Shravana Krishna 9 Vik. Samvat 2078, Yugabda 5123 : 1 August, 2021:SM 3009 (For Private Circulation only)
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16. RAMAPPA TEMPLE IN TELANGANA AND CITY OF DHOLAVIRA GETS UNESCO HERITAGE TAG |
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Article: REMEMBERING REVERED JAGDEV RAM UROAN JEE ON HIS FIRST DEATH ANNIVERSARY |
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1. FESTIVALS:
RAKSHA BANDHAN: Raksha Bandhan, celebrated on Shravan Poornima will be
celebrated on 21st August this year. Raksha Bandhan stirs up one of the sublime
and noblest emotions in the human being – the abiding and chaste bond of love
between every being, often expressed as a bond between brother and the sister.
Traditionally, the sister ties rakhi – a bracelet in the form of thread or more
decorative forms and sweets and gifts are distributed to mark the occasion.
RSS Swayamsevaks celebrate the utsav in shakhas by tying Rakhi to Bhagwa Dhwaj and each other and then reach households to tie to rakhi to people in tribal, urban and rural areas alike.
2. DR MOHAN BHAGWAT RELEASES BOOK ON CAA AT GUWAHATI: Secularism, democracy and pluralism are inherent in our culture and people of Bharat do not need to understand the concept of inclusiveness from other nations, said RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat on 21st July while releasing a book titled ‘Citizenship Debate over NRC & CAA: Assam and the Politics of History’ at Shrimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra. He added that the citizens of the great nation have been practicing the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ since thousands of years .
The function was also addressed by Assam chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Guwahati University vice-chancellor Professor PJ Handique and author of the book Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta. -GoTop
3. HSS USA HONORS TEACHERS IN 113 SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS USA held 99 events nationwide in 73 Cities from 24 States and 113 school districts, felicitating over 1,700 teachers and educators. More than 5,300 participants took part in these events.
To honor the teaching community for their exemplary service in educating the students, the first week in May is considered ‘Teacher Appreciation Week’ in the United States. The first Tuesday of the same week is "National Teacher Day." To celebrate the special occasion, HSS chapters organize an annual event called ‘Guru Vandana.’
4. HSS UK HONOURS TRAFFORD TEACHERS: HSS UK shakhas took the initiative to organize a celebration known as Shikshak Vandan Divas, translated as ‘Teacher Appreciation Day’ to show utmost praise and gratitude for the incredible and heroic efforts of teachers, especially during the pandemic period. .
The event included recitation of Sanskrit Shlokas by the children, Yoga, fun quiz, and the insight into Guru Shishya relationship in Hindu culture.
A video with gratitude and thanks from over 40 students in various schools in Trafford was played at the event and many children presented their teachers with cards and expressed their gratitude. The teachers attending the event appreciated the efforts and many termed it a humbling experience. -GoTop
5. HINDU HERITAGE YOUTH CAMP 2021: Annual Hindu Heritage youth camp HHYC, organized under the banner of Hindus of Greater Houston, will be going offline to the joy of all. 55 HHYC counselors, most of whom are former campers came together in June to prepare for the annual event , scheduling camp activities and played games and other activities.
The directors for HHYC 2021, Shamal Shah and Ranjan Veludandi shared the feelings as , " After directing virtual camp last year, it has been an exciting experience getting to direct for in-person camp.” For 37 years, HHYC has inspired youth to expand their knowledge of Hindu concepts, culture, and rich values through programs in camp viz bhajans, yoga, games etc.
After an year of isolation, the HHYC community is counting down the days until 250 campers can come together to reconnect with friends on 8th August. -GoTop
6. HSS LIBERIA COVID RELIEF WITH RED CROSS: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS Liberia and Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) provided food and rations to several orphanages and disabled organizations in Montserrado County during the week preceding Liberia independence day, starting on 19th July. Assorted items distributed were rice, gallons of oil, cartons of biscuit and cartons of candy. The organizations who received the assistance were group of 77, United Association of the Blind, Sis Aye Home, Share cared Children Home, Khantan Children village and Antoinette Tubman Cheshire Home.
7. HSS FAMILIES IN HOUSTON DONATED BOOKS FOR KIDS
Houston vibhag has collected over 330 gently used children's books through a book drive for the young souls in low income families. These collected books were donated to 'Books Between Kids' organization.
10. SEWA INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES: Sewa International raises $30 million, airlifts medical equipment to Bharat: A planeload of medical equipment reached New Delhi in first week of July in continuation with Covid related assistance material sent by Sewa USA, making yet another milestone in Sewa International’s efforts to supply much-needed medical equipment to Bharat to help the country fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
MedStar Foundation Donates PPE Worth $1.4 Million to Sewa International: MedStar Foundation USA donated over $1.4 million worth of Personal Protective Equipment and two CPAP machines to Sewa International on 9th July in an event held at the Foundation’s warehouse in Hyattsville, Maryland.
