\ SAMVAD संवाद
श्री विश्व निकेतन SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN
Vaishakha Krishna 9, Vik. Samvat 2077, Yugabda 5122:16April, 2020: SM 2002 (For Private Circulation Only)
1. FESTIVALS : Narasinha Jayantee and Buddha Poornimaa celebrated on Vaishaakha Shukla Chaturdashee and Poornima are falling on 6th and 7th May respectively this year. Narasinha Jayantee is the manifestation day of Bhagwaan Narasinha, the 4th incarnation of Bhagwaan Vishnu. Vaishaakha Poornima is the day of birth, enlightenment as well as MahaParinirvaana (death) of Bhagwaan Buddha. For seven long years, Siddhaartha roamed in the jungles, underwent severe austerities and finally, on the Vaishaakha Poornima day, the Supreme Light of Realization dawned on him. He thereafter became Buddha, the Enlightened One. Buddha passed into eternity after completing his Sahasra Chandra Darshana i.e. 1000 full moon days (80th year) on the full moon day of Vaishaakha and to this day, Bhagwaan Buddha lives on as a beacon light to billions the world over, who yearn for the peace and well-being of all living creation. -GoTop
2. LOCKDOWN EXTENDED: Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi announced
on April 14 that the nationwide lockdown necessitated by COVID-19 will be
extended till May 3 to slow the spread of the disease.
Informing the people about the 19-day extension on the last day of the earlier
lockdown, Pradhan Mantriji said the decision was arrived at after discussions
with state chief ministers and experts.
Attempts were being made to ensure farmers, migrant workers and the poor were
least affected, he added.
Pradhan Mantriji also said that some districts could see certain relaxations of
the lockdown from April 20 depending on the number of cases and their handling.-GoTop
3. SAPTAPADI: Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi in his
address to the nation on April 14 gave seven points for the people to follow:
- Take care of elderly in the house, especially those with co-morbidities. They
are more vulnerable to contact the virus.
- Please maintain lockdown and social distancing. Use face masks even if it is
homemade.
- Try and observe the advisory by Ayush ministry on boosting immunity
- Download the Arogyasetu App and urge others to download too.
- Help the poor, as much as possible.
- Help your colleagues and those working under you. Don't retrench them.
- Respect the medical professionals and all those essential service people
working day and night for you.-GoTop
4. WHO ENVOY PRAISES BHARAT: In an interview on April
12, Dr David Nabarro, special WHO envoy on Corona-19, said that Bharat has been
able to avert some very large outbreak of Corona virus through the
lockdown.“Well, we have been very supportive of the very strong action being
taken by the people and the government of Bharat. And although we don’t have the
luxury of detailed data, but we do sense that you have been able to avert some
very large outbreak through this,” Nabarro said. While talking about the global
fight against Covid-19, he said things will get better but it will be a rocky
road to get there. -GoTop
5. SANITIZATION DRIVE BY SEWA BHARATI PURBANCHAL: Sewa
Bharati Purbanchal is engaged in providing relief to the people during the
pandemic Covid-19 in the entire North Eastern Region. Sewa Bharati, along with
its resources, members, volunteers and associate organizations, distributed food
materials and goods for sanitization at several places covering various
districts of Assam. Sewa Bharati Purbanchal is also getting relevant support
from the local administration, which helped in the delivery of the relief
smoothly. The members and volunteers collected food items and prepared packets
of rice, daal, salt, oil, vegetable, soap, sanitizer, face mask, etc. With these
packets, the workers reached the targeted families to provide food packets. At
some places, volunteers worked to sanitize public places and houses and also
worked to maintain social distancing. -GoTop
6. SEWA BHARATI STARTS PACKING UNIT IN DELHI: Amidst
national lockdown following Corona virus, the Sewa Bharati started a grocery kit
packing unit at Okhla Industrial Area of South Delhi. Thousands of grocery kits
are prepared daily in this packing unit.
