Shravana Krishna 12 Vik. Samvat 2081, Yugabda 5126 : 1 August, 2024: SM 6009(For Private Circulation only)
1. FESTIVALS:
RAMAYANA MASAM is a month-long celebration observed in Kerala during the
Malayalam month of Karkidakam. This year, it commenced from July 16 and will be
concluded on August 16. Ramayana written by sage Valmiki in Sanskrit was
translated in Malayalam by Thunchath Ezhuthachan as 'Adhyatma Ramayanam
Kilippattu'.
2. PROGRAMS OF SARSANGHCHALAK DR MOHAN BHAGWAT: On July
23, Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagat inaugurated a tribute wall to honour the
valour and indomitable spirit of the country’s freedom fighters at Vivekananda
Kendra in Kanyakumari in the presence of A. Balakrishnan, President of
Vivekananda Kendra. ,br> 
On July 18, Dr. Bhagwat expressed unwavering confidence in Bharat's future,
crediting numerous individuals working collectively for the nation's betterment.
Speaking at a village-level workers' meeting organized by Vikas Bharati at Gumla,
Dr Bhagwat said that after the Covid-19 pandemic, the entire world is looking at
Bharat that has the roadmap to peace and happiness.
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3. BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF LAKSHMI BAI KELKAR: On July 16,
Medhavini Sindhu Srijan-Delhi Prant, Sharanya and Satyawati College jointly
organised ‘Sankalp Diwas’ on the occasion of 118th birth anniversary of Lakshmi
Bai Kelkar (Mausi ji) - the founder of Rashtra Sevika Samiti at Satyawati
College in New Delhi.
4. PM MODI HAILS “MAKE IN INDIA” SUCCESS ON GLOBAL STAGE:
Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi lauded the “Make In India” initiative, which is
propelling Bharat’s economy on the international platform. On July 16, PM Modi
in a post on social media platform “X,” reposted a post by MyGovIndia, that
mentioned how local crafts are making a global impact - “Made in Bihar” boots
are now part of the Russian Army; High demand for Kashmir willow bats; Amul
launching products in US and Unified Payment System’s digital payments in
multiple countries. -GoTop
5. BAN LIFTED, GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES CAN JOIN RSS ACTIVITIES:
The Centre has lifted a ban on government employees taking part in Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities. The ban imposed in November 1966 during the
rule of Pradhan Mantri Indira Gandhi has been removed by the Ministry of
Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions. Citing a July 9 order by the central
government, BJP leader Amit Malviya confirmed that the Narendra Modi-led
administration has withdrawn the “unconstitutional order” which was passed 58
years ago, imposing a ban on government workers participating in RSS activities.
Several state governments, including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
and Chhattisgarh, have already removed the restrictions on government employees
being linked to the RSS. -GoTop
6. ‘MAN OF THE MILLENNIA: DR HEDGEWAR’ BOOK LAUNCHED: Dr
Manmohan Vaidya, RSS Akhil Bharat Karyakarini Sadasya said that Sangh does not
want to create an organisation in the society, in fact, it wants to organise the
entire society. He was speaking at the book launch of the highly anticipated
biography, ‘Man of the Millennia: Dr Hedgewar’ on July 24 at Bhagyanagar. The
biography, penned by N H Palkar and published by Suruchi Prakashan, delves into
the life and legacy of Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar - the founder of RSS. Dr
Vaidya in his insightful address elaborated on the idea of Sangh and its
formative years, and the life of Dr Hedgewar. He emphasised how Doctor Ji’s
thoughts were beyond his contemporary times, and he was not hesitant in adopting
the modern methods that can help in achieving the goals.
7. BMS FOUNDATION DAY: On July 23, a chair in the name
of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) founder and economist Dattopant Thengdi was
established at the Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Library in Guru Jambheshwar University of
Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana. On this day in 1955 BMS was founded. A
lecture on ‘Shri Dattopant Thengdi and Developed India@2047’ was organised on
the occasion. Indresh Kumar, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini Sadasya was the
keynote speaker and the chief guest was BMS Kshetriya Organisational Secretary
Pawan Kumar. The event was presided over by Vice-Chancellor Prof Narsi Ram
Bishnoi.
8. RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN SHEDS TRACE OF COLONIAL PAST:
‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’, two historic halls of Rashtrapati Bhawan have
been rechristened as ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap’ respectively. On
July 25, a statement issued by Rashtrapati’s Secretariat said that Rashtrapati
Droupadi Murmu is pleased to rename two of the important halls of Rashtrapati
Bhavan. “Renaming ‘Ashok Hall’ as ‘Ashok Mandap’ brings uniformity in language
and removes the traces of anglicisation while upholding the key values
associated with the word ‘Ashok’. ‘Durbar Hall’, located under the central dome
of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the name also is a trace of colonial past which lost its
relevance after Bharat became a Republic i.e. ‘Ganatantra’. The concept of
‘Ganatantra’ is deeply rooted in Bharatiya society since ancient times, making
‘Ganatantra Mandap’ an apt name for the venue,” the statement said.
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9. SEWA ACTIVITIES IN USA: Highway cleanup sewa in Georgia:
As a part of ‘Adopt-a-mile’ program by city of Smyrna, HSS Jai Ganesh shakha
organised highway cleanup drive on July 27. In this activity 17 karyakartas
participated and helped in the city highway cleanup drive.
10. BHAGAVAT GITA RESONATES IN CHICAGO AS 10,000 GATHERED
ON THE OCCASION OF GURU PURNIMA: This year on the occasion of Guru Purnima
10,000 people rendered Gita at a time under the auspices of the Swami Ganapati
Sachidananda Foundation at Chicago, US. Swami Sachidananda Peet Chief Avdhooth
Datha Ganapati Sachidananda graced the event. The programme was organised in
Novrina Auditorium. Bharatiyas and Americans recited the Bhagavat Gita together
and chanted 700 slokas together. Participants were between 3 to 80 years old,
and from 30 states in the USA and 14 foreign countries.
The idea behind the mammoth program was to propagate the message of Gita and
pray for world peace. The success of the ‘Bhagavat Gita Recitation’ program
indicates the increasing influence of Hindu culture and the Bhagavat Gita in
western countries. -GoTop
11. NEASDEN TEMPLE LONDON RECEIVES TRIPADVISOR TRAVELLERS’
CHOICE AWARD FOR 2024: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London – popularly
known as ‘Neasden Temple’ – has been honoured with the prestigious Tripadvisor
Travellers’ Choice Award for 2024. Tripadvisor is the world’s largest travel
platform, featuring more than 860 million reviews of attractions and places of
interest. The Travellers’ Choice Awards places the Mandir amongst the top 10%
‘things to do’ in the world from more than 8.7 million attractions, experiences,
hotels, restaurants, and other places covered on its listing.
12. OREGON RECOGNISES DISTINCTION BETWEEN NAZI HAKENKREUZ
AND SACRED SWASTIKA: The Oregon department of education has taken a
"monumental decision" in officially recognising the distinction between the Nazi
hakenkreuz and the sacred Swastika. On July 18 the Hindu American Foundation in
a post on X said, “This decision marks a significant step forward in preserving
the sanctity of Swastika symbols for future generations." The swastika holds
profound significance in various Asian faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and
Jainism, dating back thousands of years.
13. DEDICATED SITE FOR HINDUS TO SCATTER ASHES IN
AUSTRALIA: In Hindu tradition, the deceased are cremated and their ashes are
scattered into flowing water after the funeral. Hindus in Australia were
demanding for such ceremonial place since long time. Adelaide-based VHP
Australia karyakarta Rajendra Pandey said that the search for a designated space
for last rites involving the scattering of ashes and related prayers began a few
years back for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. Pandey added that after
approaching several councils in Adelaide finally received approval from the
Snowden Council. As per an official document of the City of Port Adelaide
Enfield, the community has given a spot at Snowden Beach for conducting "water
ceremonies" with the local council approving $75,000 for constructing safe
access to the water. VHP Australia said that the site has been named
Harischandra Ghat as the name has derived from a religiously significant
riverbank next to the Ganga River in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Bharat.
