\ SAMVAD श्री विश्व निकेतन SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN
Margshirsh Krishna 4, Vikram Samvat 2076 Yugabda 5121: 16 November 2019
1. FESTIVALS: DATTA JAYANTI : Datta Jayanti, also
known as Dattatreya Jayanti, commemorates the birth of Bhagwan Dattatreya, a
combined form of the divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. It is
celebrated on Margshirsha Poornima ( December 11 this year ) throughout the
country, and in particular in Maharashtra. Dattatreya was the son of the sage
Atri and his wife Anusuya. Though Dattatreya is considered a form of all the
three deities, he is especially considered an avatar of Vishnu, while his
siblings Chandra and the sage Durvasa are regarded forms of Brahma and Shiva
respectively.
On Datta Jayanti, people take bath early in the morning in the holy rivers or
streams, and observe fast. A puja of Dattatreya is performed with flowers,
incense, lamps, and camphor. They remember Dattatreya's work and read the sacred
books Avadhuta Gita and Jivanmukta Gita, which contain various discourses on
Dattatreya.
The temples dedicated to Dattatreya are located throughout Bharat, the most
important places of his worship are Ganagapur in Karnataka near Gulbarga,
Narasimha Wadi in the Kolhapur district, Pithapuram in Andhra Pradesh near
Kakinada, Audumbar in Sangli district and Girnar in Saurashtra.
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2. AYODHYA VERDICT: ENTIRE DISPUTED SITE GOES TO HINDUS :
The Supreme Court pronounced in a historic judgment on November 9th that a
temple be constructed for Hindus on a 2.77-acre site in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya
town while Muslims should get an alternative land to build a potential mosque.
The five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice of Bharat Ranjan
Gogoi, ruled unanimously that the spot should be handed over to a trust that the
Centre must constitute in three months to oversee the construction of a temple,
subject to conditions.
In the judgment running into 1,045 pages, the apex court said a report by the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) provided evidence of the remains of a
building, ‘that was not Islamic’, beneath the demolished mosque. The bench noted
that the faith of Hindus that Ram was born at the site of the now-razed masjid
is undisputed, and the existence of structures like Sita Rasoi, Ram Chabutra and
Bhandar Grih are testimony to the religious fact of the place.
"On the balance of probabilities, there is clear evidence to indicate that the
worship by the Hindus in the outer courtyard continued unimpeded in spite of the
setting up of a grill-brick wall in 1857.
The top court rejected the claim on the land by the Nirmohi Akhara, saying it is
not a shebait or devotee of the deity of Bhagwan Ram. According to the judgment,
five acres of land will also be allotted in Ayodhya to the Muslim community.
Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi hailed the judgment and said it had settled a
long-standing dispute. It was also hailed and greeted by Hindu community all
over the world. GoTop
3. STATEMENT BY RSS SARSANGHCHALAK DR MOHAN BHAGWAT ON
AYODHYA VERDICT: The decision given by the Honourable Supreme Court is in
line with the sentiments of the whole nation. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh also
joins the people of the whole nation in welcoming this verdict. The final
judgment has come after legal processes spanning decades. In this process, all
aspects relating to the Ram Janmabhoomi were thoroughly checked. Arguments
placed by all parties reflecting their respective viewpoints were evaluated. We
express our gratitude and congratulate the Honourable judges and lawyers of all
sides who had carried on with this long churning patiently to bring out truth
and justice. In this long-drawn effort, we remember all those supporters who had
rendered their services in diverse ways and all martyrs with deep sense of
gratitude.
We welcome and congratulate the people for accepting the judgment, and people in
different levels of administration and society for maintaining order keeping
alive brotherhood. The people of Bharat are also worthy of praise for waiting
for the verdict peacefully for long with utmost patience.
The verdict should not be viewed from a ‘victory or defeat’ angle. The
conclusion arrived through churning of truth and justice should be viewed and
taken as a decision that will enhance the integrity and brotherhood of the
entire Indian society. Forces which create discord among people and incite
violence should not be patronized and kept away. One should express happiness
with restraint, moderation and politeness completely avoiding any provocative or
instigating action or deed and staying within the limits of the Constitution and
law.
Taking forward the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court, we hope that the
government will initiate steps soon to end the controversy.
