Pausha Shukla 6, Vik. Samvat 2076 Yugabda 5121: 1 January 2020
1. FESTIVALS: VASANT PANCHAMI: When winter comes, can spring be far behind. Vasant Panchami, the 5th day of Magha Shukla paksh, falling on January 29 this year, is the harbinger of the King of all seasons Spring. The festival is particularly observed by Hindus in Bharat and Nepal. In southern states, the day is called Sri Panchami. On the island of Bali and among the Hindus of Indonesia, it is known as "Hari Raya Saraswati" (great day of Saraswati). It also marks the beginning of the 210-day long Balinese Pawukon calendar.
Vasant Panchami is the festival dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music and all arts. The festival also celebrates the agricultural fields' ripening with yellow flowers of mustard crop, which Hindus associate with Saraswati's favourite color. People dress in yellow saris or shirts, share yellow colored snacks and sweets. Some add saffron to their rice and then eat yellow cooked rice as part of an elaborate feast. Kite flying is a popular event on this day in north Bharat as well as in the region around Lahore, Pakistan.--GoTop
Vasant Panchami is the festival dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music and all arts. The festival also celebrates the agricultural fields' ripening with yellow flowers of mustard crop, which Hindus associate with Saraswati's favourite color. People dress in yellow saris or shirts, share yellow colored snacks and sweets. Some add saffron to their rice and then eat yellow cooked rice as part of an elaborate feast. Kite flying is a popular event on this day in north Bharat as well as in the region around Lahore, Pakistan.--GoTop
2. LIGHTING OF KARTHIGAI DEEPAM: Lakhs of Devotees witnessed lighting of Karthigai Deepam at Tiruvannamalai at 6 pm on December 1. The fire was lit by devotees in more than five-foot-tall ‘Kopparai’ (cauldron or vessel used for lighting) filled with ghee and camphor, atop the 2,668-foot-high hill. The 10-day Brahmotsavam of Sri Arunchaleswarar Temple began with the puja followed by lighting of Bharani Deepam at the temple at 4 a.m. 4,000 to 5,000 people were allowed inside the temple for Bharani Deepam. Despite the cloudy conditions and smog, lakhs of devotees thronged to the temple town. Prior to the lighting of the Maha Deepam, an idol of Vinayakar was taken out in a procession followed by those of Murugar, Arunachaleswarar, Unnamulaiamman, Chandikeswarar and Ardhanareeswarar. Annadhanam was arranged at many places for the purpose of feeding devotees from far and near. --GoTop
3. SANGH WORKS FOR DESH VIJAY THROUGH DHARMA VIJAY : MOHAN BHAGWAT: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat addressed a massive public gathering at the Saroornagar stadium, Hyderabad on the evening of 25th December 2019 on occasion of the Sarvajanika Utsav of `Vijay Sankalp Shibir’. Nearly 25,000 people attended the public meeting, among them over 8,500 swayamsevaks drawn from all the districts of Telangana. The swayamsevaks were attending a 3-day camp in Bharat Engineering College at the outskirts of Hyderabad. Shri Bhagwat said that this camp is named as Vijay Sankalp. Swayamsevaks work for the development and success of the nation, without any selfish motive and without taking any credit, name or fame. They struggle and strive round the clock and yet sing the glory of Bharatmata with a smile on their lips. He said Bharat always stood for Dharma Vijay which is achieved thru saatvik methods and service orientedness, by selflessly working and serving society with affection and oneness towards all. Padmashri BV Mohan Reddy, of Cyient Technologies, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, said our moral values, education, women empowerment, integrity, trust and responsibility will have to be instilled in the society, especially younger generation to build a great Bharat. --GoTop
4. NEED TO CONNECT EDUCATION WITH SAMSKARS: RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhayyaji Joshi stressed the need to connect education with the internal and external samskars. Addressing a function organized by ‘Swa’-Roopwardhinee at Abha Saheb Garvare College auditorium, Pune on December 3, he recalled the memories of the founder of the ‘Swa’-Roopwardhinee Kishabhau Patwardhan. Bhaiyyaji said Wardhinee has been working for the upliftment of neglected sections of the society for the last 40 years. Noted scientist R.A. Mashelkar presided over the function. --GoTop
5. FORMER RASHTRAPATI PRANAB MUKHERJEE DELIVERS SECOND ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE MEMORIAL LECTURE:Former Rashtrapati Pranab Mukherjee has said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee's innate qualities as an orator and moderator greatly influenced the Bharatiya political scenario. The memorial lecture was organized under the banner of India Foundation. Delivering the second Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture in New Delhi on December 16, Mr Mukherjee said as a democrat, Vajpayee was one of the few leaders who thought of every angle before taking any decision. He said Vajpayee ensured steady growth of the Bharatiya economy at an average rate of six per cent. --GoTop
6. “VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL WAS THE OUTCOME OF NATIONAL CONSENSUS”: RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat appealed to the countrymen to visit the Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari and try to know the service activities being undertaken as per the dreams of Swamiji by Vivekananda Kendra. In a video message, aired as part of 50 years of the Memorial, Shri Bhagwat said: “Vivekananda Kendra is a spiritually oriented service mission working on Swami Vivekananda’s twin objectives of man making and nation building.
