Kartik Shukla 12, Vik.Samvat 2074, Yugabda 5119: 1 November 2017
1. FESTIVALS: Pradhan Mantri celebrates Diwali with troops: Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi on October 20 celebrated Diwali with troops posted along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Gurez Sector and lauded the soldiers for their penance and sacrifice saying that he considers them his family. He spent two hours with the soldiers in Gurez valley, which is at a shouting distance of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and has witnessed many gunfights with infiltrating militants in the past 27 years.
This is the fourth successive Diwali that the Pradhan Mantri has celebrated with jawans on the border. Chief of the Army Staff Gen B S Rawat and other senior army officers were present on the occasion. Modi offered sweets and exchanged greetings with the jawans. He said that like everyone else, he too wishes to spend Diwali with his family. Therefore, he had come among the jawans of the armed forces, whom he considers to be his "family". -GoTop
2, RAM RAJYA FROM AYODHYA, YOGI ENVISIONS HIS GOALS: With a resolve to restore the pristine glory of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh Mukhya Mantri Yogi Adityanath on October 18 said the negative talks about Ayodhya should end and "we should strive to bring 'Ram Rajya' in Uttar Pradesh where everyone will have the basic necessities of life".
Shri Yogi also celebrated Deepotsava at the ghats of the Saryu. He along with local denizens of Ayodhya lighted 1.87 lakh diyas giving a shot at the Guinness World Record. Yogi spoke about Ram Lila being performed by the artists of different countries like Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, saying they treat Lord Ram as their ancestor. He asked why we in Bharat question one if he talks about Lord Ram. “This is a matter of pride for us that Lord Ram belonged to this area and everyone here is linked with Maryada Purshottam. This is our heritage and we should protect it," he said. -GoTop
3. Diwali celebratIONS AROUND THE globE: UK Prime Minister Theresa May sent her best wishes to everyone celebrating Diwali in Britain and around the world. She said, "While Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists will all celebrate in their own way this week, the underlying message of Diwali and its timeless values of duty and service will resonate with people of all faiths and none. As Prime Minister, I want to take this opportunity to say a special thank you - on behalf of the whole country - for the immense contributions you all make to every sphere of life in the United Kingdom……Britain's Indian communities are a shining example of what makes our country great. As successful and integrated communities you maintain your unique traditions while contributing fully to our national life. And you help to show the world that our United Kingdom truly is a place where people from all backgrounds and beliefs can live their lives in freedom and achieve their full potential."
At an event in Central London at Trafalgar Square on October 15, about 150000 people gathered to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. This event has been hosted at Trafalgar Square on 16 occasions. Varsha Mistri from the Metropolitan Police Hindi Association said: "This is the place to be today for Diwali because it's just a huge celebration of London."
US President Donald Trump lit a 'diya' in the Oval Office to celebrate his first Diwali at the White House along with a host of senior Bharatiya-American officials of his administration and some community leaders.
In his remarks on the occasion, Trump lauded the people of Bharat for building the world’s largest democracy. He had a special word of praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he greatly values the "very strong relationship" with him. He also extolled the contributions of Bharatiya-Americans in different walks of life. Hailing the Bharatiya-American community, Trump said, "A time of peace and prosperity for the New Year, it (Diwali) is a tradition that is held dear by more than 1 billion Hindus worldwide and more than 2 million Hindus in the United States. It is also celebrated by millions of Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains in America, India and around the world."
Ivanka Trump, the President's daughter Ivanka, was among those present, along with senior Bharatiya-American members of the administration, including US Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley, Administrator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Seema Verma, US Federal Communications Commission Ajit Pai and Principal Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah.
IN SYDNEY, Australia, in the fourth year in a row the Opera House was lit up in a golden colour to mark the most widely celebrated Hindu festival, Diwali. A community reception was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art to celebrate the occasion. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian formally opened the event and said by lighting the sails of the Sydney Opera House, it brings millions of people in Australia and around the world together.