Ed Robinson, MedStar Health’s vice president of Integrated Support Operations, presented the PPE material to the Maryland Chapter coordinator of Sewa International Dr. Anita Roy. Dr. Siva Subramanian, a pediatric cardiologist at the Georgetown Medical Center Washington DC acted as liaison between MedStar and Sewa International.
SI appeal for Maharsahtra flood relief: Sewa International Bharat has appealed for people affected by floods in Maharashtra and urged to help us provide relief to the disaster stricken districts and people.
SI help reached Bangladesh: Sewa International help has reached Bangladesh. Oxygen concentrators and other medical equipments reached Dhaka and were received by Ram Krishan Mission.
11. SEWA IN MAHARASHTRA FLOOD AFFECTED AREAS BY RSS: Several parts of Maharashtra including Mahad and Chiplun area of Konkan, hilly areas near Mahabaleshwar and cities like Kolhapur in western Maharashtra were badly affected by incessant rains and floods with swollen rivers and discharges from the dams. Over 100 people succumbed to the incidents of landslides, the worst being witnessed at Taliye – dist Raigad where over 40 people lost their lives and about 30 missing ( presumed to have succumbed ) in a landslide. Shops and houses in Mahad and Chiplun were in neck deep water for hours.
12. SANSKAR BHARTI SUPPORTS NEEDY ARTISTS: Keeping in mind the struggle of artists of various art genres, Sanskar Bharti, Delhi province, hosted a virtual fundraising concert, titled 'Peer Parai Jaane Re', on 9th July in which eminent artists of the country from diverse art fields like literature, music, dance, and cinema participated to raise funds for needy artists.
Stalwarts from classical music and dance including Pandit Birju Maharaj, Amjad Ali Khan, Sonal Mansingh, Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Anup Jalota, Anuradha Paudwal, Hansraj Hans and Vasifuddin Dagar also participated.
Summing up, campaign president and MP Hansraj Hans said: "Peer Parai Jaane Re is the biggest campaign in recent years to help the artists in this covid crisis and we want to give assistance to the artists at all levels.” -GoTop
13. ‘MAJDOOR GHAR’ INAUGURATED IN GUNTUR: ‘Majdoor Ghar’ was inaugurated in Guntur on 23rd July on the occasion of founding day of Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh. B. Surendran, Akhil Bharatiya Organizing Secretary of BMS attended the event as Chief Guest. Surendran said that the Majdoor Sangh office should function as an information center.
14. HOW ARUNACHAL VILLAGE ACHIEVED 100% VACCINATION: The remote New Tupi village under Longo administrative circle in the state’s Tirap district achieved the commendable feat on 8th July after 100% of the villagers falling under the 45 years and above category were inoculated with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
15. SIX PAKISTANI MIGRANTS GRANTED BHARATIYA CITIZENSHIP: Six Pakistani migrants, living in Madhya Pradesh for decades, were granted Bharatiya citizenship on 6th July under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said these migrants were victims of religious persecution.
Manchandani said, "We are happy that the government has provided us citizenship. I was neither an Indian nor a Pakistani for the last 31 years, but now I am an Indian citizen". -GoTop
16. RAMAPPA TEMPLE IN TELANGANA AND CITY OF DHOLAVIRA GETS UNESCO HERITAGE TAG: Dholavira- a Harappan era city located in Gujarat's Rann of Kutch was added to the list of World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 27th July.
This comes two days after the Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple in Telangana got inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With this development, Bharat has 40 world heritage properties overall, which include 32 cultural, 7 natural and one mixed property. It should be noted that Italy, Spain, China, Germany and France are the only other countries that have 40 or more World Heritage sites.
17. BHARATIYA STUDENTS BAG MEDALS IN MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD: Bharatiya students have secured one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals in the 62nd International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), which Russia hosted from July 14 -24 and three Silver and one bronze at the 32nd International Biology Olympiad (IBO) hosted by Portugal from July 18 to 23. In all, 619 students from 107 countries participated in the IMO and 304 students from 76 countries in IBO. Both the contests were held online.
18. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Dr Ram Vaidya
vishwa vibhag sahsamyojak is touring Switzerland and other Europe countries.
Visitors: -GoTop
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: A truthful man is treated as reliable as the mother, as
venerable as the guru (preceptor) and as beloved as the one who commands
knowledge. — Bhagwan Mahavir -GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
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REMEMBERING REVERED JAGDEV RAM UROAN JEE ON HIS FIRST DEATH ANNIVERSARY
Vivekanand Nartam
Revered Jagdev Ram Uroan Jee left for
heavenly abode exactly a year ago on 15 July 2020 at Akhil Bhartiya Vanvasi
Kalyan Ahram’s (ABVKA) National Office at Jashpur, his workplace at least for a
half century. While we remember him on his first death anniversary, it’s very
important for us as a nation to remember his journey and legacy. He remained
National President of ABVKA for twenty five years after inheriting the mantle
from his master revered Vanvyogi Balasaheb Deshpande Jee. He truly lived up to
the trust and confidence with which the baton was passed on to him by his
master. Though he belonged to a poor janjati family in Komdo village in Jashpur
Nagar district of today’s Chhattisgarh state, he did not confine himself to the
worries of hearth and home. He remained unmarried and dedicated all his life for
the cause of janjati community of Bharat.
