Magh Shukla 11 Vik. Samvat 2079, Yugabda 5124 : 1 February, 2023:SM 4021 (For Private Circulation only)
1. FESTIVALS: MAHA SHIVRATRI:
Maha Shivratri is a festival celebrated every year on the night between
Trayodashi (13th) and Chaturdashi (14th) of Phalgun Krishna Paksha (February 18
this year). Devotees worship Bhagwan Shiva, observe a strict fast and stay awake
throughout the night. It is celebrated as the convergence of the forces of Shiva
and Shakti.
2. PROGRAMS OF SARSANGHACHALAK DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT: On
January 13, while speaking at a gathering of veterinary doctors in Nagpur,
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghachalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat said that sewa
instills a sense of belonging among people and should be done without yearning
for any profit or reward in return. He added that compassion is love without any
motive for profit and the scope of compassion is all-pervasive in humans.
Dr Vikas Amte, who has dedicated his life to caring for leprosy patients, was
also present on the occasion. Speaking at the event, Dr Amte expressed concern
over the prevalence of leprosy in the society. Dr. Bhagwat appreciated the work
of Dr. Amte and said that those who do selfless sewa do not discriminate as they
consider that a common thread binds all humanity.
Urging people to read Ambedkar’s speech in the Constituent Assembly, Mr. Bhagwat
said that everyone should take a resolution to make Bharat a country of people
who are constantly active and concerned about the interest of the world.
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3. DEMOCRACY PREVALENT IN BHARATIYA SOCIAL TRADITIONS:
DATTATREYA HOSABALE: On January 26, Sarkaryavah of RSS Shri Dattatreya
Hosabale unfurled the national flag at Vidya Dham, Jalandhar. 
4. BHARAT’S REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS: The Republic Day
celebrations of Bharat took place on the revamped Central Vista Avenue on
January 26, the first after Rajpath was renamed to Kartavya Path.
Rashtrapati Droupadi Murmu led the nation in celebrating the 74th Republic Day
with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as the chief guest at the parade.
The week-long celebrations commenced on January 23, the birth anniversary of
Subhash Chandra Bose, now celebrated as Parakram Diwas, and culminated on
January 29.
This year, eleven children were awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal
Puraskar for their outstanding achievements in the fields of art and culture
(4), bravery (1), innovation (2), social service (1), and sports (3).
Rashtrapati Murmu also approved conferment of 106 Padma Awards including 6 Padma
Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan and 91 Padma Shri Awards.
Twenty-nine captivating and foot-tapping Bharatiya tunes were played by the
music bands of the Army, Navy, Air Force, State Police and Central Armed Police
Force. On January 28, the name of Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Mughal Gardens was
changed to Amrit Udyan. Rastrapati Murmu formally inaugurated the rechristened
Amrit Udyan on January 29.
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5. PARAKRAM DIWAS CELEBRATIONS: The 126th birth
anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on January 23 was celebrated as
Parakram Divas in Bharat.
6. DESH PREM DIWAS – HSS JAPAN: Parakram Divas - the
birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose - holds great significance in
Japan due to the long-standing association of revolutionaries like Netaji
Subhash Chandra Bose and Rash Behari Bose with Japan. To commemorate Parakram
Divas, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS Japan organised the ‘Desh Prem Divas’ event
on January 21 in Tokaichiba, Yokohama. The Bharatiya Ambassador to Japan, Sibi
George and First Secretary Manoj Singh Negi were Guests of Honor at the event.
Shintaro Toyama San, great grandson of Mitsuru Toyama Sama and Mitsumaru
Sugiyama San, great grandson of Shigemaru Sugiyama Sama sent their wishes
through video messages.
In his address, Ambassador Sibi George emphasised on every Bharatiya being an
ambassador of the country and highlighted the nature of Bharatiyas to establish
long-lasting family relationships.
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7. SDSS MYANMAR: VARGS AND SEWA: Sanatan Dharma
Swayamsevak Sangh SDSS Myanmar conducts winter camps every year. Due to the
prevailing conditions, this year it was decided to conduct karyakarta varg and
‘Sanskar Sadhana Varg’ across the country. Two karyakarta varg and five ‘Sanskar
Sadhana Varg’ were conducted. More than 600 participants from around 25
townships and 40 villages attended the vargs. They included more than 150 baals,
350 taruns, 100 proudh and 25 balikaas.
