\Samvad

Marghshirsh Krishna 1, Vik. Samvat 2077, Yugabda 5122 : 1 December, 2020:SM 2017 (For Private Circulation only)


1. FESTIVALS: GITA JAYANTI

2. 600 PILGRIMS CELEBRATE GURU NANAK DEV'S 551 JAYANTI

3. BHARATIYATA IS OUR LEGACY - RASHTRAPATI KOVIND AT JNU

4. AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER MEETS RSS CHIEF MOHAN BHAGWAT

5. SEVA BHARATI SWAYAMSEVAKS IN ACTION DURING NIVAR CYCLONE

6. RSS UTTAR TAMILNADU HONOURS CORONA WARRIORS

7. SEVA BHARATI BUILDS 40 TOILETS IN KERALA TRIBAL VILLAGE

8. ‘PARAM SIDDHI–AI’ BHARAT’S LARGEST AND FASTEST SUPERCOMPUTER

9. BHARAT HAS EMERGED AS FOURTH LARGEST PRODUCER OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN WORLD: PM NARENDRA MODI

10. ASIA'S FIRST SOLAR POWER ENABLED TEXTILE MILL IN MAHARASHTRA

11. SEWA INTERNATIONAL GETS AWARD FOR COVID-19 SERVICE

12. SDSS MYANMAR SERVICE TO COVID-19 PATIENTS

13. HSS USA SEWA DIWALI FOOD DRIVE

14. RUTGERS ADMINS CELEBRATE DIWALI WITH RUTGERS HINDU YUVA

15. FEMALE HINDU PUNDITS MAKING STRIDES IN T&T

16. NEW ZEALAND MP DR. GAURAV SHARMA TAKES OATH IN SANSKRIT

17. ICCS CELEBRATES AYURVEDA DAY IN BALI

18. OBITUARY – SHRI BALKRISHNA NAIK

19. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN & FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 

"A LIGHT IN DARKNESS"
A. GOODWILL AMBASSADOR OF BHARAT

B. CHARITY NEEDS A BIG HEART NOT DEEP POCKETS

C. ORGANIC SEEDS OF SEWA


1. FESTIVALS: GITA JAYANTI: Gita Jayanti is the day when Bhagwan Shri Krishna revealed Bhagavad Gita to Arujna on the battle field of Kurukshetra, Haryana. It is celebrated on the Margashirsh Shukla Ekadashi (25th December this year).

Arjuna, timid and diffident to take up arms against his own relatives and teachers was given sage advice by Shrikrishna, in the form of Geeta, to adhere to Dharma and do his duty which instills confidence in Arjuna. Geeta has served as an inspiration and guide to scholars, warriors and people from all walks of life throughout the world to move forward in difficult and conflicting situations. Gita Jayanti is celebrated worldwide by devotees who revere Bhagavad Gita as their Divine Mother. It is generally observed by the recitation of Gita, fasting, arranging Bhajans and Poojas etc. -GoTop

2. 600 PILGRIMS CELEBRATE GURU NANAK DEV'S 551 JAYANTI:
Over 600 Sikhs from Bharat reached Nankana Sahib in Pakistan through the Wagah border to take part in the celebrations of the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji on 30th November. The pilgrims also visited other gurdwaras in the province during their 10-day stay. All the arrangements including those for Covid-19 were made by Punjab health department, Bharatiya High Commission in Pakistan, Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee SGPC and Evacuee Trust Property Board ETPB Pakistan for the safe and smooth travel of the devotees. -GoTop

3. BHARATIYATA IS OUR LEGACY - RASHTRAPATI KOVIND AT JNU:
Rashtrapati Ram Nath Kovind said that premier universities like Jawaharlal Nehru University - JNU should be at the forefront to develop specific hand holding mechanisms and promote innovation among student communities. Addressing the 4th Annual Convocation of JNU on 4th November through a Video Message, Shri Kovind said that students coming from all parts of Bharat and from all strata of society study in JNU in an atmosphere of equal opportunity for excellence. He added that JNU reflects all shades of Bharatiya culture and the names of buildings, hostels, roads and facilities on the campus are drawn from Bharatiya heritage. -GoTop

4. AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER MEETS RSS CHIEF MOHAN BHAGWAT: Australia’s high commissioner to Bharat Barry O’Farrell AO met RSS Sarsanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat on 15th November at RSS Mahal karyalay Nagpur. Tweeting about the meeting, O’Farrell said “... I met with sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat who shared relief measures the organization has adopted across India during these challenging times,”
Commenting on his meeting, he further said, “Since arriving in India I’ve reached out to all sections of society, civil, business, government and politics, as I seek to gain a greater understanding of the country. During my political career I had an ‘open door policy, which served me well; I intend to continue it as Australia’s representative to India.” -GoTop