Let us forget all past controversies and work together to discharge our duty
towards building a grand temple at Ram Janmabhumi.
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4. 562 PILGRIMS VISIT KARTARPUR GURDWARA ON FIRST DAY:
A total of 562 pilgrims were part of the first 'jatha' who visited Gurdwara
Darbar Sahib on the first day of the pilgrimage, a Home Ministry official said.
It was an emotional and spiritual moment for the devotees who paid obeisance at
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur on the inaugural day, 9th
November, of the cross-border passage, and they hoped it will become a "peace
corridor" in future.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) described the opening of the Kartarpur
Corridor as a momentous event that will be etched in golden letters in the
annals of history.
Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi, while inaugurating the much-awaited Kartarpur
corridor said that he was feeling blessed like any other Sikh devotee on this
historic day as they will now be able to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in
Kartarpur Pakistan which a day earlier had to be viewed using a binocular. He
described Guru Nanak Dev as an inspiration not only to Bharat but also to the
whole world. Describing Kartarpur as a holy place filled with the divine aura of
Nanak Dev, Pradhan Mantri also released a commemorative coin celebrating 550th
Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
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5. FANI CYCLONE RELIEF BY SEWA INTERNATIONAL: On Sunday 3rd November, coconut sapling were distributed in Balipatna Block of Khurda district of Odisha to those farmers who had lost their livelihood in the severe cyclonic storm Fani occurred earlier this year. The initiative was jointly taken up by Sewa International & Youth for Seva. The initiative was aimed to help those families whose livelihood is dependent on coconut trees and simultaneously bring back the number of coconut trees on ground as it was before cyclone Fani. The initiative took place in nearly 16 villages and 28 Volunteers of Youth for Seva from Bhubaneswar had jointly managed the programme. GoTop
6. DETERMINED WOMEN POWER CAN BRING CHANGE IN SOCIETY:
“If there is sanskar there is honesty. Patriots must emerge from every home to
embody this imagination,” said Pramukh Sanchalika of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti
Sushri Shantakka while speaking at GANGOTRI-50, an event organized to
commemorate 50th year of the first visit of Moushiji Kelkar, founder of the
Rashtra Sevika Samiti, and the then RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Guruji to a 'Samiti
Shiksha Varg' in 1969, on 3rd November at Dharwad—Karnataka.
Speaking as chief guest, Prof Dr Geeta Uthura, famous Gynecologist spoke about
the discipline and virtues of the Sevika Samiti. Earlier, demonstration of
Yogasana, Surya Namaskar and physical exercises were held. Before the event,
attractive Pathasanchalan of the Sevikas was held, in which 1,000 Sevikas
participated. GoTop
7. SOCIAL INCLUSION BY INVOLVING PEOPLE PROF ANIRUDDHA
DESHPANDE : The three-day annual conclave ‘Vimarsh-2019’ by Youth United for
Vision and Action (YUVA) was organized at the Conference Centre of Delhi
University, North Campus on November 2. With ‘Awakened Bharat’ being the theme
of the event, this year’s editions aimed to guide the students in the direction
of Rashtra Sewa through academic and cultural discourses.
In the plenary evening session, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sampark Pramukh Prof.
Aniruddha Deshpande delivered an enlightening discourse on ‘Indian Education:
Past, Present and Future’. He said, “In India, education has never been a medium
of livelihood only but majorly for knowledge and social service.”
Besides the inaugural session by Dr Payal Mago on women empowerment, there was a
talk-session inaugurated by Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation director
Dr Anirban Ganguly who delivered an enlightening discourse on the topic of
‘Awakened India’.
The second day of the conclave featured a long list of the intellectuals
including celebrated writer Vijay Mohan Tiwari and editor of Organizer Prafulla
Ketkar. The last day kicked off with engaging students of all faculties in
various parallel sessions in which speakers like Saji Narayan from BMS, Nayana
Sahasrabuddhe from Stree Shakti and others participated. The speech by Vishwa
Hindu Parishad working president Alok Kumar made the students listen to the
fervent life events of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar.
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8. UTHO PARIVAR SHIBIR BIRMINGHAM: UK Telugu Hindu
Organization (UTHO) organized a Parivar Shibir in Rugby on 19th October. It was
a day filled with engaging physical activities and thought provoking
discussions. Nearly 120 Telugu Hindus attended this Shibir. People came from as
far as from Scotland to Southend on Sea to attend this unique event.
