Magh Krishna 6, Vik. Samvat 2080, Yugabda 5125 : 1 February, 2024: SM 5021 (For Private Circulation only)
1. FESTIVALS: VASANT PANCHAMI:
Vasant
Panchami, also called Saraswati Puja marks the arrival of the spring season.
It is also the preparation of Holi festival which take place forty days later.
Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of month of
Magh (February 14 this year). On this day pupils’ worship Devi of knowledge,
language, music, and all arts - Ma Saraswati - in schools-colleges.
In Bali (Indonesia), it is known as "Hari Raya Saraswati" (great day of Saraswati). It also marks the beginning of the 210-day long Balinese Pawukon calendar. -GoTop
2. NETAJI’S JANMA JAYANTI - PRAKRAM DIWAS 2024: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat on January 23 said that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was “selflessly in love with the nation” and urged people to internalise his qualities, ideals and principles. Addressing the Prakram Diwas programme in North 24 Parganas’ Barasat, West Bengal on Netaji’s birth anniversary, RSS Sarsanghchalak said, “We shouldn’t remember Netaji with gratitude only for his contributions to the freedom struggle but also ensure that we should follow his qualities, ideals, and principles in our lives.”
3. CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ, A SYMBOL OF RESISTANCE AGAINST FOREIGN INVADERS: RSS: On January 17 , addressing the marking the 350th anniversary of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in New Delhi, RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale expressed concern over the historical marginalisation of Shivaji’s significance. Hosabale asserted that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a symbol of resistance against foreign invaders.
4. RAM MANDIR’S PRAN-PRATISHTHA CEREMONY: The murti of Ram Lalla was unveiled on January 22 at Sri Ram Janmaboomi Mandir in Ayodhya in the presence of Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi. PM Modi performed ‘aarti’ of Ram Lalla murti in Ayodhya Mandir and did ‘dandvat pranam’. RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and State Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present at the ceremony. The historic Pran Pratishtha ceremony was attended by over 8,000 guests representing all major spiritual and religious sects of the country & people from all walks of life, including representatives of various tribal communities. Before the ceremony PM Modi also followed 11 day fast-rituals and having religious sojourn to the mandirs related to Bhagwan Rams’ imprints. He also released commemorative postage stamps on Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir.
Echoing the sentiments of millions of devotees and citizens witnessing the event RSS Sarsanghchalak, Dr Mohan Bhagwat stated “Bharat’s ‘Swa’ has returned with the advent of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. This moment marks a resurgence of our cultural identity and spiritual heritage.” He expressed profound joy and belief in the transformative power of the presence of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. Dr Bhagwat said that all countrymen should fulfill the duties of citizens of Ramrajya just like Bhagwan Ram. Dr Bhagwat said that we should practice penance to make our country ‘Vishwa Guru’.
Prasar Bharati CEO said, "Over 160 mn watched live telecast of Ram mandir event." The people across religions, geographies and social identities joined in to celebrate this historic event, a seminal occasion in Bharat's cultural history. Mandirs and people arranged giant screen live telecast of the ceremony. As joyous ‘Jai Shri Ram’ chants filled the air at Ayodhya, people across the country immersed in unbridled celebrations with the return of the Bhagwan to his avowed birthplace after more than 500 years.
Expressing his feelings, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis said, “Delighted to arrive in New Delhi on an auspicious day when the country is celebrating its ‘Second Deepawali’.
Rashtra Sevika Samiti in its statement said that a successful 'Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Lalla's idol at his new mandir in Ayodhya has created the faith that nobody can "ever hurt" Hindu sentiments in the future. BAPS Swaminarayan & ISKCON mandirs celebrated historic inauguration of Ram Mandir. Now everyday a massive crowd of devotees’s dynamic gathering happening at Rampath, in Ayodhya to offer prayers to Bhagwan Ram Lalla. -GoTop
5. WORLD CELEBRATES RAM MANDIR PRAN-PRATISHTHA CEREMONY: The ‘Pran-Pratishtha’ ceremony of Bhagwan Ram Lalla at Ayodhya on January 22 was celebrated globally. HSS and more than 200 Dharmic organisations in the UK were the signatories of a declaration which extends a warm welcome to the historic event. Sanatan Sanstha of the UK, enriching the atmosphere with the ‘Shri Ram’ chants in UK Parliament. UK mandirs prepared ladoos for distribution to mark the ceremony.
Pujit akshatas reached Melbourne and were received by HSS swayamsevaks, Hare Krishna and Sri Venkata Krishna Brundavana Melbourne. On January 22 processions were organised and mandirs offered special prayers. Car rallies were organised in Sydney.
