\Samvad

Bhadrapad Shukla 10, Vik. Samvat 2078, Yugabda 5123 : 16 September 2021:SM 3012 (For Private Circulation only)


1. FESTIVALS: PITRU PAKSHA 2. ‘FOR US EVERY BHARATIYA IS HINDU’ – DR MOHAN BHAGWAT
3.TOP US ENVOY MEETS DR MOHAN BHAGWAT 4. SWAMI VIVEKANAND AWAKENED SELF-RESPECT: SHANTA AKKA JI
5. BHAKTI MOVEMENT KEPT SPIRIT ALIVE IN TIMES OF SLAVERY: PM NARENDRA MODI 6. MESSAGE OF PUJANEEYA SARSANGHCHALAK DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT ON THE AUSPICIOUS OCCASION OF 125TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF PUJYA SHRI BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA, THE FOUNDER OF ISKCON
7. CONDEMNING DISMANTLING GLOBAL HINDUTVA CONFERENCE 8. INK CONFERENCE: RENOWNED EXPERTS CHALLENGE HINDUPHOBIA AND MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT HINDUTVA
9. SWASTIKA ISSUE: VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT AGREES TO EDIT REFERENCES OBJECTED BY HINDU COMMUNITY 10. HSS DALLAS: TRIBUTE TO 9/11 VICTIMS
11. GANESH PUJA OVERSEAS 12. US PRESIDENT COMMENDS SEWA INTERNATIONAL
13. UK UNVEILS STATUE HONOURING BATTLE OF SARAGARHI 14. VIDYA BHARATI ALUMNUS WON TOKYO PARALYMPICS SILVER
15. LADAKH'S DORJE ANGCHUK INDUCTED AS HONORARY MEMBER OF IAU 16. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND LANGUAGES SHOULD COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER FOR A FAVOURABLE IMPACT – DR. VIJAY BHATKAR
17. ISRO RELEASES CHANDRAYAAN-2 DATA AS SPACECRAFT COMPLETES 2 YEARS IN LUNAR ORBIT 18. NEPAL SANGH-SEWA ACTIVITIES
19. NEWLY BUILT HOUSES FOR THE BHAINSA VICTIMS HANDED OVER BY SEVA BHARATI 20. 1500-YEAR-OLD REMAINS OF GUPTA ERA TEMPLE FOUND IN UP
21. COURSE ON SARASWATI RIVER AT KURUKSHETRA UNIVERSITY 22. THREE BHARATIYA INSTITUTES IN TOP 400 IN WORLD
23. BHARAT NOW THIRD LARGEST STARTUP ECOSYSTEM IN WORLD 24. HANSA NEW GENERATION (NG) AIRCRAFT, DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED BY CSIR-NAL, SUCCESSFULLY MAKE ITS MAIDEN FLIGHT
25. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors: 26. FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Article: UNIVERSAL HINDUTVA: THE ETERNAL HINDU RASHTRA

1. FESTIVALS: PITRU PAKSHA -Pitru Paksha (Sanskrit: पितृ पक्ष, Pitṛ pakṣa; lit. "fortnight of the ancestors") is a 16–lunar day period in Hindu calendar when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors (Pitrs). The period is also known as Pitri Paksha/Pitr-Paksha, Pitri Pokkho, Sorah Shraddha, Kanagat, Jitiya, Mahalaya Paksha and Apara Paksha. This year Pitru Paksha is from 20 September to 6 October.

