Buddha Purnima, Vik. Samvat 2079, Yugabda 5124 : 1 6 May, 2022:SM 4004 (For Private Circulation only)
1. FESTIVALS: ANTAR RASHTRIYA YOG DIWAS: On 27th September, 2014,
Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi during a speech at the UN General Assembly put
forth a suggestion for the occasion of a 'Yoga Day'. The draft resolution
proposed by Bharat was endorsed by a record 177 member states. The UN proclaimed
21st June as International Day of Yoga (IDY) by passing a resolution on 11th
December, 2014.
The international community observes 21st June as International
Yoga Day since then every year, recognising the many benefits of the ancient
Bharatiya practice of Yoga. This year 8th International Yoga Day will be
celebrated. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) organises Yoga sessions in its
shakhas all over Bharat. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) also organises Yoga
gathering and Yogathons in their respective countries. Other Hindu organisations
like Art of Living, ISKCON, Brahma Kumaris, Isha foundation, etc and Bharatiya
embassies organise Yoga programmes all over world. -GoTop
2. DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT CALLS FOR ENSURING PEACE IN SOCIETY:
RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat on 28th April said that violence does
not benefit anybody and stressed the need to bring together all communities to
preserve humanity.
Dr Bhagwat further said, “We all should follow the path of
Ahimsa to safeguard humanity. This path should be given the topmost priority.”
He was speaking as a Chief Guest at the ‘Gaddinashini’ program (ceremony to
assume religious seat) of Sai Rajeshlal Mordiya, the great-grandson of Sant
Kanwarram, at Kanwarram Dham on Bhankheda Road near Amravati in Maharashtra. Dr
Bhagwat said that Bharat is a multi-lingual country and each language has its
own importance. He also underlined the need for establishing a Sindhi university
in the country to ensure the survival of the Sindhi language and culture. -GoTop
3. WORLD LOOKING TOWARDS BHARAT WITH ATTRACTION: DR. BHAGWAT:
Dr Mohan Bhagwat on 30th April said that today the world is well acquainted
with religion, philosophy and spirituality, but the knowledge of its secrets are
still only with Bharat and the world is looking towards Bharat with a great
attraction. Addressing the 49th foundation day of Mokshayatan Yoga Sansthan at
Saharanpur, Dr. Bhagwat said, "The entire world and the western countries
focused on materialism, where as in Bharat our sages continued to study and
research on the basic elements of religion, philosophy and culture, on the
values of life and on the way of life. Due to this the continuity of our culture
was maintained in a comprehensive way." He appreciated the selfless services
being done by Mokshayatan Yoga Sansthan. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel
also graced the occasion. -GoTop
4. TRITIYA VARSHA SSV BEGINS AT NAGPUR: The Sangh
Shiksha Varg (Tritiya Varsh) of the RSS commenced at the Maharshi Vyas
Sabhagriha, on the premises of Dr Hedgewar Smriti Bhavan in Reshimbagh, Nagpur
on 9th May and it will conclude on 3rd June. The annual camp was held after gap
of two years due to Covid19 pandemic. 735 participants, along with 96 shikshaks,
from across the nation are attending the varg this year.
Former Sarkaryavah Shri
Bhaiyyaji Joshi attended the inaugural session. He said, “Purity and commitment
of mind is the core teaching of SSV.” -GoTop
5. KNOWLEDGE SHARING LEADS TO GREATER KNOWLEDGE: KOVIND:
Speaking on the occasion of inauguration of the permanent campus of Indian
Institute of Management, Nagpur on 8th May, Rashtrapati Shri Ram Nath Kovind
said, “Our traditions have always emphasized upon sharing, especially in the
field of knowledge. Hence, it is our duty to share the knowledge which we have
gathered. Knowledge sharing leads to greater growth of knowledge itself.”
“Educational institutes are not just mere places of learning; it is the place
that polish the inner and hidden talents in people,” Rashtrapati further said.
