Marghshirsha Shukla 13 Vik. Samvat 2078, Yugabda 5123 : 16 December, 2021:SM 3018 (For Private Circulation only)
1. FESTIVALS: SWAMI VIVEKANANDA JAYANTI: On
January 12, 1863, Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendra Nath Datta in Kolkata.
He became a disciple of Swami Ramkrishna Paramhansa and became a sanyasi for the
service of humanity.
2. PM MODI INAUGURATES SHRI KASHI VISHWANATH DHAM:
On December 13, Pradhan Mantri Shri Narendra
Modi inaugurated Phase 1 of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi, Uttar
Pradesh, in the presence of over 3000 saints and dignitaries. PM Modi carried
Gangajal from the river Ganga to Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham through Kashi
Vishwanath corridor.
3. DHARMA IS ABOVE EVERYTHING -
DR KRISHNA GOPAL: On the occasion of a book
launch on November 29, RSS Sah Sarkaryavah Dr. Krishna Gopal said that the core
of Bharatiya society was duty-based and the British imposed a rights-based
system. The book ‘Reflections on Ancient Indian Jurisprudence in the Current
Social & Judicial Set-up’ by Anupama Goel and Seema Singh was launched at the
Indira Gandhi National Centre for Art (IGNCA) in Delhi. Dr. Krishna Gopal added
that Dharma is above everything and that our rights are implied in our duties.
4. HINDU SANGAMAM IN TELANGANA:
Shri. Dattatreya Hosabale, Sarkaryavah, RSS,
said that Hindutva would be strong if people of different castes and communities
come together. He added that some divisive forces in the country were misleading
the people and that RSS was trying to awaken the Hindu community.
5. WORLD PAYS TRIBUTE TO CDS
GENERAL BIPIN RAWAT:
Rashtrapati Shri Ram Nath Kovind joined the nation in
mourning the unfortunate demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat.
He said that the nation has lost one of its bravest sons and that Gen Rawat’s
four decades of selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional
gallantry and heroism.
Gen Rawat’s untimely demise aroused nationalistic feelings among common masses
as reflected by spontaneous tributes offered to him by women, villagers, school
children etc. -GoTop
6. BARBADOS BECOMES REPUBLIC
REPLACING BRITISH MONARCH: Barbados became a
republic on November 30, replacing the British monarch as its head of state and
severing its last remaining colonial bonds, nearly 400 years after the first
English ships arrived at the Caribbean island.
A 21-gun salute was fired as the national anthem of Barbados was played over a
crowded Heroes Square.
After a dazzling display of Barbadian dance, music and speeches celebrating the
end of colonialism, Sandra Mason was sworn in as Barbados’s first president.
Barbados will remain a republic within the Commonwealth, a grouping of 54
countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe. But its withdrawal from
the monarchy will bring the number of Commonwealth realms – countries that
continue to have the queen as their head of state – to 15. The last country to
renounce the Crown was Mauritius in 1992. -GoTop
7. UAE WORKWEEK TO BE MONDAY
THROUGH FRIDAY: On Demeber 7, The United Arab
Emirates said that its official workweek will move to Monday to Friday, a major
change that brings the Islamic nation that is home to major financial
institutions in line with Western schedules.
The decision, which is to take effect from January, makes the Gulf Arab state -
home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai - one of the few places in the Middle East to
operate on Western hours instead of on a Sunday through Thursday working week.
The announcement said that government employees would work a half-day on Friday,
the traditional Muslim holy day, and then take Saturday and Sunday off. Private
industry and schools are likely to follow suit.
The Emirati government hailed the decision as making it "the first nation in the
world to introduce a national working week shorter than the global five-day
week" - a reference to Friday becoming only a half-day workday. -GoTop
8. HINDU HERITAGE CAMP,
ADELAIDE: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, HSS Adelaide
organized Hindu Heritage Camp 2021 on November 28 in Hillcrest Primary School
Playground. The aim was that children and parents learn about Sanatan Hindu
Heritage values while participating in fun games, bauddhik and yoga. It also
gave an opportunity to invite new families and introduce them to HSS activities.