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14. DISCOVERY OF ANCIENT HINDU TEMPLES IN GUATEMALA &
HONDURAS INDICATES CULTURAL EXCHANGE: In 1962, a routine helicopter flight
over the dense forests of Guatemala and Honduras noticed what appeared to be the
ruins of ancient temples. Nestled deep within the jungle, these temples
displayed architectural features and iconography reminiscent of Hindu temples.
The ancient city of Copan in western Honduras, known for its statues of the
Howler Monkey God, bears a striking resemblance to Bhagwan Hanuman. Theodore
Morde, an American adventurer, claimed to have found the legendary “White City”
or “La Ciudad Blanca” in the Mosquitia region of eastern Honduras in 1940.
Artefacts collected by Morde, now part of the Museum in New York City, include
metal razors, stone blades, flutes, stone sanctuaries, utensils, and precious
metals. These artifacts and local legends support the theory of an ancient
cultural connection between Central America and South Asia.
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15. WORLD'S FIRST-EVER STAMP DEPICTING SHRI RAM LALLA:
Lao PDR ( Lao People’s Democratic Republic) has released a postage stamp
showcasing Shri Ram Lalla of Ayodhya, becoming the first nation globally to
feature this revered deity on a stamp. Bharat’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S.
Jaishankar, and Lao PDR’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Saleumxay
Kommasith, jointly unveiled the special commemorative postage stamp set during a
ceremony in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Bharat’s ambassador to Laos,
Prashant Agrawal, was also present at the event which took place during Dr.
Jaishankar’s visit to the Southeast Asian country for ASEAN meetings from July
25 to 27.
16. BHARAT RISES IN GLOBAL PASSPORT INDEX, ALLOWS VISA-FREE
ACCESS TO 58 NATIONS: Bharat has been ranked at 82nd spot on a global
passport index, allowing Bharatiyas visa-free entry to 58 countries, including
popular destinations like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. According to the
latest ranking by the UK-based Henley Passport Index, Bharat’s passport now
ranks at an improved 82nd spot.
17. CHANDRAYAAN 3 – SOUTH POLE LUNAR LANDING WINS
PRESTIGIOUS WORLD SPACE AWARD: Bharat’s Chandrayaan 3 has been awarded the
prestigious World Space Award by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF)
for its historic lunar South Pole landing. This remarkable feat has placed
Bharat in an elite group of nations, including the US, Russia, and China, that
have successfully conducted soft landings on the Moon.
18. BHARAT JOINS TOP 25 DEFENCE EXPORTERS' CLUB: With
defence production rising every year, Bharat clocked the highest-ever arms
exports of $2.5 billion (Rs 20,915 crore) in 2023-24, finding a place among the
top 25 arms exporter nations.
"...there has been a rise in the number of export authorisations issued to
defence exporters. From 1,414 export authorisations in FY23, the number has
increased to 1,505 in FY24," the Economic Survey said.
19.WITH 4 GOLDS, BHARAT POSTS BEST SHOW AT MATHS OLYMPIAD:
The Bharatiya team of six high school students has achieved a historic feat
at the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) 2024, securing the best ever
performance since Bharat's debut in 1989.
20. BHARAT HOLDS 46TH SESSION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE
COMMITTEE: PM Modi on July 21 inaugurated the 46th Session of the World
Heritage Committee in New Delhi. He sent out a strong message to the world
citing "heritage" as a unifying factor that has the power to transcend current
geopolitical factors and pave the way for solutions for betterment of the world. 
21. ISRO SCIENTISTS CREATE FIRST UNDERSEA MAPPING OF RAM
SETU USING NASA SATELLITE: Scientists from the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) have successfully mapped the submerged structure of Adam's
Bridge, also known as Ram Setu, an ancient bridge between Bharat and Sri Lanka
mentioned in Bharatiya religious texts.