According to sacred Hindu epics, the spirits leave Pitriloka and reside in their descendants' homes during this period. Hindus propitiate their ancestors in this period. Pitru Paksha emphasises the fact that the ancestors, the current generation and their next unborn generation are connected. -GoTop

2. ‘FOR US EVERY BHARATIYA IS HINDU’ – DR MOHAN BHAGWAT -RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat has stated that our beloved motherland and rich heritage form the basis of unity in this country.
While delivering an address in a seminar titled “Nation First, Nation Supreme” in Mumbai organized by Pune based Global Strategic Policy Foundation on 5th September he said that Hindus and Muslims in Bharat have common ancestors and the word Hindu is synonymous with the rich heritage brought to us by our motherland, ancestors and the culture. In this context every Bharatiya is Hindu for us whatever might be their religious, linguistic, racial orientation. Hindu is not a word that denotes any race, religion or linguistic identity. Dr Bhagwat also said that we will have to ensure that we think of dominance of Bharat and that coming and being together is inevitable for prosperous Bharat and for the progress of the motherland. -GoTop

3.TOP US ENVOY MEETS DR MOHAN BHAGWAT -Charge d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Delhi Atul Keshap called on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on 7th September for a “courtesy call”.
Keshap tweeted about the meeting and said, “Good discussion with @RSSorg Shri Mohan Bhagwat about how Bharat’s tradition of diversity, democracy, inclusivity, and pluralism can ensure the vitality and strength of a truly great nation.” -GoTop


4. SWAMI VIVEKANAND AWAKENED SELF-RESPECT: SHANTA AKKA JI -Speaking on the occasion of “Visista Nagrik Sabha" in Silchar on 11th September as a part of the year-long celebration of "Azadi ki Amrit Mahotsav", Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti Shanta Akka Ji said that Swami Vivekanand had established the superiority of the concerns of Hindutva and its ideology in the entire world and awakened the lost self-respect of Bharatiyas. She further said that Bhagwan Ram gave us the message of "Janani Janmabhoomi Swargadapi Gariyasi", which means Mother and Motherland is above all.

Bengali translation of the book 'Pathdarshini Sri Ram Katha" written by Sevika Samiti founder Lakshmibai Kelkar was also released by Shanta Akkaji. Dr. Smita Bhattacharjee talked about the purport of "Pathdarshini Sri Ram Katha". -GoTop

5. BHAKTI MOVEMENT KEPT SPIRIT ALIVE IN TIMES OF SLAVERY: PM NARENDRA MODI -Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi released a special commemorative coin of Rs 125 on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While speaking on the occasion he said that in the times of slavery during medieval period, it was the Bhakti movement that kept the spirit of Bharat alive and the country managed to protect its identity.
He said that Bhakti connected the creature with God by removing the discrimination of faith, social hierarchies and privileges and tied the society with the spirit of devotion and gave the mantra of ‘Faith to Confidence’.
The PM’s remarks were read in the context of the role of Bhakti saints with their message of egalitarianism and focus on non-ritualistic devotion, considered by many to have played a part in stopping conversions after the Islamic conquests. -GoTop

6. MESSAGE OF PUJANEEYA SARSANGHCHALAK DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT ON THE AUSPICIOUS OCCASION OF 125TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF PUJYA SHRI BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA, THE FOUNDER OF ISKCON:
Pujya Sri Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON (International Society of Krishna Conciousness), a bhakti-based worldwide movement, has spread Krishna Bhakti in a very beautiful and joyful form throughout the world in modern times. Following the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam tradition of Sanatan Dharma, he respiritualized the entire world through his discourses, writings and followers. On the auspicious occasion of his 125th birth anniversary, I offer humble salutations to the holy memory of Pujya Shri Prabhupada who paved the way for the social and spiritual upliftment of humankind with the aim of ‘Krunvanto Vishwamaryam’ (‘Let us ennoble this world’). May the spiritual stream of devotion, sacrifice, love and service inspired by Gitaacharya Shri Krishna keep flowing incessantly this is the prayer at the feet of Krishna.
- Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak, RSS  -GoTop

