\Samvad

Magh Amavasya Vik. Samvat 2078, Yugabda 5123 : 1 February, 2022:SM 3021 (For Private Circulation only)


 1. FESTIVALS: CHHATTRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ JAYANTI 2. BHARAT CELEBRATED REPUBLIC DAY
3. FIRST REPUBLIC DAY CROWD IN 73 YEARS WATCHES FLAG HOISTING AT LAL CHOWK CLOCK TOWER 4. RSS SARSANGHCHALAK HOISTED THE NATIONAL FLAG AT SEWA DHAM CAMPUS
5. AMAR JAWAN JYOTI MERGED WITH NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL FLAME 6. PADMA AWARDS 2022
7. PM MODI UNVEILS HOLOGRAM OF NETAJI AT INDIA GATE 8. NETAJI A SYMBOL OF COURAGE: DR MOHAN BHAGWAT
9. EXHIBITION ON NETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE OPENED IN BERLIN 10. HSS JAPAN: DESHPREM DIVAS
11. WORLD CELEBRATED BHARATIYA REPUBLIC DAY 12. ADRIANE JOHNSON VISITS HSS BUFFALO GROVE CHAPTER
13. MAKAR SANKRATI UTSAV - DAR ES SALAAM 14. HSS USA PARTICIPATED IN MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY EVENT
15. BENEVITY RANKS SEWA INTERNATIONAL AMONG TOP 10 CHARITABLE CAUSES SUPPORTED BY COMPANIES 16. HINDU SEVAI SANGAM MALAYSIA HELPS FIRE VICTIMS
17. SEWA TT DONATED 50,000 KN95 FACE MASKS TO THE ODPM 18. CHITAGNI PROJECT LAUNCHED IN KERALA
19. OBITUARY: PANDIT BIRJU MAHARAJ 20. OBITUARY: SHRI PRAVINBHAI VRAJLAL RUPARELIA
21. OBITUARY: SHRI KRISHAN DASS AUPLISH 22. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN & FOOD FOR THOUGHT
ARTICLE SWAYAMSEVAK – THE CHANGE MAKER

 1. FESTIVALS: CHHATTRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ JAYANTI: Chhattrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born on February 19, 1630 at Shivneri fort near Pune. He is known for his guerilla tactics of war which are taught in various military schools. His defeat of Afzal Khan and Shaista Khan are some famous examples of his tactical acumen.


Shivaji realised the importance of having a naval force and strategically established a navy and many forts along the coastline. He established the ‘Hindavi Swarajya’ and his legacy endured long after his death as the Marathas established an empire over a large part of Bharat. ‘Shiv Jayanti’ is celebrated on February 19 with great pomp and fervour in Maharashtra.
-GoTop

2. BHARAT CELEBRATED REPUBLIC DAY: Bharat celebrated its 73rd Republic Day on January 26. The Republic Day parade showcased Bharat’s military might, cultural diversity and many unique initiatives to mark the celebration of the 75th year of independence. 75 aircrafts of the Bharatiya Vayu Sena conducted a fly-past and for the first time, videos from the cockpit were broadcast. With an aim to enhance Jan Bhagidari, 480 dancers selected through a nationwide competition from all over Bharat showcased their talent in the Vande Bharatam Nritya Utsav performance. Groups across genres like classical, folk and contemporary merged as a whole, yet retained the identity of individual dance forms in the true spirit of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat. Virat - a hanoverian breed horse who was commissioned to the President's Bodyguard in 2000 and received the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation - was given a fond farewell as it retired after years of honourable and exceptional service.

Rashtrapati Shri Ramnath Kovind addressed the nation on the eve of Republic Day and said that Bharat is better placed today to meet the challenges of the future. Bharat has taken a leadership position regarding climate change with its bold and ambitious push for renewable energy.

During the challenging times of Covid pandemic, small and medium enterprises have played an important role in providing employment to people and imparting impetus to the economy. Mentioning the National Education Policy in his address, he said that it makes a perfect blend of traditional values and modern skills. He commended the country's sportspersons for their exemplary performances in the Olympics and villagers of Sui in Bhiwani district of Haryana, who transformed their village under the Swa-Prerit Adarsh Gram Yojana. He expressed the nation’s gratitude to the valiant soldiers of Bharat who lost their lives in the line of duty. He was also glad to note that it has been a watershed year for women empowerment in the Armed Forces. He encouraged youth to re-discover the values that animated the glorious national freedom movement and exuded confidence that inspired by the spirit of universal brotherhood, Bharat and the entire global community will move towards a more equitable and prosperous future.