He said the present generation may have some information about the Rock Memorial but it does not practically know the history behind its creation. What is significant to know about it is that this work was done with full consensus of the country. --GoTop
7. HINDU TEMPLE CONSECRATED AFTER EXTENSIVE RENOVATION: The Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple in Chinatown in Singapore held a consecration ceremony on December 14. The event, conducted every 12 years, marks the re-energizing of the 94-year-old temple and the Deity within. The ceremony also marked the end of seven months of renovation and maintenance works that cost about US$738,000. About 15,000 people stood in the rain to observe the ceremony, decked in brightly colored ponchos against the dreary sky.--GoTop
8. BHARAT BEYOND ARYAN INVASION MYTH: Prajna Bharati and Indic Academy organized a day-long national seminar for academics, writers and intellectuals `Bharat beyond Aryan Invasion Myth’ on 7thDec at ISB, Hyderabad. Author and professor Dr Joydeep Bagchee presented a brilliant analysis on the `Historical context of the early origins of Aryan Invasion Myth’, and how German Christian theologists like Schlegel brothers, Christian Lassen mischievously created the Aryan-Dekhanistic divide and also postulated that Aryan homeland is Caspian sea and later positioned it towards Bactria. Keynote speaker, author Dr Michel Danino from IIT Gandhinagar spoke about the eight approaches thru which the Aryan Invasion Theory can be unraveled. Dr Shrikant Talageri and Dr Koenraad Elst speaking on `Linguistics and Comparative Mythology’ explained the various false theories constructed over the mythical `Aryan homeland.’
Dr Vasant Shinde of Deccan college elaborated on the Sindhu-Saraswati basin and what the DNA analysis of Rakhigarhi reveals. Dr Premendra Priyadarshi gave a presentation on Genetics evidence, tracing the lineages of trees. Dr Ashok Aklujkar from British Columbia university, Canada said that systematic neglect of good publications like `Aryan problem’ and total silence on wider evidence refuting the AIT is unpardonable and unethical. J Nandkumar, National convenor, Prajnapravah in the valedictory session stated that, it is necessary to discuss AIT as it is dividing and destroying the nation. The seminar was attended by historians, scholars and a large number of students.--GoTop
9. PIO LAWMAKERS OF UK TAKE OATH ON BHAGAVAD GITA: UK lawmakers Alok Sharma and Rishi Sunak took oath on the Bhagavad Gita while swearing in as members of the parliament in the new House of Commons on December 17. Alok Sharma is a minister in the British cabinet, Rishi Sunak is the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Alok Sharma, 52, was born in Agra and was elected for the fourth time from Reading West. He is serving as the Secretary of State for International Development since July 2019. Rishi Sunak was born in Southampton, Hampshire and was re-elected the third time from Richmond, Yorkshire.--GoTop
10. ‘BHARAT HAS GIVEN SO MUCH TO TIBET’—LOBSANG SINGEY: Lobsang Singey (76) was just 18 yrs old when he came to Bharat from Tibet as refugee with Dalai Lama walking for nearly 3 months in the Himalayan region. He was member of the Voluntary Freedom Fighter Force in Tibet. This Tibetan guerrilla outfit fought Chinese rule and played a key role in the Dalai Lama's escape to Bharat in March 1959.
