Bhadrapad Shukla 13, Vik. Samvat 2081, Yugabda 5126:16 September 2024: SM 6012 (For Private Circulation Only)
1. FESTIVALS: PITRU
PAKSHA: Pitru Paksha is a 16-lunar day period from Bhadrapad Purnima to
Ashwin Amavasya (this year from September 17 to October 2) when people pay
homage to their departed ancestors (Pitrs).
2. SARSANGHCHALAK’S PROGRAMS: Emphasising the importance
of spreading Vedic knowledge, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat called for
revitalising the ancient scriptures in contemporary contexts to maintain the
spiritual fabric of society.
RSS Sarsanghchalak on September 5 said, "The situation prevailing in Manipur is
a difficult one. There is no guarantee of safety. The locals are doubtful about
their security. For those who have gone there for business or social work, the
situation is even more challenging. But even in such conditions, the volunteers
of the Sangh are firmly stationed, serving both factions and trying to pacify
the situation." He was speaking at an event in Pune to mark the centenary year
of Shankar Dinkar Kane (Bhaiyyaji), who worked in Manipur, focused on children's
education until 1971, brought students to Maharashtra and arranged for their
stay.
On September 9 while releasing a book 'Tanjavarche Marathe', wrote by Dr Milind
Paradkar, Dr Bhagwat said, “Some elements who don't want Bharat to grow are
creating hindrance in path of its development. However, there is no need to be
scared as a similar situation prevailed during the times of Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj, but it was tackled using power of "dharma" and righteousness.”
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3. RASHTRAPATI MURMU UNVEILS SC’S NEW FLAG, INSIGNIA:
Rashtrapati Droupadi Murmu on September 1 unveiled the flag and insignia of the
Supreme Court at an event meant to mark 75 years of establishment of the top
court. The flag of the Supreme Court features the Sanskrit shloka: ‘Yato
Dharmstato Jayah’ which means “where there is Dharma there is victory.” Coloured
in navy blue, the insignia or the symbol of the top court also featured this
motto.
4. RSS SAMANVAY BAITHAK 2024: RSS organised Samanvay
Baithak from August 31 to September 2 in Palakkad, Kerala. The Baithak was
attended by RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale,
all six Sah Sarkaryavahs, and other Akhil Bharatiya Padadhikari of the RSS
including 320 dignitaries, 230 from RSS inspired organisations and 90 national
level office bearers of RSS from 32 organisations. At the start of the meeting,
representatives were briefed on the relief work and efforts undertaken by
Swayamsevaks during the recent landslide in Wayanad.
The RSS also took a serious stance on mass conversions in Tamil Nadu,
emphasising that poverty should not be exploited for conversions.
The discussion also highlighted the need for careful handling of reservations
and caste census issues, stressing that these measures should benefit deserving
communities rather than serve as tools for vote bank politics.
On September 2, the baithak was concluded with the keynote address by
Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat.
5. UNDERSTADING BHARAT FROM BHARATIYA PERSPECTIVE WOULD
EQUIP THE NATION TO FACE ANY CHALLENGE: SUNIL AMBEKAR: Sunil Ambekar, RSS
Akhil Bhartiya Prachar Pramukh said in an interview to Janam TV, “Our core goal
is to instill confidence throughout society. So, it’s a process and we are
moving forward in this direction. For instance, when the Pran Prathistha of Shri
Ram Mandir took place in Ayodhya, the entire Hindu society rose above all its
divisions. In every village, street, city, and town, there was a sense of
positive enthusiasm and devotion. By coming together, we can understand the
unity of Bharat. So, this consciousness among the people of Bharat is definitely
being expressed in some form. There are many such instances and numerous events
that reflect this.” The interview was telecast on September 10.
6. SEVABHARATI PLANS HOUSES FOR WAYANAD LANDSLIDE VICTIMS:
In a significant move towards aiding the victims of the devastating Wayanad
landslides, Desheeya Sevabharati Kerala has announced a comprehensive
rehabilitation plan. During the organisation’s annual general body meeting,
Sevabharati declared its Wayanad Rehabilitation Scheme, which includes
purchasing five acres of land in Muppainad Panchayat to begin constructing
houses for displaced victims.
Additionally, Sevabharati introduced the Punarjanik Scheme, aimed at providing
psychological rehabilitation for those deeply affected by the landslides.
Sevabharati also launched an educational scholarship program for students in
Wayanad.
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7. HSS AND SEWA ACTIVITIES: HSS Japan Dashakpoorti: On
August 31, HSS Japan has celebrated 10 years of dedication to the society in the
presence of Vishwa Vibhaag Samyojak Saumitra Gokhale and His Excellency Shri
Sibi George, Ambassador of Bharat to Japan. The event was held in the premises
of Global Indian International School (GIIS).