The Republic Day celebrations concluded with the Beating Retreat on January 29. The musical extravaganza that featured various military bands playing patriotic tunes ended with the grand finale of a 10 minute drone show in which 1000 drones positioned themselves into breathtaking formations to depict the 75th year of Bharat’s Independence.
-GoTop

3. FIRST REPUBLIC DAY CROWD IN 73 YEARS WATCHES FLAG HOISTING AT LAL CHOWK CLOCK TOWER: The tricolour was ceremonially unfurled atop the clock tower of Srinagar's Lal Chowk on January 26 in front of a Republic Day crowd.

Two young Kashmiris — Sajid Yousuf Shah and Sahil Bashir – were taken to the top of the clock tower by a hydraulic crane to unfurl the flag. While security forces have been unfurling the tricolour there on all national days, never before had a local crowd converged on the city centre to be part of such an event.
-GoTop

4. RSS SARSANGHCHALAK HOISTED THE NATIONAL FLAG AT SEWA DHAM CAMPUS: On the auspicious occasion of 73rd Republic Day of Bharat, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat hoisted the National Flag at Sewa Dham at Khayerpur in Agartala, Tripura.

During his speech he highlighted the importance of the Republic Day by mentioning Bharat’s ancient ganarajyas like Vaishali, Lichhabi etc. Dr. Bhagwat invoked the ancient prestige and heritage of the country where people use to inculcate and incorporate highest moral virtues, ethics and democratic qualities in self and democracy was expressed in the life and philosophy of the people.
-GoTop

5. AMAR JAWAN JYOTI MERGED WITH NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL FLAME: In a historic ceremony on January 21, the flame of the Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial at the India Gate in Delhi was merged with the one at the National War Memorial. The ceremony included a military parade with a band. Integrated Defence Staff chief Air Marshal Balabhadra Radha Krishna presided over the ceremony and performed the act of merging the flames.

The ceremony began with wreath laying at the Amar Jawan Jyoti following which a part of it was collected using a torch. Then the flame at the cenotaph was extinguished and soldiers marched with the torch to the National War Memorial, around 400 meters away. There, the Amar Jawan Jyoti was added to the eternal flame. Built in 2019, the National War Memorial has the names of all the Bharatiya defence personnel who have lost their lives in different operations from the 1947-48 war with Pakistan to the Galwan valley clash with Chinese troops.
-GoTop

6. PADMA AWARDS 2022: Rashtrapati Ramnath Kovind approved conferment of 128 Padma Awards which includes 4 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri awards. The list includes 34 women and 10 persons from the category of Foreigners /NRI /PIO /OCI. In the field of literature and education, Radheshyam Khemka - former President of Gita Press Gorakhpur - was posthumously honoured with the Padma Vibhushan and Dr. JK Bajaj - renowned history and policy scholar of Centre for Policy Studies who specialised in the study of Bharatiya society - was awarded the Padma Shri. Other Padma award recipients included General Bipin Rawat, Sankaranarayana Menon Chundayil - senior most living member of the Mudavangattil family that teaches Kalari martial arts, Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra and Covishield-manufacturer Serum Institute of India’s Chairman and Managing Director Cyrus S Poonawalla, as well as Covaxin-maker Bharat Biotech’s Chairman Krishna Ella and co-founder Suchitra Ella.
-GoTop


7. PM MODI UNVEILS HOLOGRAM OF NETAJI AT INDIA GATE: To mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on January 23, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi unveiled a hologram statue of Netaji at India Gate, New Delhi. The hologram is installed under the canopy where a statue of King George V had stood till its removal in 1968 and will be switched on at sunset every day.


A grand statue of Netaji in black granite is being built and on completion, it will replace the hologram. Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi called on the people to take inspiration from Netaji’s “can-do, will-do spirit” and fulfill the goal of building a new Bharat before the 100th year of Independence.

8. NETAJI A SYMBOL OF COURAGE: DR MOHAN BHAGWAT: On the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on January 23, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat along with family members of war heroes Moirang Koireng and Heman Nilamani paid floral tributes to the portrait of Netaji.

A photo gallery of the Indian National Army (INA) and Netaji’s life was also displayed as part of the celebrations organized in Imphal. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Bhagwat said that Netaji was a symbol of courage, nationalism, dedication and selfless sacrifice and his life is an inspiration for all of us. Following his vision and instilling the spirit of nationalism, unity and sacrifice would be the real remembrance and tribute to the great patriot, he added.
-GoTop

9. EXHIBITION ON NETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE OPENED IN BERLIN: Marking 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on January 23, Bharatiya Embassy in Berlin, Germany, opened a special exhibition titled “Bose 125”.