In 1964, he joined the Special Frontier Force, fought the Bangladesh liberation war in 1971. SFF team was very much instrumental in liberation of Chittagong Hill tract areas from the mighty Pathans of Pakistan Army. Rest of his service was always in the Bharat Tibet border posts, which, he says, gave him an opportunity to see his motherland Tibet on the other side every day. Lobsang was also part of the joint exercise with US army. An excellent Paratrooper Lobsang says he has done paratrooping for more than 95 times. And was also the bodyguard of Dalai Lama for a short span.
Now Lobsang who is single leads a retired life in the refugee camp along with friends and spends most of his time in praying and doing social work. His words….”Bharat has given so much to Tibet….Hum BharatkeliyeJaanbhidega…(We will give our lives for Bharat...).”
--GoTop
11. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON VEDIC MATHEMATICS: Mathematicians from Bharat and abroad attended the three-day International Vedic Mathematics Conference in Delhi on December 22-24. The conference was jointly organized by Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani and Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, New Delhi. The emerging dimensions of Vedic mathematics and applications in research works based on science, technology and social science were discussed in detail in the conference. Delegates from various universities and other academic institutions of national and international reputation presented their research papers on various topics related to Vedic Mathematics in the conference. The conference was graced by Swami Nischalananda Ji Maharaj-Shankaracharya of Puri Math. University Vice Chancellor Professor RK Mittal said that the knowledge we have about human welfare is drawn from the Vedas.
Dr. Himanshu, who came from United States as a keynote speaker, said that without good mathematics, the task of calculation is impossible. Atul Kothari, National Secretary of the Nyas said that “Vedic mathematics is a system of calculation based on Vedas and Bharatiya philosophy. Because of the uncomplicated methods of Vedic Mathematics, its popularity and acceptance is increasing all over the world. --GoTop
12. BHARAT ANNOUNCES RELIEF FOR OCI CARD HOLDERS: The holders of the Overseas Citizens of Bharat or OCI cards, who are either below 20 years or above 50 years of age and have renewed their passports, can continue their travel to Bharat till June 30, 2020 subject to their carrying both the old and new passports along with OCI card as per the Foreigners Division of the Home Ministry office memorandum on the matter. --GoTop
13. REVIVE OLD TRADITIONS TO SAVE ENVIRONMENT: “The degradation that we see in environment around us today is because we have abandoned many of our ancient sanskars. Once we used to follow 44 sanskars in our life but today they have been reduced to hardly 15-16 and many people do not know their significance. We need to revive those old traditions and sanskars and also ensure that the Western items should not infiltrate in our traditions and festivals,” said Acharya Mahmandaleshwar Swami Avadheshanand Giri while releasing the environment special issue of ‘Mangal Vimarsh’ in New Delhi on December 7. Swami Avdheshanand Giri pointed out that in 2004, drinking water on the earth was 2.00 per cent which today remains only .75 per cent. “If we fail to change our habits and take the corrective steps on war footing, we would not survive long,” he said adding that today the biggest problem in the world is not terrorism but uncontrolled consumption. Veteran BJP leader Dr MM Joshi also stressed that we should change our habits otherwise we should be ready to perish. Noted economist Dr Bajrang Lal Gupt stressed on defining the traditions in new context.--GoTop
14. BHARATIYA FIRM GETS GLOBAL CLIMATE AWARD: Infosys became the first Bharatiya firm to receive the UN Global Climate Action award in the carbon neutral category at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 25) held in Madrid, Spain."We won the award for carbon neutral program, which delivers innovative actions that address climate change and help drive progress on sustainable development goals, such as gender equality, health and economic opportunity," the Bengaluru based IT behemoth said. The 12-day COP was being held since Dec. 2 in the Spanish capital by the United Nations. The UN honors achievements in combating climate change through its Climate Action awards every year.--GoTop