7. CONDEMNING DISMANTLING GLOBAL HINDUTVA CONFERENCE: Condemning the ‘Dismantling Global Hindutva’ conference in the USA, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA has said that such events amplify Hinduphobia, encourage Hindu hate, and incite violence against the community in the West and urged the co-sponsors to withdraw their institutional support to such programmes and stop targeting the minorities.
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK too vehemently condemned the conference, which was designed to project Hindus disproportionately and falsely as purveyors of extremism, denies the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Hindu people and most troubling, labels those who disagree as followers of Hindutva which it defines as Hindu extremism.
Hindu YUVA, university student’s organisation in USA, expressed deep concern about the conference, the latest event exemplifying the direct attacks on the religious identity of Hindu students and strongly denounced an effort to promote Hinduphobia, Hindu hate, and violence against Hindus. Hindu YUVA said that they stand in support of the Hindu students, faculty, and staff at university campuses. -GoTop

8. INK CONFERENCE: RENOWNED EXPERTS CHALLENGE HINDUPHOBIA AND MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT HINDUTVA: Speaking at the international conference on “Understanding Hindutva and Hinduphobia”, renowned experts on history and religious studies have challenged the misleading campaigns that malign Hindu culture and cause Hinduphobia. Elucidating the concept of Hindutva, Bengaluru based historian, Dr Vikram Sampath, said “Those who criticise Hindutva understand neither its historical evolution nor its progressive qualities. Hindutva is application of universal principles of Hinduism”. Professor Makarand Paranjape from JNU, Delhi explained the origins of Hinduphobia and explored the main causes for its propagation. Award winning scholar and professor of History at Shawnee State University, Prof Lavanya Vemsani examined the reasons for the abstraction from the reality by prejudiced scholars regarding Hindutva.
2500 people from over 50 countries across the globe joined the conference and actively participated and asked questions. The conference was organized on 4th September virtually by India Knowledge Consortium (INK), a global organisation of academics who are interested in research about Bharat. -GoTop

9. SWASTIKA ISSUE: VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT AGREES TO EDIT REFERENCES OBJECTED BY HINDU COMMUNITY: After a consolidated response by the united Hindu community in Victoria, the state government has agreed to edit its Hate crime reference website. A joint letter was sent by the Hindu Council of Australia to Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews along with Multicultural Minister Ros Spence and Justice Minister.
After this letter, government agreed to edit the webpage with reference to the Swastika issue and include the Hindu community in further negotiations. Australian Hindu Temples Council released a press statement which explained the concerns of the Hindu community. An online community consultation was also organized. It was attended by MP Jason Wood, Victorian Deputy Leader of the Opposition Hon David Southwick MP, and Victorian Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Craig Ondarchie MP. It was agreed by all parties that the new legislation that the Victorian government is looking to introduce to ban the Nazi symbol must allow for religious use in religions such as Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism and proper education should be programmed to educate the community. -GoTop

10. HSS DALLAS: TRIBUTE TO 9/11 VICTIMS: HSS Dallas team joined different prayer meets organized by cities like McKinney, Frisco and Flower Mound city to pay their tribute to the heroes and victims of 9/11.
The meets were organized by various departments like McKinney Fire Department. US Congressman Van Taylor was also present at the occasion. -GoTop

11. GANESH PUJA OVERSEAS: Rangsit University, Thailand hosted 3rd RSU International Ganesh Festival on 10-12 September at Rangsit University Campus Students Centre. Shree Ashis Roy Chowdhury, Second Secretary (Consular), Embassy of Bharat joined with his spouse as Chief Guest. Prominent people of Thai and Bharatiya community in Thailand joined the auspicious occasion.
Thousands of devotees joined the festival activities virtually. The Thai and Bharatiya community generously contributed and provided wholehearted support in making this landmark event a resounding success.
Hindu YUVA at University of Texas, Austin also celebrated its annual Ganesh Puja with over 100+ attendees from students at UT Austin. -GoTop


12. US PRESIDENT COMMENDS SEWA INTERNATIONAL: Giving a pat of appreciation on the back of Sewa International for it's massive service during COVID-19 and post COVID-19, US President Joe Biden, in a letter of

appreciation thanked the organisation for its contribution during the Month of Action to get friends, neighbors and loved ones vaccinated and protected against the deadly coronavirus. Sewa International in its tweet thanked Biden for recognizing its efforts. -GoTop

