Bhadrapad Krishn 10 Vik. Samvat 2078, Yugabda 5123 : 1 November, 2021:SM 3015 (For Private Circulation only)
1. FESTIVALS: TOKHU EMONG: Tokhu Emong - a post harvest
festival of Lotha Tribe in Nagaland - is celebrated for nine days with lots of
enthusiasm and fun. It marks the time to rejoice the fruits of hard work at the
end of the period of harvesting.
2. RSS SARSANGHACHALAK MOHAN BHAGWAT VISITS RAM JANMABHOOMI:
Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghachalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat visited
the Ram Janmabhoomi campus in Ayodhya and paid obeisance to Ram Lalla at the
makeshift Ram temple on October 21.
3. HINDUTVA IS NEITHER LEFT NOR RIGHT - DATTATREYA HOSABALE:
On October 16, speaking on the occasion of the launch of Ram Madhav’s book
‘The Hindutva Paradigm: Integral humanism and the quest for the non western
world’ in Delhi, RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale said that the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh has never termed itself rightist. He added that many of its
ideas are like leftist ideas.
4. PM MODI INAUGURATES KUSHINAGAR AIRPORT: On October 20, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kushinagar International Airport near the site of Bhagwan Buddha's Parinirvana in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in the ancient city of Kushinagar and the airport is aimed at boosting tourism on the Buddhist circuit.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Anandiben Patel, and Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia were present at the inauguration ceremony, along with a 130-strong delegation of Buddhist monks and dignitaries led by Sri Lankan cabinet minister Namal Rajapaksa.
Later in the day, PM Modi also participated in an event marking Abhidhamma Day at the Mahaparinirvana Temple. Abhidhamma Day celebrates Gautama Buddha's descent from Tāvatiṃsa heaven after teaching his mother the Abhidhamma. -GoTop
5. LOK PARAMPARA IS BASIS OF BHARATIYA CULTURE– ASSAM CM:
Prajna Pravah in collaboration with Intellectual Forum of North East has
planned Lokmanthan - a seminar with the theme of “Lok Parampara” - at Guwahati’s
Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra from February 18 and 20, 2022. Assam Chief
Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma articulated his thoughts on Sanatani
civilization and culture while participating in a preparatory meeting of
Lokmanthan and said that the ideology of Bharatiya civilization and culture are
an exploration of knowledge. He added that our folk culture has shown us the
path of living a powerful life with strong determination and that we need to
protect and enhance our civilization and culture.
He also said that cultural Bharat, more than political Bharat, is balancing us
mentally to move forward unitedly. National convener of Prajna Pravah Shri
Nandkumar was also present during the occasion. -GoTop
6. ASI CELEBRATED 1 BILLION VACCINATIONS MILESTONE:
Bharat achieved the landmark milestone of administering 100 crore Covid
vaccinations on October 21 morning.
To express gratitude towards the corona warriors - vaccinators, sanitation
staff, paramedics, auxiliary workers, police personnel etc - who have worked
beyond their call of duty to help the country face the pandemic effectively, the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) illuminated 100 monuments in the colours of
Bharatiya flag across the country on October 21. The 100 monuments that were lit
up included UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Red Fort, Konark Temple in Odisha,
Mamallapuram Rath temples in Tamil Nadu and the forts of Chittor and Kumbhalgarh
in Rajasthan. -GoTop
7. SRI LANKA SENDS SHILA FROM ASHOK VATIKA: On October
28, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi Milinda Moragoda and Deputy
High Commissioner Niluka Kadurugamuwa, visited the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple site
in Ayodhya along with two ministers from the Sri Lankan government and offered
to the Ram Mandir Trust the Shilas sent from Ashok Vatika by the Sri Lankan
government.
8. HSS VIJAYADASHAMI PROGRAMS: On October 16, "Dussehra-Milan"
was organized by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS Japan in hybrid mode, allowing
participants to join either physically or remotely via virtual means. This year,
HSS Japan invited and felicitated Japanese associations and individuals who have
been spreading various aspects of Bharatiya culture and traditions in different
ways. This includes yoga associations, yoga teachers, ayurveda scholars,
professors of Bharatiya philosophy and many Japanese teachers who have been
teaching Bharatiya classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam for more than 30
years.