Ambassador of Bharat to Germany Harish Parvathaneni and Netaji’s daughter, Professor Dr Anita Bose Pfaff inaugurated the exhibition at the Embassy which includes rare, personal letters and memorabilia from Netaji. Dr Bose Pfaff, an Overseas Citizen of Bharat, expressed deep appreciation for the Government of Bharat’s decision to commence Republic Day celebrations with Netaji’s birth anniversary.
-GoTop

10. HSS JAPAN: DESHPREM DIVAS: To pay tributes to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Ras Behari Bose, "Deshprem Divas" is being organized by HSS Japan & Team Netaji Japan since 2012.

In this year’s celebrations conducted virtually, children donned costumes of their favorite leaders and freedom fighters in a patriotic costume parade. Cultural programs were conducted to pay tribute to the defense forces as well as doctors and health care workers for their contributions in times of need.
The event was graced by family members of Mitsuru Toyama, Shigemaru Sugiyama and Netjai. Mr Toyama & Mr Sugiyama were Japanese Nationalist leaders who protected Ras Behari Bose and provided all possible support to enable him to continue his efforts for Bharat’s independence. Ambassador of Bharat to Japan Shri Sanjay Kumar Verma also attended the event. More than 250 people participated via virtual means and the event was witnessed by more than 1000 viewers from Japan, Bharat, Germany and other parts of the globe.
-GoTop
 

11. WORLD CELEBRATED BHARATIYA REPUBLIC DAY: Bharat celebrated its 73rd Republic Day on a grand scale with mesmerizing parades and a drone show. Bharat’s friends and diaspora too joined in the celebrations. Here are some highlights of how the world celebrated Bharat’s 73rd Republic Day.
In Pretoria, South Africa, a friendly cricket match was played between Bharatiya and Australian High Commission.
Despite heavy torrential rains, more than 100 members of the Bharatiya Diaspora and friends of Bharat attended the event held at the Chancery premises by the High Commission to Brunei.

The majestic Baths of Diocletian in Rome, dating back to the 4th century and the Angolan Embassy were illuminated with tricolor lighting.

The Smolensky Metro Bridge over the Moscow river displayed a message of congratulations and the Embassy of Bharat in Moscow organised cultural performances to celebrate the milestone.

In Guatemala, Ambassador Manoj Mohapatra along with Tecpán City Mayor unfurled the tricolor in the presence of the local community to start the celebrations.
In South Korea, performance of the Korean traditional musical instrument - Gayageum - was held by Gimhae City Gayageum Orchestra.
Jamaica organized a free medical camp in Mandeville to celebrate Bharat’s Republic Day. The Embassy of Bharat, Prague, Czech Republic held Republic Day celebrations with more than 100 Czech nationals on January 22, at Strilky - ‘the Yoga Village’.
In Singapore, the Acting High Commissioner Siddhartha Nath read the president's message to the Bharatiya community through social media.
New York Senate passed a resolution to celebrate Bharat’s Republic Day. The resolution noted that the Bharatiya Republic Day celebrates the great contributions of Bharatiya Americans to the fabric of New York and pays tribute to the common culture and bonds of friendship between the US and Bharat. Flag hoisting and cultural programs were also held in Washington, Southern California, Chicago and the Bay Area. Several elected officials joined these celebrations and addressed the gathering.
-GoTop

12. ADRIANE JOHNSON VISITS HSS BUFFALO GROVE CHAPTER: On January 21 , State Senator from Illinois' 30th district - Adriane Johnson - visited Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) Buffalo Grove Chapter to issue a proclamation for Sun Salutation Yogathon 2022.

During the program, Senator Johnson interacted with families and thanked HSS volunteers for their impressive selfless service in the community and throughout the nation. HSS is celebrating the 16th year of nationwide campaign of Sun Salutation Yogathon for awareness about Yoga and its advantages in achieving a healthy body, mind and spirit.
-GoTop

13. MAKAR SANKRATI UTSAV - DAR ES SALAAM: HSS Tanzania in association with Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) organized Rangoli competition to celebrate Makara Sankranti on January 16 at Shishukunj, Indo Tanzania Cultural centre, Kisutu Street, Dar es Salaam. The event saw overwhelming participation and the floor was filled with colorful Rangolis.

