Paush Shukla 14 Vik. Samvat 2078, Yugabda 5123 : 16 January, 2022:SM 3020 (For Private Circulation only)
1. FESTIVALS: VASANT PANCHAMI (February 5 this
year) is a festival that marks the arrival of spring and sets off the
preparation for Holika and Holi which takes place forty days later. It is also
the day of Saraswati Puja.
In Bali and among Indonesian Hindus, Hari Raya Saraswati (the festival's local
name) is celebrated with prayers in family compounds, educational institutions
and public venues.
On this day, children start their learning process in a ceremony named 'Khadi-Chuan'
or 'Vidya-Arambha'.
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2. RASHTRIYA SWYAMSEVAK SANGH - AKHIL BHARATIYA SAMANVAY
BAITHAK: The three-day Samanvay baithak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was
held from January 5 to 7 at Rashtriya Vidya Kendram in Bhagyanagar. Addressing a
press meet, Sah Sarkaryavah Dr. Manmohan Vaidya said that swayamsevaks are
working in different sections of society through various organisations. 36 such
independent and autonomous organisations participated in this meet. 216
representatives including 24 women were expected of which 91% attended. The
representatives deliberated on malnutrition eradication, initiatives for
employment generation and Bharat centric education.
While answering questions, Dr. Vaidya explained that Sangh works to consolidate
the entire society and an alert society will solve its problems. He informed
that through the Samajika Samarasta initiatives, swayamsevaks are working to
eradicate caste discrimination and bring social harmony and that intellectuals
across the country are bringing awareness for decolonization in various fields.
Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, Shri Sunil Ambekar also participated in the
press meet.
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3. CASTE BARRIERS A HINDRANCE TO UNITY:DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT:
Addressing a select audience from different walks of life in Kalaburagi,
Karnataka on January 12, RSS Sarsanghachalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat highlighted the
need for social equality among Hindus and said casteism is an obstacle to Hindu
unity.
4. RECOGNISE UNSUNG FREEDOM FIGHTERS: PM MODI: While
inaugurating the 25th National Youth Festival in Puducherry on the birth
anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi asked the youth
to do research on forgotten freedom fighters who did not get recognition and
bring them to the forefront. During the event on January 12, PM Modi unveiled
selected essays on “Mere Sapno ka Bharat” and “Unsung Heroes of Indian Freedom
Movement” via video-conferencing. These essays were selected from submissions by
over 1 lakh youth on the two themes.
He also noted the added significance of this year as the celebration of the
150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo and the 100th death anniversary of
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi is falling in the same period.
PM Modi said that the youth of the country has always come forward in times of
need. He cited examples of Aadi Shankracharya who stitched the country in the
thread of unity when the national consciousness got divided, the sacrifices of
Sahibjaade of Guru Gobind Singh and the supreme sacrifice of young
revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad and Netaji Subhash
Chandra Bose who came forward to dedicate their lives for the country.
Several Union Ministers and Chief Minister of Puducherry Shri N. Rangaswamy
virtually attended the function.
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5. DECEMBER 26 TO BE OBSERVED AS 'VEER BAAL DIWAS': PM MODI
- On the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh’s Jayanti on January 9, Pradhan Mantri
Narendra Modi announced that as a tribute to the courage of Sahibzades (Guru
Gobind Singh's sons) and their quest for justice, December 26 will be observed
as 'Veer Baal Diwas'.
6. VENKAIAH NAIDU LAUDS BHARATIYA AMERICAN PHYSICIANS:
Addressing the 15th Annual Global Healthcare Summit 2022 organized by the
American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in Hyderabad on
January 5, Uprashtrapati Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu praised Bharatiya American
medical professionals for “making their mark in every corner of the world” and
being the “personification of our nation’s civilizational value of Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam.”
The Uprashtrapati complimented AAPI for raising $5 million during the second
wave of the pandemic and its ‘Adopt a Village’ program in Bharat.
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7. PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS CELEBRATED: The Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas is celebrated to recognise the contribution of overseas
Bharatiya community towards the growth and development of Bharat. January 9 was
chosen for PBD as it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi returned to
Bharat from South Africa. A virtual global Youth Conference PBD 2022 was
organized with the theme - “Role of Diaspora Youth in Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav –
Innovation and New Technologies.”