Highlighting the value of innovation and entrepreneurship in today’s era, Shri
Kovind said that both have the ability to not just ease lives but also
facilitate employment opportunities. “The eco-system at IIM, Nagpur would
promote among the students the mindset of becoming job-creators, instead of
being job-seekers,” Rashtrapati said. -GoTop
6. PM MODI ADDRESSED DIASPORA IN COPENHAGEN: Pradhan
Mantri Narendra Modi described the diaspora as Bharat's ambassadors in their
respective adopted homelands and urged each of them to encourage at least five
non-Bharatiya friends to visit Bharat.
“We have to rejuvenate our tourism sector. With your efforts - when you will
help five of your non-Bharatiya friends to visit & explore our country - in a
few years, there will be only one destination, that is 'Chalo India',” he said
as he lauded the positive role played by the Bharatiya community in Denmark.
Addressing the Diaspora in Copenhagen the capital of Denmark on 3rd May he said
that Bharat had no role in exploiting the planet, but is at the forefront in the
efforts to save it solely backed by efforts made by every person in the country.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also attended Modi’s interaction with
the Bharatiya diaspora and introduced him as a “friend”, before inviting him to
address the packed gathering at the Bella Centre. “Today’s programme in
Copenhagen was made even more special by the participation of PM Frederiksen. I
am grateful to her for her kind words on Bharat and the Bharatiya community in
Denmark,” Modi said in a tweet. More than 1,000 members of the Bharatiya
community in Denmark comprising students, researchers, professionals and
business persons participated in the event. PM also said that a Bharatiya,
wherever he goes in the world, contributes sincerely for 'karmabhoomi' (land of
work), for that country. He added that many times when I meet world leaders,
they proudly tell me about the achievements of the Bharatiya community settled
in their countries. -GoTop
7. BHARAT WANTS ITS LEADERS TO GUIDE GLOBAL FAMILY: NAIDU:
Uparashtrapati M. Venkaiah Naidu has said, “Bharat wants its leaders to
guide the global family.” Shri Naidu said that the guidance should come from the
universities with different innovative ideas. He was speaking at Delhi
University's Centenary Celebration at the University's North Campus on 1st May
and said that the Bharatiya education system must also focus on our culture.
Uparashtrapati also said that early education of a child must be in mother
tongue. "If the early education is given to a child in mother tongue they will
be able to grasp it. If given in another language, first they have to learn the
language and then they will understand," he said. Delhi University was
established on 1st May, 1922. He congratulated Delhi University for completing
100 years. Uparashtrapati, who is the chancellor of the university, was the
chief guest at the event and Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education, was the
guest of honour.
Shri Naidu launched a commemorative coin of hundred-rupee denomination, a
commemorative centenary stamp, and a commemorative centenary volume (booklet) on
the occasion. Speaking at the event, Shri Pradhan said, "The national education
policy emphasised the importance of local language. Local language helps in
channelling the creativity of a student." -GoTop
8. "DARSHANA – A GLIMPSE INTO THE HINDU CIVILIZATION":
Capitol Hill: A group of American Hindu organizations representing a myriad
of Dharmic religions and philosophies held an exhibition titled "Darshana – A
Glimpse into the Hindu Civilization" on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on 10th
and 11th May. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS), in conjunction with numerous
Hindu organizations, initiated this educational project as part of a year-long
Hindu Dharma Awareness Campaign. King of Jordan Abdullah II and representatives
from thirty-two Congressional offices of USA visited the Exhibition to learn
more about the Hindu traditions and culture. Two U.S. Senators and seven Members
of the House of Representatives attended and explored the Exhibition. Sen. Mike
Braun (R-Indiana) and Sen. Mark Kelley (D-Arizona) toured the Exhibition and
actively engaged with the organizers to learn more about the Hindu community and
its traditions, culture, and philosophy.