In South Africa Diwali festival celebration was held in Durban, South Africa on October 14th. The festival attracts over 100,000 visitors who get to participate in the parading of floats and chariots, singing devotional songs, dances, games and more. -GoTop
4. BHARATIYA-AMERICANS CELEBRATE CHHATH POOJA IN US: Hundreds of Bharatiya-Americans from in and around Maryland and Virginia area gathered on the banks of the Potomac river as nearly a dozen fasting women entered the river water on October 26th evening and early morning on October 27th to worship the Sun God.
"From just me and my family members and a few friends, this has now become a big community event," said Anita Singh, who has been organising the event for the past ten years now.
Potomac river attracted people from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Atlanta in addition to the Greater Washington area of Maryland and Virginia.
Over 300 devotees from all around New Jersey and the tri-state area got together at the lakeside of Thompson Park, Monroe Township to offer their prayers to the rising and setting sun. -GoTop
5. rashtrapati Kovind expressed confidence of new opportunities for young minds: "Historically, Kerala is a land of spiritualism, the emphasis on human development and on health-care and education in Kerala has set an example for the rest of the country," said Rashtrapati Ram Nath Kovind while addressing a civic reception hosted for him at Thiruvananthapuram.
Rashtrapatiji launched the Technocity project and laid the foundation stone of the first government building in Technocity. Speaking on this occasion, he said that Kerala's strengths in basic literacy and skills and the experience of Kerala's people in the services sector and in consumer-driven industries - make this state a natural for an IT ecosystem. -GoTop
6. BHARAT IS A MESSENGER OF WORLD PEACE: Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi said on October 29 that Bharat has always vouched for world peace, unity and harmony and its armed forces have contributed in this direction through UN missions across the globe. He said that currently around 7,000 Bharatiya security personnel are deployed on peacekeeping missions, making it the third highest contributor. Besides, Bharatiya forces have provided peacekeeping training to their counterparts from 85 countries and have been providing medical services to people from a number of countries, Modi said in his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'. He said Bharat has participated in about 50 out of 71 UN peacekeeping operations undertaken so far.
In his radio broadcast, he also talked about Bharat's culture of respecting nature, highlighted the increase in Khadi sales, referred to cleanliness campaign and mentioned the role played by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel in laying the foundation of the country's unity. Modi also expressed concern over the fact that even children are nowadays getting afflicted by diabetes and exhorted the young ones to play more outdoors to evade such ailments. He also referred to the just-concluded FIFA U-17 tournament in Bharat and expressed happiness over the host team's performance, saying it had won hearts, if not medals. -GoTop
7. Hindustan is a country of Hindus but doesn't exclude others: Mohan Bhagwat: Hindustan is a country of "Hindus", but it does not mean that it does not belong to "others", RSS Sarsanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat said addressing a gathering of college-going swayamsevaks in Indore on October 27. "Whose country is Germany? It is a country of Germans, Britain is a country of Britishers, America is a country of Americans, and in the same way Hindustan is a country of Hindus. It does not mean that Hindustan is not the country of other people," Bhagwat said."The term 'Hindu' covers all those who are the sons of 'Bharat Mata' (Mother India), descendants of Bharatiya ancestors and who live in accordance with the Bharatiya culture," Sarsanghchalak ji said. No one leader or party can make the country great but it needs a change and we will have to prepare the society for it, he said. -GoTop
8. RSS AKHIL BHARATIYA KARYAKARI MANDAL AT BHOPAL: RSS Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal (ABKM) meeting from October 12 to 14 stressed the need to focus on village development activities through the Shakhas. "There is a big challenge of social harmony in villages. Despite the availability of communication means, there is lack of accurate and useful information there. An effort should be made to bring the right information and the right perspective in every village," said RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi, while briefing the media persons on the last day of the meeting. Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Dr Manmohan Vaidya was also present.
The Sarkaryavah informed that ABKM has designed an action plan for Gram Vikas and Kutumba Prabodhan. "For the last few years, the farmers are confronting many questions and the Sangh feels that we should work towards making them self-reliant. Understanding the questions of farmers, the Government should formulate a favourable policy. The ABKM also discussed the issues of agriculture. The Sangh will endeavour that farmers return to organic farming. We have made some plans in this direction," he said stressing that farming should become economically viable.