The researchers used NASA's ICESat-2 data from October 2018 to October 2023 to
generate a 10-meter resolution map of the full length of the submerged bridge,
sufficient to capture details of the size of a train coach. The research team,
led by Giribabu Dandabathula, discovered 11 narrow channels that allowed water
to flow between the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait, playing a crucial role in
preserving the structure from sea waves. The study confirms the origins of
Adam's Bridge or Ram Setu, which was once a land connection between Bharat and
Sri Lanka.
-GoTop
22. ASSAM’S ‘CHARAIDEO MOIDAM’ AHOM DYNASTY MOUND INCLUDED
IN UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST: The Ahom dynasty’s mound-burial system in
Charaideo district in upper Assam which are known as “Moidams” was added to the
UNESCO World Heritage List on July 26, making it the first cultural item from
the Northeast to get the esteemed designation.
23. BHARATIYA WARSHIP RESCUES EIGHT BHARATIYAS, ONE LANKAN
CREW OF CAPSIZED OIL TANKER OFF OMAN COAST: “Indian Navy’s mission deployed
warship INS Teg rescued nine crew members, including eight Bharatiyas and one
Sri Lankan national, who were on an oil tanker that capsized off Oman coast on
July 15”, the Indian Navy said on July 17. The MV had capsized about 25 nautical
miles southeast of Ras Madrakah, Oman, on July 15 and search and rescue efforts
in coordination with Oman authorities had been in progress since July 16. The MV
was reported to have had a total of 16 crew members, including 13 Bharatiyas and
three Sri Lankans. The search and rescue of Bharatiya and Omani assets is being
undertaken in challenging weather conditions as the area is experiencing rough
seas and strong winds.
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24. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors: Ravi
Malhotra - Canada.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: No one can change the direction of the wind, but one
can adjust the sails to reach the destination. - Bhagwan Sri Ram
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JAI SHRI RAM
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THE RESURGENCES OF SANATANA DHARMA: SOME CONTEMPORARY SIGNS
The Pran Pratishtha event in
Ayodhya sparked worldwide celebrations and highlighted the global influence of
Sanatana Dharma, with increasing acceptance of traditional Indian practices like
Yoga and Ayurveda. This resurgence is seen in India's restoration of spiritual
sites, growing popularity of spiritual organizations, and the strengthening of
cultural ties with other nations
Vishnu Aravind
Millions witnessed the spectacular
Pran Pratishtha event at Ayodhya. The joy and happiness it produced extended
beyond our nation’s borders, including today’s neighbours. The celebration that
touched everyone’s heart may have taken place in Nepal. As in India, all local
temples in Nepal have seen a rush as people poured in to get involved in the
special pujas and prayers. This is in addition to those who sang and danced on
the street.
The most critical ceremonies occur at Janakpur, Sita Devi’s birthplace. Just as
the bride’s family sends gifts to the bridegroom before the wedding, the people
of Janakpur also send jewellery, food and clothes to Ayodhya. Janaki Sena, a
Hindu youth organisation, collected over two and a half lakh lamps and 2500
litres of oil from the people, converting Janakpur into an island of lights. The
atmosphere in countries like Sri Lanka was the same. Celebrations were held not
only in neighbouring countries but also in countries in Southeast Asia, East
Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, America, etc. Such festivals were organised
in each nation by foreign residents who practise Sanatana dharma or Indian
diaspora. The Prana Pratishtha ceremony gave the energy to sprout and rise to
the roots of ancient Hindu dharma and tradition in foreign lands and from
different corners of India. It reconnected the people with the ancient culture
of various corners of the world. We witnessed its one form in Nepal. Despite the
separation from India and the loss of status as a Hindu nation, people
celebrated the recovery of the heritage of their motherland.
What else is there in the world today besides Yoga, which has given a message of
oneness to a conflict-filled society? Yoga can only convey such a great message
as it is a creation of the Sanatana dharma. Dharma, India’s eternal and natural
law, connects and unites all people despite their differences. Every Indian
imbibes this natural law even before they know the artificial laws. The truth is
that it becomes a part of life, knowingly or unknowingly.