15. UNSUNG HEORES HONOURED ON ‘SEVA DINA’: Hindu Seva Prathisthan (HSP) observed ‘Seva Din’ to educate the people about social activities and to honour the unsung heroes who are involved in selfless sewa activities. The Seva Din started with a ‘Sevathon’, a walk in the city in the morning which was attended by the general public and noted personalities from all walks of life. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya also took part in the Sevathon. Later, a cultural event and a ceremony to honour the achievers in social service were held at RV Dental College. Popular Kannada cine star Jaggesh was the chief guest. Saphala Nagaratna of Belgaum, Kamegowda of Matavalli and Geeta from Bengaluru were honoured for their service to the society. Nagaratna is founder of Ashraya Foundation which works for HIV positive girls post-adolescence. 82-year-old Kamegowda, himself built 14 Keres (ponds) in Kundinibetta near Malavalli in Karnataka. Geeta, a Divyang herself, has helped Divyang people stand on their own through various self-help projects.--GoTop
16. KHALSA CARE FOUNDATION KEEPS COMMUNITY SMILING: Each December, Khalsa Care Foundation holds a Sharing is Caring Carnival which is eagerly anticipated by the neighboring community. This year, it held at Pacoima, California on December 14 and drew an estimated 4,200 adults and supplies were earmarked for 800 plus needy families who received a bag each of food, toys and clothes. Among other things this time included a bicycle donated by members of the Los Angeles Police Department Foothill Division.--GoTop
17. RASHTRATI, PM PAY TRIBUTES TO VAJPAYEE: Rashtrapati Ram Nath Kovind and Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tributes to former Pradhan Mantri and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 95th birth anniversary. A prayer meeting was held at Sadaiv Atal--the memorial to Vajpayee-where several Union Ministers also paid their humble tributes. BJP veteran L K Advani, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Speaker Om Birla and members of Vajpayee's family were amongst those who paid their tributes amid the playing of hymns and devotional music. Vajpayee was born in 1924 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. He died on August 16, 2018 at AIIMS in New Delhi. The memorial was dedicated to the nation in December last year. ‘STRATEGIC’ ROHTANG TUNNEL RENAMED ATAL TUNNEL: Speaking at an event held on December 25, to name the underground motor passage after former Pradhan Mantri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pradhan Mantri Modi said the project is very important for the country. “Rohtang Tunnel, connecting Manali in Himachal Pradesh to Leh in Ladakh, will now be known as Atal Tunnel. It will help in promoting tourism in the region,” he said. The historic decision to build the tunnel below the Rohtang Pass was taken in 2000 when Vajpayee was the Pradhan Mantri. The 8.8-km-long tunnel will be the world's longest above an altitude of 3,000 metres and will reduce distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kilometers. --GoTop
18. HINDU UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA - REJUVENATION CAMPAIGN: Dharma Civilization Foundation has made a commitment to raise a seed fund of $ 1 Million in support of the Hindu University of America (HUA), in Florida. In 2018, DCF raised over $ 400,000. Now DCF is eager to raise $ 600,000 more to reach its milestone of Phase-I, as early as possible and wants to achieve the Phase-II target of $ 6 Million by the end of 2020. DCF’s efforts in this direction may be known by clicking on the following link:
https://dcfusa.z2systems.com/
19. PEJAWAR SWAMY VISWESH TEERTHA SWAMIJI PASS AWAY: Sri Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji passed away on 29th December at Pejawar Matha in Udupi. He was 88 years old. Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji has been closely associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad since its beginning in 1964. He was also the vice-president of the VHP for many years. Swamiji who was associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement for long said that he would surely see the Ayodhya dispute being resolved in his time. He strived for 'Samarasya' and initiated visits to Dalit colonies in Mysore and other parts of the state in order to send a message against untouchability and bring Hindu unity. Swamiji also been closely associated with all the Sarsanghachalaks of RSS right from Guruji Golwalkar. Passing away of Swamiji has been condoled by everyone in the country irrespective of political affiliations and ideology. Pradhan Mantri Modi in a condolence tweet said Sri Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji will remain in the hearts and minds of lakhs of people for whom he was always a guiding light. RSS Sarsanghchalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah Bhaiyyaji Joshi paid their tributes to Swamiji.--GoTop
20. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN:Pravas: Dattatreya Hosabale sahsarkaryavaha RSS will return Bharat after finishing his Kenya tour. Vishwa Vibhag samyojak Saumitra Gokhale will tour South Africa and nearby countries. Visitors: --GoTop