Each kit includes 10 kg flour, 2 kg rice, 2 kg pulses, 1 kg sugar, 1-liter oil,
tea leaf, garam masala, turmeric, coriander powder, noodles and dried milk
packets. The staff engaged in preparing these grocery kits wears PPE and follows
the protocol to curb Corona infection. The staff working on the floor packing
tables follows the proper social distance norm and performs the work completely
meeting the WHO standards. The staff members go straight to their house after
completing the work and they are forbidden to meet anyone on the way. With this
packing unit, the Sewa Bharati volunteers are working to deliver grocery kits to
the homes of the needy people in different areas of Delhi. Till April 8, 50,000
ration boxes have been supplied from this unit to the needy people. The cost of
one kit is Rs 1100. -GoTop
7. RSS DOESN'T FORGET MOST MARGINALISED: A team of RSS
swayamsevaks from local shakha in Mandya district of interior Karnataka arranged
the required food packets, ration and other essential items to last for several
days and reached the village in Maddur where the migrant families from Tamilnadu
were staying. The food packets and other items were distributed among the
migrant families and their fears of being neglected were allayed by the
swayamsevaks. Since they did not have proper shelter, the RSS swayamsevaks have
arranged temporary shelter for these families at Mikkere in Mallavalli Taluk in
the district.
A team of RSS swayamsevaks from Mandya reached the place where members of third
gender community were staying and arranged for their medical supplies,
sanitizers, masks, food and ration. The swayamsevaks also helped them with money
to tide over the crisis. The local RSS Karyakartas located the place where the
Hakki-Pikki Janajati people were staying and provisioned food, essential items
and rations to last for several days. The team led by Umesh Kumar, Mandya Jilla
Pracharak ensured that the members concerned are addressed and all items were
distributed among the families living here.-GoTop
8. IMMUNITY BOOSTING MEASURES FOR SELF CARE: Ministry of
AYUSH recommends the following self-care guidelines for preventive health
measures and boosting immunity with special reference to respiratory health.
Recommended Measures I General Measures 1. Drink warm water throughout the day.
2. Daily practice of Yogasana, Pranayama and meditation for at least 30 minutes
as advised by Ministry of AYUSH (#YOGAatHome #StayHome #StaySafe) 3. Spices like
Haldi (Turmeric), Jeera (Cumin), Dhaniya (Coriander) and Lahsun (Garlic) are
recommended in cooking. II Ayurvedic Immunity Promoting Measures 1. Take
Chyavanprash 10gm (1tsf) in the morning. Diabetics should take sugar free
Chyavanprash. 2. Drink herbal tea / decoction (Kadha) made from Tulsi (Basil),
Dalchini (Cinnamon), Kalimirch (Black pepper), Shunthi (Dry Ginger) and Munakka
(Raisin) - once or twice a day. Add jaggery (natural sugar) and / or fresh lemon
juice to your taste, if needed. 3. Golden Milk- Half tea spoon Haldi powder in
150 ml hot milk - once or twice a day. III Simple Ayurvedic Procedures 1. Nasal
application - Apply sesame oil / coconut oil or Ghee in both the nostrils (Pratimarsh
Nasya) in morning and evening. 2. Oil pulling therapy- Take 1 table spoon sesame
or coconut oil in mouth. Do not drink, Swish in the mouth for 2 to 3 minutes and
spit it off followed by warm water rinse. This can be done once or twice a day.
IV During dry cough / sore throat 1. Steam inhalation with fresh Pudina (Mint)
leaves or Ajwain (Caraway seeds) can be practiced once in a day. 2. Lavang
(Clove) powder mixed with natural sugar / honey can be taken 2-3 times a day in
case of cough or throat irritation.