UTHO was graced by the presence of Dhirajji Shah, - HSS UK Sanghachalak, Prof. G
S Murti ji (a nuclear scientist), and senior karyakarta Dr. Madhukar Ambekar.
Attendees listened to their speeches and later participated in various engaging
discussions on the ‘challenges faced by Telugu Hindus - solutions and actions to
take’. Teenagers learnt about Hinduism through interactive quiz and other fun
games. Children learnt about Ramayana through fun games and through drama. In
this event UTHO released a quarterly newsletter and also launched UTHO website.
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9. HINDUISM TALK AT TRINITY GRAMMAR SCHOOL SYDNEY: Hindu council Director Mr. Vijai Singhal explained various facets of Hinduism at Trinity Grammar School on 31 October to grade 11 students. About 220 students attended his presentation and learnt what Hinduism is about. He also explained the students about Hindu beliefs, Hindu scriptures, Hindu symbols and deities, Hindu stages of life, Hindu goals of Life, Hindu code of conduct. He concluded his speech with “Hope and Future” and stated Swami Vivekananda quote to students on “Awake, arise and stop not till the goal is reached". GoTop
10. VIJAYADASHMI UTSAV IN UK: West London Vibhag celebrated a Sammilit Vijaya Dashmi Utsav in Reading on 13th October. 200 delegates across respective West London Nagars attended the utsav. The theme of the utsav was Unity, Diversity and Togetherness. The theme of the utsav was personified through a Ni-Yuddh Pradarshan and through three parallel Bauddhiks. In the Balagokolum baudhik by Tusharji Shah – Saha Kendriya Bauddhik Pramukh, the message was on what makes us unique and strong through story of ‘the lion and the sheep’ and the contrasting qualities of Ram and Ravan such as ego, anger and jealousy. Sangh and Samiti bauddhik was delivered by Jiteshji Sevani (Karyavaha- South London and South Vibhaag) with the traditional message of Vijaya Dashmi but also the commonly missed message of Sangathan – Unity. Akshayaji Rajangam of National Hindu Students Forum (NHSF) national committee; delivered a bauddhik session for Kishore and Kishori groups with an inspirational message of unity in diversity using examples including the defeat of the demon Mahishasura to the birth of NHSF which is now the largest Hindu student’s organization outside Bharat. Similar programs were held at Woolwich, Bradford and Cumbria. GoTop
11. DHARMIC GURUS ARE GUIDING LIGHT IN THE WORLD DR
MOHAN BHAGWAT: Mahatapasvi Acharya Shri Mahashramanji is observing Chaturmas—also
called ‘Paryushan Parv’, in Bengaluru this year. As part of the celebrations, a
public function was held at the premises of the Chaturmas. RSS Sarsanghachalak
Dr Mohan Bhagwat addressed the gathering of thousands of devotees on November 3
where he stressed on the importance of Sadhus and saints in our society. RSS
Sahsarkaryavah Mukunda was also present on the occasion.
In his speech, Dr Bhagwat said that our saints are the embodiment of our Dharmic
scriptures and they showcase the right path in our lives. Our Dharmic gurus are
like the guiding light in the world. As the world expects Bharat to show the
path forward and fortunately we still have such Gurus in our nation even today.
Dr Bhagawat mentioned about the close relationship and similarities between
Terapanth and the RSS since its beginning , the relationship, which started
during the era of Shri Guruji Golwalkar and Acharya Tulsi in the 1950s.
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12. BIHAR BOY BAGS BRICS YOUNG INNOVATOR PRIZE: Ravi
Prakash, a Bharatiya PhD scholar has won the USD 25,000 BRICS-Young Innovator
Prize for inventing an affordable indigenous milk chilling unit for smaller and
marginal rural dairy farmers. Prakash, PhD scholar of ICAR-National Dairy
Research Institute (NDRI), Bengaluru, was a part of a 21-member delegation sent
to Brazil. Bharat won 1st prize of #BRICS -Young scientist forum's conclave
during November 6-8, in Brazil.
The technology can be used for chilling milk from the point of production by
bringing down the temperature of raw milk from 37C to 7C within 30 minutes using
nano-fluid based phase change materials.