17. RASHTRATI, PM PAY TRIBUTES TO VAJPAYEE: Rashtrapati Ram Nath Kovind and Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tributes to former Pradhan Mantri and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 95th birth anniversary. A prayer meeting was held at Sadaiv Atal--the memorial to Vajpayee-where several Union Ministers also paid their humble tributes. BJP veteran L K Advani, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Speaker Om Birla and members of Vajpayee's family were amongst those who paid their tributes amid the playing of hymns and devotional music. Vajpayee was born in 1924 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. He died on August 16, 2018 at AIIMS in New Delhi. The memorial was dedicated to the nation in December last year. ‘STRATEGIC’ ROHTANG TUNNEL RENAMED ATAL TUNNEL: Speaking at an event held on December 25, to name the underground motor passage after former Pradhan Mantri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pradhan Mantri Modi said the project is very important for the country. “Rohtang Tunnel, connecting Manali in Himachal Pradesh to Leh in Ladakh, will now be known as Atal Tunnel. It will help in promoting tourism in the region,” he said. The historic decision to build the tunnel below the Rohtang Pass was taken in 2000 when Vajpayee was the Pradhan Mantri. The 8.8-km-long tunnel will be the world's longest above an altitude of 3,000 metres and will reduce distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kilometers. --GoTop
18. HINDU UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA - REJUVENATION CAMPAIGN: Dharma Civilization Foundation has made a commitment to raise a seed fund of $ 1 Million in support of the Hindu University of America (HUA), in Florida. In 2018, DCF raised over $ 400,000. Now DCF is eager to raise $ 600,000 more to reach its milestone of Phase-I, as early as possible and wants to achieve the Phase-II target of $ 6 Million by the end of 2020. DCF’s efforts in this direction may be known by clicking on the following link:
https://dcfusa.z2systems.com/
19. PEJAWAR SWAMY VISWESH TEERTHA SWAMIJI PASS AWAY: Sri Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji passed away on 29th December at Pejawar Matha in Udupi. He was 88 years old. Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji has been closely associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad since its beginning in 1964. He was also the vice-president of the VHP for many years. Swamiji who was associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement for long said that he would surely see the Ayodhya dispute being resolved in his time. He strived for 'Samarasya' and initiated visits to Dalit colonies in Mysore and other parts of the state in order to send a message against untouchability and bring Hindu unity. Swamiji also been closely associated with all the Sarsanghachalaks of RSS right from Guruji Golwalkar. Passing away of Swamiji has been condoled by everyone in the country irrespective of political affiliations and ideology. Pradhan Mantri Modi in a condolence tweet said Sri Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji will remain in the hearts and minds of lakhs of people for whom he was always a guiding light. RSS Sarsanghchalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah Bhaiyyaji Joshi paid their tributes to Swamiji.--GoTop
20. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN:Pravas: Dattatreya Hosabale sahsarkaryavaha RSS will return Bharat after finishing his Kenya tour. Vishwa Vibhag samyojak Saumitra Gokhale will tour South Africa and nearby countries. Visitors: --GoTop
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: There are three kinds of devotees. The inferior devotee says, "God is out there" and thinks God is different from His creation. The mediocre devotee says, "God is antaryami, the inner guide who dwells in everyone's heart;" thus the mediocre devotee sees God within. But the superior devotee sees that God alone is everything, for He has become the twenty-four cosmic tattvas. That devotee finds that everything, above and below, is filled with God. - Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886) --GoTop
BALASAHEB DEVRAS GAVE RASHTRIYA SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH THE MUCH NEEDED SOCIAL IMPETUS VIRAG PACHPORE
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has become the centre of attraction today because of the changed socio-political scenario since 2014 general elections. The RSS today is praised or trolled for political moves. But the social service projects numbering over 1.5 lakh being silently conducted across the length and breadth of the country are often neglected. The impact of these service projects is now visible in almost all spheres of the social, economic and political life of the Bharatiya society.
It was undoubtedly the dynamic leadership of the third Sarsanghchalak of RSS, the late BalasahebDevras who gave the much needed social impetus to the organization. It was during the birth centenary celebration of RSS founder Dr K B Hedgewar in 1989 that Devras announced to launch 5000 service projects and started a new department of Sewa Vibhag in the Sangh.