HSS USA Vidyadaan - School Supplies Drive to Needy: The Central Pacific
regional chapters of HSS initiated a “Vidyadaan” school supplies donation drive
to ease the financial burden of needy students. Other HSS chapters around the
country also chimed in by replicating this Seva drive in their regions. Bal-sevaks
in Mountain House CA set up a Pani Puri stand and raise funds and donated 35
backpacks with supplies to SJQ Child Support.
HSS USA celebrates Raksha Bandhan as Universal Oneness Day: HSS USA
chapters nationwide observed the annual tradition of celebrating Raksha Bandhan
as Universal Oneness Day, which symbolizes the bonds and shared responsibilities
of safeguarding one another by exchanging “Rakhi.”
8. HINDU HERITAGE CENTRE ROTORUA EMPOWERS HINDU WOMEN:
The Hindu Heritage Centre, a Division of Hindu Council of New Zealand on August
5, announced a initiative aimed at empowering Hindu women to take a leading role
in community engagement and volunteer activities. This initiative seeks to
harness the skills, talents, and dedication of Hindu women to foster a more
inclusive and engaged community.
9. RAMLEELA IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO AT NATIONAL LEVEL:
After about 17 seventeen years of Ramleela within the community, the Satya
Drishti Spiritual and Sporting Group of Trinidad and Tobago West Indies took up
the responsibility of bringing Ramleela to the National stage for the first time
in the country in 2023 at Southern Academy of the Performing Arts (SAPA).
10. SRI GANESH UTSAV: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)
Thailand organised the 17th Annual Ganesh Utsav. This year’s festivities
were held from September 14 to 15 at the Nimibutr Stadium, Bangkok.
Ceuta, Spain Ganesh Fest: Devotees of Ceuta celebrated the Ganesh
Festival, part of the multicultural and traditional heritage of the city. It
filled the streets of the center with joy and color as the procession of Bhagwan
Ganesh was carried from the Mandir to Nelson Mandela Square.
Dagduseth Halwai Ganpati Temple Sets World Record: 42,000 women gathered
at the Shreemant Dagduseth Halwai Ganpati Temple at Pune on Ganesh Chaturthi to
participate in a grand Ganpati aarti. This extraordinary event has set a record,
earning recognition from the India World Record organization.
Message of Social Unity – Thousands of Villages Embrace ‘One Village, One
Ganpati’ Initiative: Sri Ganesh Utsav’s mass celebrations was initiated by
Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak with the aim of uniting people and fighting for
Bharat’s independence. Reflecting this spirit, thousands of villages across the
Maharashtra has adopted the ‘One Village, One Ganpati’ initiative, bringing all
the people together and 305 villages in Hingoli, 804 villages in Nashik, 225
villages in Washim, and 571 villages in Satara district showcasing their spirit
of unity and fraternity by celebrating Ganpati Bappa together, staying true to
the festival’s original spirit.
PM Modi attends Ganesh Puja at CJI Chandrachud's residence: Pradhan
Mantri Narendra Modi participated in the auspicious Ganesh Puja at the residence
of Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud, on September 11 in New Delhi.
Pradhan Mantri prayed to Bhagwan Ganesh to bless us all with happiness,
prosperity and wonderful health.
RSS Swayamsevaks Perform Ghosh at iconic Khairatabad Ganesh in Bhagyanagar:
The 2024 Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Khairatabad Ganesh Pandal in
Bhagyanagar reached new heights with a memorable event that captured the city’s
festive spirit.
11. ‘BHARAT NEEDS TO SUPPORT AND SAFEGUARD BANGLADESHI
HINDUS’: SWAPAN DASGUPTA FORMER MP & JOURNALIST: The Centre for Democracy,
Pluralism and Human Rights (CDPHR) is an organisation that is interested in
global human rights and democracy issues. It has published a report on the human
rights situation in Bangladesh on September 4 at New Delhi. The event featured
distinguished speakers, including: Swapan Dasgupta, Former Member of Parliament
and Journalist; Abhijit Majumder, Journalist and Author; Deep Halder, Author of
‘Being Hindu in Bangladesh’ and Journalist.
12. AYUSHMAN BHAVA CONCLAVE: On September 12, a day
long Ayushman Bhava Conclave spotlighted the growing importance of integrative
healthcare, stressing the need to combine modern medicine with traditional
practices like Ayurveda and Yoga for holistic well-being. During the session of
keynote address, the speakers stressed on collaborative approach among various
pathies. Dr Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of AYUSH, addressed the Ayushman Bhava
Conclave, emphasising the significance of Ayurveda and integrative healthcare in
addressing modern health challenges.