In his comments, Senator Braun said, "I
appreciate it (Hindu Culture) because it's an enterprising culture. Glad I've
had time to learn more about it." This Exhibition is part of the Hindu Dharma
Awareness Campaign and is successfully being displayed and welcomed across the
country. In the months of April and May, over 200 events have been organized
across the country.
North Brunswick Senior Center: On 30th April the exhibition was
inaugurated by North Brunswick Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack, Middlesex County
Deputy Director Shanti Narra, CoHNA President Nikunj Trivedi, North Brunswick
Township Council President Bob Davis, Acting Superintendent Janet Ciarrocca, and
Middlesex County Commissioner Claribel A. Azcona-Barber. Narra, who is a North
Brunswick resident, shared how she has seen the growth of community from 1974 -
the time her family arrived in the USA. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to share
our heritage with the people,” she said. “I am very much impressed by the
culture presented today and especially the poster ‘The Pursuits’ on how a person
should live a life,” Womack said.
The Commons in Columbus event was witnessed by more than 130 people, including
several local officials, educators and faith leaders.
Parsippany Library: On 7th May Parsippany Mayor James Barberio was the
Chief Guest of the event organised at Parsippany Library and Justin Musella was
the Guest of Honor. Assemblyman Jay Webber (of NJ Legislative District 26th)
also attended the event and interacted with various HSS volunteers and community
members.
Mike dePierro Council President and Parsippany-Troy Hills School District
Superintendent Dr. Barbara Sargent were also there to show their support. The
event was very well received with over 200 attendees. Mayor Barberio said that
the aspect he liked most from the exhibition was the value of service to
society, service to the community that is one hand helping another. Hindu
community has contributed extensively to the Parsippany community.
Home Americas City Of McKinney Declares 3oth April As ‘Darshana Day’: The
Darshana event was inaugurated by McKinney City Mayor George Fuller. The
exhibition launch was attended by elected officials, community leaders, law
enforcement officials, interfaith members, equity and inclusion officials and
educators. City of McKinney also issued a Proclamation declaring April 30th as a
Darshana Day for McKinney. The list of visitors included Texas State Sen. Matt
Shaheen, US Congressman candidate Keith Self, McKinney Business Chamber of
Commerce Community Development director Melanie Williamson, State Sen. candidate
Fred Frazier, several school district superintendents, principals, educators,
and many others. -GoTop
9. HSS CELEBRATES EARTH DAY WITH ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY: On the
occasion of Earth Day on 22th April, volunteers from HSS Naperville and SEWA
international organized the Adopt-A-Highway program 23rd April. Given this
year's theme of "Invest in Our Planet," volunteers from HSS and SEWA
international organized the Adopt-A-Highway program to clean up the four-mile
stretch of 75th Street between Route 59 and Naperville-Plainfield Road.
Adopt-A-Highway is a voluntary program arranged by DuPage County to encourage
the public to take ownership of cleaning up the highways. Volunteers spent the
day cleaning up the side of the road and collected plastic and other wastes.
The event was inaugurated by Consul General of Bharat, Amit Kumar. The event
ended with all participants pledging to initiate more cleanup events in this
year. HSS thanks DuPage County for programs like Adopt-a-Highway that gives them
an opportunity to work on the Hindu philosophy that the entire universe should
be perceived as divine. -GoTop
10. RUTGERS HINDU YUVA WAS SELECTED FOR THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL
CHANCELLOR’S SPIRIT OF RUTGERS AWARD: Rutgers Hindu Yuva was selected for
this year’s annual Chancellor’s Spirit of Rutgers Award, which recognizes Hindu
Yuva for making a positive impact on Rutgers campus in spreading the noble
principles of Dharma, Yoga, and Guru.