Over the years, this Sewa Vibhag has expanded its activities touching all the spheres of Bharat’s social life encompassing the remote and inaccessible areas taking the message of love and affection to the hitherto neglected populations of the country. The various RSS inspired organizations like Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, Vidya Bharati, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, BharatiyaKisan Sangh, Sewa Bharati, and so on, they all made tireless efforts to take the fruits of development to these hapless and neglected, deprived sections of the society and bring them at par with others in the Bharatiya society.
Balasaheb Devras had the distinction of reaching to the top post in the RSS hierarchy starting from the bottom. He came in electrifying and inspiring contact of RSS founder Dr Hedgewar who identified the spark in him and groomed him to shoulder bigger and bigger responsibilities in future. Starting as a Swayamsevak, he rose to be the Sarsanghchalak – the friend, philosopher and guide of the organization.
Born in 1915 on December 11 at Nagpur Balasaheb started going to the RSS shakha since 1927 when he was in his teens. Dr Hedgewar appointed him as in charge of ‘Kush Pathak’ in the Mohite Shakha. He was a brilliant student and an ace kabaddi player.
Balasaheb was open hearted from his very childhood. He was dead against the outdated and time-barred rituals and customs. He had friends across all castes and they freely used to come to his house and dine with him. He convinced his mother to accommodate them and treat them as she treated him and his siblings. Though she came from a traditional background later on she agreed with him and changed herself.
Balasaheb completed his degree in law and joined the ‘Anath Vidyarthi Gruh’ to teach the students there much against the wishes of his father who wanted him to become an ICS officer. He was given the responsibility as ‘Karyawah’ (Secretary) of Nagpur RSS. He became a full time ‘Pracharak’ (organiser) of RSS in 1939 and was sent to Bengal. But he was called back to Nagpur following the death of Dr Hedgewar.
The RSS was banned by the Nehru Government using the alibi of Gandhi murder in 1948. The RSS was falsely implicated in this case and to get the ban lifted, RSS opted for massive ‘satyagraha’. Balasaheb was the one who was handling the underground controls of this unique event. He contacted eminent personalities, explained to them the position of RSS and sought their active support in getting the ban cancelled.
Later Balasaheb was made ‘Sarkaryawah’ (General Secretary) of the RSS with his headquarter at Nagpur. He consolidated the RSS network in Nagpur during this period and also in other provinces of Bharat. He introduced the Q & A sessions with an intention to increase inquisitiveness of swayamsevaks.
Following the demise of second Sarsanghchalak M. S. Golwalkar alias Sri Guruji, Balasaheb became the head of the organization. His leadership was put to test by the 1975 internal emergency and subsequent ban on RSS by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. That was a shameless assault on Bharat’s democratic ethos. The RSS under the leadership of Balasaheb fought with this and converted this difficulty into an opportunity by throwing the Congress out of power and restoring the democracy. He was incarcerated in Pune’s Yerwada Jail during the emergency but handled the situation from within the jail. He was a diabetes patient but in spite of that he continued to lead the organization till 1994.
Due to falling health he decided to step down and appointed Prof Rajendra Singh alias RajjuBhayya as his successor. In the RSS history this was the first such transition which was conducted so smoothly and sans any difficulty.
During his over two-decade leadership, Balasaheb added new dimensions to the Sangh work. He successfully implemented the bifocal vision of RSS Founder Dr Hedgewar to make RSS more people oriented and service-centred organization. He played a pivotal role in expanding the various social service initiatives launched during the tenure of Sri Guruji. Balasaheb deputed senior pracharaks to these organizations and expanded them all over the country. Against the background of Meenakshipuram conversion incident, all these organizations had played a major role in events like Ekatmata Yatra, Sriram Temple movement, etc. in presenting a united and organized expression of Hindu society and social psyche. Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the Prime Minister of Bharat in 1996 and that was the dream fulfilled for Balasaheb who was in Pune then and battling with life. Expressing happiness was his last reaction after which he left for heavenly abode on June 17, 1996. -www.newsbharati.com (11-Dec-2019) --GoTop
It was undoubtedly the dynamic leadership of the third Sarsanghchalak of RSS, the late BalasahebDevras who gave the much needed social impetus to the organization. It was during the birth centenary celebration of RSS founder Dr K B Hedgewar in 1989 that Devras announced to launch 5000 service projects and started a new department of Sewa Vibhag in the Sangh.