9. SOUTH WEST SAMBHAG YUVA
SANGAM, USA: Hindu
YUVA Southwest Sambhag conducted Yuva Sangam at the Lutherhill Camp Retreat in
La Grange, Texas from November 26 to 28. This Yuva Sangam was the first one
since the Covid-19 pandemic. Around 50 Yuvas (high school seniors, university
students and young professionals) from all over Texas attended. The universities
which were represented were the UT Arlington, UT Austin, UT Dallas, Univ of
Houston, and Texas A&M.
10. BHAJAN NIGHT BY HINDU YUVA
UBC: On December 3,
Hindu Yuva UBC (University of British Colombia, Canada) hosted it’s first-ever
Bhajan Night. Club members of UBC Sargam (a club at UBC involved in promoting
Bharatiya Classical Music) and devotees of ISCKON Burnaby sang beautiful bhajans.
11. SEWA DIWALI DRIVE ACHIEVES
RECORD PARTICIPATION AND DONATION: In the 2021
Diwali season, 315 Dharmic-American organizations and communities came together
to collect over 590,000 pounds of food, donating to about 240 food distribution
centers across the USA. The effort extended across 31 states and involved over
200 townships. Through Sewa Diwali, communities throughout America which align
themselves with the Dharmic values originating in Bharat - Hindus, Sikhs,
Buddhists, and Jains - channeled their continued dedication to selfless service
and shared celebration into a collective, far-reaching initiative involving
volunteers across all age groups and serving a wide American demographic.
Mayor John B. Muns of Plano, Texas, while thanking local volunteers, noted that
the generosity and hard work that goes into giving back to a community gives
hope to folks who have food insecurity.
In Canada, Halifax chapter of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, HSS Canada volunteers
along with community members collected 1600lbs of non perishable food and raised
$2200 in monetary donations for Feed Nova scotia as part of their first ever
Sewa Diwali campaign in Halifax. -GoTop
12. OXYGEN GENERATING PLANT
SPONSORED BY SEWA CANADA COMMISSIONED:
On December 6, a 250 Litres per Minute (LPM) oxygen
generation plant sponsored by Sewa Canada International was commissioned at
Chetana Vihara Elder Care Centre, Bommasandra, on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
Chetana Vihar hosts a Retirement & Assisted Living Facility and hence this plant
will serve the elderly and other needy patients.
13. BHUMI PUJAN OF AAMA KO MAYA
CHAATRAVAS, NEPAL:
In a bhumi-pujan ceremony on December 10, foundation stone was laid for the
construction of Aamako Maya Hostel at Bhimeshwar Municipality, Charikot (Ramkot).
14. CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF
SCIENCE IN THE BHARATIYA INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT:
On November 29-30, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s National
Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) in
association with Vigyan Prasar and Vijnana Bharati organised a National
Conference of Science Communicators & Science Teachers on ‘Indian Independence
Movement & the Role of Science’.
Delivering the keynote address, National Organizing Secretary of Vijnana Bharati,
Shri Jayant Sahasrabudhe urged for remembering the patriotic spirit of Bharatiya
scientists who squarely challenged the discriminatory and hegemonic tendencies
of the British as the warriors of struggle to attain independence. Dr Ranjana
Aggarwal (Director, CSIR-NIScPR) and Dr Nakul Parashar (Director Vigyan Prasar)
were also present on occasion. -GoTop
15. INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE
FESTIVAL INAUGURATED: On December 11, Union
Minister of State for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the
India International Science festival (IISF 2021) in Panaji, Goa and emphasised
“sustainable” StartUps with livelihood, which, he said, would be the key to the
future economy of Bharat.
India International Science festival is a joint program of Ministry of Science &
Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA). -GoTop
16. INTERNATIONAL GITA MAHOTSAV
2021: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the
Bhagavad Gita does not belong to any particular language, region or religion but
to the entire humanity.
