Paush Shukla 13, Vik. Samvat 2082, Yugabda 5127 : 1 January, 2026: SM 7019 (For Private Circulation only)
1. FESTIVALS :
MAKAR SANKRANTI, LOHARI, PONGAL: Makar Sankranti (January 14) is celebrated
across the Bharatiya subcontinent. This occasion marks the transition of the sun
from the zodiac of Dhanu (Sagittarius) to Makar (Capricorn) i.e. the sun's
movement from South to North also referred to as Uttarāyana. People take holy
dips in places like Ganga Sagar and pray to the Bhagwan Surya.
In Nepal’s hilly region it is Maghe Sakrati and in Tarai region it is mostly
Khichri. Tharu community celebrates it as their new year. Tamil diaspora
worldwide, including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore celebrates Pongal. Makar
Sankranti is also celebrated by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in its all shakhas. -GoTop
2. PROGRAMS OF SARSANGHCHALAK DR MOHAN BHAGWAT: On
December 22, Dr Mohan Bhagwat, while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of
the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Chandrapur Cancer Hospital, said that education
and healthcare are two basic human needs, and they should be available to
everyone, everywhere. These services must be affordable and accessible to the
common people.
The 7th Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan (BVS-2025) was inaugurated on December 26 at
the National Sanskrit University in Tirupati. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.
Chandrababu Naidu and Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat attended the inaugural
session including Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and other dignitaries.
3. VISHWA SANGH SHIBIR 2025: Shri Vishwa Niketan has
organized the 7th Vishwa Sangh Shibir (VSS) at Kanha Shanti Vanam, near
Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad) from December 25 to 29. The five-day global congregation
brought together more than 1,600 karyakartas, volunteers, and delegates from 71
countries, representing all continents. Last VSS in 2020 had to be cancelled due
to pandemic. This year is centenary celebrations of the RSS, an eternal source
of inspiration for everyone, therefore, enthusiasm was reflected by the number
of attendees, diversity of age groups (the youngest being of one year old and
the eldest is of 91). True to Sangh traditions, everyone came at his/her own
expenses. Every program/session started on time; may it be morning prayers at
6.30am or post dinner cultural entertainment.
v
A souvenir magazine based on the Shibir theme
‘धर्मे
सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्’ (Dharme
Sarvam Pratisthitam) and four books authored by Dr. Ratan Sharda, documenting
the history of Hindu Sangathan work and two books, ‘The Heart of Lord Ram’,
‘Holy Tirthankars’, authored by Daaji were released. The globally sung Vishwa
Prarthana was released in a special musical rendering by Shankar Mahadevan,
composed and directed by renowned music director Rahul Ranade. A thematic video
based on this recording, accompanied by a philharmonic orchestra, was also
unveiled.
On the occasion Swami Govind Dev Giri ji stated that Dharma provides equilibrium
and stability in life. Addressing the gathering, Dattatreya Hosabale exhorted
karyakartas of HSS and other Hindu organizations to live and act according to
Dharma, irrespective of the country they reside in, noting that Dharma has the
potential to bring peace and prosperity globally. The different sessions were
addressed by several senior adhikaris including V. Bhagaiah, Dr Krishan Gopal,
Arun Kumar, Suresh Soni, CR Mukunda and Union Minister S Jaishankar.
4. RSS SARKARYAVAH DATTATREYA HOSABALE ADDRESSED HINDU
SAMMELANS IN UTTAR PRADESH: Addressing the Hindu Sammelan on December 17 at
Gorakhpur, RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale said, “Only an organised and
disciplined society can lead the nation to supreme prosperity. This is possible
when individual character is noble, which is the very objective pursued through
RSS shakhas. The concept of the Sangh and its shakhas was envisioned with the
goal of building national character through individual character.” The Hindu
Sammelan Organising Committee organised the program on the occasion of the
Centenary year celebrations of the RSS. Hosabale stated that our ancestors
defined the essence of Hindu Dharma. Hosabale said, “As Manav Dharma, Hindu
Dharma is universal human way of life.
On December 16, while speaking at the Hindu Sammelan organised in Sant Kabir
Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, Hosabale said, “Nation-building is possible only through
character-building. Bharat’s sanskritik roots are one and the same; modes of
worship may differ, but our ancestors and roots are the same.” Dattatreya
Hosabale further stated that in Bharat, safeguarding the nation itself is
safeguarding Dharma, as Dharma is not limited to ritualistic worship but
represents a comprehensive way of life. He called upon society to imbibe social
harmony, environmental protection, family awareness, swadeshi, and civic duties
in everyday life.