Shri Joshi also informed that the Sangh has taken up the task of strengthening the family institution through Kutumba Prabodhan activities. Family plays an important role in shaping a person. If the children are imparted with good sanskars and values, their development is fine. The swayamsevaks are working towards creating socially-aware families. About 20 lakh families are connected with the Sangh through different activities.
On the entry of Rohingyas in Bharat, the RSS Sarkaryavah said the behaviour of those who have entered Bharat shows that they have not come here merely to seek shelter. The Government should formulate a policy to grant them shelter, fix the place and duration of their stay and make full proof arrangements for their return. He said the people who are supporting Rohingyas also need to understand their background.
On October 12, RSS Sahsarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale said there was an increase of about 550 Shakhas compared to the last year. He said at present there are more than 34,000 daily Shakhas and over 15,000 weekly Milans. The Sangh work is going on at 49,493 places through daily Shakhas and weekly Milans. There is considerable participation of youth in the nation building activities. The number of youth joining the RSS has increased by 48 per cent in 2016 and 52 per cent in 2017 compared to that of 2015. He pointed out that with the efforts of swayamsevaks there is significant change in about 450 villages.
About the attacks on Sangh workers he said the number of such brutal attacks in Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab and Karnataka has increased. "The attacks demonstrate the ideological defeat of the attackers," he said. On October 12, an exhibition, Dharohar, focusing on the life philosophy of some great personalities including Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, Sister Nivedita, Guru Gobind Singh, Dr. Hedgewar, etc was inaugurated by Sahsarkaryavah Shri Suresh Soni. -GoTop
9. Swami Maharaj Inaugurates Traditionally Composed Sanskrit Text in New Jersey: Amidst a large gathering of devotees, BAPS Mahant Swami Maharaj inaugurated the Svaminarayana-siddhanta-sudha, a traditionally composed Sanskrit text, at the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple on Sept. 17 in New Jersey. The assembly was a celebration of three events: inauguration of the Svaminarayana-siddhanta-sudha; the Sri Kasi Vidvat Parishad recognizing Sri Svaminarayana's Vedanta as the Akshara-Purushottama Darsana as Vedic and distinct from the other Vedanta darSanas; and the official announcement of Svaminarayana’s teachings as the Akshara-Purushottama DarSana.
Authored by Pujya Bhadreshdas Swami, the text is traditionally categorized as a vadagrantha - a formal exposition, justification, and defense of the philosophical and theological positions of a darsana. It is composed on the Akshara-Purushottama Darsana as it was revealed by Parabrahman Purushottama Svaminarayana.
Several dignitaries and renowned academics present at the event expressed their thoughts and praise for the text. Both the text and its author were honored by invited guests, including Prof. George Cardona, Professor Emeritus of linguistics and South Asian studies at the University of Pennsylvania; Prof. Sthaneshwar Timalsina of San Diego State University; Prof. Graham Schweig of Christopher Newport University; Prof. Deven Patel in the South Asian Studies department at the University of Pennsylvania; Prof. Jyotindra Dave, director of BAPS Research Institute at Akshardham; New Delhi; and Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami, chief editor at Hinduism Today.
Swami Maharaj had earlier met with former President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., as part of the swami’s efforts in North America to share universal Hindu messages and foster public dialogue on service and the importance of unity in our communities and nation. -GoTop
10. Trump Honors Two bharatiya- American Businessmen: President Donald Trump has honored two Bharatiya- American businessmen in recognition of their contributions to the U.S. economy during Minority Enterprise Development Week.Trump felicitated Sharad Thakkar and Karan Arora along with seven other owners of minority businesses in the Oval Office of the White House on 24th October. Thakkar is the president of Polymer Technologies that works with the plastic industry to transform their throwaway scrap plastic into valuable raw material. Arora is the director of Florida based Natural Vitamin Labs which provides natural health products to industry partners worldwide. -GoTop
11. Cancer Researcher Bhagelu Achyut Among Georgia Trend's 2017 '40 Under 40' List: Bharatiya-American Bhagelu Achyut was named among Georgia Trend's '40 Under 40' list honorees.The list, in its 21st year, honored the state’s best and brightest under the age of 40. Achyut, 34, is an assistant professor at Augusta University's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. A native of Bharat, Achyut came to the U.S. in 2009 for post-doctorate work and now conducts cancer research at Augusta University; the publication noted in his bio.He is currently seeking funding for a research lab focused on preclinical modeling of malignant brain and breast cancers.