5. SEVA BHARATI SWAYAMSEVAKS IN ACTION DURING NIVAR CYCLONE: During the cyclone Nivar that struck Chennai and other parts of Tamilnadu and Pondicherry during November 24-26, RSS swayamsevaks were at the forefront to serve the affected and needy people.
Swayamsevaks in Chrompet, Tambaram area started their seva by immediately preparing food for the affected people and served around 1000 people.
In Cuddalore, Sevabharathi volunteers distributed food packets to around 2000 people affected by Nivar Cyclone.
Food packets were also distributed to 300 people of Irular community in Kanchipuram. In Ranipet, Arakonam Kanda, around 200 people were safely placed in three camp shelters, provided with food and essential items. In Thiruvallikeni, Chennai, volunteers engaged themselves in cutting and removing the trees fallen on the roads. -GoTop

6. RSS UTTAR TAMILNADU HONOURS CORONA WARRIORS: Remembering the dedicated service by sanitation workers during Covid-19, a function was organized to honour these workers of Chetpet area surrounding the Sangh Karyalay on the occasion of Diwali on 23rd November. The inmates of Sangh Karyalay and the residents of the locality adjoining the Sangh Karyalay attended the function.
Senior Sangh adhikaris S. Rajendran and A Ramakrishna Prasad addressed the gathering and highlighted the work carried out by the sanitation workers to help the society, especially during the pandemic. In all, 56 workers were felicitated with Pada Pooja and a kit with homeopathy medicine and other essentials. -GoTop

7. SEVA BHARATI BUILDS 40 TOILETS IN KERALA TRIBAL VILLAGE: As many as 40 toilets were built and handed over by Seva Bharati on 24th November, to families from Kurumbar tribe—an ancient tribe in Attappadi’s tribal settlement.
During the last year’s floods, Seva Bharati Volunteers came to the village of Puthur panchayat and came to know the problems faced by the people living in that area.
The project was completed within a year. The toilets were built near to their houses.
Senior Pracharak and RSS Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini sadasya S. Sethumadhavan presented these toilets to the residents of Tadikundu, Attappadi. -GoTop

8. ‘PARAM SIDDHI–AI’ BHARAT’S LARGEST AND FASTEST SUPERCOMPUTER: ‘PARAM Siddhi – AI’ developed by C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) and Atos has officially become the largest and fastest Supercomputer in Bharat on 17th November. Experts from C-DAC and Atos ensured that the system was implemented and operationalized in an optimal timeframe. Named ‘PARAM Siddhi – AI’, the initiative was undertaken with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) computing under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) to strengthen national technological capabilities in High Performance Computing. Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology said that he truly believes that Param Siddhi-AI will go a long way in empowering our national academic and R&D institutions as well as industries and startups spread over the country networked on national supercomputer grid over National Knowledge Network. “It is a historic first. India has one of the largest supercomputer infrastructures in the world and that is evidenced by the ranking that Param Siddhi-AI has received,” he said. -GoTop

9. BHARAT HAS EMERGED AS FOURTH LARGEST PRODUCER OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN WORLD: PM NARENDRA MODI: Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi said that Bharat’s renewable power capacity is the 4th largest in the world and it is growing at the fastest speed among all major countries. He said that the renewable energy capacity in Bharat is currently 136 Giga Watts, which is about 36 percent of the country's total capacity. 
Inaugurating the virtual 3rd Global Renewable Energy Investment Meeting and Expo, RE-Invest 2020 on 26th November, Shri Modi said that Bharat is travelling on an unparalleled journey in the last 6 years. The country is expanding generation capacity and network to ensure every citizen has access to electricity to unlock their full potential. 
The Pradhan Mantri further said that Bharat’s annual renewable energy capacity addition has been exceeding that of coal based thermal power since 2017. In the last 6 years, it has increased installed renewable energy capacity by two and half times. -GoTop

10. ASIA'S FIRST SOLAR POWER ENABLED TEXTILE MILL IN MAHARASHTRA: First solar power-enabled Textile Mill in Asia will come up soon in Maharashtra's Parbhani district. The project is expected to provide employment to considerable number of women in the region. 
The Jai Bhawani women's cooperative textile mill will prove to be the first in Asia to operate on solar power. The textile mill in Parbhani will process cotton to cloth. Dr. Sampriya Rahul Patil, Chairman of the textile mill is planning to produce the finest quality cotton, which will be procured from Parbhani itself. -GoTop

