Jyeshtha Shukla 6 Vik. Samvat 2082, Yugabda 5127 : 1 June, 2025: SM 7005 (For Private Circulation only)
1. FESTIVALS:
Ganga Dussehra on Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami (June 5 this year),
celebrates the avatarana (descent) of the river Ganga from heaven to earth.
Haridwar, Varanasi, Garhmukteshwar, Rishikesh, Prayagraj, and Patna are some of
the locations of the celebrations, where devotees take a dip in Ganga and
perform aartis.
2. GLOBAL WELFARE IS DHARMA OF BHARAT: DR MOHAN BHAGWAT:
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat said at an
event organised in the memory of Ravinath Maharaj at Ravinath Ashram in Jaipur
that the nations that Bharat helps sometimes drift in opposite directions from
time to time, yet we continue to help them because we are driven by a spirit of
cooperation. He stated that the welfare of the world is our Dharma and Bharat
bears no ill will towards anyone. The world however only listens to the language
of love and well-being when one has strength. And so, for the welfare of the
world, Bharat must become strong.
3. UPRASHTRAPATI EMPHASISES INDIGENOUS STRENGTH:
Emphasising that Bharat needs indigenous strength for national security,
Uprashtrapati Jagdeep Dhankhar said on May 27 that war is best avoided from a
position of strength. Speaking at the inaugural session of Rajya Sabha
Internship Program-phase 7, the Uprashtrapati said that Operation Sindoor has
changed the mindset of people massively with regard to national security,
national economy and national welfare. “We are now nationalistic as never
before,” he said.
Technological progress and arms strength contribute to the national strength and Swadeshi is also closely connected with economic nationalism. He also highlighted the need for the citizens to carry out their duties. -GoTop
4. PM MODI VISITS NAL AIRBASE: Pradhan Mantri Narendra
Modi visited Bikaner, Rajasthan, on May 21 where he performed a Shakti Puja at
the revered Karni Mata Mandir in Deshnok.
5. BHARAT’S DIPLOMATIC GLOBAL OUTREACH: In a coordinated
diplomatic exercise following the Pahalgam terror attack, Bharatiya
parliamentary delegations, comprising members from across the political
spectrum, are on a global campaign to highlight the threat of cross-border
terrorism and reaffirm Bharat’s resolute stance of zero tolerance.
An all-party delegation from Bharat, led by MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, met with senior members of the Russian Federation Council, including Andrey Denisov, first deputy chair of the committee on international affairs. Russia expressed solidarity with Bharat for elimination of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
In South Korea, a group led by MP Sanjay Kumar Jha met with First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun who acknowledged Bharat’s strategic restraint and emphasised opportunities for joint action against terrorism.
In Kuwait, MP Jay Panda led delegation stressed Bharat’s national doctrine of proactive deterrence with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Sherida A S Al-Maousharji. Both countries reaffirmed a shared zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. The delegation led by MP Shrikant Shinde held substantive discussions with senior UAE officials, including Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister for Tolerance and Coexistence.
The Ravi Shankar Prasad led delegation met various Paris-based think-tanks, discussed Bharat’s firm and clear message against terrorism, and the challenge posed by terrorism to the world.
Bharat effectively demolished Pakistan’s disinformation campaign at the United Nations regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. It asserted that Islamabad violated the treaty’s spirit embodied in the Preamble of the Treaty by inflicting three wars and thousands of terror attacks on Bharat. -GoTop
6. HSS USA GURUVANDANA: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS)
USA in the Las Vegas region hosted Guruvandana and honoured more than 24
local teachers in a traditional Hindu ceremony which included arati, flower
garlands, tilak, and gifts.
In the 10th Guruvandana Utsav in the Pittsburgh region, the North and South Hills clusters of HSS Pittsburgh felicitated 75 teachers and staff from various school districts in Pittsburgh region. Many were accompanied by their family members who got to witness the event.
Teachers were honored in the traditional Hindu way at the Guruvandana event in the Greenburgh Neighborhood. More than 150 guests attended the event. Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner was present for the event and every teacher received a Certificate from 37th District State Senator Shelley Mayer.