3. These measures generally treat normal dry cough and sore throat. However, it
is best to consult doctors if these symptoms persist.-GoTop
9. HINDU COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA (HCA) through Karma
Kitchen and Hindu Benevolent Fund has come forward with their volunteers and
sponsors to help and support the community during this unprecedented crisis and
lock down. HCA has established following support activities:
Created online support request form at HCA website
Established 1300 number for all states to contact HCA team for any help viz
Provide basic grocery supplies, Support for sourcing some employment, Counseling
service for Students, Help in arranging temporary alternative accommodation for
the needy. (http://hinducouncil.com.au/new/how-to-get-crisis-help-from-hbf/)
-GoTop
10. SEWA TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Sewa Trinidad and
Tobago is embarking on several projects as it relates to COVID-19, viz Meals for
Medics, Food Packages to about 2000 families, Medical Supplies, Yoga Classes for
All at 6 am every morning, Public Education and assistance to farmers in
distress due to Carona situation to the tune of TT$ 10,000.
-GoTop
11. SEWA DAY UK ACTIVITIES: Sewa Day UK is serving
community from day 1 of the Corona pandemic alongwith HSS UK through the
campaigns like Help a Neighbour Campaign, Food bank Replenishment, Care for the
carer - Providing free cooked meals for Hospitals, Reaching out to all
elders/vulnerable in local areas to assist with shopping, medical and any other
help and Mental Well-being and outreach - Connecting with all and promote
campaigns like 'Share some Joy'.
21 regional groups have been formed with approximately 100 volunteers in each.
Over 1400 plus volunteers are participating in Sewa Day activities.
Sewa Day UK is delivering over 2500 meals across the UK to NHS staff, vulnerable
people, homeless and people in need. It is also providing volunteers to various
organizations in need.
( www.sewaday.org) -GoTop
12. INDIAN NATIONAL STUDENTS ASSOCIATION INSA UK
ACTIVITIES: INSA (Indian National Students Association) , an organization
dedicated to support Bharatiya students has stepped up during this time to
provide help and support in association with organizations like Friends of India
Society International FISI UK. A national team is manning phones, emails and all
social media channels. The Bharatiyas impacted are not only students but also
tourists as well as people on other visas currently stranded in UK.
More than 1000 plus queries via social media queries, 450 plus emails and 700
telephone calls at all times have been answered and worked upon. (https://twitter.com/INSAUK/status/1248571951582412802)
-GoTop
13. SEWA CANADA INTERNATIONAL FOR STUDENTS IN CANADA:
Sewa Canada International is helping international students by releasing CAD$
5,000 of its funds immediately towards its “International Students Aid” project.
This work will be carried out by committed network of volunteers in Toronto,
Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Regina to serve those in need. The
main services are; Food Supplies or Cooked Food & over the counter medications,
Guidance/Counselling with help of qualified professionals & practitioners in the
community, Health & wellness support. (http://www.sewacanada.com/covid-19-international-students-aid/
) -GoTop
14. BHARAT’S HELPING HAND: In a bid to support the
countries against the Corona virus pandemic, Bharat has approved the first list
of 13 countries that will get the first batch of the highly-demanded
anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Bharat is going to export 14
million tablets of Hydroxychloroquine to more than a dozen countries in three
categories: humanitarian aid, aid to neighboring SAARC countries, and commercial
orders to countries such as the U.S. and Brazil. PM Narendra Modi has been
personally approached by world leaders for HCQ. Earlier, US President Donald
Trump, Brazilian President Jair M Bolsonaro and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
have personally thanked PM Modi for exporting the game-changer-drug HCQ.
-GoTop
15. HSS KENYA ACTIVITIES: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Kenya
along with Hindu Religious and Service Center HRSC and other social
organizations distributed various essential items like buckets, food packets,
soap etc to about 1500 families to help Corona affected families in Deep Sea
area. -GoTop
16. DEDICATED SEWA INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS KEEP THE SPIRIT
OF SERVICE ALIVE - Arun Kankani: These days, it’s quite normal to start the
conversation with “We live in strange times, don’t we?” Yes, indeed, we do live
in very strange and challenging times.
COVID-19 has caused unprecedented global challenge and has many unique aspects.
It’s a global health and economic disaster along with being an invisible and
seemingly invincible enemy. The coronavirus has leading authorities and
administrations scrambling to find solutions against this novel threat.
