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Vaishakha Krishna 9, Vik. Samvat 2077, Yugabda 5122:16April, 2020: SM 2002 (For Private Circulation Only)


1. FESTIVALS : Narasinha Jayantee and Buddha Poornimaa 2. LOCKDOWN EXTENDED
3. SAPTAPADI 4. WHO ENVOY PRAISES BHARAT
5. SANITIZATION DRIVE BY SEWA BHARATI PURBANCHAL 6. SEWA BHARATI STARTS PACKING UNIT IN DELHI:
7. RSS DOESN'T FORGET MOST MARGINALISED 8. IMMUNITY BOOSTING MEASURES FOR SELF CARE
9. HINDU COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA (HCA) 10 SEWA TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
11. SEWA DAY UK ACTIVITIES 12. INDIAN NATIONAL STUDENTS ASSOCIATION INSA UK ACTIVITIES
13. SEWA CANADA INTERNATIONAL FOR STUDENTS IN CANADA 14. BHARAT’S HELPING HAND
15. HSS KENYA ACTIVITIES 16. DEDICATED SEWA INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS KEEP THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE ALIVE
17. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Article:

RSS SARKARYAVAHA BHAYYA JI JOSHI ON RAMANAVAMI

 

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

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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

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