The far-flung and inaccessible areas of today’s Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand primarily inhabited by janjati community had remained much underdeveloped. Poverty, illiteracy due to lack of schools and immense scarcity of health facilities were all pervasive in the region. The situation was rendered a fertile ground for evangelical missions who were fervently carrying on with their activities of converting janjatis into Christian fold taking advantage of their poverty and innocence. It was in this backdrop that Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla, the then Chief Minister of Central Provinces (today’s Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh) visited the region in the late 1940s. In this visit, he was welcomed everywhere but was shown black flags and asked to go back when he reached Jashpur. His experiences in this visit exposed him to unimaginable backwardness and massive conversion so prevalent among people. This made him think to assuage sufferings and anguish of people by coordinating with revered Thakkar Bappa, a well known Gandhian who had extensively worked in the janjati areas. Very soon social welfare department was established and Balasaheb Deshpande Jee joined the same in 1948. After Thakkar Bappa’s death in January 1951, he found it difficult to carry on with janjati development activities due to administrative pulls and pressures. This made him think that there was a need to carry on with his developmental projects for janjati communities in the area independently leading to the establishment of Vanvasi Kalyan Ahram on 26 December 1952.
In 1977 at Surat Meet of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Babasaheb Deshpande Jee decided to expand the organization's activities all over Bharat. Thus Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram became Akhil Bhartiy Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. Since then Shri Jagdev Ram Jee started travelling with his mentor. In 1985, he was made the member of ABVKA's National Committee and further in 1987 Vice- President, Babasaheb being the President. Two years before passing away in 1995, Balasaheb nominated Jagdev Ram Jee .as the National Working President of ABVKA at its Cuttack National Convention in 1993. The relationship between Balasaheb and Jagdev Ram Jee is embodied in the Guru-Shishya tradition of Bharat like that of Swami Ramkrishna Paramhans and Swami Vivekananda.
Since the time Jagdev Ram ji became president of ABVKA, he played an important role in developing the plant of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram sown by his master Balasaheb into a banyan tree. At present ABVKA is the largest organization in Bharat working for the overall development of janjatis that covers aspects such as education, health, sports, village development, skill development, youth development, women empowerment, self help groups, protecting janjati constitutional rights and so on all over Bharat. The organization that was started with its first project having only 13 janjati children enrolled to be educated with hostel facilities today has 20,000 projects in 323 districts with footprints in more than 52,000 villages. His life was one of devoted to the cause of janjatis of Bharat and he lived to see that happen. He was staunch believer that the janjatis are very much integral part of Bharat’s socio-cultural fabric from time immemorial. Therefore, he travelled tirelessly from north to south and east to west invoking the thought that we all are one and our destinies are intrinsically interwoven. His contributions in the successful organization of Shabri Kumbh in the Dang District of Gujrat in 2006 in which hundreds and thousands of janjatis from all over Bharat participated are immense. Similarly, he exuberantly participated along with the ocean of janjati people from all over the country in Ardha Kumbh Mela at Ujjain and Mahakumbh Mela at Prayag.
Jagdev Ram Jee was equally concerned about reinvigorating cultural heritage of janjatis. For example; he started Rohtas fort pilgrimage located in the Son River Valley, in the small town of Rohtas in Bihar. The Oraon janjati owes their origin to this fort and surroundings. People from Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bengal etc. are participating in this pilgrimage for many years now. It was in his leadership that ABVKA made rapid strides and became more vocal in the public discourse by bringing in ‘Vision Document’ for socio-economic-cultural development in 2015. He was very crucial in bringing the final draft of the document in consultation with activists, policy makers and academician from across the country. He remained at the fore front in bringing various issues with regard to various issues of janjati community to the notice of constitutional authorities and policy makers and insisted on their timely resolution.
Despite being such a man of stature, his demeanor was that of simplicity, care, affection and compassion towards everyone he met. It’s because of these traits of his personality, he could easily connect with thousands karykartas, men, women and children alike. He certainly is the strongest pillar of ABVKA that has grown leaps and bounds in every nook and corner of the country. He lived and dedicated all his life for the cause of janjatis but his legacy is not confined to a particular community. Moreover, thoughts and deeds of great men must not be kept limited to a particular segment of society. The impact of their life’s work is pan national, across all communities. Therefore, their legacy must be re-invoked and presented to this and coming generations so that we learn to trade the path that men like Jagdev Ram Jee have created for us to follow. ( Vivekanand Nartam is Assistant Professor at Shyamlal College, University of Delhi, https://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2021/7/15/Jagdev-Ram-Uroan.html) -GoTop
SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN vishwav@bol.net.in http://shrivishwaniketan.
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