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also greeted the Bharatiya diaspora on
the occasion of PBD. In a tweet, he said that their achievements are a source of
pride for us.
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8. BICAS ODIA SAMAJ CELEBRATED NATIONAL YOUTH DAY IN
BAHRAIN: With the help of the Bharatiya Embassy in Bahrain, the Odia Samaj
affiliated to the Bahrain India Cultural and Art Society (BICAS) observed the
National Youth Day on January 12.
Bharatiya Embassy Second Secretary Ihajas Islam and BICAS vice-president and
Odia Samaj founder Dr Arun Kumar Praharaj spoke on the life and ideology of
Vivekananda.
A Nrutya Natika on Swami Vivekananda was also presented on the occasion.
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9. GLOBAL SURYA NAMASKAR DEMONSTRATION ON MAKAR SANKRANTI:
Under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative, AYUSH Ministry organised a
global Surya Namaskar demonstration - ‘Surya Namaskar For Vitality'. Around one
crore people globally took part in the virtual demonstration on Makar Sankranti,
January 14 and shared videos of them performing the 'Surya Namaskar’.
Tamaki Hoshi, 2021 Miss World Japan, joined the event and said that a large
number of Japanese people have included yoga in their daily routine.
President of Italy Yoga Institute Dr Antoniette Rossi, President of American
Yoga Academy Dr Indranil Basu Roy and members of the Singapore Yoga also
participated in the event.
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10. HOUSTON CHAPTER OF SEWA INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATES A YEAR
OF DEDICATION, ACHIEVEMENTS: On December 12, Sewa International’s Houston,
Texas, chapter held a gala celebration highlighting the year-round work of its
volunteers. The theme of the event was “local presence and global impact" and it
showcased SI’s accomplishments in responding to and combating the COVID-19
pandemic, as well as serving the local communities and making an impact beyond
the city’s borders.
Shri Mahajan commended SI for working with several community initiatives in
organizing food distribution, imparting education, and offering other services
in a demanding and challenging year.
Mr. Hotez said that he valued working hand in hand with the Bharatiya
government's extraordinary developers of the COVAXIN vaccine in Hyderabad. Rep.
Fletcher thanked Sewa International for working tirelessly in responding to
COVID-19 affected families in the community in recent years.
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11. MARSHALL WILDFIRE SEWA: The wildfire that swept
through suburban areas between Denver and Boulder of Colorado, USA on December
30 was among the most destructive in the state’s history, destroying almost
1,000 homes and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.
Sewa International is helping the families in need of shelter, water, food,
other essentials or any other help that is needed to support the community
during this difficult time. It has released an initial set of funds ($5000) to
help the community with relief efforts.
12. SEWA CANADA AID TO NEPAL: SEWA Canada continued its
COVID aid to strengthen the health infrastructure in Nepal.
13. BHARAT SUPPLIES SECOND BATCH OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
TO AFGHANISTAN: On January 1, Bharat supplied the second batch of
‘humanitarian assistance’ consisting of 500,000 doses of COVID vaccine (COVAXIN)
to Afghanistan. An MEA statement said that it was handed over to the Indira
Gandhi Hospital, Kabul and that another batch of additional 500,000 doses would
be supplied in the coming weeks. Earlier in December, Bharat delivered 1.6 tons
of medical assistance to Afghanistan through World Health Organization.
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14. SENIOR SCIENTIST S SOMANATH APPOINTED AS NEW ISRO
CHIEF: Scientist Dr. S Somanath is all set to take over as the new Chairman
of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), succeeding Dr. K. Sivan.
15. ISRO SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTS QUALIFICATION TESTS OF
CRYOGENIC ENGINE FOR GAGANYAAN: On January 13, Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted qualification tests of the Cryogenic
Engine for Gaganyaan human space programme.
16. SUPERSONIC CRUISE MISSILE TEST SUCCESSFUL: On
January 11, Bharat successfully test-fired the indigenously designed and
manufactured Brahmos supersonic cruise missile. It was a validation test of the
naval variant of the missile jointly manufactured by Russia and Bharat.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that successful launch of the missile
reconfirmed the robustness of Bharatiya Navy’s “mission readiness”.