17. BHARATIYA WINS `WOMAN OF
THE YEAR` GLOBAL AWARD: On Deecmber 2, legendary
Bharatiya athlete Anju Bobby George won the Woman of the Year award by World
Athletics for grooming talent and encouraging young girls in Bharat to join
sports.
18. AIR VERSION OF BRAHMOS
SUPERSONIC CRUISE MISSILE SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRED:
On December 8, an air version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was
successfully test fired from the supersonic fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30 MK-I from
Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. The missile launched
from the aircraft followed the pre-planned trajectory meeting all mission
objectives. During the test, the structural integrity and functional performance
have been proven. The launch is a major milestone in the BrahMos development. It
clears the system for the serial production of air-version BrahMos missiles
within the country.
19. 28 WOMEN OFFICERS DEPLOYED
ON WARSHIPS:
Providing more opportunities to women officers, Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar
said 28 women officers have been deployed in different roles on different
warships including the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. While addressing the
annual press conference on December 3 - a day before the Navy Day—he said that
the Navy has taken measures to provide additional opportunities to women
officers and that the first women provost officer joined in March this year.
20. COVID WARRIORS WALK 24KM TO
ADMINISTER VACCINE: On December 3, a health team
in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh walked 24 kilometres along rocky hills to reach
Shankli village atop the hills to administer the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine
to beneficiaries, ensuring that every citizen is fully vaccinated. -GoTop
Dr Mehta had settled in the USA as a scientist.
Dr. Mehta was also the recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. RSS Sarkaryavah
Shri Dattatreya Hosabale expressed his condolences on the sad demise of Dr
Mahesh J. Mehta. -GoTop
22. CENTURIES-LONG JOURNEY OF
KASHI VISHWANATH:
- The Kashi
Vishwanath Temple is mentioned in the Vedas & Skanda Purana. The fourth Khanda
In The Skanda Purana is the Kashi Khanda, which has 11,000 verses in praise of
Lord Shiva.
- An Avimukteshwar Seal from 1000 BCE was found during excavations at Varanasi,
indicating a structure that is at least 3000 years old.
- There are records of a Kashi Vishwanath Temple constructed in 500 CE by Gupta
King Vainyagupta. Chinese Pilgrim Hiuen Tsang describes a grand temple in 635
CE.
- The temple was destroyed by an army of invader Qutub ud din Aibak in 1194 CE.
A Gujarat based merchant rebuilt the Kashi Vishwanath Temple 50 Years after it
was destroyed.
- In 1450 CE, The Temple was again destroyed under the reign of the invader
Ibrahim Lodhi. The temple was built again by Raja Todar Mal nearly 100 years
later.
- In 1699 CE Mughal Invader Aurangzeb demolished Kashi Vishwanath Temple and
built The Gyanvapi Mosque over the temple, which can be seen even today.
23. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN:
Pravas: Visitors: Rajiv Sharma - Ethiopia, Vishnu Chirmula and family - USA
Food for Thought: Keep the motto before you “Elevation of the masses without
injuring their religion.” -GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
----
HINDUTVA VS HINDUISM: CONTOURS OF A FALSE NARRATIVE
RAJIV TULI
There is a
concerted effort about creating a public discourse and national debate on 'Hindutva
vs Hinduism' where Hinduism is being projected as the 'right' alternative
whereas 'Hindutva' is being projected as a divisive ideology. In fact, there is
a sustained campaign on 'dismantling Hindutva', though it has fallen flat on its
face. This 'word play' is being carried out by detractors of 'Hindutva'.
One of the key elements of this debate is an effort to club 'Hinduism' with
Semitic or Abrahamic monolithic religions. With the Bharatiya Janata Party, a
party which has always unapologetically stood for 'Hindutva', being catapulted
to power at the Centre, the mandate of the people has clearly endorsed their
stand, leaving the opposition in disarray. This has resulted in its opponents
fighting a fierce battle for survival. Hence, there are attempts to create fault
lines, dividing Hindus as the opposition is not able to avoid Hindu
consolidation and awakening.