The ‘Sanskar Sadhana Varg’ was conducted with the aim to re-establish contact in
places where shakhas had stopped due to the adverse conditions in the country.
The day long varg included story telling, shloka recital, khels and a talk on
the characteristics of Hindu Dharma.
8. WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP IN NEW JERSEY CELEBRATED INDIC
HERITAGE MONTH: During the Indic Heritage Month celebrated in January by the
Woodbridge Township in New Jersey, kishores and kishoris of JFK High School
demonstrated the Bharatiya culture through the Woodbridge High School (WHC)
Equity Team. They manned the Maharashtra booth showcasing the legacy of Shivaji
Maharaj. They also played tabla and taught to those who were interested. The
Indic traditions and religion were presented through a lecture and stories of
Holi and Diwali were told. Rangoli, kite decoration and mehandi workshops were
also organised as part of the Indic Heritage Month. Saffron Alliance (Hindu-Sikh
Club) from WHC also celebrated Lohdi in the school as part of the Indic Heritage
Month.
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9. SIXTEENTH ANNUAL HEALTH FOR HUMANITY YOGATHON: Hindu
Swayamsevak Sangh HSS USA conducted the sixteenth annual "Yoga for Health,
Health for Humanity Yogathon" or "Surya Namaskar Yajna" (SNY) event from January
14-29. Participants across genders, races, ethnicities, nationalities, and
faiths enthusiastically joined in the SNY making it a truly nationwide
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) event.
HSS USA Arizona, along with the community, concluded the SNY on January 29 with
108 suryanamaskars.
Clayton Mohammad, Chief Communications & Equity Officer of Aurora city in
Chicagoland, presented the Yogathon Proclamation to HSS. Several community and
Interfaith leaders in Naperville-Aurora area were present on the occasion.
Around 100 people participated in the SNY at George Bush Park, Katy. It was
organised by HSS and Sewa International volunteers along with Sai Durga Shiva
Vishnu Mandir and Katy Hindu Community. Surya Namaskar Yajna was also undertaken
by HSS in other countries like Thailand and Norway.
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10. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR SERVICE AWARD TO HSS: On
January 15, youths of HSS USA received ‘2023 Service Above Self MLK Youth
Leadership Award’ in Aurora (IL), USA. The award was presented by Aurora Mayor
Richard Irvin. City council members, several county and State representatives,
and Congressman Dr. Bill Foster were also present at the event. 
11. BHARATIYA AMERICANS CELEBRATE LEGACY OF MARTIN LUTHER
KING JR: The Bharatiya-American community, including Vice President Kamala
Harris, celebrated the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr (MLK),
asserting that the country must continue to fight for the freedom to vote and
freedom for all.
Bharatiya American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said that Americans of all
backgrounds must come together and reject hatred in all its forms while standing
shoulder to shoulder to expand the circle of inclusion.
Congressman Ro Khanna and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal also paid their respects
to MLK. Bharat’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu along with several
members of the Bharatiya American community travelled to King’s hometown of
Atlanta in Georgia along to pay respects to him at the King Center. Sandhu
described MLK as the visionary leader of the American civil rights movement and
an advocate of non-violence.
HSS volunteers at Roseville & Rocklin, California, also celebrated MLK day with
the local community and community leaders. They helped the event organisers in
the setup and cleanup of the event.
J R Sandadi of HSS USA was invited by the Indiana Christian Leadership
Conference (ICLC) to represent the Hindu community for the 54th MLK Day
celebration service at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, Indianapolis.
Sandadi, expressing his gratitude for MLK, spoke on this occasion and offered a
Hindu prayer of peace and unity for all.
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12. VEER BAL DIWAS MONTREAL: Bharat observes Veer Bal
Diwas on December 26 to mark the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons
Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh. While defending their faith, the
Sahibzadas laid down their lives at the tender age of six and nine years. For
the first time in Canada, the Bharatiya community in Montreal observed Veer Bal
Diwas on January 15. Shabad Kirtan Darbar and Langar Seva were organised during
the event at Gurudwara Sahib Greater Montreal.