11. SEWA INTERNATIONAL GETS AWARD FOR COVID-19 SERVICE: Sewa International, a Bharatiya-American non-profit organization, has been awarded a USD 50,000 ‘Love Takes Action’ award by the New York Life Foundation, as a recognition for their ongoing efforts to help and support communities across the United States during the coronavirus pandemic. The grant will support the underserved community in Harris County, Texas, by providing food kits, distributing personal protective equipment (face masks), hand sanitizers, along with offering education and study-related entertainment support to school children.
“We take the principle of selfless action seriously, and our volunteers embody the spirit of nishkama karma (working without seeking the fruits)" Said Arun Kankani, President Sewa International. -GoTop

12. SDSS MYANMAR SERVICE TO COVID-19 PATIENTS:
As the cases of corona patients started rising in Myanmar in the month of November, Sanatan Dharma Swayamsevak Sangh SDSS karyakartas came forward in assisting them through various sewa activities, especially providing vegetarian food and medicines to patients admitted in hospitals. Karyakartas assisted patients in quarantine centers at Hlaing township in Yangon region, Mingalar Taung Nyunt township and other places. A Covid-19 Hindu families support group has also been formed in Yangon. -GoTop

13. HSS USA SEWA DIWALI FOOD DRIVE: Several youthful volunteers of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS and Sewa International USA, mainly high school, middle and elementary school kids and professionals collected non-perishable food items and winter warm clothing , on the auspicious occasion of Diwali between November 1st to 20th and delivered them to regional food banks, homeless shelters and other such places. This initiative was taken up across USA at places like Madison Sammamish, Sierra Issaquah, Kent Hindu Temple in Washington state, Oklahoma, , New England, Bay area, Hudson valley NY etc.
-GoTop


14. RUTGERS ADMINS CELEBRATE DIWALI WITH RUTGERS HINDU YUVA: The Rutgers chapter of Hindu Youth for Unity, Virtues and Action (YUVA), a national student organization that celebrates Hindu culture and values, recently hosted a virtual Diwali event.
University President Jonathan Holloway, Rutgers—New Brunswick Chancellor Christopher J. Molloy and other administrators joined the event. The administrators voiced how the meaning of Diwali resonates with them and their appreciation for the Hindu community.
At the event, students provided an overview of the significance of Diwali and various activities of YUVA , said Jaanhavi Ganesh, treasurer of Hindu YUVA.
Besides the celebrations, the organization also addressed the growing issue of food insecurity among general people and specific issues of student community.
Hindu YUVA at Rutgers collaborated with five fellow student organizations in a program Sewa Diwali – an inititive to provide food items to needy. A student support helpline was maintained nationally supporting about 400 students with accommodation, groceries and mental health support during the pandemic. A webinar series was also hosted on topic ‘Hinduism in the 21st Century'. -GoTop

15. FEMALE HINDU PUNDITS MAKING STRIDES IN T&T: More women are taking their place on the altar at Hindu religious rituals, leading prayers in what has traditionally been a male-dominated role.
For centuries, many Hindu prayers have been led by male Pundits but according to Geeta Vahini, President of the Hindu Prachaar Kendra in Trinidad & Tobago, over the last decade, there has been an increase in “Punditas” or “Purohitas” as they are referred. Geeta Vahini has presided over pujas for over thirty years. Vahini explained that there is nothing in Hindu religious texts that prohibits a woman from leading religious rituals or even participating in puja during her menstruation.
Today, Vahini said more people are becoming open minded and are embracing female religious leaders. This she said was comforting especially since more women are showing an interest in leading spiritual work. -GoTop

16. NEW ZEALAND MP DR. GAURAV SHARMA TAKES OATH IN SANSKRIT: Bharatiya origin doctor, the newly elected New Zealand MP Dr Gaurav Sharma created history by taking oath in the Sanskrit language inside the New Zealand parliament. Dr Sharma is the Member-elect of the Kiwis parliament from Hamilton West, where he fought on a Labour Party ticket. He first took oath in the Maori language- indigenous to the New Zealand followed by Sanskrit. 
Dr Sharma becomes the second parliamentarian outside Bharat to take oath in Sanskrit. The first was Chandrikapresad Santokhi from Suriname who took oath in Sanskrit while holding Bhagawad Gita. -GoTop