7. HSS TAIWAN HINDU HERITAGE CAMP: The Hindu Heritage
Camp, a vibrant celebration of ancient culture, timeless values, and unity, was
successfully organized by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Taiwan, on May 25, in Guishan
District, Taoyuan City. 45 participants from various cities across Taiwan
including Hsinchu, Taichung, and Taipei attended the event where swayamsevaks,
sevikas and shishus experienced and practiced Bharatiya cultural heritage
through a series of meaningful and engaging activities.
Gurudatta Shenoy and Vilva Murugan from HSS Singapore also guided the proceedings of the HHC. -GoTop
8. VIRTUAL GREEN SUMMIT DRAWS OVER 150 ATTENDEES: On
April 26, more than 150 participants joined Sewa International’s virtual Green
Summit - Small Steps, Big Impact. The event focused on clean energy, ocean
health, waste reduction, and community action.
Panelists ended by urging daily action like eliminating bottled water use and consistent youth engagement to influence policy and drive change. -GoTop
9. SEWA FUND RAISING IN DALLAS: Sewa International (SI)
successfully held its fundraising gala in Dallas on May 18. The event brought
together community leaders, generous donors, supporters and dedicated volunteers
to raise vital funds for SI’s diverse projects.
Sewa DFW Chapter Board of Advisors member Dilip Shah explained SI’s impactful Sewa Hindu Mobile Pantry project and Chief Guest Chandrakant Patel shared his insightful perspectives about why charity and community service are important.
The funds raised at the gala will directly support Sewa International's ongoing projects, both locally and globally. -GoTop
10. SEWA INTERNATIONAL HOLDS 19TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE:
Sewa International held its 19th National Conference in San Jose from May 3 to
5. Over 140 volunteers attended, including directors, advisory board members,
executive leaders, chapter presidents, coordinators, and other functionaries.
President Arun Kankani reported that Sewa runs over 75 active projects in eight
countries. In 2024, 29 new projects were added, including Sewa Academy. Over 10
new partners joined in the preceding year, bringing the total to more than 50
partner organizations.
11. UNITED STATES ARMY WELCOMES HINDU CHAPLAIN: In a
landmark moment, Pandit Shyam Maharaj has been appointed as a full-time
active-duty Hindu chaplain in the US Army. Commissioned on May 13, Maharaj
becomes only the second Hindu chaplain in U.S. military history - a pivotal step
forward in the integration of Hindu spiritual care into American institutional
life. The announcement was made by Chinmaya Mission West (CMW), which has served
as the Department of Defense’s sole recognized endorser of Hindu chaplains since
1997.
12. JONAS MASETTI CONFERRED WITH PADMA SHRI AWARD:
Acharya Jonas Masetti, a Brazilian acharya and founder of Vishva Vidya Gurukulam,
received the Padma Shri award from Rashtrapati Droupadi Murmu. Acharya Masetti
has been teaching Vedanta, Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Sanskrit to Brazilians and
the Western world. He has more than a million of followers on his social media
platforms and thousands enrolled in his organisation called Vishva Vidya.
13. BHARAT BECOMES 4TH LARGEST ECONOMY: Bharat has
overtaken Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy, NITI Aayog CEO BVR
Subrahmanyam said at a press conference of the 10th NITI Aayog Governing Council
Meeting on Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat 2047. The April edition of the World
Economic Outlook (WEO) report by the IMF mentioned that the nominal GDP for
fiscal year 2026 is estimated to touch nearly $4,187.017 billion, ANI reported,
citing WEO. The IMF also expects Bharat to be the fastest-growing major economy
in the next two years with expected growth of 6.2 per cent in 2025 and 6.3 per
cent in 2026, higher than global and regional counterparts, according to the WEO
report. -GoTop
14. BHARAT RANKS THIRD IN TRADEMARK FILINGS: Reflecting
strong business confidence, Bharat ranked third globally in trademark filings,
with nearly 5.4 lakh new applications in 2024. According to data shared by
Clarivate, a global provider of transformative intelligence, Bharat witnessed
9.3% growth.