Over the years, this Sewa Vibhag has expanded its activities touching all the spheres of Bharat’s social life encompassing the remote and inaccessible areas taking the message of love and affection to the hitherto neglected populations of the country. The various RSS inspired organizations like Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, Vidya Bharati, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, BharatiyaKisan Sangh, Sewa Bharati, and so on, they all made tireless efforts to take the fruits of development to these hapless and neglected, deprived sections of the society and bring them at par with others in the Bharatiya society.
Balasaheb Devras had the distinction of reaching to the top post in the RSS hierarchy starting from the bottom. He came in electrifying and inspiring contact of RSS founder Dr Hedgewar who identified the spark in him and groomed him to shoulder bigger and bigger responsibilities in future. Starting as a Swayamsevak, he rose to be the Sarsanghchalak – the friend, philosopher and guide of the organization.
Born in 1915 on December 11 at Nagpur Balasaheb started going to the RSS shakha since 1927 when he was in his teens. Dr Hedgewar appointed him as in charge of ‘Kush Pathak’ in the Mohite Shakha. He was a brilliant student and an ace kabaddi player.
Balasaheb was open hearted from his very childhood. He was dead against the outdated and time-barred rituals and customs. He had friends across all castes and they freely used to come to his house and dine with him. He convinced his mother to accommodate them and treat them as she treated him and his siblings. Though she came from a traditional background later on she agreed with him and changed herself.
Balasaheb completed his degree in law and joined the ‘Anath Vidyarthi Gruh’ to teach the students there much against the wishes of his father who wanted him to become an ICS officer. He was given the responsibility as ‘Karyawah’ (Secretary) of Nagpur RSS. He became a full time ‘Pracharak’ (organiser) of RSS in 1939 and was sent to Bengal. But he was called back to Nagpur following the death of Dr Hedgewar.
The RSS was banned by the Nehru Government using the alibi of Gandhi murder in 1948. The RSS was falsely implicated in this case and to get the ban lifted, RSS opted for massive ‘satyagraha’. Balasaheb was the one who was handling the underground controls of this unique event. He contacted eminent personalities, explained to them the position of RSS and sought their active support in getting the ban cancelled.
Later Balasaheb was made ‘Sarkaryawah’ (General Secretary) of the RSS with his headquarter at Nagpur. He consolidated the RSS network in Nagpur during this period and also in other provinces of Bharat. He introduced the Q & A sessions with an intention to increase inquisitiveness of swayamsevaks.
Following the demise of second Sarsanghchalak M. S. Golwalkar alias Sri Guruji, Balasaheb became the head of the organization. His leadership was put to test by the 1975 internal emergency and subsequent ban on RSS by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. That was a shameless assault on Bharat’s democratic ethos. The RSS under the leadership of Balasaheb fought with this and converted this difficulty into an opportunity by throwing the Congress out of power and restoring the democracy. He was incarcerated in Pune’s Yerwada Jail during the emergency but handled the situation from within the jail. He was a diabetes patient but in spite of that he continued to lead the organization till 1994.
Due to falling health he decided to step down and appointed Prof Rajendra Singh alias RajjuBhayya as his successor. In the RSS history this was the first such transition which was conducted so smoothly and sans any difficulty.
During his over two-decade leadership, Balasaheb added new dimensions to the Sangh work. He successfully implemented the bifocal vision of RSS Founder Dr Hedgewar to make RSS more people oriented and service-centred organization. He played a pivotal role in expanding the various social service initiatives launched during the tenure of Sri Guruji. Balasaheb deputed senior pracharaks to these organizations and expanded them all over the country. Against the background of Meenakshipuram conversion incident, all these organizations had played a major role in events like Ekatmata Yatra, Sriram Temple movement, etc. in presenting a united and organized expression of Hindu society and social psyche. Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the Prime Minister of Bharat in 1996 and that was the dream fulfilled for Balasaheb who was in Pune then and battling with life. Expressing happiness was his last reaction after which he left for heavenly abode on June 17, 1996. -www.newsbharati.com (11-Dec-2019) --GoTop
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