"One of the main reasons I continue in cancer research is that so far we have not found the best treatment for cancer. But that just makes it more challenging," he said in the report. -GoTop
12. bharatiya-American-led Harvard Student Startup to Streamline Debt-Elimination Process: A Bharatiya American undergraduate student at Harvard University has created a company that promises to help streamline the debt-elimination process. Rohan Pavuluri, a computer science major at the university, created Upsolve, a nonprofit that uses technology to streamline the Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing process, according to a university news report.The goal of the company is to empower underserved individuals with this form of financial protection, it said. -GoTop
13. BHARATIYA ECONOMY ON 'VERY SOLID TRACK': IMF CHIEF LAGARDE: Days after the International Monetary Fund lowered its growth forecast for the current and the next year, IMF chief Christine Lagarde on October 13 said the Bharatiya economy is on a "very solid track" in the mid-term. "We have slightly downgraded Bharat, but believe that the country is for the medium and long-term on a growth track that is much more solid as a result of the structural reforms that have been conducted in the last couple of years," Lagarde said. Describing the two major recent reforms in Bharat - demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) - as monumental efforts, Lagarde said it is hardly surprising that there "is a little bit of a short-term slowdown" as a result of reforms. -GoTop
14. 431 PAKISTANI HINDUS GIVEN LONG-TERM VISAS: As many as 431 Pakistani nationals, mostly Hindus, have been granted long-term visas by the government, thus making them eligible for PAN and Aadhaar cards as well as allowing them to buy property.Under the latest policy of the Centre, those belonging to minority communities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, namely - Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians - staying in Bharat on long-term visas, are allowed to purchase a small dwelling unit sufficient to serve the needs of a family for self-use and suitable accommodation for carrying out self-employment. Such communities are also allowed to obtain PAN cards, Aadhaar numbers and driving licences, take up self-employment or do business, and are allowed free movement within the state of their stay and transfer of long-term visa papers from one state to another.The 431 Pakistani nationals with long-term visas will now also be able to open bank accounts without prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India.-GoTop
15. FLOOD-PROOF KEDARNATH BLUEPRINT READY: To prevent a repeat of the large-scale destruction caused by the massive floods in 2013, Kedarpuri, housing the famed Kedarnath Temple, will have a U-shaped three-tier protective walls with boulders all along it.The three-layered protection, comprising the Gabion Wall, Rock Net Wall and the Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) wall, will be strong enough to withstand the fury of any future flash floods. Also, the entire built-up zone will be at a higher elevation away from the Saraswati and the Mandakini rivers. The blueprint for the redevelopment of Kedarpuri has been prepared keeping in mind floods and environment. A two square kilometre area surrounding the Kedarnath Temple will be redeveloped. -GoTop
16. GURU GOBIND SINGH JI IS OUR TORCHBEARER - DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT: Tenth Guru Guru Gobind Singh Ji has been among those who took the country forward. That is why everybody holds him as an ideal and aspires to be like him. It was for this reason that Swami Vivekananda said in order to regain the dignity of the country every citizen would have to follow the ideals of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. And for this one would have to make a beginning from oneself, said RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat Ji at a function organised in Delhi to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The function was organised on 25th October, by the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat. -GoTop
17. THAILAND ENSHRINES ASHES OF KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ: The final stage of the funeral ceremony for Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej has taken place in Bangkok. The king's ashes were enshrined in two royal temples and Thailand's Grand Palace, where he had lain in state since he died aged 88 last October.
On 26th October, hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets to pay their last respects to King Bhumibol, who reigned for more than 70 years.
A year-long mourning period ended at midnight on 29th October. It means mourners will now be able to replace their black clothes with more subdued colours, such as brown and blue. Black and white decorations on government offices and homes can also be removed.
The elaborate five-day funeral officially started on 25th October with a merit-making ceremony, a Buddhist rite, in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. On 26th, the late king was cremated on a royal pyre lit by his son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, after a procession marked by drums, flute music and an artillery salute.