On this selection Rutgers Hindu Yuva E-board thanked its members for their hard
work and contribution to the club, as well as to the advisor and faculty mentors
for helping out along the way. The annual Chancellor-Provost’s Student
Leadership Awards recognizes and rewards students for their remarkable
contributions to the University and community. These students consistently
demonstrate collaboration, leadership and resourcefulness, have a tremendous
passion for Rutgers, and go outside of their normal responsibilities to achieve
goals. -GoTop
11. SEVA AT HOMELESS SHELTER BY WISCONSIN SHAKHA: On
1st May, 7 kishors and 3 tarun from HSS - Sanskriti Shakha - Milwaukee (along
with a Sewa Lead) spent time with guest kids from Hebron Homeless shelter and
conducted various activities for them. The activities included fun story, craft
competition, treasure hunt, outdoor games and henna. Many of the guest women
also enjoyed the session by getting Henna tatoos on their hands.
The activities were conceptualized and planned by Kishors. Kishor gana had a
dress rehearsal of the activities during shakha to ensure quality execution. -GoTop
12. BHARATIYA AMERICAN STUDENTS IN AURORA-NAPERVILLE
CELEBRATE TEACHERS APPRECIATION WEEK
The U.S. celebrates the first week of May as "Teachers Appreciation Week" and
Tuesday of the same week as "National Teachers Day". On 1st May Bharatiya
American students and Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh volunteers celebrated this
occasion by hosting and facilitating teachers across Aurora-Naperville as part
of the "Guru Vandana" event. -GoTop
13. HAF: NY BILL REMOVED REFERENCE TO SWASTIKA AS FASCIST:
On 29th April, the Hindu American Foundation informed that the New York
Senate and State Assembly dropped the reference to Hindu Swastika as an
‘anti-Semitic’ and ‘fascist symbol’ in their bills titled, ‘S7680’ and ‘A9155’.
HAF had informed that it was happened after 4 months of continued deliberations
with the legislators. The Bills made references to the Capitol Seige of January
7, 2021, when supporters of former US President Donald Trump stormed into
Capitol Hill which houses both the Senate and the House of Representatives over
allegations of election fraud.
“HAF’s Anita Joshi and Shereen Bhalla worked tirelessly providing solid
arguments and building strategic relationships in making this happen. ‘’We thank
the NY State Senate and Assembly, and the sponsor leads Bichotte Hermelyn and
Liz Krueger for their efforts,” said HAF.
HAF further thanked the Jewish Allies for their support. The Swastika, a Hindu
sacred emblem, finds its roots in the Vedas. The term comprises of two words, ‘su’,
which means “good,” and ‘asti,’ which means “to be.” In other terms, Swastika
implies bliss. The symbol can be traced back 6,000 years to rock and cave
drawings. “It is a common misconception that Hitler used the Swastika symbol.
But Hitler himself never used the word “Swastika” to refer to his symbol. He
called it “Hooked Cross”(“Haken Kreuz”),” wrote True Indology in Swarajya. -GoTop
14. BHARATIYAS BRING OSLO COLOUR FESTIVAL TO NORWAY:
Oslo Color Festival rocked Vallhall Arena filled with 2500 strong and a
high-octane audience and energetic performers from across all states of Bharat
on 7th May. This was the grand beginning of Oslo Color Festival consisting of
cultural diversity packed in five hours filled with song, dance, music and
mouthwatering foods from every part of Bharat; delivered by a team of over 500
volunteers and almost 15 committees.
Bharat is associated with a wide range of colors. Mr. Erik Solheim (ex Member of
Parliament and environmental minister) said that Bharat has always represented
tolerance, acceptance, peace and love. He asked the audience to bring in the
spirit of Holi which is the spirit of color, of Krishna, of love. He praised the
Bharatiya community by saying “Probably the Bharatiya are the most successful
migrant community in this nation”. -GoTop
15. SPECIAL YOGA SESSION HELD BY BHARATIYA EMBASSY IN
BEIJING TO CELEBRATE MOTHERS DAY: As the world celebrates Mother’s Day on
8th May, a special yoga session was held at the Bharatiya Embassy in Beijing
with enthusiastic participation from various embassies in Beijing and Chinese
yoga practitioners. In the run-up to 8th International Day of Yoga, Bharatiya
Embassy in Beijing and consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong have
kickstarted a series of yoga events. Additionally, to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit
Mahotsav, 75 Yoga institutes/schools in China will join virtually in the main
event in Beijing on International Day of Yoga.