BRICS is the acronym coined for an association of five emerging national
economies -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
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13. 1,000 YEAR OLD SHIVLING, NANDI UNEARTHED AT KARNAL:
Expected to be thousands of years old, the sculptures, besides two stone pillars
and some bricks, could give new insights about the Kushan period. The sculptures
were discovered by miners while digging sand on the banks of Yamuna river in
Karnal’s Faridapur village on the intervening night of November 2 -3.
The chance discovery of sculptures of Bhagwan Shiva and Nandi and other
artifacts dating back to the Kushan period could give new insights into the
history of the region, said heritage experts on November 6. Expected to be
thousands of years old, the sculptures could give new insights about the Kushan
period. GoTop
14.WOMEN EMPOWERMENT EFFORTS IN JENUKURUBA TRIBE BY
VANAVASI KALYAN ASHRAM: The Jenukuruba tribe inhabits the forest area that
forms a conclave of the 3 states of Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala. Their main
concentration is in the districts of Mysore, Chamrajnagar and Coorg of Karnataka
covering more than 3000 sq kms. Their total population is about 40,000.
Jenu in Kannada means honey and kuruba is the caste. As the name suggests
Jenukurubas are honey gatherers. Jenu kurubas are the original inhabitants of
the forests of the Western Ghats in Southern Bharat. They live in small
settlements called Hadi. They have traditionally been food-gatherers, practicing
shifting cultivation, leading to a nomadic existence.
Jenukurba people have excellent skill of elephant riding so they were renowned
Mahouts at the time of war in ancient times. Still every year at the ceremonial
procession on the occasion of Dashahara at Mysore, these people are invited with
elephants.
Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram (VKA) Karyakarta Chinamma is running tailoring center at
Udbur Hadi. Total 30 village girls are under training. Every day training starts
with lighting of lamp in front of Bharat Mata photo and prayer. Interacting with
girls they expressed desire to become self dependent through acquiring tailoring
skill.
Women folks are getting organized through Self Help Group, SHG movement. VKA has
18 village women committees. Smt Putamma is Mysore district women organizer.
College girls are running free coaching centers in 32 villages for students to
impart academic education along with games & cultural education. VKA imparts
training to the teachers and these teachers are working with minimum
remuneration as social activity.
Karyakarta Lokesh informed that with the help of 32 village committees they
succeeded to avail Government’s Old Age Pension for 300 needy women. Aadhar card
and voter cards for 500 people also been given. This way Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram
is working for empowering & developing Jenu Kuruba community.
( As narrated by Atul Jog—Akhil Bharatiya Sangathan Mantri , Vanavasi Kalyan
Ashram) GoTop
15. OBITUARY: Senior Swayamsevak Shri Ekantha
Purushothama Rao Agasthyaraju passed away on 13th November at Nairobi Kenya. He
was 89. Raoji, as he was fondly called was a father figure in HSS Kenya. He came
to Kenya as a Mathematics teacher and later held various responsibilities
including Mombasa Sanghachalak and editor, Amar Bharati magazine. He wrote
various books in Telugu and English.
Shri Satnarayan Maharaj, Secretary General of Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Trinidad
passed away on 16th November. He was 88.
We express our heartfelt condolences at the sad demise and pray SriParmeshwar to
bestow sadgati to divangat Punyatma. Om Shantih Shantih Shanith.
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16. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Saumitra Gokhale ,
Vishwa Vibhag Samyojak will tour Cyprus and Greece before reaching Bharat. Dr
Ram Vaidya Sahsamyojak will reach Bharat.
Visitors: K Sumesh and Bali delegation, Ketan—Myanmar, Ramwant Gupta—Fiji
FOOD FOR THOUHGHT:Burn worldly love, rub the ashes
and make ink of it, make the heart the pen, the intellect the writer, write that
which has no end or limit.—Guru Nanak
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MOMENTOUS JUDGEMENT ON AYODHYA
Ravi Shankar Prasad
SC’s adjudication of Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute represents a new
dawn for India
Lord Ram is also known as Maryada Purushottam. Dignity and ethics are central to
his conduct and philosophy. His story for the last thousands of years continues
to animate and inspire the psyche of ordinary Indians and remains a proud
narrative of our civilisational, cultural and spiritual heritage.