Shri Binaya Pradhan, High Commissioner of Bharat to Tanzania viewed all rangolis and appreciated the participants. Shri Shylesh Shah (General Secretary, HSS Tanzania), Shri Anand Chauhan (Member of Indo Tanzania Cultural Centre) and Shri Santhosh G R (Director, SVCC) were also present on the occasion. 
-GoTop

14. HSS USA PARTICIPATED IN MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY EVENT: On January 17, swayamsevak, sevikas and kishores of Fishers and Carmel cities shakha participated in the Martin Luther King (MLK) day celebrations at the Conner Prairie Museum in Indiana.

HSS had a booth where visiting people were informed of HSS activities and invited to participate in International Day of Yoga planned for June 21 at Conner Prairie. Kishores volunteered for Conner Prairie and helped them to man the blood donation drive and served as a guide to visitors. Around 700 people visited the museum to participate in the MLK Day.
HSS Sacramento Swayamsevaks, including Vibhag Sanghachalak Dr. Bijay Nair, participated in the 4th annual Placer County MLK Day Parade.
The event was attended by more than 300 people. Big colorful HSS banner and good posters of MLK Jr and Gandhiji attracted lots of people who wanted to know more about HSS.
The organizers appreciated the efforts and invited HSS to participate in such county level events in future.
-GoTop

15. BENEVITY RANKS SEWA INTERNATIONAL AMONG TOP 10 CHARITABLE CAUSES SUPPORTED BY COMPANIES: Benevity Inc., the leading provider of global corporate purpose software, ranked Sewa International (SI) among the top of charitable organizations supported by companies and their employees in 2021. SI was ranked 10th in the list. SI was ranked 690 in 2019 and 375 in 2020.
Arun Kankani, President of SI, expressed his gratitude to the companies and their thousands of employees who thought it fit to offer their generous support to SI. He said that this recognition of their work and the standing will energize SI to rededicate their efforts to come to the aid of society in times of crises in the US and around the world.
-GoTop

16. HINDU SEVAI SANGAM MALAYSIA HELPS FIRE VICTIMS: On January 10, houses at the Bukit Kiara Longhouse in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), Kuala Lumpur, were destroyed by fire. Volunteers of Hindu Sevai Sangam Malaysia visited the site of the disaster.

Relief materials such as clothes, dry provisions, school bags etc were distributed to the effected families.
-GoTop

17. SEWA TT DONATED 50,000 KN95 FACE MASKS TO THE ODPM: On January 20, SEWA International Trinidad and Tobago (SEWA TT) donated 50,000 KN95 face masks to the Office of Disaster Preparedness (ODPM) during a small handover ceremony at its warehouse.

SEWA TT president Revan Teelucksingh handed over the masks to Major (Ret.) chevalier Jackson, ODPM’s corporate services manager. Jackson thanked SEWA TT for the donation, adding that it will go a long way towards replenishing supplies which were previously distributed to national security agencies and other frontline workers. The ODPM said that SEWA TT has been a key partner since 2016 when it joined with the agency to bring relief to citizens.
-GoTop

 

18. CHITAGNI PROJECT LAUNCHED IN KERALA: Shri Vijay Puranik, Rashtriya Sevabharati's National Deputy General Secretary, formally launched the "CHITHAGNI" project in Kerala with the support of Sewa International, USA.


As part of the project, four ambulances will serve the tribal and isolated areas in Idukki and Malappuram districts and 24 mobile cremation units will cover the state's 14 districts.
-GoTop

19. OBITUARY: PANDIT BIRJU MAHARAJ: Leaving behind an unparalleled legacy of performing arts, Kathak exponent Pandit Birju Maharaj died at the age of 83, in Delhi, on January 17. Birju Maharaj was born into a well-known kathak dancing family and began performing as a child alongside his father, Acchan Maharaj. He became a dance teacher at the age of 13, and by the time he was 28 his mastery of the dance form had won him the coveted Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. He was known for his perfect rhythm and expressive abhinaya. Also an accomplished singer, his renditions of thumris and dadras were appreciated by many. He was the recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to the performing arts, including the Padma Vibhushan in 1986.