It’s during this time of confusion, that Sewa International’s volunteers have
once again come together to provide relief, information, and more to the
community. I am immensely happy and proud that I work with a dedicated group of
volunteers across the 43 Sewa chapters in the USA that have been able to provide
much needed services to the community. In less than two weeks, the whole
organization was working together effectively in multiple cities across the
country. Some of the efforts are highlighted below. (https://www.sewausa.org/covid-19)
Seven helplines in different cities across the country to provide answers and
solutions.
More than 15 webinars conducted by renowned doctors, global health experts,
family counsellors and legal experts that have been viewed by more than 50,000
people so far.
More than 20,000 masks distributed to first responders, doctors, medical
facilities, and hospitals.
Providing services to the seniors including delivering groceries and medicines.
Providing free meals to first responders like police and health worker.
Helping international students by answering their visa questions, providing
temporary housing, meals, groceries etc.
During initial brainstorming about relief efforts, we thought that our reach
would be limited due to social distancing restrictions. However, as we launched
helplines in four cities to cover all time zones, on the very first day we
realized the drastic needs of the community that remained unfulfilled. We
launched a series of webinars to educate people and answer their questions. On
our request, over 20 doctors from the Houston area came forth to volunteer their
time and knowledge. The very first webinar was viewed by over 6000+ people. The
volume and nature of requests and needs have shaped the plans for providing
immediate and long-term relief.
Currently, there is an immediate financial need of $3.5 million nationally that
we are fundraising to continue to support our communities at every level during
this pandemic. Of course, generous donors may donate directly at the Sewa
International USA website (https://www.sewausa.org/Donate) or on Facebook
(https://bit.ly/FBDonateSewa ).
As we discussed on how to address the anxiety and fear across the community, we
came up with idea of the campaign “Pledge for Service” (‘Sewa Sankalp’) to build
confidence which is the antidote to fear. We are now taking up this nationwide
campaign, with two main focuses:
Build the confidence within community
Help build the capacity of Dharmic and Sewa organizations in the US to
effectively reach out and help their community members.
In next 2 weeks, we are planning to reach out to over 1000 organizations in more
than 50 cities with this campaign. I encourage all of you to join hands to fight
this pandemic together. Please find more details on www.sewausa.org/sewasankalpa.
Our collective conscious and confidence will pave the way for our collective
success against this huge challenge.
Knowing the dedication of the team, it is no surprise to me that Sewa
International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit
rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying
on Private Contributions”. We have, for the last three years, continuously
scored the highest rating from Charity Navigator, and have earned perfect scores
for our Financial Health, Accountability, and Transparency. Sewa International
volunteers work on the time-tested Hindu principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
(“The world is one family”), Sarvejanahsukhinaubhavantu (“May all be happy”),
and Nara seva, Narayana seva (“Serving humanity is serving divinity”). Our
committed volunteers don’t expect personal recognition or glory. We simply do
what needs to be done; we serve. We organize people, collaborate with other
organizations and institutions to collectively achieve the results. We truly
believe “Together, we serve better”.
Recent news reports: (https://abc13.com/6067202/ ) and (
https://abc13.com/blood-of-recovered-covid-patients-could-be-key/6064255/ )
— Author is Executive Vice President—Sewa International, USA, and Director of Inventory Management Star Pipe Products Inc. (https://www.indiaspora.org/dedicated-sewa-international-volunteers-keep-the-spirit-of-service-alive/) -GoTop
17. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Strong immunity is the best way to keep not only corona
virus but almost all diseases away and to lead a healthy life without any
medicines. Daily yogic exercises and simple home-cooked food are the flights to
strengthen our immunity. -GoTop
JAI SHREE RAM
---
RSS SARKARYAVAHA BHAYYA JI JOSHI ON RAMANAVAMI
Today is the festival of Ramnavami.
We are celebrating it in a different kind of atmosphere. Lord Rama was the
incarnation of God and in his fight against all the evil powers, he protected
the values and humanity at that time. Today we are going through a different
crisis. The whole humanity across the globe is scared at some places and facing
this calamity at other places. This is an infectious disease so the only
solution to this problem is to stop the spread of infection. The only way to get
rid of this disease is to follow the guidelines given by the doctors and the
administration. So, on this pious occasion of Ramnavami, let us all take a
resolve to display to the world, how to ride over such challenges in an ideal
way.