15. WORLD’S FIRST PANCHANGA CLOCK UNVEILED: A Bharatiya
innovator, Shri Harinath has developed the world’s first Panchanga Clock,
combining ancient Sanatan timekeeping with modern technology. The electronic
clock visually displays Tithi, Nakshatra, Rashi, Lagna, and more, making Vedic
calendrical wisdom accessible in daily life. This unique wall-mounted device
maps the dynamic positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth against the backdrop of
fixed stars - all depicted with analog-style rotating dials and pointers, giving
a realistic planetary view.
16. TRADITIONALLY BUILT STITCHED SHIP INDUCTED INTO
BHARATIYA NAVY: The Bharatiya Navy formally inducted and named a
traditionally built ship as INSV Kaundinya at a ceremonial event held at Naval
Base, Karwar. Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presided over the
event, marking the culmination of an extraordinary project that celebrates
Bharat’s rich shipbuilding heritage.
17. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: He truly commands respect who is always cautious not to
insult others. A person who merely boasts but has no virtues cannot command
respect. – Bhagwan Mahavir -GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
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INTERVIEW OF SARSANGHCHALAK DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT
The journey of the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh, started in the year 1925, will attain the milestone of its
centenary on Vijayadashami this year. Today, the Sangh has become the most
unique, widespread and nationwide organisation. After the Akhil Bharatiya
Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), the resolve and call of the Sangh that came out, in
which there was call for evaluation of this journey, introspection and resolve
of rededication to the fundamental thought of the Sangh. How is the functioning
of the Sangh and what are the dimensions? What were the turning points, what
were the incidents, after going through which the Sangh has stood before us in
this form today. What do the opponents of the Sangh think and what does the
Sangh think about its opponents? What is the Sangh today and what will the Sangh
be tomorrow? To explore all these questions and more - including its path ahead,
Organiser editor Prafulla Ketkar, Panchjanya Sampadak Hitesh Shankar, editor of
Marathi Weekly Vivek Ms Ashwini Mayekar and associate editor of Malayalam daily
Janmabhoomi M Balakrishnan had a detailed conversation with RSS Sarsanghchalak
Dr. Mohanrao Bhagwat. (This conversation was in the backdrop of the Akhil
Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha of RSS on March 21-23, 2025 and before the Operation
Sindoor).
Q: As a Swayamsevak and the Sarsanghchalak, how do you view this 100-year journey of the Sangh?
Dr. Hedgewar initiated this mission with a thoughtful deliberation. The challenges before the nation were analysed and through experience and experimentation necessary treatment was decided, which proved to be apt. By 1950, a confidence was instilled about the Sangh way of functioning and Sangh work can march forward overcoming all the obstacles. In the next phase, the nationwide expansion of Sangh and the convergence of Swayamsevaks in society started. In four decades, Sangh Swayamsevaks, by navigating in different walks of national life, through their character, actions and a spirit of belonging, earned the trust of society. After 1990s, it was proved that the nation can be governed on the basis of this thought and qualities. Now, the next stage is to ensure that following the same thought process and qualities, the entire society works with sincerity and selflessness, leaving aside all differences, start working for the nation to take it to the pinnacle of the glory.
Q: What were the major milestones in this 100-year journey?
Initially, the Sangh had nothing. There was no recognition to its ideology or availability of means of propagation. There was nothing except neglect and opposition in the society, not even Karyakartas. Had one fed this data into a computer, it would have predicted a premature death for this entity. But the Sangh survived and successfully emerged as a resilient force after facing the challenges of saving Hindus during the partition of the country and the ban on RSS. By 1950, it was ascertained that the Sangh work will continue and grow and the Hindu society can be organised with this method. Later, the Sangh work was expanded even more than before. The society realised the significance of Sangh strength during the Emergency of 1975 due to the constructive role of Sangh in restoring democracy. Later, through the participatory movements like Ekatmata Rath Yatra, Kashmir related awakening, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mukti Andolan and Vivekananda Sardhashati (150th Anniversary) and the massive expansion of Sewa works (service activities), the sense of credibility exponentially extended towards the Sangh ideology and the Sangh across the society.