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17. JAN SHATABDI CONNECTING TRIPURA AND MANIPUR
INAUGURATED: In a historic event for the entire Northeast, the first
Janshatabdi express train connecting Manipur and Tripura via Assam was virtually
flagged off by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, on January 8.
18. BHARATIYA PASSPORT HAS VISA FREE ACCESS IN 60
COUNTRIES: Bharat’s passport power has improved this quarter compared to
2021. It now ranks at 83rd position in the Henley Passport Index, climbing seven
places from 90th rank last year.
19. TASNIM MIR BECOMES FIRST BHARATIYA JUNIOR WOMEN'S
SINGLE'S WORLD NUMBER ONE: Young shuttler Tasnim Mir became the first
Bharatiya to claim the world no 1 ranking in under-19 girls singles in the
latest Badminton World Federation junior rankings. 16-year-old Mir jumped three
places to reach the top position in the junior world rankings in the women's
singles category with 10,810 points.
20. OBITUARY: ‘MOTHER OF ORPHANS’ SINDHUTAI SAPKAL: The
'Mother of orphans' and Padma Shri recipient, Sindhutai Sapkal, breathed her
last in the Galaxy Care Hospital, Pune on January 4. She was 73 years old. The
entire life of Sindhutai - popularly known as “Mai” – is an inspiration.
In 2010, a Marathi biopic on her life, ‘Mee Sindhutai Sapkal’, was released and
selected for the world premiere at the 54th London Film Festival.
President Ram Nath Kovind expressed condolences at the demise of Sindhutai and
said that her life was an inspiring saga of courage, dedication and service.
Expressing his grief over Sindhutai’s demise, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi said
that she will be remembered for her noble service to society.
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21. OBITUARY: SHRI GYANESHWAR DAYAL - senior
swayamsevak - passed away on January 10 at his residence in Munich, Germany.
Shri Dayal was a sangh swayamsevak since childhood. He lived in Munich, Germany
for more than 50 years and worked as a scientist at Max-Plank Institute. He
actively represented Bharatiya diaspora through Jansangh, Friends of India and
was also involved in philanthropic activities in Bharat. He was the backbone of
Sangh activities in Germany.
22. 84 KOSI PARIKRAMA MARG OF BRAJ TO BE DEVELOPED: NITIN
GADKARI: On January 7, Union Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin
Gadkari announced that the 84 Kosi Parikrama Marg of Braj (around Mathura) will
be declared as a National Highway (NH) and it will be developed on the lines of
Parikrama Marg of Ayodhya.
23. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN:Pravas: Visitors: Satya Narayan
and Vaidik Kothari - Indonesia; Ashish Channavar - UK
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: This is the gist of all worship - to be pure and to do good to
others. - Swami Vivekananda.
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JAI SHRI RAM
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HINDUTVA: THE BALANCE BETWEEN PRIDE AND ANGER
The core mission of the RSS, re-establishing the centrality of Hindu
cultural and civilisational identity in India's national life, has become a
reality. In 2022, the sangh needs to correct the misconceptions arising out of
it. : Ram Madhav (Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini Sadasya, RSS)
On the new year day, Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghachalak of the RSS addressed a
gathering of eminent citizens in Bengaluru. He was there not to talk about Hindu
Rashtra or about Hindus Muslim relations, but about ‘Paryavaran’ – environment.
Long considered an NGO domain, the RSS is now looking at it as an area of
interest. A new wing – Paryavaran Gatividhi – climate activism – has been added
to the roster of the RSS recently.
Not just environment, the RSS inspired NGO activism can now be found in many
other areas including healthcare, education, and social welfare. ‘Saksham’ is
one such NGO that works among the disabled, whom the RSS had christened as ‘Divyang’,
much before the government started using that term. During the crisis months of
Covid pandemic, the RSS had quietly organized extensive training programs for
over a lakh of village health volunteers across the country who were given basic
training by experienced doctors to tackle any future wave of the pandemic. From
running primary and secondary institutions, the RSS members are now venturing
into setting up universities and institutions of excellence.