The swayamsevaks of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh are actively working to serve
the people in this moment of challenge all over the country. To fulfill all the
requirements of the society as they are coming up, today thousands of
swayamsevaks are standing with society to share the pain. At present, more than
one lakh swayamsevaks are involved in different service activities at around
10,000 places. The RSS’ swayamsevaks have reached around 10 lakh families
through these initiatives that include providing food, sanitizers and other
necessary commodities and helping in hospitals.
I would like to mention a few special initiatives here…
There are many nomadic communities in Maharashtra and they are facing extreme
difficulties these days. Sangh’s swayamsevaks have reached out to them to
arrange food and other things for them. More than 1000 swayamsevaks donated
blood for a particular hospital. The swayamsevaks are also providing
refreshments and other necessary things to security personnel, doctors, nurses
and other functionaries who are working day and night to provide health services
and get the directives for the society implemented. To create awareness, the
swayamsevaks are distributing pamphlets in small groups and reaching out to
families individually.
What needs our greater attention today is that the condition of migrant workers
which go to other states from their home states to work their temporarily is
quite serious. Due to lack of trust and insecurity they are trying to go back to
their homes.
Their migration, at present, can have a serious fall out. So all of us need to
think and ensure that such temporary migrant workers should stay with us. They
need to feel reassured that the society is with them and their needs would be
taken care of while staying wherever they are. There is a need to build this
confidence by working amongst these migrant workers. The RSS’ swayamsevaks are
doing that at several places but more efforts need to be put by all in this
direction.
Another issue which has come up is that at certain places when people have moved
from cities to villages, the village residents are not allowing them to enter
due to certain apprehensions. They have their own reasons to do that but my
suggestion is that it would be appropriate to conduct the health check up of all
such people while entering the villages. At present they have to live
temporarily outside the villages. This is also a cause of concern for all of us.
We also need to think how we can cooperate and contribute to the efforts of the
people involved in providing medical services as well as security personnel. Our
workers are also doing that at many places.
We are organisational people and we talk about uniting the society. But at
present, the swayamsevaks are staying at home and reciting the ‘Prarthana’.
Along with this, efforts are on to build such an environment in family that
impart ‘sanskars’ and keep the moral up. This would ensure that all members of
the family would keep moving ahead strongly to get out of this crisis. Such
‘Parivar Prabodhan’ initiatives are taking place at several places.
There are still two more weeks to go. I am confident that if we continue to
follow the rules, we could be moving towards normalcy after this period. The
need of the hour is to take a resolve to follow all these rules and
restrictions.
I would like to say one more thing. There is no fixed format of helping others
or doing service in such circumstances. So we should look around us and adapt
according the need of the people around us. People are ready to help us with
money and individual efforts during the current situation.
There are many suggestions coming from several places. People want to know how
they can contribute. A feeling of readiness to work with RSS is visible in the
society. We should bring all these forces together to work in the best possible
way for the society. Our swayamsevaks are already doing it also and they deserve
all the praise. Today we understand the extent of the crisis which we are facing
but the best things for the society in this time period is to meet this
challenge by working hard in a thoughtful manner and with fortitude.
On the occasion of Ramnavami, while remembering Lord Rama, I am confident that
we would get out of this crisis. And with this belief I urge all of you to
continue to work for next two weeks as you have been doing. We would try that
while creating awareness, the society also becomes part of this work. I believe
that today the festival of Ramnavami is giving us the message for safety,
service and awareness in the society. I once again extend my best wishes to all
of you on the occasion of Ramnavami.
(http://rss.org//Encyc/2020/4/2/Mananiya-Sarkaryavah-Bhaiyya-ji-Joshi-s-message-on-Ramnavami.html)
-GoTop
SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN vishwav@bol.net.in http://shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com