17. ICCS CELEBRATES AYURVEDA DAY IN BALI: Ayurveda day 2020 was celebrated online on 13th November – Dhanwantari Jayanti. International Center for Cultural Studies ICCS co-organized the celebrations in Indonesia Bali with Fakultas kesehatan Ayurweda, Universitas Hindu Indonesia UNHI , Bali and Griya sehat Ayurveda – UNHI.
The Ayurveda day celebrations had a poster presentation competition organized for Indonesians with theme of ‘Ayurveda and Indonesia’ with sub themes based on local practices of Usada, Jamu etc and 43 students participated in the competition.
The event was addressed by Dean of Fakultas kesehatan Ayurweda – UNHI, Dr Ida Bagus Wiryanatha , Shri Prakash Chand, Consul general of Bharat in Bali, Mr. Manohar Puri, director of Swami Vivekananda cultural centre, Bali and others. Prof. Dr. Abhishek Joshi coordinated the program. -GoTop

18. OBITUARY – SHRI BALKRISHNA NAIK :
Senior RSS pracharak Shri Balkrishna Naik passed away near Kushinagar – Gorakhpur on 18th November night. He was 78. A bright student since childhood, Balkrishna Naik obtained his degree in Engineering from Gujarat and post graduate degree from Stanford University. He became a Sangh pracharak in 1966 and worked in Bengal. Later he worked for Vishwa Hindu Parishad organizational work in Bengal and Maharashtra before taking up responsibility as Central Secretary of VHP – International coordination. For past two decades, he mainly worked for ‘Hindu Bauddha Samanvay’ activities in various responsibilities of VHP. He traveled to USA and several South East Asian countries for this work. -GoTop

 

19. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN & FOOD FOR THOUGHT:


A LIGHT IN DARKNESS
The Dharmic ideal of sewa has sustained and nourished our civilization.
Presenting some stories which exemplified the spriit of Dharma and became the source of light and hope amidst darkness and despair created by the Covid19.


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GOODWILL AMBASSADOR OF BHARAT

Nethra’s 47 year old father C Mohan is a hair dresser by profession. He owns a salon in the temple town of Madurai. Mohan is a resident of Melamadai. His daughter is Nethra is studying in 9th standard in a local school. She wants to become an IAS officer. 

Mohan saves a part of his earnings for daughter’s study. Seven years ago a group of people took away his hard earned money. “We had no money even to get water” recalls Mohan. Undeterred by losing his hard earned money, Mohan worked hard to set apart money for his daughter’s education. After seeing the woes of the migrant labourers and the sufferings of poor during Covid 19 lock down, Nethra convinced her family to give away all the earning to such people. Mohan and his family, who had tasted bitter experience after losing their entire savings seven years ago, distributed grocery and other essential kits to needy. “We have spent nearly 5 lakhs, the money we saved for my daughter’s studies. Initially I gave the kit to only a few. On hearing this, people started knocking at our doors seeking help. This made us to spend the entire savings for the needy. I hope with God’s grace, I can earn back through my customers whatever I have spent for the poor. If needed, I will even pledge my wife’s jewels” Said Mohan. 
Nethra has been appointed the Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Association for Development and Peace ( UNADAP) recognising her role in feeding the poor during the COVID-19 lockdown. She said,” the recognition has given me additional energy to serve poor. This experience will help me to serve downtrodden when I become an IAS officer”. Nethra, according to norms, would be given chance to speak at conferences at New York and Geneva, addressing civil society forums and others. She is the first to earn this coveted offer at a younger age. Pakistan’s, alleged education activist, Malala Yousafzai became U N Messenger of Peace with a special focus on girl’s education at the age of 19. -GoTop

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CHARITY NEEDS A BIG HEART NOT DEEP POCKETS

A Madurai alms-seeker has donated Rs 2.10 Lakh to the Chief Minister’s Covid-19 Relief Fund, driving home a message that one need not be a crorepati to do charity   
Vagabond Pool Pandian, the native of Aalankinaru village in Thoothukudi district, studied up-to class 1, is eking out living by mooching. Born with silver spoons, he was forced to beg as his two sons refused to look after him, left with no option Pool Pandian went to Mumbai.