13. UK UNVEILS STATUE HONOURING BATTLE OF SARAGARHI: To commemorate the fallen heroes of the Battle of Saragarhi, the UK unveiled a life-size bronze statue of Havilder Ishar Singh at Guru Nanak Gurdwara at Wednesfield, a suburb of Wolverhampton, on the battle’s 124th anniversary on September 12. In the battle, 21 soldiers of the Sikh regiment of the British Indian Army fought against thousands of Afghan tribesman in 1897.
The 10-feet-tall bronze statue of Havilder Ishar Singh has been installed atop a six-feet plinth with the names of all martyrs inscribed on it. The unveiling of the monument was attended by Jathedar of the Akal Takht Harpreet Singh, members of the British Army, Saragarhi expert Dr Gurunderpal Singh Josan and three descendants of the Saragarhi soldiers. -GoTop

14. VIDYA BHARATI ALUMNUS WON TOKYO PARALYMPICS SILVER: Nishad Kumar clinched a silver medal in the men's high jump T47 event in the Paralympics in Tokyo. The 21-year-old Kumar cleared 2.06m to win the silver and set an Asian record.  T47 class is meant for athletes with a unilateral upper limb impairment resulting in some loss of function at the shoulder, elbow and
wrist. Hailing from Una in Himachal Pradesh, Nishad had an accident at the age of eight that resulted in the loss of his right hand. Nishad is a Vidya Bharati alumnus and was a student of the 2014-15 batch at Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Una. -GoTop

15. LADAKH'S DORJE ANGCHUK INDUCTED AS HONORARY MEMBER OF IAU: In the very proud moment for Bharat, Ladakh-based Dorje Angchuk, the chief engineer at Bharat’s northernmost astronomical observatory has become the first and only Bharatiya to get inducted as an Honorary Member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). IAU, the foremost international association of professional astronomers awards this position in recognition to individuals who have significantly contributed to the progress of astronomical research and culture in their country. 
Angchuk has been selected for ‘his passionate promotion of astronomy in the Ladakh region, through his excellent astrophotography’. He will be joining ten other Honorary Members from around the world, selected by IAU to join a select list of 20 international experts. -GoTop

16. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND LANGUAGES SHOULD COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER FOR A FAVOURABLE IMPACT – DR. VIJAY BHATKAR: Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, internationally acclaimed computer scientist and brain behind PARAM supercomputer was bestowed with the prestigious Dr. Hedgewar Pragya Samman at a program in Pune on 9th September by Shri Badabazar Kumar Sabha Pustakalaya. Speaking on the occasion, he said that science and technology along with languages should complement each other to make a favourable impact. He opined that science and technology needs to be taught in vernacular languages for which we need to put in consolidated efforts.
Ramdutt Chakradhar, Sah-sarkaryavah of RSS and Padma Shri Dr. Girish Prabhune were present at the ceremony presided by Ravindra Wanjarwadkar, Pune Mahanagar Sanghchalak. -GoTop

17. ISRO RELEASES CHANDRAYAAN-2 DATA AS SPACECRAFT COMPLETES 2 YEARS IN LUNAR ORBIT: To commemorate the completion of two years of operation of Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft around the lunar orbit, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation K Sivan on 5th September inaugurated a Lunar Science Workshop 2021. 
Chandrayaan-2 data product and science documents were released by the ISRO Chairman along with data from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter payloads. -GoTop

18. NEPAL SANGH-SEWA ACTIVITIES: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS Nepal and Sewa International Nepal served the flood affected 100 families of Nawalparasi district of Nepal by distributing food grains and other items on 2nd September.
Pragyik Vidyarthi Parishad of Nepal (PVPN) also distributed relief materials to the flood ruined 100 families in Gorkha district on 31st August in the presence of PVPN National President Dr. Gopnath Kandel, Joint General Secretary Ramesh Kandel and other local administration officials. -GoTop