Tri State Umiya Dham – Cincinnati, Swaminarayan BAPS, Sri SaiBaba Mandir of Greater Cincinnati, Hindu ISKCON, Bharat FM and HSS USA joined Shri Ram Pran Pratishtha celebrations across the United States with car rallies, Deepotsav (Festival of Lights) in homes and Hindu cultural centers, and singing and chanting in mandirs. Over a thousand mandirs around the country organized celebrations in the form of bhajans, kirtans special poojas and Prasad distributions. More than 60 car rallies and Tesla light shows were organized across 21 states. Over 550 Hindu American students from 108 universities and high schools came together online to celebrate the occasion. In New Jersey,
HSS Germnay organised 3-day utsav including Sri Ram Rath Yatra in Munich on January 21. HSS Japan also organised huge screen live telecast of ceremony. HSS Thailand and SDDS Myanmar organised Ramcharitmanas recitations. HSS New Zealand with local mandirs organised Mahayagya. songs, dances, Ram – Leela, history of Ram Janmabhoomi presentations and Mahaprasadam dstriution.
Mauritius President Prithvirajsing Roopun
attended a cultural programme organised by the Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Mandirs
Federation. HSS Mauritius organised car rally and Ayodhya Pujit Akshat
was handed over to PM Pravin Kumar Jugnauth in a program.
Malawi, Seychelles and Congo also organised many events to celebrate the ceremony at Ayodhya. A 3-day event was organized in Burundi country of East Africa in which postal stamps of Bhagwan Shri Ram were issued.
6. 75TH REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS BHARAT: Rashtrapati Draupadi Murmu addressed the nation and greeted all countrymen on the eve of the 75th Republic Day. She said, “The 75th year of the Republic is truly a historic milestone in the journey of the nation in many ways. The ethos of Bharat’s Republic brings together more than 1.4 billion Bharatiyas to live as one family.”
On January 23, Union government announced the posthumous honour of the Bharat Ratna to ardent socialist leader Karpoori Thakur, popularly known as Jan Nayak for his lifetime battle for poor and marginalised people.
25 children were presented National Bravery Awards on January 24 by PM Modi for saving their friends, parents, and neighbours from drowning, electrocution, thieves and a lot more. On January 25 government also announced 132 Padma Awards for this year. It said that each awardee serves as an inspiration to all, the stories of their struggle, perseverance, selflessness, Service and excellence reflect the Story of Bharat. The awardees list this year includes a tribal welfare worker from Jashpur in Chattisgarh, Jageshwar Yadav, who dedicated his life to the uplifting and care of the Birhors tribes people. -GoTop
7. SURYA NAMASKAR YAGYA THAILAND: HSS Thailand has organised Surya Namakar Yagya (SNY) from Makar Sankranti, January 14 to Rath Saptami, February 16. The theme of the 34 days SNY is “Yoga for health – Health Yogathon for Humanity”.
8. THAIPUSAM CELEBRAITONS IN MALAYSIA: Over a million flooded Batu Caves mandir complex on the outskirts of national capital Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia for Thaipusam festival on January 24-25. Barefoot devotees made a steep 272-step climb in high humidity to reach the mandir top nestled within a limestone hill. As part of the ceremony, devotees carried paal kudam or milk pots for performing Abhisekam to Bhagwan Murugan. Some devotees carried heavy ornate metal structures called kavadis, affixed to their bodies with sharp metal spikes, or had their tongues and cheeks pierced with metal skewers as a show of thanksgiving and penance to Bhagwan Murugan. Lively and festive urumi melam drum beats rang in the air, paving the way for kavadi bearers behind.
9. BHARAT WORLD’S FOURTH-LARGEST STOCK MARKET: The combined value of shares listed on Bharatiya exchanges reached $4.33 trillion on January 21 close, versus $4.29 trillion for Hong Kong, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Bharat’s stock market has overtaken Hong Kong’s to rank as fourth-biggest equity market globally for the first time, Bloomberg reported. Moreover, Bloomberg further reported that Bharat has positioned itself as an alternative to China, attracting fresh capital from global investors and companies alike. -GoTop
10. BHARAT ASSERTS ‘VISHWA MITRA’ ROLE AT NAM SUMMIT: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised Bharat’s unwavering commitment as “Vishwa Mitra” to global solidarity and cooperation in an address at the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Kampala on January 19. In Bharat’s National Statement at the summit, S Jaishankar provided insights into Bharat’s extensive contributions, spanning 600 significant projects across 78 nations, with a special focus on Africa, where 300 projects and 45,000 training slots reflect Bharat’s commitment and solidarity.