It was only fitting and appropriate that the long pending dispute for last
hundreds of years about his place of birth “Ram Janmabhoomi” at Ayodhya, was
finally settled by the Supreme Court after an elaborate hearing of more than 40
days by a unanimous verdict of five judges. An issue which was contentious, full
of competing claims and interests many times giving rise to conflicts and
hostility, could be resolved in a perfectly lawful manner consistent with the
Maryada of our constitutional polity.
It is equally reassuring that the entire country has accepted this judgment.
There is no discord or hostility on the ground and a rare amity, brotherhood and
understanding has been witnessed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a leader
deserves full praise for his appeal which played a cardinal role in this amity
as also the requisite administrative arrangement. It is indeed a new dawn for
India.
There were basically four suits. One filed by a worshipper Gopal Singh Visharad,
second by Nirmohi Akhara, third by UP Sunni Central Waqf Board and fourth by the
deity itself “Ram Lalla Virajman”, who claimed a declaration of title to the
disputed site coupled with injunctive relief. The Allahabad high court gave
relief to the Hindus with the right to pray in the main area and also allotting
it to them. It further proceeded to partition the disputed area one-third each
to Hindus, Nirmohi Akhara and Muslims.
The judgment of the Allahabad HC was challenged in the Supreme Court, which led
to the decision of the Supreme Court. There was voluminous evidence on record –
both oral and documentary – consisting of thousands of pages. The Supreme Court
in the judgment elaborately considered the interplay of all these evidences. It
would only be appropriate to recall some of these.
Joseph Tieffenthaler was a Jesuit missionary who visited India in 1740. He notes
the sacred character of Ayodhya, which he called Adjudea. In particular, he
mentions a “Bedi” – a cradle – where Beschan (Vishnu) was born in the form of
Ram. Alexander Cunningham, director general of Archaeological Survey of India,
refers to Ayodhya in his 1862 report as the birthplace of Lord Ram. P Carnegie,
commissioner and settlement officer of Faizabad, mentions in his 1870 report
that “Ajudhia is to Hindus what Mecca is to Mohammedans”. The court concluded
vide para 786 that travelogues of foreigners provide a detailed account both of
the faith and belief of Hindus based on the sanctity which they ascribe to the
birthplace of Lord Ram and to the actual worship by Hindus of the Janm Sthan.
Very significantly, the court further noted that for a period of 325 years from
the date of the construction of the mosque until installation of a grill wall by
the British, no evidence has been adduced by the Muslims to establish the
exercise of possessory control over the disputed site.
The court held that the oral and documentary evidence shows that the devotees of
Lord Ram hold a genuine longstanding and profound belief in the religious merit
attained by offering prayer to Lord Ram at the site they believe to be his
birthplace. Significantly the court mentioned the acknowledgments by Muslim
witnesses about the presence of Hindu religious symbols like Varah, Jai-Vijay
and Garud outside the three-dome structure. The court further held, “They are
suggestive not merely of the existence of faith and belief but of actual worship
down the centuries.” Quite clearly, what was brought down was not just brick and
mortar but a vibrant and active symbol and place of worship for millions of
Hindus through centuries.
While decreeing the suit in favour of Ram Lalla plaintiff of the Hindus in
substance, the court also decided to provide restitution to the Muslim community
by directing the government to allocate five acres of land to the Sunni Waqf
Board. The central government has been directed to formulate a scheme envisaging
the setting up of a trust for the management as also construction of a temple.
It has also been given the liberty to hand over the rest of the acquired land
for development in terms of the scheme. The order of the Allahabad HC was set
aside and the suit of Nirmohi Akhara was dismissed.
Significantly the court observed the practice of religion, Islam being no
exception, varies according to the cultural and social context. Cultural
assimilation is a significant factor which shaped the manner in which religion
is practised, because cultural assimilation cannot be construed as a feature
destructive of religious doctrine. Surely the heritage of Kabir, Rahim and
Raskhan stands vindicated today. For me it was an honour and privilege to argue
this case on behalf of Ram Lalla and Hindus in the Allahabad HC.
( Ravi Shankar Prasad is Union Minister for Law, Justice , Electronics and
Telecommunications and Information Technology. Times of India, November 13, 2019
) GoTop
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