13. AUM SCHOOL INAUGURATION: On January 22, San
Antonio’s Bharatiya community witnessed one of the largest gatherings of its
kind at Aum Ashram’s inaugural ceremony which was attended by more than 800
guests. Pooja, performances, messages and blessings were the main highlights of
the program. Priests Sri K.V. Krishna Swami Bhattar and Sri Ramalinga Sastry
Lanka conducted the pooja based on Vedic and dharmic principles. More than 100
community members performed the homa at 24 ‘hawan kunds’.
14. NEPAL DISPATCHES TWO SHALIGRAM STONES TO AYODHYA:
The government of Nepal's Gandaki state handed over two shilas weighing 23 and
15 tons to Janakpur's Janaki Mandir. Nepal dispatched these two Shaligram stones
to Ayodhya for the construction of murtis of Ram and Janaki.
15. BHARAT URGES AUSTRALIA TO ENSURE SAFETY OF BHARATIYA
COMMUNITY: Bharat strongly condemned the vandalising of Hindu mandirs in
Australia in the last few days and said that these were clear attempts to sow
hatred and division among the peaceful multi-faith and multi-cultural Bharatiya-Australian
community. Registering its condemnation, the Bharatiya High Commission in
Canberra said in a strongly worded statement "The frequency and impunity with
which the vandals appear to be operating are alarming, as are the graffiti which
include the glorification of anti-Indian terrorists.”
The High Commission highlighted "that pro-Khalistan elements are stepping up
their activities in Australia, actively aided and abetted by members of
proscribed terrorist organisations such as the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and other
inimical agencies from outside Australia."
The High Commission urged the Australian Government to ensure the safety and
security of members of the Bharatiya community and their properties in Australia
and to not allow the use of Australian territory for activities detrimental to
the territorial integrity, security and national interest of Bharat. The
Australian High Commission in New Delhi has also expressed concern over the
incidents.
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16. BHARAT 4TH IN WORLD WITH ABILITY OF MACH 6 MISSILES:
On January 28, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
carried out a test of indigenously designed Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator
Vehicle (HSDTV) off the Odisha coast. This niche technology is only available
with three other countries — the US, China and Russia.
It will enable development of hypersonic missiles which can travel at six times
the speed of sound. They are highly maneuverable, do not follow a predictable
arc as they travel, and can deliver conventional or nuclear payloads within
minutes.
The aim of the HSDTV project is to have a scramjet engine which can fly at an
altitude of 15 to 20 km. A scramjet engine (supersonic-combustion ramjet) is one
which can operate at hypersonic speeds. A Hypersonic Vehicle can be an airplane,
missile, or spacecraft.
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17. BHARATIYA-AMERICAN ASTRONAUT NOMINATED TO GRADE OF AIR
FORCE BRIGADIER GENERAL: Bharatiya-American astronaut Air Force Colonel
Chari Raja J. Chari has been nominated by President Joe Biden for the
appointment to the grade of Air Force brigadier general. The nomination was
announced on January 26. Mr. Chari, 45, is currently serving as the Crew-3
commander and astronaut, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
Johnson Space Center, Texas.
He earned a master's degree in aeronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology and graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent
River, Maryland. Mr. Chari served as the commander of the 461st Flight Test
Squadron and the director of the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Edwards Air Force
Base in California. Brigadier General is a one-star General Officer rank of the
United States Air Force. It is just above Colonel and below Major General.
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18. OBITUARY: HASTIMAL HIRAN - SENIOR SANGH PRACHARAK:
Senior pracharak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Shri Hastimal Hiran breathed his
last at Keshav Nikunj in Udaipur on January 14. He was 77 years old. As per his
pledge on his 75th birthday, his body was donated to Rabindra Nath Tagore
Medical College, Udaipur.
19. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors:Sunil Kumar, Akshay Jaju, Suresh Jain - USA
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: No matter how many lectures we give or listen, until we work like what is talked we should not expect our goal to be achieved even by mistake. - Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar -GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
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ROLE OF SPIRITUALITY IN NATIONAL SECURITY
Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj
National security of any country has two major
dimensions—internal security and external security. External security is
dependent on Armed Forces and strategic martial policies. The stronger our Armed
Forces and diplomatic fronts are, the more robust our external security shall
be. But as far as internal security and unity of the nation are concerned, a
national vision is essential. Such a comprehensive vision can only be found in
the corridors of spirituality.
Bond with Bharat: Our Vedas are unparalleled and authentic sources of knowledge
that speak at length on such concepts as the structure of a nation, national
vision and Rashtra Dharma. In Rashtra Sukta nation is described as a divine
entity.This implies that Bharat is not just a geographical landmass but a vivid
manifestation of our cultural-spiritual consciousness and ideals. While it is
true that India’s geographical structure is already quite godly and
awe-inspiring, spiritual traditions of Bharat have further endeared it to the
masses, making it all the more vibrant and majestic. From environment to our
territorial expanse, every little detail of our national identity is ordered and
shaped by our religious worldview. For example, the rivers of Bharat aren’t just
water bodies but vehicles of our cultural currents. Our religious bond with them
lasts way beyond our physical lives. The practice of worshipping trees, rivers,
ponds and wells is an essential part of our culture. It is only in Bharat that
one associates divinity with Amla, Tulsi and Vat.
Since time immemorial, our religious beliefs and spiritual philosophies have
provided us with a copious and expansive cultural identity. For us, land is our
mother. This feeling of motherly devotion towards our land and the sense of
oneness with nature makes Bharat powerful, able and prosperous. Although Bharat
today in independent in all manners and aspects, a few divisive forces are
conspiring to divide us on the basis of jati and varnas. We have seen a lot of
upswings and downturns since Independence. We have also withstood several
external as well as internal assaults. However, on account of our spiritual
sensibilities and thoughts, we’ve managed to stay united. For example, consider
the Kumbh Mela. Even though we may seem different on the basis of caste and
community, entire Bharat converges for holy dip on the banks of Ganga and Shipra.
Whatever systems we see in contemporary Indian society and the Hindu dharma, at
their core lies the efforts of Bhagwan Sankaracharya—the resurrector of Sanatan
Hindu dharma and the Vedic culture. Bhagwan Bhasyakar Sankaracharya Ji’s concept
of Advait can be instrumental in unifying the entire world. His spiritual
precepts constitute the core expressions of our national unity and cultural
splendour. By establishing the chaar dhaam in all the four expanses of our
country—easterner, western, northern and southern—he has strung all of Bharat
together in one unbreakable thread. Bhagwan Badri ji, seated as he is on the
Uttarang peak of Himalayas in the North, is worshipped by Namboodiri Brahmans of
the distant state of Kerala in South India. Seeking fulfilment of their
spiritual journeys, devotes from Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Bengal
flock to Haridwar and Uttarakhand. Put plainly, not only are our religious and
cultural traditions relevant in every context and area— providing fulfilment to
our religious belief and rituals—but their faithful observance strengthens our
social and national unity as well.
Fillip to Swadeshi
Similarly, spiritual traditions and festivals play an important role in the
economic growth of our country too. And commitment to our nation, that springs
forth from our spirituality and traditions, has nourished our idea of Swadeshi.
While celebrating
religious festivals and traditions, the entire country gets unified. The
peculiarities of each festival, together with the variety of ingredients needed
to observe them, bolster our sense of Swadeshi. For example, in every puja we
observe the ritual of kalash sthapna for which an earthen pots is needed. This
entire process goes well beyond defending our religious beliefs; it also
promotes Swadeshi products. These religious rituals go a long way in integrating
the diverse communities of our country. Our national goal of self-reliance,
which the use of Swadeshi products will eventually fulfil, will establish India
as a truly prosperous nation. By asking the citizens to be ‘vocal for local’ our
country’s visionary Prime Minister Shri Narendra Bhai Modi has devised the
surest formula for promotion of Swadeshi.
https://organiser.org/2023/01/24/106141/opinion/role-of-spirituality-in-national-security/
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SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN samvadnewsletter@gmail.com http://shrivishwaniketan.
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