This year’s Dussehra Milan was graced by the presence of highly distinguished
Japanese guests including Professor Tomio Mizomami from Osaka, a Padma Shree
awardee of 2018 by the Rashtrapati of Bharat, Youtuber Ms. Mayo Hitomi who has
been sharing various aspects of Japanese culture and Bharatiya festivals on her
YouTube channel, Ms. Yoko Sasaki who was part of the very famous animation movie
“Ramayana: The legend of Prince Ram” and others. Hindu Temples run and managed
by Japanese devotees also participated in the event. Mayor of Edogawa Mr.
Takeshi Sato sent his greetings appreciating the volunteer activities by HSS
Japan during natural calamities in previous years in different parts of Japan.
Shri Mayank Joshi, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Bharat in Japan and
representatives of various Bharatiya associations in Japan also participated in
the program.
HSS Denmark celebrated Vijayadashami with a painting class, Ramleela and
Ravan-dahan.
About 40 Swayamsevak of HSS Mauritius celebrated Vijayadashami with a Ghosh
(marching band) demonstration.
Online utsav by HSS South Africa was attended by 21 karyakartas and 23
karyakartas attended online utsav in Mozambique.
Vijayadashami was also celebrated at various locations by HSS USA, HSS UK, HSS
Canada and HSS Australia. -GoTop
9. WORLDWIDE PROTESTS AGAINST ATTACKS ON HINDUS IN
BANGLADESH: Since October 14, systematic attacks against Hindus took place
in Bangladesh, including vandalism of Durga Pooja pandals, mob lynching of
devotees and spreading of false rumors to incite mobs to attack Hindus. Hindu
temples were attacked in many cities, including an ISKCON temple. At one place
in Noakhali, mobs vandalized 66 homes of Hindus and torched 20. There were
worldwide protests against these atrocities.
ISKCON stages protests at 150 temples across the globe
In a press release on October 23, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA condemned the brutal attacks on the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh and expressed solidarity with Bangladeshi Hindu brothers and sisters. They urged the Government of Bangladesh to investigate and hold the perpetrators accountable while providing appropriate remedies to the victims. They also demanded that the Governments of Bharat and the United States raise the issue with Bangladesh through diplomatic channels.
British Hindu groups appeal to PM Johnson to demand justice
Hindu organisations in the UK have appealed to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to demand justice for the victims of violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh. On October 23, ISKCON was joined by other groups such as Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangha (BHAS) UK, Hindu Council UK and Insight UK for a peaceful protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh.
In Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, members of Hindu associations and local community members took to the streets denouncing the violence against Bangladeshi Hindus and seeking justice from the Bangladeshi government. The protests on October 23 were organized by ISKCON with the support of the Hindu Council of Australia, other Hindu organisations, temples and associations.
Canadian Hindu community holds protest against attacks in Bangladesh
Similar protests were held by Hindu organizations in Finland, Japan and South Korea. Temples in Sri Lanka were lit in solidarity with Bangladeshi Hindus. Vishwa Hindu Parishad organized a massive protest in front of Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi on October 20 and handed over a petition to the High Commissioner. -GoTop
10. AMERICANS CELEBRATE OCTOBER AS HINDU HERITAGE MONTH: In a first ever initiative, Americans across the country are observing October as the Hindu Heritage Month (HHM). More that 20 of the 50 states and over 40 cities issued proclamations supporting the HHM and acknowledged the contributions of the minority Hindu community in the US. American leaders across the nation praised the contribution of the ancient Hindu way and, more importantly, the active role of Hindus in American society.-GoTop
11. DANDIYA FOR SEWA IN NORWAY: 1200 people, including many Norwegians and Bharatiya Ambassador to Norway, participated in the ‘Dandiya & Garba for SEWA’ event organized on October 24 in Oslo by HSS Norway.
12. ABKM : PRESS MEET WITH DATTATREYA HOSABALE: On October 30, Dattatreya Hosabale, Sarkaryavah of RSS addressed the press on the final day of Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal (ABKM) meeting at Dharwad and informed about the deliberations.