 This year, around March, he came to Tamil Nadu and stranded in Madurai due to Corona pandemic. Pool Pandian told media persons that "I have been staying in KakkalPadiniyar Corporation Girl's Higher Secondary School where Corporation provides food for us. Seeing the plight of the poor due to Corona, I wanted to part with the money I had by begging to Covid-19 pandemic relief measures. Tamil Nadu people are very generous, who do not want people to be hungry in front of their eyes. On May 18, I gave Rs.10, 000 to the District Collector. On November 4 on my 20th visit, I have given another Rs.10,000 to the District Collector Anbazhagan" So far this vagrant donated Rs.20 lakhs". 
Despite living in penury, the 68-year-old Pandian has been donating since May, to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund to aid the efforts to tackle the pandemic. This tramp can be found clutching two cloth bags, one contains a towel, a dhoti, tumbler and plate to eat and in the other bag he keeps the money. He can be seen seeking alms at the Central vegetable and flower market at Mattuthvani for a bigger cause. 
This saffron-clad mendicant said "Late Chief Minister Kamaraj was a school dropout, but he had implemented free education scheme and introduced midday project to stop children existing studies in the middle due to poverty. His efforts help lakhs of students to pursue education. I was impressed upon his efforts. I want to donate whatever little mite I have. It is the only thing that keeps me going. I also donated mats, chairs, blackboards and stationery items, water purifiers to government schools in Thoothukudi, Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts.  -GoTop

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ORGANIC SEEDS OF SEWA
Dr Samanwaya Nanda 

Smt Chhayarani Sahu, the 57-year-old farmer of Kuruda village under Basudevpur block in Bhadrak district, distributed free vegetables to the rural populace who were reeling under the lockdown. She distributed vegetables in at least 28 villages in many panchayats, including Lunga, Brahmanigaon, Binayakpur and some wards in Basudevpur municipality.
Smt Sahu feels very happy and contented by distributing free vegetables to the poor. “During the lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed people to contribute generously to PM Cares Fund and to help the people in distress, people were contributing to the PM Cares Fund and Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Since I did not have a big bank balance, I decided to contribute to the society by distributing vegetables from my farm among villagers. It gives me immense pleasure as people appreciate my endeavour and bless my children,” says Smt Sahu.
During lock down, she distributed 420 quintals of vegetables. She used to make vegetable packets and distribute in nearby villages. Accompanied by a group of volunteers, Smt Sahu moved around in a van with packets of vegetables and distributed at the doorsteps of villagers. The packets contained brinjal, lady's finger, tomato, green chili, onion, a piece of pumpkin and cucumber. The mother of four -- two daughters and two sons – Smt Sahu has been growing vegetables in her eight -acre farmland for the last three decades. She grows seasonal vegetables in her farmland. She is also into dairy farming and rears 25 cows. Her husband Shri Sarbeswar Sahu stands rock solid behind her and helps her in farming and runs a milk society. Most important aspect of Smt Sahu’s farming is that she does her farming in complete organic manner and does not use chemicals and fertilisers in farmland.

Since I did not have a big bank balance, I decided to contribute to the society by distributing vegetables from my farm among villagers. It gives me immense pleasure as people appreciate my endeavour and bless my children 
“I don’t use chemicals and fertilizers because in my opinion chemicals and fertilizers are are like poisons. It makes the soil poisonous. I have 25 cows with me. So I get cow dung from them. I use cow dung as organic fertilizers. I also prepare insecticide on my own. I have taken training in that. Farmers should not use chemicals and fertilizers rather they should do farming in an organic way,” says Smt Sahu. Chhayarani distributed not only vegetables but also milk among the villagers and on duty police personnel deployed in lockdown, when the local dairy society was closed for a few days.
Her sons, Santosh and Manas, along with volunteers Baikuntha Sahu and Rabindra Sahu were helping her in distributing vegetables during the pandemic.
Sewa work during flood
After heavy rains in the state, coastal districts of Odisha, including Bhadrak, witnessed flood-like situation in September 2020. This time, too, Smt Sahu lent helping hand to the needy. Smt Sahu distributed three quintals of chuda (flattened rice), 50 kg of sugar and biscuits. She also provided 200 pieces of gamchhas, sarees and dhotis to the poor.
“In lockdown period, people were facing many difficulties. In recent flood also, the people of Chandbali Block were in distress. So with my limited capacity, I tried to help the needy. Besides distributing chuda, sugar and clothes I provided cooked food to the people in distress,” says Smt Sahu. The local people have appreciated the noble work of Smt Sahu. “Her work during the Covid crisis and flood situation is praiseworthy. This will encourage others to lend a helping hand and support each other,” says a local villager.
VVS Laxman appreciates Smt Sahu 
Former Indian Test cricketer VVS Laxman also lauded the selfless work of Smt Chhayarani Sahu during lock down period. “While there is a lot of suffering for people, it’s so wonderful to see people showing their humanity and selflessness,” Laxman tweeted. (Organiser, November 22-29, 2020) -GoTop