13. J&K
DIASPORA HOLDS PROTEST OUTSIDE UK PARLIAMENT, CONDEMN PAKISTAN’S
“STATE-SPONSORED TERRORISM”: On September 10, members of the Jammu & Kashmir
(J&K) diaspora in the UK staged a protest in front of the UK Parliament and
condemned “Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism.” The protesters called on
parliamentarians and other institutions to take a stand and help to end the
“Pakistan’s use of terrorism as state policy in J&K.”
14. BHARAT HAS SENT HUMANITARIAN AID TO THREE AFRICAN
COUNTRIES -ZIMBABWE, ZAMBIA, AND MALAWI: Bharat has sent humanitarian aid to
three African countries -Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi to help and address the
food security needs of people in drought-affected regions of these African
nations.
On September 7, Bharatiya External Affairs Ministry announced that a consignment
of 1,000 metric tons of rice departed from Nhava Sheva Port for Zimbabwe. This
would help meeting food security needs of the Zimbabwean people. Bharat also
dispatched a shipment of 1,300 metric tons of maize as humanitarian assistance
to Zambia. According to the Ministry, this aid will help meet the food and
nutritional needs of the Zambian people. Additionally, 1,000 metric tons of rice
have been sent to drought-affected Malawi. The Ministry highlighted that this
humanitarian assistance aims to address the severe drought caused by the El Niño
phenomenon.
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15. OBITUARY:SRI MALLAPURAM BHISHMACHARY PASSED AWAY :
Sri Mallapuram Bhishmachary, RSS pracharak passed away on September 12. He was
73. Born on May 31, 1951, he began his lifelong association with the RSS as a
young swayamsevak at the Khairatabad Shivaji Shakha in Bhagyanagar. After
completing his studies, he became a full-time pracharak in 1970. He is the
second of five siblings, with three brothers and one sister. He started as
Nagara Pracharak in Sangareddy, where he began his journey.
16. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN:Pravas: Visitors:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: When a person responds to the Joys and Sorrows of others
as if they were his own, he has attained the highest spiritual union. -
Bhagwan Sri Krishna
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JAI SHRI RAM
VISTARAKSHIP
By RASIKA GOKHALE
Pre-Georgia
Namaste everyone! My name is Rasika Gokhale and I am a rising freshman at UIUC
(University of Illinois Urbana Champaign). I took up the opportunity to be a
vistarak the summer of 2024 and started my vistarakship on July 6 (my very first
time being a vistarika).
When Amruta ji (National Yuva Pramukh) first texted me that I was being sent to
the Georgia Vibhag for my vistarakship, only three things came to my mind: hot
and humid weather, Atlanta, and insects.
I still remember Chaitanya ji (Jai Ganesh Shakha Karyavaha) explaining to me in
half Marathi/half English, “He bagh Rasika (look here Rasika), we’re basically
like your local parents now, so don’t hesitate to ask for anything at all.” I
retained his words all throughout my vistarakship and noticed this gesture with
many other taruns. I met Vanitha ji, for example, in Jai Ganesh shakha; however,
I went to her house much later after our first introduction. While driving me to
her home, Vanitha ji asked me if it was necessary to keep calling me “Rasika ji”
instead of just “Rasika,” because to her I was just like her elder daughter
Saanvi. Her gesture was simple, but it made me feel like a part of her family.
Swapna ji (Georgia Vibhag Bala Pramukh and Vistarak Palak) was another ideal
example of a local parent; apart from the soothing vibes in her house, there was
a bright excitement in the entire family that projected a welcoming energy.
Swapna ji addressed me and her two daughters as “you three girls,” which
immediately made me feel like a part of their family. I also recall the times
when Yashwant ji would just call me randomly during the day and joke that if I
didn’t take the initiative to call him, he would keep bothering me. In the very
first call he told me that he was just like my father, so if I ever wanted to
just give random updates about my day or cry about something that didn’t work
out, I was more than welcome to do so. Finally, what can be more parent-like
than having to clean up your child’s vomit? I cannot forget the embarrassment
when I threw up into the sink and then failed miserably to clean up because the
sink got clogged. When I finally told Suprabha ji, she reacted, “No problem
Rasika ji! I clean up after my kids when they get sick, so wouldn’t I do the
same for you? But are you sure you’re okay?” There was absolutely no hesitation
in her voice, nor any disgust for having to clean up someone else’s vomit. All
of these gestures not only helped me build a sense of comfort during my
vistarakship but also made me appreciate the quality of being able to comfort
others.
Before starting my vistarakship, I already had a pre-made mental manual of tips
that could help me start a conversation and connect with the people I met.
However, over my vistarakship, I learned many more tips and tricks that would
help me connect with people not only in shakha, but any social setting (which is
especially handy before starting college). When I was at Bhoga ji’s (Sambhag
Karyavaha) house overnight, I didn’t come down all morning because I thought
both Bogha ji and Usha ji (his wife) might be busy with work. Finally Bhoga ji
came up to check on me and call me down for lunch; Usha ji explained to me then
that I should never hesitate to go talk with the family members in the morning.
She suggested that I sit and do my work in the living room or dining room so
that I could talk to the family members whenever they passed by. When Yashwant
ji would call he would check in on how everything was going and then crack
jokes, but he always ended with giving meaningful advice that guided me through
my vistarakship. For example, while giving advice on how to mingle with new
families, he told me to be extremely observant when I went to someone’s home. He
advised me to look around their house- perhaps observe what art they have on
display or which books they have (essentially infer their interests) and start a
conversation that builds upon those interests. Another smart trick that Srishti
ji shared with me from her vistarakship was inviting the family to do yoga in
the morning or go out for a walk-this way the family would get to enjoy
something new in their routine and get a chance to bond with the vistarak. Over
time, I also developed my own tricks: I would pretend to fill up my water bottle
just so that I could go out and talk to whoever may be in the kitchen. Or, if
there were any balas in the house, I would ask them to play their favorite board
game with me or show me their favorite movie or T.V. show.
Southern Hospitality
“You’ll get a taste of Southern hospitality while you’re here,” Srishti ji said.
And that I definitely did. Right from feeding me abundantly to making sure that
I slept well and was comfortable. I really came to appreciate Kavya ji’s work
ethic, because she truly put in a lot of time planning out of my vistarakship
with Swapna ji. She managed that, her ACT studies, planning for their high
school Hindu YUVA chapter, and helping with the Hindu Heritage Camp. In addition
to all this, she kept me engaged all the time when I was at her home.
Before I even stepped into Srishti ji’s house, she asked me if she should run to
the store to buy me anything or if I wanted anything at all. I remember the time
when Usha ji fed me an entire plate of extra rice because I had missed my
breakfast.
Spirit Surpasses Sankhya
When me and Suprabha ji first announced that I would be conducting vamshi
lessons everyday, I was doubtful how consistent the participation from balas and
kishores would be. I thought, would the balas and kishores want to spend their
last weeks of summer learning vamshi virtually with some unknown vistarak from
Illinois? But that was not at all the case. Not only did the balas and kishores
join regularly, but they showed dedication in learning the new rachanas. Every
day, each bala would post a video recording of the new line they had practice-
sometimes the number of videos exceeded to three or videos per bala per day!
Although we only had shikshaks at the Ghosh Varg, we utilized the time to form
and run through a Ghosh Pratyakshik that the balas and kishores could perform at
vijayadashmi. I salute Aditya, Ameya ji, and Srishti spending time in the varg
early morning even when no one else came to the varg. Ghosh was never a vishay
that I would step forward and take initiative in on my own, but through these
vamshi sessions I developed a newfound excitement and willingness in myself to
study more about Ghosh.
I truly cherished the one month that I was a vistarak. Apart from the daily
vamshi classes we were able to conduct a mini inperson Ghosh Varg. During the
rest of my time, I worked on making a flyer and registration form for the Bharat
Mata/Shri Krishna Shakha Hindu Heritage Camp, creating Georgia Vibhag shirt
designs, and journaling my daily experiences. Me and Ameya ji also collaborated
to write a script for a bala skit on one of Dr. Ji’s childhood stories.
Additionally, in this one month, I was able to develop my skills throughout
different aspects:
1. Social: I met at least two families each day, which enabled me to grow my
speaking stamina; I had to maintain the same level of enthusiasm when I met new
families. I expanded my social circle by bonding with people of so many
different age groups, which is a very unique experience on its own. Fluidly
communicating with different age groups broadened my (communication skills).
2. Cultural: All of the families I met shared similar traditions, there were
always subtle differences that set each family apart from each other. Let’s take
for example dining; some families, despite having a dining table, preferred
sitting on the ground with all the food in the center which added an additional
homely feel to the meal.
3. Planning and Preparation: Although sharirik is my stronger vishay, I prepared
thoroughly for khel, yoga, and warmups; and that made all the difference because
I could see that the families genuinely enjoyed doing those activities.
Did I experience any aversive moments during my vistarakship? Yes, indeed- there
were times when I found both live and dead cockroaches in the shower, or the
time when I threw up, etc. But those moments were insignificant compared to the
gains. I will always look back upon this vistarakship as one of the most unique
and engaging experiences of my life, and can confidently say that my
vistarakship journey won’t end here! [Name: Rasika Gokhalel; Shakha:
Paanchajanya Shakha, Mid West (SW) ; Hobbies : Playing badminton, doing
Bharatnatyam, and painting (https://www.hssus.org/2024/09/10/prerana-issue-18-2024/
aticle: Vistarakship)]
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