To understand Hindutva or Hinduness, the word "Hindu" needs to be understood
first. Various scriptures and religious leaders have tried defining it. Lokmanya
Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mahirishi Aurobindo, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Bipin
Chandra Pal, and Swami Vivekananda are amongst the galaxy of great personalities
who have espoused their views on being a 'Hindu'. Their definitions and
interpretations have to be seen in a particular context which is defined by the
era in which they exercised their intellect and the context was set up by the
socio-cultural circumstances prevailing at that time.
From the very inception of RSS, there have been many questions about who is a
Hindu and what is Hindutva. Few political leaders, especially TV panellists,
attribute coining of the word Hindutva to Veer Savarkar. In fact, the concept of
'Hindutva' word was first elaborated upon by Chandranath Basu from Bengal in the
year 1892 in his article "Essentials of Hindutva". To understand 'Hindutva' or 'Hinduness',
one needs to dig a little deeper than merely googling and referring to
unauthenticated resources like Wikipedia. Dr KB Hedgewar, the founder of RSS,
was close to Veer Savarkar. Hence, there were discussions between them on 'Hindutva'
and issues related to it. For Dr. Hedgewar, as mentioned in 'RSS: Evolution from
an organisation to a movement' by Dr. Ratan Sharda, the first condition for
independence was that Hindus, as defined in such commonly held views, be united
and awakened. He further writes, "In a meeting in Pune addressed by Dr. Hedgewar,
a person arrogantly countered him by asking, ''Who is that fool who says Bharat
is a Hindu Rashtra?" Dr. Hedgewar, without quoting any book, scripture or
scholar responded, 'I, Dr Keshav Bali Ram Hedgewar, say that Bharat is Hindu
Rashtra'. He would never argue with people telling him to define Hindu or
Hindutva.
A few of the scholars and scriptures try to figure out geographical boundaries
or cultures to figure out the essence of 'Hindutva' or 'Hinduness'. RSS is not a
religious organisation, so it is not bound by any codified texts, scriptures or
religious gurus. Hence, it has an objective view of 'Hindutva'.
Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, the present Sarsanghchalak of the RSS, recently talked, in
one of his statements, about most of the people living in Akhand Bharat having
the same DNA, and hence a common civilisation and culture. This in turn means
that all are Hindus. In the same statement, he said something which wasn't
discussed much. He said that all those who have common ancestry are also Hindus.
It is a historical fact that most of the Muslims or Christians living in Bharat
today were converted to these faiths either due to anomalies in Hinduness or by
force, coercion or inducements. However, their subsequent generations kept
adhering to that faith. However, a change of faith didn't mean a change in
nationality.
Hinduness or Hindutva is all inclusive. It includes both the geographical
expanse of Hindu Rashtra as mentioned in Vishnu Puraan as well as people bound
by common and eternal cultural and civilisational values. Those living on the
land mass below Himalayas and above Indian Ocean and also those who have common
ancestry can be broadly defined as 'Hindus'. It doesn't matter what their way of
worship is. They can go to Mosques and Churches, but that doesn't stop them from
being a Hindu.
To understand the concept of Hindu, Hindutva, Hinduness and Hindu Rashtra, it
would be pertinent to quote French philosopher and orientalist of nineteenth
century Ernest Renan who answered this question 'What is a nation': "A nation is
a spiritual principle, the result of the intricate working of history, a
spiritual family and not a group determined by the configuration of the earth.
Two things which are really one go to make this soul or spiritual principle. One
of these things lies in the past, the other in the present. The one is the
possession in common of a rich heritage of memories and the other is actual
agreement, the desire to live together and the will to continue to make the most
of the joint inheritance." In a nutshell, all Bharatiyas are Hindus,
irrespective of their religion, and as Hindus, we adhere to Hindutva and are
guided by it. So, the debate on 'Hinduism' vs 'Hindutva' has no meaning.
-Writer is member All India team for media relations, RSS (Courtesy:
www.indiatoday.com) -GoTop
SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN samvadnewsletter@gmail.com http://shrivishwaniketan.
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