The programme was presided over by Mahant Vichar Das Ji of Sant Kabir Math,
Maghar, UP.
The Hindu Sammelans are being organsing all over Bharat as a part of Centenary
years celebration of RSS to strengthen Hindu unity, social harmony, and cultural
consciousness. -GoTop
5. NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY SHOULD BE VIEWED WITH A
LONG-TERM VISION – DR. KRISHNA GOPAL: On Decemeber 23, RSS Sahsarkaryavah
Dr. Krishna Gopal said that the National Education Policy should be viewed with
a long-term vision. He was speaking while inaugurating the Vidya Bharati Akhil
Bharatiya Karyakarta Shibir held at Bharatiya Vidyapeeth School, Kerala. He said
that changes to be introduced in Vidya Bharati schools in long run over the next
25 years, should be planned with foresight and implemented accordingly. He
further stated that Vidya Bharati schools are functioning across the country.
What changes are needed in the education field in line with the National
Education Policy and how they can be implemented step by step should be carried
out by Pracharaks working in Vidya Bharati.
6. WORLD HINDU ECONOMIC FORUM 2025: The World Hindu
Economic Forum (WHEF) 2025, was held on December 19–20 in Mumbai. It brought
together Union and state ministers, policymakers, industrialists, global
investors, MSME leaders, start-up founders and civilisational thinkers from
Bharat and abroad. Across sessions, the recurring message was clear: Bharat’s
economic rise must be driven not only by capital and technology, but by an
organised, values-based approach to wealth creation. Maharashtra Chief Minister
Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated WHEF and also announced a plan for a 54-storey
African Centre in Navi Mumbai. Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal
and other eminent business leaders also advocated Dharma based economic
activities and also gave overview of their work.
On Day 2, organisers presented the Hindu Association of Restaurants, Hotels,
Aahar & Refreshments (HARHAR), a national and international industry body, which
was envisioned and supported by the forum.
7. VISHWA SAMVAD KENDRA MEDIA CONCLAVE: On the occasion
of the Centenary Year of RSS, Vishwa Samvada Kendra (VSK), Karnataka, organised
a Media Conclave in Bengaluru on December 28. The event brought together
journalists, media professionals, columnists and students of journalism. The
theme of the conclave was “Decolonising Bharatiya Minds,” highlighting the need
to revisit narratives through an indigenous perspective. There were four
sessions in the conclave viz. Inaugural Session – Decolonising Bharatiya Minds;
Media: Bharatiya Ethos, Constitution, Democracy; Media and War of Narratives;
Media: Pursuit of Truth, Catalysing Social Transformation followed by a
valedictory session.
8. VHP’S KENDRIYA PRANYASI MANDAL BAITHAK: The Vishwa
Hindu Parishad’s Kendriya Pranyasi Mandal meeting was held at Hastinapur, UP,
from December 17–19, which adopted two resolutions, focusing on what it termed
jihadi challenges in the country and calling for a proper and logical definition
of religious minorities. “The terror attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach in Australia
on December 14 confirmed that jihadi terrorism is no longer limited to Bharat
but has become a serious and continuously growing threat to the entire world,
including the United States,” stated the VHP in its first resolution.
9. SEWA DIWALI FOOD DRIVE: 553 ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER FOR
CELEBRATIONS THROUGH CHARITY: Diwali is an important festival celebrated by
of Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, symbolizing the victory of light over
darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Adding the theme of
“sewa” (selfless service) to this celebration, the Sewa Diwali Food Drive of
2025 donated over 970,000 pounds of food items to those in need across USA. This
year’s drive witnessed the partnership of 553 organizations, Dharmic
communities, faith groups, and compassionate individuals uniting for charity.
Around 3,000 HSS volunteers of all ages hosted food drives, coordinated
logistics, and spread awareness.
10. SEWA PROVIDES TEMPORARY SHELTERS AND MEDICAL AID AFTER
CYCLONE DITWAH HITS SRI LANKA: Sewa launched relief activities immediately
after Cyclone Ditwah devastated Sri Lanka on 27 November, as landslides and
floods swept through communities. Volunteers moved quickly to deliver food, and
water, support families in temporary shelters, clear debris, and prepare
meals—an early response focused on safety and essential services.