Shri Hosabale mentioned about the ABKM resolution which demanded action from the Bangladesh government against the violent attacks on Hindus and other sections of the society in Bangladesh and appealed to the government of Bharat to take necessary steps in order to ensure protection of Hindus in Bangladesh.
Shri Hosabale said that Bharat's freedom movement has been unique in the world. The unity of the country was manifested in the movement which was not only against the British, but for Bharat's selfhood. Many personalities including Swami Vivekananda worked for awakening the soul of Bharat and the present generation should take a pledge to work and make Bharat excellent in every field.
He said that during Corona period, shakha work was affected, but there was extensive work in the form of social service. Along with regular shakha swayamsevaks, those who attended programs occasionally also worked actively in the social service activities. He added that in view of the possibility of third wave of Corona, training camps were organized in every state to prepare to deal with it. He also said that education and employment have been affected due to Corona. To make people self-reliant, swayamsevaks have started helping with employment generation, skill training and marketing of goods produced by the local people.
Shri Hosabale reported that 54382 daily shakhas are held at 34 thousand places, weekly shakha at 12780 places and monthly milan at 7900 places, which amounts to direct work of the Sangh at 55 thousand places.
The year 2025 is going to be the centenary year of sangh. Shri Hosabale said that generally, RSS prepares a plan to expand the organization every three years. Currently, sangh works in 900 out of 910 districts, 5683 out of 6483 blocks in the country and there is work in 32687 mandals (sub-block). It has been decided to expand the work and strive to reach all mandals.
In response to a question on population policy, he said that every country should have a population policy and it should be equally applicable to everyone. Population policy should be made keeping in mind the availability of natural resources. Regarding ban on firecrackers, Shri Hosabale said that environmental protection is a daily activity and only banning firecrackers on Deepawali will not solve the problem. The subject should be looked at in totality and holistic decisions should be taken after relevant discussion. Employment and economic well being of people engaged in this industry should also be considered.
Shri Hosabale said that if a law is made to stop conversion, RSS would welcome it and that it is not right to increase the numbers by means of fraudulent conversions or allurement. Opposition to Anti-Conversion Bill is not understandable as Congress governments in Himachal and Arunachal passed the Anti-Conversion Bill on the basis of their experience on the issue. He added that conversion should stop, and those who have converted should declare that they are converted and stop taking advantage on both sides. -GoTop
13. ABKM RESOLUTION : ABKM CONDEMNS RADICAL ISLAMIST
ATTACKS ON HINDUS IN BANGLADESH - The Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal
expresses its deep anguish over the recent outburst of violence on Hindus in
Bangladesh and also strongly condemns the continuing brutality on the Hindu
minority there, which is the part of larger conspiracy by Jihadi groups to
further Islamisation of Bangladesh.
The spate of violent attacks on Hindu minorities and Hindu temples continues
unabated in Bangladesh. The recent slew of communal violence that erupted during
the sacred festival of Durga Puja left many innocent Hindus killed, hundreds
others injured and rendered thousands of families homeless. Several girls and
women belonging to the Hindu community were assaulted, Temples and Durga Puja
pandals were vandalised in a span of two weeks.
Arrests of some of the accused, who spread fake news to incite communal frenzy
in society, brought to light that the attacks were a well-orchestrated
conspiracy of the radical Islamists. The frequent and targeted attacks are
clearly a systematic effort to exterminate and uproot Hindu minorities whose
population has witnessed a steep decline ever since the partition of Bharat.
About twenty eight percent of the population of East Bengal was Hindu at the
time of partition, which dwindled to about eight per cent now. The atrocities by
radical Islamist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami (Bangladesh) had resulted in large
scale migration of Hindus into Bharat since partition and specially during the
1971 War. Those outfits still continue to vitiate the communal harmony in
Bangladesh creating insecurity in the minority Hindu population there.
The ABKM is of the view that the Government of Bangladesh should take stringent
measures to prevent the mounting incidents of violence against the minorities in
their country. The Government should also ensure that the perpetrators of
anti-Hindu violence be handed severe punishment so that the Hindus will be
assured about their secured dignified life availing their rights in Bangladesh.