Participants praised Mother’s Day special yoga session and thanked Bharatiya
embassy for regularly organizing yoga classes which helps them in achieving a
stress free and healthy living and connect with Bharatiya ethos as well. Yoga is
very popular in China and Bharatiya embassy organizes Yoga classes for every
yoga lover who can come and join it at the embassy. -GoTop
16. BHARATIYAS IN NIGERIA RUN FOR UNITY, COMMEMORATE
COUNTRY’S 75TH INDEPENDENCE: About 400 Bharatiyas in Nigeria gathered at the
Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island on 2nd May and performed different forms of
physical exercise like yoga, aerobics, dance, running and cultural performance
to commemorate Bharat’s 75 years of independence in a programme tagged, “Run 4
Unity”.
The President of the Afro Asian Initiative for Community Development (AAICD), Mr
Sanjay Srivastava, organizer of the event, said that the programme was on the
occasion of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ 75 years of Bharatiya Independence. He
urged Bharatiyas to ensure unity as an instrument to achieve remarkable growth.
“I congratulate every Bharatiya here today as we look forward to more years of
celebration,” he said.
Zenith Bank’s Group Managing Director, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, congratulated the
Bharatiya community and said, “The theme of the programme was apt as it focused
on unity, adding that nations across the world must learn to live in unity and
harmony at this trying times.” Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, Director-General, Nigerian
Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), said that the event was very
significant considering the historical, cultural and economic ties between the
two nations. Mr Ajay Sharma, Head Chancery, Office of the High Commission of
Bharat in Lagos, urged individuals from both nations to work tirelessly in
ensuring unity. -GoTop
17. IN A FIRST, BHARAT NAMED THE COUNTRY OF HONOUR AT
CANNES FILM MARKET: Bharat will be the official Country of Honour for the
Cannes Marché du Film (Film Market), at the Cannes Film Festival, which will be
held from 17th to 25th May this year. This will be the first time that the
market will have an official Country Of Honour and is expected to continue this
tradition during its future editions. The India Forum will be the first event to
open the conference program of the Marché du Film on 19th May, where the panel
discussion, India: The Content Hub of the World, will feature Prasoon Joshi,
CBFC chairperson and veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, among others.
“We are
delighted to have Bharat as our Country of Honour this year at the Marché du
Film; and even happier to be able to share the celebration of our anniversary
that we have in common – 75 years of Bharatiya independence coinciding with the
75th Festival de Cannes,” said Jérôme Paillard & Guillaume Esmiol, Executive
Directors of the Marché du Film. -GoTop
18. BHARAT'S FIRST INDIGENOUS AIRCRAFT CARRIER INS VIKRANT
TO BE HANDED OVER TO NAVY: Marking the 75th year of its independence, Bharat
will commission its first indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant
(meaning courageous), later this year.
The design work for the ship began in 1999, but the keel wasn't laid for another
decade. Two years later, in 2011, the ship was floated out of the dry docks at
the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the largest shipbuilding and maintenance
facility in the country, located in the southern state of Kerala. The 860 feet
(262 m) long ship has 14 decks and more than 2,300 compartments. Displacing
44,000 tons (45,000 tonnes), the aircraft carrier can move at a top speed of 28
knots and has an endurance of 7,500 nautical miles (~ 14,000 km). The ship is
designed to accommodate a crew of over 1,700 sailors with nearly 200 officers on
board.
Last year, the indigenous aircraft carrier also began sea trials and is
currently back at the CSL for final touches. The warship will undergo a final
sea trial before handed over to Indian Navy. -GoTop
19. HARYANA: RAKHIGARHI DIG IN HISAR VILLAGE GIVES EVIDENCE
OF A PLANNED HARAPPAN-ERA CITY: Wide roads, a drainage network, multi-tier
houses and possibly a jewellery-making unit - the latest excavation by the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Rakhigarhi village in Haryana's Hisar
has found enough evidence to suggest that a meticulously planned Harappan city
thrived there. Over the past few weeks, archaeologists in Rakhigarhi have
unearthed evidence of extensive town planning and engineering - straight roads,
pucca walls, multi-storeyed houses, drains and even garbage collectors at street
corners. A nondescript village in Hisar today, Rakhigarhi first appeared on
archeologists' radar in 1998. The second round of excavation began in 2013. In
2021, the site once again caught the interest of archeologists and four more
mounds were discovered - 11 in total - across an area of 350 hectares. Until
then, Mohenjo Daro, which spans 300 hectares, was considered to be the largest
Harappan city to have been unearthed in the country.
Most of the evidence and artefacts found so far date back to the mature Harappan
period, which is nearly 5,000 years old. "We are still excavating and finding
pieces of evidence to trace back the cultural and economic roots of the area.
From the broken pottery and metal items, it can be said that there seems to be a
continuity of the civilisation of the early Harappan period dating back to 7,000
years ago and the mature Harappan period around 2,600 BCE," ASI director-general
Sanjay Kumar Manjul said. -GoTop
20. ISRO SUCCESSFULLY TESTS LARGE HUMAN RATED SOLID ROCKET
BOOSTER FOR THE GAGANYAAN PROGRAMME: ISRO successfully completed the static
test of a human-rated solid rocket booster (HS200) for the Gaganyaan Programme
at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on 13th May
2022. HS200 rocket booster is the human-rated version of the well-proven S200
rocket booster of GSLV Mk III satellite launch vehicle, popularly known as LVM3.
The successful completion of this test marks a major milestone for the
prestigious human space flight mission of ISRO, the Gaganyaan, as the first
stage of the launch vehicle is tested for its performance for the full duration.
The event was witnessed by S Somanath, Chairman, ISRO / Secretary, Department of
Space and Dr S Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, VSSC, along with other ISRO
scientists. -GoTop
21. OBITUARY: SANTOOR MAESTRO PANDIT SHIVKUMAR: Santoor
virtuoso Pt Shivkumar Sharma, who took the stringed instrument to the global
stage and successfully straddled the worlds of classical and film music, died in
Mumbai on 10th May following a heart attack. He was 84. He had been active till
the end and was due to perform in Bhopal next week.
A Padma Vibhushan recipient,
Sharma was born in Jammu in 1938 and is believed to be the first musician to
have played Bharatiya classical music on the santoor, a folk instrument from
Jammu and Kashmir. Sharma, one half of the famous ‘Shiv-Hari’ composer duo along
with flautist Hari Prasad Chaurasia, is survived by his wife Manorama and sons
Rahul, also a santoor player and Rohit. -GoTop
22. OBITUARY: MANNALAL CHOKHANI: Mannalalji Chokhani
passed away on 4th May in Kathmandu at the age of 89 years. A veteran swaymsevak
Mannalalji was Karyawah of Rangoon city for long years and was close associate
of Ma. Ram Prakashji Dhir. After he migrated to Kathmandu he was active in HSS
work in Nepal and also developed his association with Ma. Chaman Lalji.
Mannalalji was founder member of NBFS, GOPIO-Nepal & DYM-Nepal and was active in
many other Hindu organisations. Mannalal ji is survived by five sons namely Dr Rajendraprasad Chokhani - Mumbai, Sureshkumar Chokhani - Mumbai, Vijayshankar Chokhani - Kathmandu, Ajay Chokhani - Kathmandu and Shyam Chokhani - Kathmandu. -GoTop
23. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Saumitra Gokhale
samyojak Vishwa Vibhag is on tour to Trinidad, Guyana and Suriname.
Visitors: Ma. Dr. Ved Nanada and Katherine Nanda - USA, Pushpendra Raghav - USA,
Sanjiv Bhakri - Australia, Ajay Narula - Japan, Satya Narayan Kotahri and Leela
ji Kothari - Indonesia.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” - Rabindranath Tagore -GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
---
THE ETERNAL HINDU RASHTRA: GURUDEV AND SWADESHI SAMAJ
Dr Manmohan Vaidya
Author of
Gitanjali, a “profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse” as hailed by the
Nobel Foundation, Rabindranath Thakur was the first non-European to win the
Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. His contributions to the Hindu renaissance
and the national movement were invaluable. His ‘elegant prose and magical
poetry’ are nothing but coinage of Hindu philosophy. Enamoured by the
theosophical movement, the influence of Upanishads and mysticism was quite
evident in his writings and views. Rabindranath Thakur is perhaps the most
misinterpreted thinker in the post-Independent India after he was being
misquoted, misinterpreted and misrepresented by Leftists by confining his vast
literary collection, wide range of seemingly contradictory thoughts and his very
exotic persona into a single book, Nationalism.
While celebrating Thakur’s cherry-picked quotes from Nationalism, the half-baked
Lutyens’ intellectuals disregard one of the seminal works, Swadeshi Samaj, in
which he eloquently and emotionally detailed his views on Hindu Nationalism and
society. On the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Thakur, one of the greatest
versatile geniuses Bharat has ever produced, Organiser presents a few excerpts
from The Eternal Hindu Rashtra, an article written by RSS Sahsarkaryavah Dr
Manmohan Vaidya that gives a glimpse into hitherto Thakur’s little-known views
of Being Hindu:
Despite all kinds of apparent diversity, a common worldview of the entire
society was developed by Bharat, and the world recognises the spiritual and
integral unique character of our Rashtra. Whether one likes it or not, this
worldview is known as ‘Hindu’. That is the unique national identity of our
society. Therefore, the title of the book on this worldview by Dr Sarvepalli
Radhakrishnan is ‘Hindu View of Life’.
What Gurudev Rabindranath Thakur writes in his seminal book ‘Swadeshi Samaj’ is
important in this regard. He says, “To feel unity in diversity, to establish
unity amongst variety-This is the underlying Dharma of Bharat. Bharat does not
regret difference as hostility, she does not regard others as an enemy. That is
why without sacrifice or destruction, she wants to accommodate everybody within
one great system. That is why she accepts all ways and sees the greatness of
each in its own sphere.”
“Because of this virtue in Bharat we shall not be frightened considering any
society as our opponent. Each fresh conflict will enable us to expand ourselves.
The Hindu, the Buddhist, the Muslim and the Christian will find a meeting point.
That meeting point will not be non-Hindu, but very specifically Hindu.”
Rabindranath ThakurHe further adds, “Because of this virtue in Bharat we shall
not be frightened considering any society as our opponent. Each fresh conflict
will enable us to expand ourselves. The Hindu, the Buddhist, the Muslim and the
Christian will find a meeting point. That meeting point will not be non-Hindu,
but very specifically Hindu. However foreign may be her body parts, her life and
spirit will be Bharat’s.”
Therefore, Hindutva means an integral and holistic worldview based on
spirituality. It is the distinguishing feature of the entire Hindu society. The
entire world has experienced it, and many visitors and distinguished scholars to
Bharat have recorded it. That is why ‘Hindu’ is an adjective used for this
society that is Rashtra. And ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is a natural corollary of this and
an indisputable and eternal truth. This Rashtra has existed from times
immemorial and is not an artificial entity or creation. (Writer is
Sahsarkaryavah, RSS ) www.organiser.org
-GoTop
SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN samvadnewsletter@gmail.com http://shrivishwaniketan.