S Jaishankar also reiterated Bharat’s commitment to the NAM principles and its belief in “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” emphasising that the world is a family. The Summit under Uganda’s leadership was held under the theme ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence’ and brings together more than 120 developing countries on a platform. -GoTop
11. PANCHJANYA’S ‘BAAT BHARAT KI’ CONFLUENCE: Panchjanya, the weekly national Hindi magazine, marked its 77th-year journey with the ‘Baat Bharat Ki’ Confluence programme held at Hotel Ashok in Delhi on January 15. Panchjanya also released a special issue of the magazine on Ayodhya Ram Mandir. The ceremonial inauguration of the event took place in auspicious presence of Swami Avadheshanand Giri, the Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara. While addressing the gathering, Acharya Balkrishna, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Patanjali Ayurved, expressed his gratitude for the ongoing construction of Bhagwan Sri Ram’s mandir in Ayodhya, stating that it is a momentous occasion for Bharat.
In the ‘Aankhon Dekhi’ session of the ‘Baat Bharat Ki’ Confluence program, three journalists associated with the Ram Mandir movement, Ashok Srivastava, Subhash, and Gopal Sharma, shared their insights.
MD BPDL Bharat Bhushan Arora expressed a deep connection with the Ram Janambhoomi Ayodhya movement. He mentioned that being part of such a significant event is a matter of great fortune. Nitishj Bharadwaj, known for playing the role of Bhagwan Krishna in the iconic television series ‘Mahabharat,’ also spoke during the ‘Baat Bharat Ki’ Confluence program.
12. PM MODI INAUGURATES BOEING'S LARGEST CAMPUS OUTSIDE USA IN BENGALURU, KARNATAKA: Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi on January 19 inaugurated Boeing's new global engineering and technology campus near Bengaluru, Karnataka. Built at a cost of Rs 1,600 crore, the 43-acre state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering and Technology Centre (BIETC) campus is the aviation giant's largest such investment outside the USA.
13. BHARAT SENDS 40,000 LITRES OF MALATHION TO AFGHANISTAN TO COMBAT LOCUSTTHREAT: In its continued efforts to help Afghanistan, Bharat has supplied 40,000 litres of Malathion, a pesticide used to fight locust menace, through the Chabahar port.
14. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors: Dr Yashodhan Agalgaonkar, Sridhar Talanki - USA, Pravesh Hurdeen and Vrindavan- South Africa, Satyanarayan Kothari - Indonesia, Kiran Muthal - Netherlands, Arvind Kumar - Taiwan, Senthil Srinivasan - Belgium, Ramanuj Ramautaraing -Suriname . -GoTop
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The purpose of life is to serve others. - Swami Vivekananda -GoTop
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PRAN PRATISTHA SAMAROH – BEGINNING OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF
BHARATVARSH FOR THE WELL-BEING OF ALL
Dr. Mohan Bhagwat
The history of our Bharat is the history of continuous
struggle against the invaders for around the last one and a half thousand years.
The aim of early invasions was to plunder and sometimes (like Alexander’s
invasion) were for colonisation. But the attacks from the West in the name of
Islam only brought complete destruction and alienation of the society. To
demoralise the nation, society, it was necessary to destroy their religious
places , hence foreign invaders also destroyed mandirs in India. They did this
not do this once but multiple times. Their aim was to demoralise the Bharatiya
society so that they could rule over Bharat unhindered with the weakened
society.
Indian rulers never attacked anyone , but the rulers of the world have done such misdeeds by being aggressive for the expansion of their kingdom. But in Bharat, it did not have the desired results, not at least as per their expectations. On the contrary, in Bharat, the faith, commitment and morale of the society never diminished, the society did not bow down, their struggle of resistance continued. Therefore, repeated attempts were made to take control of the birthplace and build a temple there. There were many wars, struggles and sacrifices for him. And the issue of Ram Janmabhoomi ingrained in the minds of Hindus.
In 1857, when war plans started being made against the foreign i.e. the British rule, Hindus and Muslims together expressed their readiness to fight against them and then there was a mutual exchange of ideas between them. And at that time , a situation evolved where there would be a reconciliation on the issue of banning cow slaughter and liberation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. Bahadur Shah Zafar also guaranteed a ban on cow slaughter. As a result, entire society fought together. Bharatiya people showed bravery in that war but unfortunately this war of Independence failed. Then, Bharat did not get independence, British rule remained uninterrupted, but the struggle for Ram Temple did not stop.
According to the British policy of “Divide and Rule” towards Hindu-Muslims , which was already in practice, gained even more prominence after 1857. To break the unity, the British hanged the heroes of the struggle in Ayodhya and the question of liberation of Ram Janmabhoomi remained unresolved. The struggle for Ram temple continued.
After the Independence in 1947, when the Somnath temple was unanimously renovated, the discussion about such temples started. The similar consensus could have been considered regarding the liberation of Ram Janmabhoomi, but the direction of politics changed. The selfish forms of politics such as discrimination and appeasement became prevalent and hence the question remained as it is. On this issue, the governments did not even consider the wishes and sentiments of the Hindu society. On the contrary, they tried to destroy the initiative taken by the society. The legal battle related to this, which had been going on since pre-independence, continuously carried on. The mass movement for the liberation of Ram Janmabhoomi began in the 1980s and continued for thirty years.
In the year 1949, the Murty of Bhagwan Shri Ramchandra appeared at the Ram Janmabhoomi. In 1986, the temple was unlocked as per the court order. In the coming period, the continuous struggle of the Hindu society continued through many campaigns and karseva. In 2010, a clear judgement of Allahabad High Court clearly came before the society. The efforts had to be sustained for final resolution of the issue at the earliest. On 9th November 2019, after 134 years of legal struggle, the Supreme Court gave a balanced decision after examining the truth and facts. The feelings and facts of both the parties were also considered in this decision. This decision has been given after hearing the arguments of all the parties in the court. According to this decision, a board of trustees was constituted for constructing the temple. Bhoomipujan of the temple took place on 5th August 2020 and now Paush Shukla Dwadashi Yugabd 5125, accordingly on 22nd January 2024, the installation and Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of the Murty of Shri Ramlala has been organised.
From the Dharmic point of view, Shri Ram is the most worshipped deity of the majority society and the life of Shri Ramchandra is still accepted as an ideal of conduct by the entire society. Hence, now the conflict that has arisen as for and against over the dispute should be ended. The bitterness that has arisen in the meantime should also end. The enlightened people of the society must see that the dispute ends completely. Ayodhya means a city ‘where there is no war ‘, ‘a place free from conflict’. On this occasion, in the entire country, reconstruction of Ayodhya in our mind is the need of the hour and also the duty of all of us.
The occasion of construction of Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya marks the reawakening of national pride. This also signifies the acceptance of the vision of life behind the character of Shri Ram by the modern Bharatiya society. Lord Shri Ram is to be worshiped in the temple with the rituals of ‘Patram Pushpam Phalam Toyam’ (leaves, flowers, fruits and water) and at the same time, by establishing the image of Shri Ram in our minds, in the light of the same inculcating the ideal conduct we have to worship Shri Ram. As “Shivo Bhootva Shivam Bhajet, Ramo Bhootva Ramam Bhajet” (to worship Shiva, Be Shiva, to worship Ram, be Ram) is called true worship.
If we consider from this point of view, then according to the social nature of Bharatiya culture, we need to imbibe “Matravat Pardareshu , Pardravyeshu Loshtvat. Atmavat sarvabhuteshu , yah pasyati sah panditah” (He is a wise man who sees the wives of others as his mother, the wealth of others like clod of earth and all beings as his own self). In this way we too will have to follow the path of Shri Ram.
Integrity in life, forgiveness with strength and bravery, sincerity and humility, compassion and care in dealing with everyone, gentleness of heart and strictness towards oneself in performing the duty etc., these are the qualities of Shri Ram that everyone should emulate in their life and in their family. Efforts to bring it into everyone’s life will have to be made with honesty, dedication and hard work.
Besides , keeping in view our national life, discipline will have to be instilled in social life also. We know that on the basis of same discipline, Shri Ram-Lakshman had completed their 14 years of exile and successful completed the fight against the powerful Ravana. To once again spread the qualities of justice and compassion, equality with social harmony, fairness, and social virtues reflected in the character of Shri Ram; to once again build a pursuant and courageous society based on equal justice without exploitation, endowed with strength as well as compassion. This would be a social worship of Shri Ram.This world is destructive frenzy due to egoism, selfishness and discrimination and is bringing infinite calamities upon itself. The entry of Shri Ramlala in Ram Janmabhoomi and his Pran-Pratishtha is the beginning of the campaign for reconstruction of Bharatvarsh which is for the well-being of all, accepting all without enmity and showing the path of harmony, unity, progress and peace. We are the active followers and implementers of that campaign. In the devotional celebration of 22nd January, along with the reconstruction of the temple, all of us have resolved for the reconstruction of Bharat and through it paving the way for reconstruction of the entire world. By always keeping this guiding light in mind, moving forward is the need of the hour. Jay Siya Ram! (www.rss.org) -GoTop
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