The ABKM decries the deafening silence of so-called human rights watchdogs and
UN affiliated bodies and calls upon the international community to come forward
in condemning the violence and raise their voice for the safety and security of
the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and other minorities. It also cautions that the
rise of radical Islamist forces whether in Bangladesh or in any other part of
the world will be a grave threat to democracy and human rights of the peoples of
peace-loving nations of the world.
The ABKM also appeals to the Government of Bharat to use all available
diplomatic channels to communicate the concerns of the global Hindu community
and organisations to the Bangladesh Government over the attacks and human rights
violation in Bangladesh to ensure security of Hindus and Buddhist there.
The ABKM places on record its acknowledgement to the Hindu organisations and
institutions like ISKCON ,Ramakrishna Mission, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, VHP and
others for standing by the victims of the Islamist violence and extending all
support to the Hindu brethren of Bangladesh. -GoTop
14. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Vishwa Vibhag
sanyojak Saumitra Gokhale and sah-sanyojak Dr. Ram Vaidya will be in Bharat for
baithaks.
Visitors: Arun Sharma, Aman Sharma (USA).
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Realization of Truth is higher than all else.
Higher still is truthful living. - Guru
Nanak Dev -GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
---
IN SEARCH OF DHARMIC MODEL
Anurag Saxena
Communism has failed. Capitalism has failed. Well, at least to deliver the
widespread prosperity these two ideologies promised. With both these contrasting
ideologies failing, any variant on hybrid is also bound to fail.
As nations fail and rise, it presents them a unique opportunity to present
ideological models of their own.
With Brexit, the US-China trade war, and dwindling financial muscle of the
European Union, India has a unique opportunity to present an economic ideology
of its own. Let us dig deeper into our civilization wisdom to chart a new world
order.
Understanding Shubha – Laabh: A British friend asked me a simple yet profound
question, “I haven’t seen any other society where wealth (Lakshmi) is actually
worshipped. How come India is socialist, then? Where did you guys lose your
way?” It indeed is sharp observation.
The very idea of “Shubha-Laabh” (Prosperity & Profit) is that profit is not
pariah but at the core of human endeavor. That social-prosperity and
business-profit cannot exist in isolation from each other.
Mythological references aside, Indian businesses have always clubbed Riddhi and
Siddhi together, thereby internalising that expertise and success cannot be
decoupled.
Centuries of Improvement: In1863 Charles Cooke wrote about India’s thriving
banking ecosystem in pre-colonial India. Dadabhai Naoroji later wrote “Poverty
of India” (1876) documenting how India was systematically getting impoverished.
This wasn’t the first time India had been a victim of colonizers and
mercenaries.
Let’s not forget that Christopher Columbus was looking for India, when he lost
his way to America. Funnily, in his “letter of first voyage” (explaining why he
was looking for India), he mentioned the word “gold” 17 times, while mentioning
“Lord” and “God” only once.
The Mughals and the British actually got to India – and enriched their coffers
for centuries. So in short, India’s wealth and heritage have been the subject of
civilizational plunder for ages.
The intellectual onslaught that continued post-independence (especially the
edification of Marx, Keynes, Muller and the likes) has dented our civilizational
perspective. India-based “intellectuals” that prostrated before the Western
lens, have forcefully curbed indigenous context and wisdom.
Take the case of “Hindu Rate of Growth” as an example. The self-deprecation in
itself isn’t the only problem. I go so far to say that “Hindu Rate of Growth” is
the most successful disinformation campaign of our times.
Sri Aurobindo summarised it better than anyone could: “These socialists do not
know what socialism is.”
Untapped Wealth of Wisdom: India has suffered the consequences of
command-and-control economics for decades. In contrast, the Silicon
valley-state-of-mind nurtures an individual’s pursuit; the path of “seeking”
(the next big opportunity, in this case) if you will.
No wonder, many Silicon valley-honchos shun Western religions and the
prescriptive approach that comes with them; and instead gravitate towards
Dharmic principles that encourage seeking your own path.
This refusal of central authority, and openness to non-linearity makes
Dharmicism a more natural fit to the rebellious nature of enterprise.