In the final ceremonies, King Vajiralongkorn selected some of his father's ashes to be enshrined in the Grand Palace. -GoTop
18. BHARAT SENDS 1ST WHEAT SHIPMENT TO AFGHANISTAN VIA CHABAHAR PORT: Bharat, on 29th November, flagged off a shipment of wheat for Afghanistan through Iran's Chabahar port-marking the operationalization of the port for the trans-shipment of goods from Bharat to the landlocked country.
The development is seen as a significant one as it torpedoes Pakistan’s veto over trade between Bharat and Afghanistan-a move aimed at circumscribing Bharat's role in Afghanistan. And it comes almost 15 years after Bharat and Iran first agreed to develop the Chabahar port to ease connectivity bottlenecks for New Delhi in reaching out to landlocked Central Asia and Afghanistan. It also follows US president Donald Trump in August calling on Bharat to play a larger role in stabilizing war-torn Afghanistan as he announced a revamped security plan to defeat a resurgent Taliban. -GoTop
19. NEPAL CRIMINALIZES CHRISTIAN CONVERSION AND EVANGELISM: The bill was signed into law recently by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and enshrines additional constitutional protection for Hinduism, which 80 percent of the population follows. The new law restricts religious conversion and bans the "hurting of religious sentiment," and blasphemy. Offenders face a punishment of five years imprisonment and penalty of fifty thousand rupees [approximately US$770]. -GoTop
20. RAMAGOPALANJI COMPLETES 92: Swarnabhishekam of veteran Hindu Munnani leader Shri Ramagopalan was held recently. In his message for the event, RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat said Shri Ramagopalanji is a blazing epitome of complete devotion and tireless strife for protection and honour of the Hindu Dharma, culture and society. As a Sangh Pracharak, while contributing in Sangh work and later in so many activities in the service of society, he has always maintained strict discipline, courteous conduct and purity of thought and action. "I offer him my explicit regards and wish him healthy and peaceful life with my humble pranam", he added. -GoTop
21. 6th International Conference & Gathering of the Elders: 6th International Conference and Gathering of the Elders is being organized by International Center for Cultural Studies – ICCS at Mumbai from 1st – 4th February, 2018. The theme of the conference is is "Exploring divinity through the feminine in Ancient Cultures".
This international gathering is a platform for networking, learning and sharing. The conference gathers Elders and people from all different continents of the world, over 40 different countries and various tribes coming together to cherish life, cultures and traditions. The purpose is to create a safe, stimulating and warm environtment in which all can share ideas and experiences. The diversity of perspectives and world views are valued and appreciated. -GoTop
22. BHARATIYAS AGAIN TOP FOREIGN PROPERTY INVESTORS IN DUBAI: Bharatiyas bought property worth Rs 42,000 crore in Dubai from January 2016 to June 2017, making them yet again the top foreign property investors in the Emirates, according to the Dubai Land Department.
This is an increase of Rs 12,000 crore from 2014, when the department recorded Bharatiya buyers investing Rs 30,000 crore that year. This was more than a quarter of total sales of Rs 1 lakh crore of non-Arab property investments in 2014. -GoTop
23. OBITUARY: Mahavirji, senior RSS Pracharak, left for the heavenly abode on October 24 at PGI, Chandigarh after a cardiac arrest. Thousands of Swayamsevaks thronged at the Chandigarh office of the RSS to pay the last tribute to the revered personality. RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi, Sahsarkaryavah Shri Suresh Soni and Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Shri Manmohan Vaidya paid last tribute to the departed soul along with thousands of Swayamsevaks and well-wishers.