19. NEWLY BUILT HOUSES FOR THE BHAINSA VICTIMS HANDED OVER BY SEVA BHARATI: Seva Bharati, along with Keshav Seva Samiti, handed over ten new houses it built for the victims of Bhainsa violence in Telangana. A mass griha pravesh was conducted on September 1 during which Akhila Bharatiya Seva Pramukh, Parag Abhayankar, handed over the new houses, which were built at the cost of one crore.
Speaking on the occasion, Parag Abhayankar stressed the urgent need for unity among Hindus. He explained various social service activities and projects undertaken by Seva Bharati and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Member of Parliament of Adilabad, Soyam Babu Rao also participated in the program. -GoTop

20. 1500-YEAR-OLD REMAINS OF GUPTA ERA TEMPLE FOUND IN UP: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered the remains of a 1500-year-old Gupta period temple in Bilsarh village of Uttar Pradesh's Etah.
The writings on the remains of the temple were identified during a routine scrubbing of the protected sites. This structure was protected since 1928.
An inscription in Shankh lipi - an ancient script which was used from the 4th to 8th centuries CE for names and signatures – was found on one of the steps, datable to 5th century CE, Gupta period, possibly reading "Sri Mahendraditya”, identified as Kumargupta of the Gupta dynasty has been unearthed.
“Before this, only two structural temples were found — Dashavatara Temple in Deogarh and Bhitargaon Temple in Kanpur Dehat. The Etah pillars are well-sculpted, better than the earlier examples in which only the lower sections were carved. The decorative pillars and staircase are a bit more advanced than the earlier ones,” said History Professor Manvendra Pundhir of the Aligarh Muslim University. -GoTop

21. COURSE ON SARASWATI RIVER AT KURUKSHETRA UNIVERSITY: A new course on the Saraswati river will be taught at Kurukshetra University (KU) under the New Education Policy (NEP) in the upcoming academic session of 2022-23. Haryana Sarasvati Heritage Development Board (HSHDB) vice-president Dhuman Singh Kirmach said that he held a meeting with KU Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Som Nath Sachdeva on 3rd September.
“In the meeting, a discussion has been held regarding the inclusion of a course on Saraswati and a proposal has been finalised. A plan has been prepared to add this course in the school curriculum also, to tell the younger generation about the history of the holy Saraswati river and the ancient civilisation on it,” said Dhuman Singh. Students will have the option to choose this course from the session of 2022-23. They will also be able to do research work on the Saraswati river sites,” said Dhuman Singh. -GoTop

22. THREE BHARATIYA INSTITUTES IN TOP 400 IN WORLD: Three educational institutes from Bharat have made it to the list of the best 400 universities across the world in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022. As per the rankings, Bharatiya tally is led by the IISc Bangalore — a consistent first among Bharatiya institutes, followed by IIT Ropar and JSS Academic Higher Education and Research.
A total of 71 universities/institutes made it to this year’s THE rankings compared to 63 last year. -GoTop

23. BHARAT NOW THIRD LARGEST STARTUP ECOSYSTEM IN WORLD: Bharat has emerged as the third largest startup ecosystem in the world after the US and China.
Over the last year, Bharat has added three unicorns (a privately held startup company valued at over $1 billion) every month taking the total count to 51, ahead of the UK (32) and Germany (18).
Bharat’s unicorns are currently worth $168 billion. Apart from unicorns, startups founded after 2000 with the potential to go unicorn in two years (“gazelles”) or four years (“cheetahs”) in Bharat is growing at an exponential pace, said Anas Rahman Junaid, MD and chief researcher at Hurun India which brings to light stories of successful and emerging Bharatiya entrepreneurs. With 31 start-ups, Bengaluru is the start-up capital of Bharat followed by Delhi NCR (18) and Mumbai (13). -GoTop