Rashtrapati Shri Ram Nath Kovind expressed grief over Birju Maharaj’s demise and said that it marks the end of an era and leaves a deep void in Bharatiya music and cultural space.
Pradhan Mantri Shri Narendra Modi said that Pandit Birju Maharaj gave Bharatiya dance art a special recognition across the world and his passing is an irreparable loss to the entire art world.
In his condolence message, RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale said that the nation has lost a legendary artiste and Panditji will be remembered for a long time for his contribution and dedication to the performing arts and also for his exalted humanitarian qualities.
-GoTop

20. OBITUARY: SHRI PRAVINBHAI VRAJLAL RUPARELIA: Shri Pravinbhai Vrajlal Ruparelia, a senior swayamsevak, passed away on January 29 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Leicester, UK. More than 65 years ago, Pravinbhai became a Swayamsevak in Mombasa, Kenya at an early age.

He went to college in Nairobi and later on moved to Kampala, Uganda where he was Karyawaha of BSS. In 1972, he and his family migrated to the UK. Upon arrival in UK, he first stayed in Ilford, Essex before permanently moving to Leicester. Pravinbhai was a Swayamsevak with immense knowledge of our scriptures, sangh philosophy and could also converse in Sanskrit.
He held the responsibility of Sah Karyawaha, UK from 1990 to 1995; UK Karyawaha from 1995 to 2007 and Mananeeya Sanghachalak from 2007 to 2009. Due to his untiring pravas to various nagars in U.K., he motivated Swayamsevaks and sevikas to take up various activities including SEWA and made an immense contribution to the growth of HSS (UK).
-GoTop

21. OBITUARY: SHRI SIRI KRISHAN DASS AUPLISH: Shri  Siri Krishan Dass Auplish, a senior karyakarta in Melbourne, Australia, breathed his last on January 23. Born on January 20, 1926 in a village near Ludhiyana, he belonged to a family of swayamsevaks.

His brother was earlier Prant Sanghchalak of Punjab. Shri Auplish was a Government Official in Delhi and was closely associated with Ma. Chamanlalji for long years, maintaining accounts of Vishwa Vibhag karyalaya in Jhandewalan. After shifting to Australia, he was a fatherly figure for all swayamsevaks in Melbourne, motivating and mentoring swayamsevaks and sevikas for Sangh and Sewa activity. He also organised a group of Seniors to serve Hindu society in Melbourne. His life and memories will continue to inspire sangh karyakartas.
-GoTop


22. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors: Dr Kailash Singh - Denmark ; Tapash Gosh, Sumitra Pal - Canada.
-GoTop

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: One individual may die for an idea, but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives. - Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
-GoTop

