace, one must have faith in the infinite spiritual power.  There are innumerable muscles and bones working behind every yawn. For them to work precisely, we need the help of a power that is beyond our control. If that power does not co-operate, the mouth that opens to yawn will remain open. Denying that power is like using our tongue to say, "I don't have a tongue!" We must dedicate all our actions to the remembrance of that almighty power. Our ancestors - the Acharyas and Rishis - acted with this attitude, and thus set an example.

Lord Krishna is the best karma dhirah (most dexterous karma yogi) the world has ever seen. His life and actions were detached, like 'butter on water'. A boat may be in water, but water must never enter the boat.  In the battlefield, Lord Krishna counselled Arjuna to perform actions with this attitude.

Dharma is the universal law that cannot be corrected or revised. Dharmo rakshti rakshitah means saving oneself by adhering to dharma. No matter which country, the laws therein prevail only when people abide by them.  The same is the case with dharma too.

The Vedas, Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita all exhort us to uphold a glorious and noble life in all ways.  By honouring dharma, we can awaken the eternal divine consciousness that is ever shining in us. Let us become enthusiastic workers, and forge ahead as one.  The present moment is full of challenges.  However, if we work in anticipation of a bright future, all  obstacles will disappear of their own accord.  Bharat will once again regain its glory and shine as brightly as the sun. I pray to the Supreme that my  children gain the strength to work  innovatively, understanding the need of the hour, thus attaining success.

The Sun does not need candlelight. The River does not need drainage water, whereas the drain needs river water.  Likewise, God needs nothing from us.  Those suffering in the world need our help.  Most of them are in villages. We must spend time with them and go down to their level to ease their suffering in whatever ways we can. We must use the torch of divinity, i.e., the light of divine knowledge, to dispel the darkness in their lives.  In Sanatana Dharma, the Creator and the creation are not two. The creation is the manifest form of the Creator. Just as there is no difference between the Ocean and its waves (because the substratum of both are one and the same; water), gold and ornaments made of gold (because gold is the substratum of all kinds of jewelry made of gold), there is no difference between the Creator, God and the created, the World. Everyone and everything is the embodiment of Supreme consciousness.

Our condition today is like that of fish in the ocean dying of thirst. We have countless sanyasis, but very few go down to the lower strata of society and work for their social development. The Bhagavad Gita gives utmost importance to karma yoga. The Lord has taught the attitude with which one should act. However, many believe that doing karma creates new vasanas (latent tendencies), which will be an obstruction to attaining moksha

(spiritual liberation). Many sanyasis believe this and stay away from sewa.

The villages today are in the same condition that they were 300 years ago.  Actually, some are in a much worse situation. Because of this, there are people who lure villagers with food and exploit them in turn.  Therefore, it is crucial that we find more people to work in villages. With help from those who have the resources, we must pay these workers a monthly stipend.

It is said that among gifts, the greatest is that of knowledge. We should be equipped to give people the knowledge of our spiritual culture.  Our religion, our culture is our mother. We must no longer allow others to call our mother a prostitute. We must give people the right knowledge about our scriptural texts and about spirituality. Only then can the situation change.

The places of worship of other religions teach religious texts. They also have schools, colleges and other institutions for this specific purpose. Those who receive training there then go out to propagate the teachings of their religion. In contrast, there is nothing of this sort in Hinduism.

There are many temples that receive a lot of donations. However, they don't use even the smallest part of their earning to teach or propagate Hindu dharma. This situation must change. We must implement measures to ensure that a part of the temples' earnings is used for propagating dharma.

For example, Diabetes cannot be cured through medicine alone. The patient must also watch his diet, avoiding fatty and sweet foods.  He must also exercise. Only then he can bring his diabetes under control.  In the same way, it is true that temples foster devotion and faith in the masses.  At the same time, these will become fruitful only with knowledge and spiritual practice.

With the help of philanthropists, we must create special courses for teaching the Hindu scriptures and imparting spiritual knowledge.  We must set up schools and colleges that teach yoga and meditation. Those who are trained in these institutions can then go out to teach others and propagate dharma.

When we talk about Bharatiya Samskar, what we really mean is eternal values. We must create opportunities for everyone to learn about and understand these values. It is ignorance of this Samskar that makes us cowardly and inept. Our ignorance makes us vulnerable to criticism by other people.

The Government has implemented various schemes for rural development. However, the beneficiaries do not receive sufficient help. Imagine pouring oil from one glass to another and from that glass to another and so on; the 100th glass will get barely one drop of oil. Likewise, suppose the government has set aside one lakh rupees. By the time the money trickles down, the beneficiaries will receive only 10 rupees. There is no point in blaming the Government. It has to pay salaries to thousands of employees and meet innumerable other expenses. However, if the attitude of the people involved in this process is selfless, the fruits thereof wholly reach the deserving.  I am very happy that our honourable Prime Minister has taken steps to make sure that the funds reach the beneficiaries directly.  Let us co-operate and work hand in hand to make sure that the measures taken by him are successfully implemented.

Every day, countless people in the world die from various diseases and accidents. Whether or not we act, our body will perish sooner or later. That being the case, isn't it better to wear the body away by acting for the growth of Samskara? For people who live this way, there is no death, for they will continue to live through their good deeds.  It is nobler to wear the body away, putting efforts to uplift our spiritual culture, than to rust away doing nothing for the uplift of dharma.

I pray to the Paramatman that your resolve to serve the nation gets stronger with each day. May Divine Grace protect all of you!

Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavanthu.

(Full text of speech by Pujya Amma at RSS Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) Baithak held at Coimbatore on March 19-21 2017. http://samvada.org/2017/news/amma-speech-rss-abps/ ) -GoTop


SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN vishwav@bol.net.in www.shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com