11. ANNUAL BANQUET IN SAN JOSE, CA: On November 15,
over 240 attendees—including business leaders, donors, volunteers, and
families—gathered for Sewa’s annual banquet in San Jose, CA. Dr. Anurag Mairal,
President of Sewa Bay Area, gave an overview of the chapter’s work and impact.
12. SHRI CHINMAYA ANNAPOORNA DEVI TEMPLE IN SOUTH AFRICA:
On December 1, in the presence of around 4000 devotees, the Chinmaya Mission
consecrated and inaugurated the world’s first dedicated Annapoorna Devi Temple,
outside Bharat, in Durban, under leadership of Swami Abhedananda Saraswati,
Spiritual Head, Chinmaya Mission South Africa.
13. SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR LEAD MEDITATION IN THE UN: Sri
Sri Ravi Shankar invoked Bhagwan Krishna’s timeless lesson on meditation at the
United Nations, framing the ancient practice as an essential response to a
modern world marked by conflict, anxiety, and fractured communication.
14. PM MODI RECEIVES 'GREAT HONOUR NISHAN OF ETHIOPIA':
Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi was conferred Ethiopia’s highest award, the “Great
Honour Nishan of Ethiopia,” at the Addis International Convention Centre on
December 16, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to strengthening
the Bharat-Ethiopia partnership and his visionary leadership as a global
statesman.
15. RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN REWRITES HISTORY WITH INAUGURATION
OF PARAM VIR DIRGHA: The corridors that once displayed portraits of British
Aides-de-Camp (ADCs) have been reimagined as Param Vir Dirgha, a distinguished
gallery honouring all 21 recipients of the Param Vir Chakra, Bharat’s highest
military decoration for valour.
16. 2,000-YEAR-OLD BUDDHIST SITE IN KASHMIR: A quiet
village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district has unexpectedly emerged as a
window into the valley’s forgotten Buddhist past, following the discovery of a
2,000-year-old archaeological site that Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi has called
a "proud moment" for Bharat’s cultural heritage.
17. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The essence of all knowledge
consists in not committing violence. The doctrine of ahimsa is nothing but the
observance of equality i.e. the realization that just as I do not like misery,
others also do not like it. Knowing this, one should not kill anybody. —Bhagwan
Mahavir. -GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
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BHARAT’S SOFT POWER: DEEPAVALI AS UNESCO’S INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
As India intensifies its global cultural outreach, Deepavali—the festival of
lights—has emerged as a powerful symbol of Bharat’s civilisational soft power,
with growing momentum around its recognition as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural
Heritage
India is a founder member of
UNESCO, one of UN’s most important Specialized Agencies. The Preamble of its
Constitution adopted in London on September 16, 1945, after the devastation of
World War II simply states:
“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the
defences of peace must be constructed.”
It continues: “That the wide diffusion of culture and the education of humanity
for justice and liberty and peace are indispensable to the dignity of man and
constitute a sacred duty which all the Nations must fulfil in a spirit of mutual
assistance and concern.”
UNESCO is the only UN Specialised Agency committed to diffusion of soft power
through education, culture, science and information. Its aims and objectives
coincide with the guiding principles enshrined in our own Constitution. As a
founder Member, having ratified the Constitution on November 4, 1946, when still
under colonial rule, India has played a leadership role in supporting the
implementation of the priorities of UNESCO.
As a pluralistic, democratic, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural State, the world’s
largest democracy, we have been and will continue to be a bridge between
differing ideologies, cultures and civilizations. We believe in soft power as a
fundamental tool of our diplomacy and intrinsic to our national interests.
Among India’s most significant global contribution has been the exercise of its
soft power drawing on its ancient culture and civilisation. Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam was among the first precursors of Global Citizenship as it is
understood today. It is the basis of UNESCO’s dialogue between cultures and
civilisations.
Today, India’s soft power as represented through her vibrant cultural and
civilisational heritage and through her Diaspora spread worldwide, serves as a
powerful reminder that those values of tolerance, inclusiveness and cross
fertilisation of cultures which are an intrinsic part of our civilisation, are
more relevant than ever before in the uncertain international scenario of today.
At the UNESCO General Conference in Mexico in 1982, culture was defined as
comprising “the whole complex of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual
and emotional features that characterises a society or a social group. It
includes not only the arts and letters but also the modes of life, the
fundamental rights of human beings, value systems, traditions and beliefs.”
Intangible Cultural Heritage includes traditions or living expressions inherited
from our ancestors and passed on to our descendents, such as oral traditions,
performing arts, religious and cultural festivals and traditional crafts.