24. HANSA NEW GENERATION (NG) AIRCRAFT, DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED BY CSIR-NAL, SUCCESSFULLY MAKE ITS MAIDEN FLIGHT: Hansa New Generation (NG) aircraft, designed and developed by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore a constituent lab of CSIR, has successfully made its maiden flight on 3rd September. The aircraft took off from HAL airport at 2:09 PM and flew at an altitude of 4000 ft. and gained a speed of 80 knots before it made a successful landing after about 20 minutes. Capt. Amit Dahiya, test pilot, who has flown the maiden flight has expressed his happiness and told that all the flight parameters were found normal and it is a Text Book flight.
The unique features of Hansa-NG are glass cockpit with cabin comfort, highly efficient digitally controlled engine, electrically operated flaps, long endurance, low acquisition and low operating cost. -GoTop

25. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors:

26. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: We have to organise and strengthen our Hindu society so that no power on earth may dare cast an evil eye upon all the children of this great Hindu Society. - PP Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar -GoTop

JAI SHRI RAM

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UNIVERSAL HINDUTVA: THE ETERNAL HINDU RASHTRA
DR MANMOHAN VAIDYA

As per Hindu thought, ‘Rashtra’ means people. It does not mean just the headcount of individuals living on a particular land but their mindset, attitude towards life, relationship with nature and the universe, approach towards history and tradition etc. In short, all things that form and impact the entire society.
All the people living on this great land of Bharat, from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, despite having diverse languages, castes, deities, ways of worship, food habits, costumes, etc, have the same approach towards life, ideals, nature, society and entire humanity. For thousands of years this approach has been cultivated and practiced as a culture that binds the society together. This bonding makes it a ‘Rashtra’. The main reason for inherent unity expressed in diversity forms the spirituality-based integral and holistic worldview that is the hallmark of Bharat and Bharatiyta.
Due to this spiritual churning, the same spirit lies in everything that is manifested in diverse forms, to all Bharatiyas. Ishavasyam Idam Sarvam, which means everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is the manifestation of the same Spirit (Chaitanya). Seeing inherent unity in apparent diversity forms the core of our belief system. Therefore, diversity does not mean ‘difference’ for us. This ‘unity expressed in terms of diversity’ cannot be elucidated by the Western concept of ‘plurality’. Plurality essentially believes in differences that somehow have to be made to coexist with each other while as per Bharatiya thinking harmony and unity amidst diversity, is Dharma or way of life. Thus, the fundamental disconnect between the Western and Bharatiya thought is that while the former strives for ‘all are one’, the later organically believes in ‘all is one’. The practical manifestation of this thought is the manner in which Bharat deals with things, people, processes or ideologies that is different from its own. Bharat does not regard differences as hostility. She does not regard the ‘other’ as enemy. That is why without the use of force or violence, she peacefully accommodates all with respect and provides space for their existence and growth, thereby forming one great all-inclusive Rashtra that is greater than the sum total of its parts. This noble virtue of acceptance and accommodation is at the heart of Bharatiya philosophy and way of life and has made Bharat what it is – unique, unparalleled and all-encompassing. The obvious corollary of this core spiritual thinking is that there can be many ways to reach God and all are equal and true. Precisely on the basis of this, Swami Vivekananda could firmly assert in the Chicago World Parliament, “We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth.”
Another important aspect of this integral thinking is the belief that human existence consists of body, mind, intellect and soul. Human soul (atma) is an expression of the Supreme Soul (Chaitanya), that is expressed in the form of an individual. Realising the full potential of the human spirit enables one to be one with the Supreme Spirit, which is nothing but Mukti or Moksha, the ultimate goal of life.

- The writer is Sahsarkaryavah of RSS (The article is translation of original article in Marathi titled Bharatachi Rashtriyata) September 07, 2021, Organiser Weekly  -GoTop


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