Coupled with this NGO style activism is the focused effort to correct the image
and perception. In the last more than a decade, the RSS has quietly increased
its outreach through a new activity called Vishesh Sampark – targeted reach out.
All senior functionaries including Bhagwat undertake regular initiatives of
reaching out to the influencers in the society to explain the cause of the RSS.
The RSS chief is reaching out to leaders of Muslim, Christian and other
communities exhorting them to overcome prejudices and know the RSS from the
horse’s mouth.
A new confidence is conspicuous in the once reticent organization these days.
This confidence stems from the fact that the core mission that it has pursued
for over ten decades – reestablishing the centrality of Hindu cultural and
civilizational identity in India’s national life – has now become a reality.
Hindutva occupies national centerstage today. Rahul Gandhi, senior Congress
leader wants to call himself a Hindu; so is Mamta Benarjee, leader of the
Trinamool Congress. Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi has made budget
allocation for a free pilgrimage to Ayodhya for Ramlala’s darshan for all the
city’s senior citizens.
It was inconceivable a decade ago. Dominant political discourse in India’s
post-independence decades was centered around secularism. Hindu, Hindutva and
Hinduism were relegated to the fringes and dubbed communal. Renowned Hindu
Mahasabha leader N B Khare’s description of Jawahar Lal Nehru as a “Hindu by
accident” came to be identified with the mainstream polity in all these years. A
false notion of secularism that got equated with rejection of Hindu identity as
majoritarianism and yet pandering to minorityism in the same breath had become
the dominant political discourse after independence.
That distorted notion of secularism, dubbed by many Hindutva protagonists as
pseudo-secularism, has now been rejected by majority of Indians. To call oneself
a Hindu is no longer a matter of hesitation or shame. Even prominent Congress
leaders are writing books about Hindu history and civilization. No less credit
for it should go to the RSS.
Every movement passes through four stages, Gandhi used to say – “First they
ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they attack you. Then you win”. Many
movements lose steam during the first three stages. The RSS has successfully
passed through all of them and emerged as the national mainstream, overcoming
ridicule and rejection. Not many organizations have survived for a century. But
the RSS has not only survived but growing.
Besides more than fifty thousand Shakhas, the RSS activity today spawns across
lakhs of villages in the country. One barometer for assessing its spread and
influence could be the recent campaign for mobilizing financial support for the
Ram Janma Bhumi temple at Ayodhya. Undertaken earlier this year, thousands of
RSS cadres had reached out and secured support from over 13 crore (130 million)
Indians, that included people from all parties, social groups and even members
of other religions like the Muslims and Christians. No other social organization
can claim such an expansive reach and connect with the ordinary masses.
As it nears its centenary and embarks on a course befitting its strength as well
as the need of the changing times, the organization is faced with some critical
challenges. Although emerged as the fulcrum of Hindu civilizational reassertion,
it is still subject to scrutiny and criticism. Its exponential growth has
resulted not only in organizational spread but also in influence of its thought
process, the latter many times higher than the former. In fact, the RSS outside
the Shakhas is much larger than that inside. And it is not necessary that the
discipline found inside can be found outside too.
That puts greater onus on the RSS leadership. Mohan Bhagwat understands it. He
faced sharp criticism from that section when he talked about ‘common DNA of all
Indians’ sometime ago. His original emphasis was on telling the Muslims that
they were not alien to the cultural-civilizational life of this ancient nation.
But when he reiterated recently that “the DNA of all the people of India from
40,000 years ago is the same as that of the people today”, it was probably his
response to those angry sections, and also a likely theme for the organization
in coming years.
There is widespread Hindu pride in India today, not necessarily against any
other community or religion. There is also Hindu anger in some sections – a
sense of persecution, genuine or otherwise – triggered by the acts like
proselytism and Islamic radicalism. While pursuing its centenarian agenda, the
challenge for the RSS will be to find a balance between the pride and anger,
ensuring that neither spill over. (Ref:
https://www.rammadhav.in)
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SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN samvadnewsletter@gmail.com http://shrivishwaniketan.
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