Centuries before the phrase “monetization” was coined, Chanakya had said: “In
the absence of fruitful economic activity, both current prosperity and future
growth are in danger of destruction.”
Ages before “asset utilisation” was coined, he had said: “The value of land is
what man makes of it.” He also laid down very specific rules and rates for
taxation (focusing on being, above all, fair and just), the Government’s
responsibility towards prudent use of that tax, and social goals this revenue
would drive.
Compared to the uni-dimensional understanding of wealth in capitalistic
societies, the Vedas identify eight different types of wealth:
-Adi Lakshmi (Primary wealth),
-Dhana Lakshmi (Monetary wealth),
-Dhanya Lakshmi (Wealth of Grains),
-Veera Lakshmi (Wealth of Courage),
-Gaja Lakshmi (Wealth of power and prestige),
-Santana Lakshmi (Wealth of offspring),
-Aishwarya Lakshmi (Wealth of affluence), and
-Vijaya Lakshmi (Wealth of victory).
Corporate Social Responsibility, Old Wine in Western Bottle: The idea of “daan”
(charity), and “punya kamaana” (literally, earning merit-points, ostensibly to
offset the negative impact on ecology and society) is centuries old. Sounds
eerily similar to the ‘modern’ carbon-credits, doesn’t it?
While the world was still denying climate-change, India had the Chipko
(literally “hug a tree”) movement decades ago. Kings, courtiers, and traders,
and more recently, the Tatas, Birlas, and Ambanis have built social institutions
of great prominence – townships, schools, temples, rest houses, and hospitals.
More recently, Akshaya Patra stands as a shining example of corporates’
social-contribution, funding the world’s biggest soup-kitchen.
This sense of Dharma is not limited to the top one per cent alone. Even a simple
pansaari (micro-scale grocer) leaves a bowl of water outside for birds to quench
their thirst. Exactly like his forefathers did.
Some experts contend that mandated contributions, and demonisation of
wealth-creators, have actually pushed corporate away from making any social
contributions, which were naturally a part of their DNA.
The Cost of Capitalism: Stagnant wages, inhumane work conditions, rising
students, homeowner debt, and plain simple misery have made capitalism a bane
for the “other 99 per cent”. Communities, nations, even the planet pays the
price in a winner-takes-all model.
The quarter-to-quarter pressure is killing the long-term sustainability view
that businesses should be taking. Sustained, balanced, longevity are being
sacrificed at the altar of the financial markets (who are on life-support
themselves).
This isn’t just an anti-capitalist, dreamy, bohemian rant. The rise of
“conscious capitalism”, “impact investing”, “the giving pledge”, etc., point to,
perhaps, the guilt-ridden, reparative approach that capitalists feel they should
take. The Keynesian “animal spirit” is now being tamed with humaneness.
Aspiring for Vishwaguru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is clearly aiming at for
statesman status. Yoga, Bollywood and Turmeric Latte are all good but they will
fall drastically short of earning the “Vishwaguru” tag that the PM seems to be
striving for. India needs to offer more.
Nations are formed with brute force. Civilizations are formed on ideas, on
concepts and on models.
The United States of America is “cool” because they’ve exported their cultural
model to the world. The United Kingdom drew its strength from exporting its
model of governance. Germany and Japan are relevant because they’ve exported
their idea of a professional work ethic.
I submit that it is time for India to get ambitious and export our own economic
model. One that is rooted in our ancient wisdom and tested over time. The
induction of career economists, who also have a strong understanding of history,
should hopefully signal a beginning of capability-building (for the idea) within
the government.
The “Idea of India” should also include our indigenous economic model –
Dharmicism. Am I suggesting we blindly follow archaic wisdom? No. am I claiming
there won’t be chinks in the process? Absolutely not.
However, It is indeed time to acknowledge that civilizations are only
strengthened when they build on continuity. It is time India sheds the Western
lens and stops importing failed economic models. It is time to realise that the
Vishwaguru status cannot be attained without pushing our own indigenous economic
model– Dharmicism. (Writer is Columnist and Co-founder, India Pride Project) – Organiser,
November 7 & 14, 2021 -GoTop
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