UNESCO, through the World Heritage Committee on one hand and the Committee for
Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage on the other, is India’s partner in
promoting an international, inter-cultural dialogue and promoting in the long
run international peace and security.
Bharat’s soft power and her contribution to global heritage are recognized
globally. The inclusion of Deepavali on UNESCO’s Representative List of
Intangible Cultural List of Humanity on 10th December 25, at the 20th session of
the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage, being hosted by India at Red Fort in New Delhi, was greeted
with joy within India and by her Diaspora.
Deepavali was the 16th element from India to be included in the List, which
includes, among others, Kumbha Mela, Durga Puja, Garba dance, Yoga and Ramlila.
The inscription was celebrated by an impressive cultural panorama at the Red
Fort that evening while a grand Diwali like celebration was organized at ‘Dilli
Haat’.
Describing the new inscription, UNESCO’s website stated:“Deepavali, also known
as Diwali, is a joyous occasion that symbolizes the victory of light over
darkness and good over evil”
The inscription acknowledged that Deepavali is “a living heritage that
strengthens social bonds, and reinforces values of generosity and well-being”.
Writing on X, PM Modi noted: “Deepavali is the soul of our civilization. It
personifies illumination and righteousness”.
India was a founder member of the Committee which flows from the 2003
Convention, which India played a key role in the negotiations and was one of the
first to ratify, enabling it to enter into force. India had sent the Deepavali
nomination dossier for examination by UNESCO in 2023for the 2024-2025 cycle. For
the next year’s cycle, India has sent the nomination dossier of Bihar’s Chhath
Puja.
To be included in the list the ICH should be ‘inclusive, representative and
community based’. The nodal agency for ICH in the Ministry of Culture is the
Sangeet Natak Academy. The nomination dossier was meticulously and rigorously
prepared, with engagement from diverse communities, groups and individuals
evaluated by an expert regional committee considering the pan India and global
outreach of the festival.
India under PM Modi has travelled a long way in ensuring that the nomination
dossiers are professionally prepared to the last detail and that the delegation
presenting it to the Committee can respond to the many searching questions posed
by members of the Committee. As the then Ambassador/PR to UNESCO, I recall the
difficulties faced by our delegation on the Majuli Island nomination in 2009. It
still remains on the tentative list. In contrast, since 2014, there is a
transformation in our approach, leading to so many successful nominations.
To conclude, Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is symbolic of India’s syncretic
culture. Syncretism is the core of India’s cultural and civilizational values.
Today, Diwali is celebrated globally as a cultural and social festival, be it
within the White House or in 10 Downing Street. It symbolizes in the triumphant
return of Lord Ram, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14
years of exile, of the victory of the positive forces of good over evil.
There can be no better definition of India’s syncretic culture than as explained
by Vivekananda who associated Hinduism with spiritualism and the very soil of
India with religious diversity. Vivekananda’s approach to Hinduism was an
inclusive one. Referring to India as ‘Punyabhumi’ (the land of the blessed),
Vivekananda recognized that India’s multi-ethnic, multi-racist and multicultural
links were its strength.
The distinguishing mark of India’s cultural and civilizational heritage which
goes back millennia is that it consists of an extraordinary array of living
heritage. Culture and religion get intertwined in a complex and beautiful mosaic
of music, dance, theatre, storytelling, festivals and rituals.
On a personal note, I am convinced that in an emerging global disorder, where
the forces of fundamentalism, racism and extremism are raising their ugly heads,
India’s culture carries a multidimensional message of love, tolerance and
understanding. This composite culture demonstrates that unlike other great
cultures which exist no more, India’s culture reflects the evolution of her own
history. India through history seamlessly absorbed other cultures including of
her invaders but never lost her own. India’s culture and civilisation is her
gift to the world. It is a composite culture spread worldwide. Deepavali is one
of the best examples of our global cultural legacy.
Inscribed on the gate of ‘Shantiniketan’ is a quotation from Gurudev
Rabindranath Tagore:
“India represents the wealth of mind which is for all.
We acknowledge India’s obligation to offer to others the hospitality of her best culture,
And India’s right to accept from others their best.” (https://organiser.org/2025/12/17/330678/bharat/bharats-soft-power-deepavali-as-unescos-intangible-cultural-heritage/) -GoTop
SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: samvadnewsletter@gmail.com http://shrivishwaniketan.
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