JAI SHRI RAM
---
SWAYAMSEVAK – THE CHANGE MAKER
Ratan Sharda

As an SME entrepreneur swayamsevak had changed lives of 100s of people by providing them employment and training them in business and manufacturing. Now, he is training and nurturing rural youth to make their lives better, and also creating a unique Rural-Urban Connect.
What would a person do as he reaches 70? A smooth-running business, a well settled family with son and nephews taking care of the business established by him; grandchildren to play with and it seems like time to enjoy the evening of one’s life. All his life he has devoted most of his time to RSS work with only short quality time for the family because he had committed 45 years back that he will not work for more than 8 hours in a day for earning income. He had dedicated all his balance time and life to society. Now is the time to lay back and relax at his farm house with children or perhaps focus on the spiritual aspects of life.
But, what does this person do? He is stirred by the backwardness of the region where he has one of his factories. He takes along a few trustees of Keshav Srushti and visits the youth of that region who wish to bring up their villages and give a better life to their brethren. He has not seen the inside of a village till that time in true sense, having lived his entire life in cities. How could he help the youth achieve their dream? He must understand them first. He has been a convenor of a monthly meeting of young professionals and business persons for a year now under Sewa International. They tell him they wish to contribute to the society now. He sees a ray of hope. He takes them to the region that is 100 km from Mumbai and shows them around. There is a joint meeting with the local young activists and the idea of Rural-Urban Connect is born.
These successful urban youth will adopt one village each and keep in touch with their friends from the village. They will not tell them what they should do, but help them in what they wish to do for their respective village. They will also visit their adopted villages every month. Sit with them, dine with them and live with them when required. Slowly the idea picks up, with families of the urban youth joining in too. They celebrate festivals together; they invite their brethren from village to their homes in Mumbai. They provide any support that the team in their village requires.
– In all this, our elder swayamsevak is part of the teams, leading from the front. He does not just visit the villages, he coordinates with government officers, he gets local elders involved, and stays there overnight, nearly every week to keep the momentum on.
Keshav Srushti, an RSS-inspired social service complex wedded education, environment, cow protection, herbal medicine development is involved in this outreach all through. There is complete synergy. The region is Wada. All this began three years back. What has this team of youth guided by a youthful elder achieved in three years? Here is a quick glance –
Four model villages have been created. Three more are lined up. A model village is one with a gram samiti, no liquor, no disputes, regular satsang, classes for education and samskara, special training for health and hygiene.
– 51 villages have daily and weekly samskara kendras where children are taught good habits, told about dharma, history and Bharat, trained in games, encouraged to read in small library.
– Computer classes, tailoring classes are going on. 283 youth were trained in computer with MSITC certificate, of which 38 got jobs in nearby industrial areas.
– Three science laboratories on wheel – called Knowledge On Wheels – have been introduced for school children to help them do experiments; with wonderful results. Fourth van is on way.
– Youth centres encourage and train youth in sports to raise their energy levels and sense of comradery. Annual sports events take place now on January 12, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
– Leadership course has been introduced conducted every quarter to hone the leadership skills of the youth and prepare leaders at the grass roots.
– Irrigation is improved. Check dams have been constructed as per village requirements to rejuvenate wells and ponds. Drip irrigation has been introduced in some villages, and solar pumps in some villages to provide water and electricity. Yes, there was a village
– Dongripada that did not have electricity and water even after 70 years of independence. A village just a few kilometres from Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway.
It raised farmers’ income from 10000 INR pa to over 100000 pa with multiple crops, not just rainfed crops. This has also stopped seasonal migration of village folks in search of a jobs outside village.
– Health and Hygiene – 1100 children in 32 villages were checked on healthy parameters. 95% were suffering from malnutrition and 60% were anaemic. They are given protein laddus regularly now. Each child is issued a Star health card to keep track of his/her health.
– Idea of Swasthya Rakshak Dampati is implemented where a couple is trained in primary health care and linked to Iskcon hospital. Plan is to have 10 such couples in 40 villages to begin with.
– Two hundred girls have been trained in hygiene and health related issues.
– Thousands of fruit trees have been planted in in farmers’ backyards and fields.
– 2 lakh seedballs were manufactured by teenage boys and girls and spread in fields and jungles nearby. Target this year is 5 lakh seed balls.
– Plastic free village – Plastic is collected from the village and sold to a vendor. Effort is to create a smaller plant for making paver blocks from plastic waste. Samples have been tried.
– Project to encourage Organic farming has begun.
– Project Green Gold has become a success with women being trained in bamboo craft, earning for the first time in their lives even during Covid. Bamboo cultivation is being encouraged. It was a part of their village life earlier. 15 acres of field has been turned into bamboo plantation as an exhibit. Hundreds of jobs have been created. Now trained women are training other women from neighbouring villages.
– Now Project Mangal Fibre has been launched for manufacturing handicraft and other useful items like bags and footwear from fibre taken out of banana plants removed from fields after two years when their quality falls.
– Cotton bags worth 18 lakh were manufactured during Covid and sold to a reputed bank.
– Next in line are FPO and OFPOs to market village produce better and work on Farm to Fork chain. It will become a training ground for the local youth in business and commerce.
– Tourism with stay in village and enjoy local natural beauty has begun in 6 villages.
– The team has adopted 75 villages and hope to have permanent longterm improvements in all these villages before 2025.
These urban youth have been nurtured by RSS philosophy that Sewa is our duty, not a charity. So, there is no question of ego or feeling of doing anyone a favour. It is about raising the capabilities of the rural brethren to bring in positive change. Their sense of oneness with their rural brethren is total.
I was part of the first team that went to do a survey of the villages to understand the ground situation there. I could see the huge change in those rural youth now from the time they spoke in the first annual get together. It is such an emotionally uplifting experience.
All this has happened in just three years with the sustained encouragement, support and personal interest taken by a 72year young swayamsevak, who believes in karma yoga that RSS has trained him in. Talk to any of the youth in his team, and he/she will tell you how this one man has changed their lives.
I have not mentioned his name. He is my mentor. I know he will be upset if I do so. He feels he is not unique; there are thousands of such noble faceless and nameless dedicated swayamsevaks who have been catalysts for changes, offering themselves as the ‘samidha’ in the yagya of rashtra nirman or building of our nation. I personally know a few such extraordinary human beings who live ordinary life but achieve extraordinary results by providing service to the society. I hope I can, someday, record lives of some of such elevated aatmans.  (https://vskbharat.com/swayamsevak-the-change-maker/?lang=en#:~:text=As%20an%20SME%20entrepreneur%20swayamsevak,a%20unique%20Rural%2DUrban%20Connect.)
-GoTop


No comments: