\Samvad

Bhadrapad Krishna 5 Vik. Samvat 2079, Yugabda 5124 : 16 August, 2022:SM 4010 (For Private Circulation only)


1. FESTIVALS: GANESH CHATURTHI 2. RASHTRAPATI DROUPADI MURMU GREETED THE NATION ON THE EVE OF INDEPEDNECE DAY
3. PRADHAN MANTRI NARENDRA MODI : AUGUST 15 SPEECH 4. VISHWA SANGH SHIKSHA VARG CONCLUDED IN BHOPAL
5. REFRAIN FROM POLITICS OVER ‘AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV’ : SUNIL AMBEKAR 6. LOK IS ETERNAL, REFLECTS BHARATIYA VALUES: J NANDAKUMAR
7. SHRI DHANKHAR SWORN IN AS UPARASHTAPATI OF BHARAT 8. HSS UK –SANGH SAHIKSHA VARG 2022
9. THERESA PRAISES HSS (UK) AT LARGEST YOUTH EVENT OF NEXT GENERATION LEADERS 10. HSS USA HOUSTON VIBHAG
11. HSS RAKSHA BANDHAN UTSAVS 12. BHARAT MATA POOJAN BY HSS JAPAN
13. FIRST EVER DHARMAFEST RECEIVES COMMUNITY SUPPORT 14. GRADUATION CEREMONY OF COUNSELOR OF HINDU TRADITIONS
15. OVER 28 LAKH BHARATIYAS WENT ABROAD FOR WORK IN PAST 2.5 YEARS: GOVERNMENT DATA 16. UK ROYAL MINT LAUNCHES NEW GOLD BAR FOR GANESH CHATURTHI
17. "INDIA PROVIDED LANKA 'A BREATH OF LIFE' DURING CRISIS", SAYS PRESIDENT WICKREMESINGHE 18. ROOPALI DESAI BECOMES FIRST SOUTH ASIAN JUDGE TO SERVE ON US COURT OF APPEALS
19. IN A FIRST, US WARSHIP ARRIVES IN BHARAT FOR REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE 20. CSIR GETS FIRST WOMAN DIRECTOR GENERAL
21. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Article: AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV

1. FESTIVALS: GANESH CHATURTHI: Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as 'Vinayak Chaturthi' is observed on the Shukla Chaturthi of Bhadrapada month (August 31 this year).

It is celebrated with great devotion all over Bharat for 1.5 to 11 days depending on the family tradition and commitment of each individual. On the day of the festival, Ganesh murtis are placed in homes or outdoor in decorated tents for people to worship and pay their homage. On the last day of worship, the idol is taken out in a colourful and musical procession to be immersed traditionally at rivers, ponds, or beaches.
In 1893, when the British banned political assemblies, the festival was revived by the Bharatiya nationalist leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Hindus across the world enthusiastically celebrate the festival with pujas in temples, Ganesh murti making workshops for children and other community events.
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2. RASHTRAPATI DROUPADI MURMU GREETED THE NATION ON THE EVE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY: Extending her greetings to all Bharatiyas on the eve of Independence Day, Rashtrapati Droupadi Murmu said that Bharat is completing 75 years as an independent nation. She also said that August 14 is observed as ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’ to promote social harmony, unity, and empowerment of people.
Rashtrapati Murmu said that lessons learned during the period of  75 years of Independence will prove useful as we move towards the next milestone in the journey of our nation - Amrit Kaal; 25 years to the celebration of the centenary of our country’s Independence. She was optimistic that by 2047, Bharat will have fully realised the dreams of our freedom fighters and said that the citizens should take a pledge to give everything they can, for the sake of safety, security, progress and prosperity of the country. She added that when work is done with the spirit of ‘Nation First’, it is bound to reflect in every decision and every sector.
She stated that conserving water, soil and biodiversity is our duty towards our children and noted that with a traditional lifestyle, Bharatiyas can show the way to the rest of the world. She also said that Yoga and Ayurveda are Bharat's invaluable gifts to the world and their popularity is on the rise all over the globe.
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3. PRADHAN MANTRI NARENDRA MODI : AUGUST 15 SPEECH: In his address for the 76th Independence Day at the Red Fort, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi said that the world today looks at Bharat with pride, hope, as a problem solver and as a destination where aspirations are met.
He encouraged everyone to work with the vision of accomplishing the dreams of our nation's freedom fighters by 100 years of independence. He said that pride of Nari Shakti will play a vital role in fulfilling the dreams of Bharat. Aatmanirbhar Bharat is a public movement that should be taken forward and he urged people to follow Sri Aurobindo's mantra of 'Swadeshi se Swaraj, Swaraj se Suraaj'. He also said that the nation should come together to defeat the evils of corruption and nepotism. Shri Modi said that talent would be the basis of a New Bharat and opportunities should be given to those who are talented and will work towards the progress of the nation. He also mentioned the contribution of citizens to realise ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ as a mass movement throughout the country.
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4. VISHWA SANGH SHIKSHA VARG CONCLUDED IN BHOPAL: The dwiteeya varsh Vishwa Sangh Shiksha Varg in Bhopal concluded on August 7. The varg for swayamsevaks was held from July 17 to August 7, while the varg for sevikas was from July 21 to August 7 at separate locations in Bhopal. 51 swayamsevaks from 13 countries and 30 sevikas from 8 countries participated in it. A combined public function of both vargs together was held at People’s Mall in Bhopal on August 6.
Speaking on the occasion, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat said that in times when the world is facing social evils, wars, bigotry and environmental crises, Dharma can help overcome these problems. He added that the prime objective of Bharat’s existence was to teach Dharma to the world and its the duty of Bharatiyas living abroad to render in those countries, the goodness of Hindu culture He observed that Bharatiyas have been assets in whichever country they’ve gone to and that they have never proved to be a blot for any nation.
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5. REFRAIN FROM POLITICS OVER ‘AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV’ : SUNIL AMBEKAR: In an appeal to participate in celebrations of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the 75 years of Independence, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar urged the countrymen to refrain from indulging in petty politics over the celebrations.
Shri Ambekar told News Bharati on August 3 that RSS has already announced its support for the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” and asked all the swayamsevaks to participate in it. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of Bharat to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its’ people, culture and achievements.
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6. LOK IS ETERNAL, REFLECTS BHARATIYA VALUES: J NANDAKUMAR: On July 25, a discussion on the book ‘Lok, Beyond Folk’ was organised by HOPE (House of Political Empowerment: Research and Innovation Foundation) at Delhi University. ‘Lok, Beyond Folk’ is an attempt to understand the culture of the nation beyond the established notions. On the occasion, editor of the book and chief guest of the programme, the National Convenor of Prajna Pravah Shri Nandakumar said, “Lok is Eternal, reflects Bharatiya Values. Now is the time to regain our cultural values again. The buildings built by foreign invaders are part of the history curriculum but the art and culture of ancient palaces, constructed by Bharatiya rulers, not included in history textbooks. We have to work to make India as Bharat.”
Dr Satya Pal Singh - former Union Minister, Vice Chancellor of Delhi University Professor Yogesh Singh and HOPE Director Digvijay Singh also shared their views on Bharatiya values. A large number of teachers and about 1,000 students were present during this book discussion.
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7. SHRI DHANKHAR SWORN IN AS UPARASHTAPATI OF BHARAT: Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar took oath as the 14th Uprashtrapati of Bharat on August 11. He was administered the oath of office by Rashtrapati Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Shri Dhankhar succeeds M. Venkaiah Naidu, whose term ended on August 10.
Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi, outgoing Uparashtrapati M. Venkaiah Naidu, former Rashtrapati Ram Nath Kovind, former Uparashtrapati Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Shri Dhankhar was elected Uprashtrapati on August 6, after defeating the opposition candidate Margaret Alva. He secured 528 votes against Alva's 182.
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8. HSS UK –SANGH SAHIKSHA VARG 2022: After a gap of 3 years, in-person Sangh Shiksha Varg was conducted by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS UK from July 23 - 31. More than 400 people attended the Ganesh Puja that heralded an auspicious beginning of the varg.
182 swayamsevaks and 135 sevikas participated in the prathamik, pravesh and praveen vargs. Along with shikshaks and prabandhaks, around 400 karyakartas from 60 towns ranging from 5 years to 70 years of age were present full time in the varg. This was the highest ever attendance. The activities of the varg included intense bauddhiks, challenging shaririks, lots of fun and working together from 5am to 10.30pm. Though physically tiring, it connected people with the mission of ‘Vishwa Dharma Prakashena, Vishwa Shanti Pravartake’. Many guests including MPs, Lords, leaders from community, religious & spiritual organisations visited the varg. MP Theresa Villiers was the chief guest at the concluding session.
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9. THERESA PRAISES HSS (UK) AT LARGEST YOUTH EVENT OF NEXT GENERATION LEADERS: At the concluding ceremony of a 10-day intensive leadership training course known as Sangh Shiksha Varg (SSV) - conducted by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS UK - chief guest Rt Hon. Theresa Villiers MP congratulated HSS (UK) for the work done during Covid and the continued contribution Hindus make as integral members of UK society. Around 800 people attended the event.
Along with various councillors, Barry Gardiner MP, an ardent supporter of the Hindu community visited and chatted with HSS (UK) members and was asked to send the message that there remains in the Labour party an anti-Hindu element that the Labour party has to tackle. Baroness Sandy Verma also recognised that much more needed to be done by the Conservatives too for the Hindu community.
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10. HSS USA HOUSTON VIBHAG: On August 6, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS USA, Houston vibhag volunteered at Books Between Kids warehouse.
Books Between Kids is a non-profit organization, serving Houston's at-risk kids by donating gently used books for their home libraries. 7 sevikas, 2 yuvas, 4 kishors and 5 balas from 4 shakhas participated in sorting, organising and packing the books. HSS volunteers also donated over 400 gently used books.
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11. HSS RAKSHABANDHAN UTSAVS: Balagokulam Naperville Aurora: On August 12 HSS families appreciated Aurora’s Fire Fighters and Aurora’s Diversity & Equity officials by celebrating Rakshabandhan - Universal Oneness Day - and tying Rakhi to them. HSS volunteers also presented ‘Hindu Exhibition-Darshana coffee Table book’ to the City officials.
HSS Dallas-Fortworth: Shaurya and Prerana Shakhas celebrated Raksha Bandhan on August 8 with the Mayor of Plano, John Muns. They also presented him with a copy of the coffee table book on ‘Darshana’.
Rakshabandhan to elected officials in Wisconsin: On August 5, karyakartas of Sanskriti shakha met with Wisconsin Senator Lena Taylor and celebrated Rakshabandhan. The senator was given an overview of HSS and seva activities done nationally and locally in last 12 months. Rakshabandhan Utsav was also celebrated as ’Universal Oneness Day’ in New Jersey and Illinois.
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12. BHARAT MATA POOJAN BY HSS JAPAN: August 11 – Mountain Day - was a national holiday in Japan and also the day of Rakshabandhan. On this day, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS Japan conducted Bharat Mata Poojan in Tokyo during which rakhi was tied to Tiranga and Bhagwa Dhwaj. 75 swayamsevaks participated in it. To commemorate the 75th independence anniversary of Bharat, Tiranga run covering 75 kms was undertaken to ten historic and prominent places around Tokyo. It included Tokyo’s most revered Asakusa Temple whose rich history and architecture indicates the cultural coherence between Bharat and Japan.
Tiranga run was also undertaken to Tokyo Sky Tree - world’s tallest tower, Meiji Shrine and Tokyo tower. Imperial House where Netaji addressed the crowd participating in Greater East Asia Conference in 1943, Renkoji Temple where Netaji’s statue has been serving as an inspiration for multiple generations and the memorial of freedom fighter and founder of INA Shri Rash Behari Bose in Tama cemetery were also covered during the Tiranga run.
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13. FIRST EVER DHARMAFEST RECEIVES COMMUNITY SUPPORT: New Zealand’s first ever DharmaFest, with the theme 'Vibhinnatāyām Ekatvam' - Unity in Diversity, was launched at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland by Hindu Youth New Zealand (HYNZ) on August 7. Representatives from Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh communities recited their traditional prayers and blessed the proceedings.
DharmaFest provided an opportunity for Dharmic communities to come together, engage with each other and showcase their unique contributions to Aotearoa (Maori language name for New Zealand).
Murali Krishna Magesan, Coordinator of DharmaFest said, “It paves a road for real positive engagement and opportunity to improve social cohesion within Aotearoa”
All community leaders appreciated the youth-led DharmaFest initiative for making it as a family-friendly event. This free public event gave everyone an opportunity to explore and experience some of the most ancient diverse cultures, arts, crafts, yoga, meditation and ayurveda. Around 1,000 people attended the event.
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14. GRADUATION CEREMONY OF COUNSELOR OF HINDU TRADITIONS: Hindu Council of Australia (HCA) in collaboration and partnership with Hindu Community Institute (HCI) has commenced a unique spiritual care program called Counsellor of Hindu Traditions (CHT). Graduation ceremony of the first batch of CHT will be held on August 20 in Strathfield, near Sydney.
This program trains volunteer for community service and facilitates pursuit for Hindu Chaplaincy credentials. This course gives graduates a chance to become Hindu Chaplains. People need advice on last rites, mental & spiritual support for the young carers of elderly parents, spiritual care for people in prisons and hospitals, marriage counselling for young couples etc. Currently, since these are addressed by Christian Chaplains not trained in Hindu Chaplaincy, Hindus are not getting the spiritual support they need. The CHT graduate course aspires to increase the quality of life of Hindu population and give them the needed spiritual and mental support. More details are available at the website www.hinduci.org.
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15. OVER 28 LAKH BHARATIYAS WENT ABROAD FOR WORK IN PAST 2.5 YEARS: GOVERNMENT DATA: Government data shows that more than 28 lakh Bharatiyas went abroad for employment between January 2020 and July 2022. The data also reveals that at least 4.16 lakh Bharatiyas have left Bharat for private jobs in the Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries during the said period. The ministry of external affairs mentioned this in a written statement in the Lok Sabha. The numbers suggest that there has been a consistent increase in the tally. In 2020, around 7.15 lakh Bharatiyas went abroad for work, while in 2021, this increased to 8.33 lakh. This year, up to the end of July, 13.02 lakh Bharatiyas had gone abroad for work.
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16. UK ROYAL MINT LAUNCHES NEW GOLD BAR FOR GANESH CHATURTHI: The UK’s Royal Mint has issued a new 24-carat gold bar engraved with an image of Bhagwan Ganesh for sale in the lead up to Ganesh Chaturthi on August 31, marking an expansion of its Bharatiya-inspired gold minted bullion bar range.
The 20-gram "999.9 fine gold" Ganesh bullion bar is on sale online and is priced at GBP 1,110.80. The bar designed by Emma Noble depicts Bhagwan Ganesh in his quintessential pose with a tray of laddoos at his feet. “Referred to as ‘The Lord of Beginnings’, Ganesh is one of the best-known gods of the Hindu faith,” the Royal Mint said.
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17. "INDIA PROVIDED LANKA 'A BREATH OF LIFE' DURING CRISIS", SAYS PRESIDENT WICKREMESINGHE: On August 3, newly elected President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe thanked Bharat for its support. He said that under the leadership of Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi, Bharat has provided the crisis-hit island nation "a breath of life" in tough times. 
President Wickremesinghe made the remarks while presenting the government's policy statement during the third session of Parliament during which he invited political parties to form an all-party government.
According to External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar's statement in Bharatiya Parliament, Government of Bharat has extended 8 Lines of Credit (LOCs) to Sri Lanka amounting to USD 1,850.64 million in sectors including railways, infrastructure, defence, renewable energy, petroleum, and fertilizers in the past 10 years.
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18. ROOPALI DESAI BECOMES FIRST SOUTH ASIAN JUDGE TO SERVE ON US COURT OF APPEALS: The US Senate has confirmed Bharatiya American litigator Roopali H Desai to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, making her the first South Asian judge to serve on this court.
Desai was confirmed by the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 67-29 on August 4.
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, the Ninth Circuit is by far the largest of the thirteen courts of appeals, covering a total of nine states and two territories and with 29 active judgeships.
Desai is a partner at Coppersmith Brockelman where she has practiced since 2007. From 2006 to 2007, Desai was an associate at Lewis & Roca. Desai received her Juris Doctor degree in 2005 from the University of Arizona.
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19. IN A FIRST, US WARSHIP ARRIVES IN BHARAT FOR REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE: The Bharatiya shipbuilding industry achieved a major milestone when a US warship arrived Bharat for the first time for repairs and maintenance on August 7. It also marked the growing Defence and strategic ties between the two countries. Providing a huge boost to “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbharta in Defence” and adding a new dimension to the burgeoning Bharat-US strategic partnership, US Navy Ship Charles Drew arrived at Larsen and Toubro’s (L&T) shipyard at Kattupalli, Chennai for undertaking repairs and allied services. The ship will be at the Kattupalli shipyard for a period of 11 days and undergo repairs in various areas.
The US Navy had awarded a contract to L&T’s Shipyard at Kattupalli for maintenance of the ship. The event signifies the capabilities of Bharatiya shipyards in global ship repairing market.
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20. CSIR GETS FIRST WOMAN DIRECTOR GENERAL: Senior electrochemical scientist Nallathamby Kalaiselvi has become the first woman director general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, a consortium of 38 state-run research institutes across the country. An order of the personnel ministry on August 6 said that her appointment is for a period of two years. Kalaiselvi succeeds Shekhar Mande, who superannuated in April.
Known for her work in the field of lithium ion batteries, Kalaiselvi is at present director of the CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute at Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu. She is currently involved in the development of practically viable Sodium-ion/Lithium-sulfur batteries and super capacitors. Kalaiselvi also made key contributions to the National Mission for Electric Mobility. She has more than 125 research papers and six patents to her credit.
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21. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Saumitra Gokhale - Vishwa vibhag samyojak will travel to Singapore and USA.
Visitors: Hemant Panchpor - Canada, Dinesh Mani Dubey - Thailand, Hridayanshu - USA.
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Thoughts come and go. Feelings come and go. Find out what it is that remains. ― Sri Ramana Maharishi
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JAI SHRI RAM
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AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV
RSS SARSANGHCHALAK DR MOHAN BHAGWAT

On 15th August’22, Bharat will complete 75 years of Independence. To celebrate this Amrit Mahotsav of Freedom, various programs and events have already begun and will continue throughout the year.
We are in a festive mood, but that does not mean that we don’t have any challenges or issues in front of us. Though some issues were resolved , some new issues have also emerged. Despite all obstacles, the happiness and joy of this Amrit Mahotsava is obvious and natural.
On 15th August 1947, after many centuries, we were able to establish self-governance and organize an arrangement of self-rule as per our wishes; under our system, under our flag, over a large area of the Bharat.
This independence also reminds us of the elongated period of slavery, hardships, and constant battles that Bharatiya fought without deviating from the sole goal of complete Independence. From a geographical view, this struggle of the Bharatiya people against foreign powers was broad-based, widespread, and all-encompassing. All sections of society contributed to the freedom movement as per their ability, power, and strength. Society slowly grew aware of those components that were posing obstacles in the way of our freedom.
While the various armed and unarmed struggles for freedom kept strengthening, efforts were also undertaken to cleanse the society of social evils and to awaken the society to get organized to work with collective interest.
Thanks to these relentless efforts, on 15th August 1947, we arrived at a position to self-govern our land as per our will, as per our wish, as per our choice, by our very own people. From here on, we bid adieu to the British rulers and took control of running, operating, and administering our nation.
So, it is only appropriate and obvious, we relish this festive mood with enthusiasm and an atmosphere of celebrations as our motherland completes 75 years of independence.
During this extended & protracted freedom battle, a significant number of people, who are real heroes, sacrificed everything including their lives. Their stories should be brought out and spread across society for the society to imbibe, adopt and be inspired by their character, sense of patriotism and their devotion towards motherland. (There were many small and big incidents, small and big events, small and big acts that left an everlasting impact on our vast nation)
The purpose, resolutions and the duties they worked for should be remembered and such focus rejuvenation ought to be dedicated to them.
Why does the country need Swarajya?
Why can’t a county be controlled by an alien nation that does good for the citizens of the country and for the well-being of the nation?
Self-rule and natural expression are fundamental for any society. Thus, the need for freedom provides instinctive inspiration. A country can be governed well only when it’s free and can decide for itself.
Swami Vivekananda once said, “Every nation takes birth and then it rises to contribute something meaningful to the life of the world.” To contribute to anything, the nation must be both free and capable at the same time. These are basic and thus essential.

Like Swami Vivekananda, several great people, who worked for the awakening the people of India and inspired the armed and unarmed revolution for the freedom movement, have described in their own ways why it is not only essential to achieve freedom but also how to handle and preserve it.
The revered RabindraNath Tagore, through his famous poem
चित्तजेथाभयशून्य, उन्नतजतोशिर

and Mahatma Gandhi, through his ‘Hind-Swaraj’ quotes elaborated on concepts about free Bharat . Freedom fighter Veer Savarkar in his famous Swatantra Devi Aarti spoke about collective well-being and sublime excellence. We also can’t miss out on the contribution and two famous speeches of Dr. B. R Ambedkar, where he spoke of the meaning, purpose, and reasoning of freedom and the duties every bharatiya should follow and pursue to build a great nation.
In line with the celebrations of Amrit Mahotsava, we should also introspect that if the very purpose of freedom was to achieve self–reliance, then, in 75 years, is Bharat completely self-reliant as yet?
If Bharat has to contribute meaningfully to the world, does it first need to stand on its own feet wholesomely, and has Bharat attained self-dependence across all spheres?
In 1947, we took an oath of making Bharat the greatest and bringing an era where Bharat will show the light, the path, and lead the rest of the world. But, for that, we need clarity, specificity, and a sense of direction in both our thoughts and actions.
The greatest characteristic of Bharat’s eternal vision, its thoughts, and its culture is oneness, wholesomeness, sampoorna. This is the message it sends to the world by its conduct. Oneness is natural, free of conflict, all-inclusive, based on experienced,logical and scientific truth and harmony that can sustain forever.
Diversity is a mere expression of unity and not an expression of differences. For being one, one need not be the same. If one forces it, then it leads to discord and disharmony. We need to understand and respect each other’s differences and take them all along to build a unified society.
We are all dedicated sons of MaaBharati. It is what connects us. Our eternal culture of being kind, friendly, loving with affinity gives rise to knowledge in our hearts.
From the holiness of one’s heart to the cleanliness of nature, this purity gives rise to knowledge and wisdom. From ancient and historic times, our forefathers have been guiding us to progress, proceed and move ahead on this path of knowledge.Understanding our commonality of being sons of the same soil, respecting the differences, leaving selfish attitudes behind, avoiding any discrimination and nation first approach in every context is the need of the hour. The entire society should come together and stand up with such beliefs.
Due to the passage of time, certain evils continue to plague our society - discrimination, petty selfishness, etc. These arise from the desire for worldly benefits, for wealth, and for materialistic gratification, etc., and complicit our mind, words, and deeds.
To be free from these entanglements, one has to lead an exemplary life of good conduct. Such enlightened souls (examples) help in building equitable societies. And such societies that are equitable and free from exploitation create an inner force that protects freedom.
There are enough agencies, powers, and people who are working in their selfish interests to divide society by confusing, provoking, or creating conflicts amongst various sections of the society. These groups operate not only within the country but also from outside the country. Only when the society is alert, well-organized and strong it can win over such forces that are bent to break it or divide it.
We must develop and establish constant and transparent communication channels within every single stratum of society. In a free and democratic country, citizens have the right to choose and elect their representatives for themselves. Such representatives should pursue the work in the overall interest of the country to the best of their ability and discretion and should prefer national interest above the ideology of the parties. They must maintain general knowledge of the law, constitution, civil discipline and its faithful observance is most essential for a successful democracy. However, in recent times, some of these virtues have deteriorated. The erosion caused by it is due to the gimmicks of politics that are present in front of all of us.
During disputes among people, speech incontinence (which is now a general rule in social media) to prove bravery is also one of the major reasons why politics is moving away from the nation to parties; and from parties to just degrading others. Every one of us, including the leadership, should get away from such conduct and maintain the discipline of citizenship. The rule of law has to be followed and an atmosphere of respect has to be created.
Any kind of change anywhere in the world can only be brought about when society itself is capable, competent and effective. No change can exist over a long time if society is weak, vulnerable or fragile.
For the society to develop a system based on ‘Swa” by taking the good things in both the age-old system and the prevailing system it has to have four basic qualities – clear knowledge of ‘Swa’, patriotism, individual and societal discipline and a sense of unity.
Superior materialistic knowledge, high quality skills, good governance, administration etc., will only help that society and country which stands united.
At this time of celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava’, which we have achieved though great sacrifices and hardships, we have to continue to work hard with the same amount of dedication to take India to the pinnacle of its glory.
Let us accelerate on this journey with enthusiasm, clarity, and determination.
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