Besides, Unique Indian traditional medicinal practices are becoming increasingly
popular worldwide. Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sova Rigpa, and
Homoeopathy are significant global markets today. This has made India the
world’s second-largest exporter of alternative medicines. More than 8,000
medicinal plants have been identified in India, including the Himalayas, coasts,
deserts, and rainforests. The major markets for AYUSH products are Western
Europe, West Asia, North America, Africa, South America, the United Kingdom,
Russia, and Japan. In the realm of traditional medicine, India collaborates with
international groups such as the Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO), the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Bay of Bengal Initiative for
Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), and the G20.
The Restorations of Nalanda and the Temples : Another significant event
recently was the rebuilding of Nalanda University, which was once India’s pride
and impacted world society. The uncultured burned down the Saraswati mandir,
which guided people to the light of knowledge from many regions of the world.
After centuries, the university has risen once again. Today, India is restoring
spiritual power by reconstructing many temples, which serve as the spiritual
centres of India. The restoration of Kashi Viswanath has helped us endure
centuries of invasions. Varanasi is being revived in all its completeness and
grandeur as the Ganga-temple connection is restored. Further, the temples being
restored in the Jammu and Kashmir valley, the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain,
the Kalika Mata temple in Gujarat, the statue of Ramanucharya, an 11th century
Hindu saint, in Hyderabad, the Adiyogi Shiva statue in Coimbatore, and temples
in foreign lands such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are all ascendant
manifestations of the strengthening of Sanatana Dharma. India is also taking the
initiative to rebuild temples built centuries ago in other countries, like
Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Thai Prohm Temple and My Son Temple in Vietnam, Wat Phu
Temple Complex and Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery in Laos.
The spiritual organisations and the Indian Diaspora : Today, several
groups and personalities that embody Sanatana Dharma, such as ISKCON, the Art of
Living Foundation, Amritanandamayi Madom, and the Ramakrishna Mission, are
gaining global popularity. Their fame and number of followers are increasing.
From ancient times to the present, Indians who have travelled and resided
outside India have been the primary proponents of Sanatana culture. Their
influence in multiple nations cannot be negligible. Today, the countries that
gave shelter and livelihood remember India’s contributions with reverence,
whilst other civilisations and religions prioritise violence and separatism. The
innate Sanatana culture enables Indians to provide peace and only beneficial
contributions to those countries. The distinctive Sanatana way of life and the
high intellectual, artistic and material traditions founded by gurus, yogis, and
rishis are recognized worldwide thanks to the Indian diaspora, which spread and
inspires others to follow the same ideals.
The Santana influence on India’s foreign relations : The spiritual
tradition of India dates back thousands of years. Hindutva crossed the oceans
centuries ago along with the Vedas, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, and
Buddhism, attracting other countries and peoples to India. As Sanatana Dharma
gained strength in India today, many countries worldwide that our culture had
previously influenced became closer to India. For example, during Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s visit to Indonesia in 2018, President Joko Widodo held a meal
with miniature plaques representing legendary characters from the Ramayana on
the tables. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between
India and Indonesia in 2019, Indonesia released a commemorative Ramayana stamp
and held an international Ramayana festival. Furthermore, most nations in the
area attempt to enhance the Ramayana and Buddhist circuits by incorporating East
Asian and South Asian countries where Sanatana Dharma flourished in ancient
times.
Sanatana means “eternal.” Its influence may vary, as in the past, but it cannot
be eliminated forever. It continues to perform its role in various ways. People
born in India are sanatanies, or Hindus, who practise dharma, which transcends
religion, caste, and other distinctions. All Hindus must, therefore, be proud of
the progress of Sanatana Dharma in India and the world today.
https://organiser.org/2024/07/28/249029/bharat/the-resurgences-of-sanatana-dharma-some-contemporary-signs/
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SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN samvadnewsletter@gmail.com http://shrivishwaniketan.
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