The last rites were performed on October 25 at his paternal place Mansa in Punjab. Shri Mahavirji was born in 1951 in Budhlada of Mansa District of Punjab. After securing MA (Statistics) from Punjab University, he joined RSS as a Vistarak in 1972. After taking several responsibilities like Mandi Zila Pracharak, Shimla Vibhag Pracharak and Sah Pranth Pracharak of Himagiri Prant and Prant Pracharak of Punjab, he became the Akhil Bharatiya Sah Bauddhik Pramukh. He was also Akhila Bharatiya Karyakarini Sadasya. -GoTop
24. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Ma Dattatreya ji Hosabale, sahsarkaryavaha RSS will tour Myanmar. Dr Manmohan Vaidya Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh will tour Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Saumitra Gokhale, samyojak Vishwa Vibhag will travel with Dr Vaidya. Shri Shyam Parande, secretary Sewa International returns Bharat from USA. Visitors: Ravi Huda-Canada, Nikunj Raval - Australia
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Meet the transient world with neither grasping nor fear, trust the unfolding of life, and you will attain true serenity. - Shri Krishna in Mahabharata -GoTop
JAI SHREE RAM
VISIT TO NAGPUR:AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY
The visit of 24 girl students from Jammu & Kashmir to Nagpur gives us glimpses of the unique initiatives taken by the RSS swayamsevaks to integrate the nation. At the same time it presents a story of vision and hope that is changing the lives of these formative minds
This Vijayadashami, on the occasion of RSS Sarsanghachalak’s address in Nagpur, there were many special guests, but a group of students from Jammu & Kashmir was the unique one.
The journey of 24 students from Janak Madan Drishti Kanya Chhatravas, a girls hostel, which they prefer to call it as their second home, was an interesting story of vision and hope.
In this self-managed hostel run by the Sewa Bharati, you will find students like Tsewang Dolma from Ladakh, Ruchi Sharma from Akhnoor of Jammu region and Shazia from Kupwara of Kashmir region studying together.
The project is fully supported by the society and even the close by school provides them with free education. Most of these students are from the bordering villages or the children of terrorism-affected families. For them Shri Jaidev Ji, inspiration behind this unique project, is 'Dada' and Usha, an M.Sc. student herself associated with the project and virtually the manager, is 'Didi'.
From cleanliness to home work, they follow the self-discipline and help-each other, even the monthly list of requirements areprepared by them and managed by them. Besides studies, sports, learning new activities and nurturing their natural talent is part of the routine.
On November 14, 2016, RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat visited this unique project. During this visit, the students presented some patriotic songs. In response, the Sarsanghachalak had given them a task to prepare 10 songs in different Bharatiya languages, but with similar meaning and sentiments.
They happily took the challenge and conveyed him through a letter, which they got a chance to present during his next visit to Jammu. As a reward, they got the invite to attend the Vijayadashami function in Nagpur.
It was certainly a joyous moment for these young minds who were exploring the other parts of Bharat for the first time in life. In fact, for 10 of them it was the first ever experience of train journey.
After reaching Nagpur on September 29, they reached Reshim Bagh, where they got to meet the students from Arunachal Pradesh, who were there as part of 'Mera Ghar Bharat' (My Home India) programme. They not only got the chance to attend the main function, but also experienced the unique celebration of Vijayadashami in Maharashtra. They also visited one of the most revered places of Deeksha Bhoomi, where Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar adopted the path of Buddha along with his followers. Another chance was to meet the Sarsanghachalak at RSS headquearters and adjacent Mohite Vada, where the first RSS shakha was started.
It was an unforgettable experience for these young minds. This time they got another challenge of preparing five songs in different Bharatiya languages. The visit to RSS Museum and the birth place of RSS founder Dr Hedgewar gave them the complete picture of evolution of the nationalist movement.
Another important destination they visited was the Devi Ahalya Mandir, the headquarters of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, where they got to interact with Seethakka, Sarkaryavahika of the Samiti and students of another hostel exclusively run for the girls from North-East. While the girls from two corners of Bharat presented the flair of own culture, they realised the inherent unity, while presenting the dance forms and stories of great national figures.
'Desh Hame Deta Hai Sab Kuch' was the song they could sing together, again reflecting the same values nurtured in the two different hostels.
These students not only got the exposure of meeting the people from different regions, they got the confidence of presenting themselves, their activities and the ground situation of Jammu & Kashmir to different audience, including the national level office bearers of Sewa Bharati.
After returning to Jammu on October 6, they narrated their unforgettable experience to the audience gathered at Aryabhatta Hall of Sewa Bharati Karyalaya. This is certainly a reward they will cherish throughout their life. (Organiser, 22-29 Ocotber, 2017) -GoTop
SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN vishwav@bol.net.in www.shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com