Q: What were the learnings from the crises of 1948 and 1975?
Both the 1948 and 1975 bans on the RSS were politically motivated. Even those who imposed them knew very well that the Sangh was not harmful — on the contrary, was beneficial. However, due to the natural ideological competition in such a large society, to maintain their political dominance, the people in the government chose to suppress the Sangh.
During the first ban, everything was at odds; the Sangh was bound to perish. Despite all adversities, the RSS emerged unblemished and, within 15–20 years, not only regained its ground but grew even stronger.
Swayamsevaks, who only use to run shakhas and did not have any major societal role, started participating in various social activities, ensuring their decisive roles. In a way, the ban of 1948 helped the Sangh in realising own potential and Swayamsevaks started planning for a leading role in social and systemic transformation. From the inception it was clear that the Sangh work is not limited to a one-hour shakha but the Sangh Sanskars, the values imbibed in the Shakha, should be reflected in the remaining twenty-three hours— in personal, family, social and professional life. Later during the 1975 emergency, the society could experience the inherent but extended strength of the Sangh. When many of the stalwarts were paralysed in fear and despair, an ordinary swayamsevak would confidently remained assured about the passage of difficult times and emerging scratchless from the crisis.
During the 1975 Emergency, the RSS prioritised restoring democracy over fighting against ban on itself. We also stood by those who generally used pessimistic language against Sangh. In this period, Sangh emerged as an intellectual, trustworthy pole of the society, especially among the though leaders. Post-emergency, the Sangh came out with a multifold strength.
Q: Despite numerical and geographical expansion, how did the Sangh mange to maintain the qualitative dimensions of work and training of Swayamsevaks?
The qualitative and quantitative dimensions are not exclusive to each other, if you neglect one, the other will diminish over the period of time. That’s why the Sangh from day one has decided to organise the entire society – that is quantitative expansion encompassing all. But this ‘organising’ has a specific meaning and content.
We have devised certain standards for developing a person as per his temperament and how such individuals should work collectively with the sense of ‘we’ to function as an organisation. We have to grow without breaking the standards or compromising with them but, that does not mean excluding people from the organisation.
There is an incident from the early days of a big organisation. A new karyakarta with a socialist background joined the organisation. He was a chain-smoker. First time, he attended the organisational abhyas varg (training camp), where not even betel nut was allowed. He was uncomfortable the whole day. At night, the Organising Secretary took him for a walk and suggested to him to visit a cigarette shop around the corner and have a smoke and also instructed him not to get any inside the camp. He eventually became a dedicated Karyakarta and quit smoking. He contributed to the organisation in attaining great heights in that region.
Accept people as they are—we have this flexibility, at the same time, we also have the art of affection to transform him as per the need. We have such a courage and strength. This is the reason we’ve grown while sustaining quality. We want quality in the organisation but we also keep in mind that we have to qualitatively transform the entire society.
Q: The Sangh has been functioning as per the foundational thoughts of Dr Hedgewar and Shri Guruji. If change is required, how is it approached?
The original thoughts of Dr Hedgewar, Sri Guruji, or Balasaheb are not distinct from the eternal (Sanatan) tradition and culture. The Sangh method of functioning has been firmed and working after the deep contemplation and the experiences based on the actual experimentations of the Karyakartas. From the beginning, there is no scope for scriptural, personality driven or blind imitation. We are principle-centered. We may take inspiration and follow the direction given by great personalities, but in every Desh-Kaal-Paristhiti (time and situation), we must carve our own path. This calls for constant discernment between what is eternal (nitya) and what is situational (anitya).
What is nitya in the Sangh? Balasaheb once said, "Hindustan is a Hindu Rashtra’. Apart from this, everything else in the Sangh is transient. The entire Hindu society is the accountable, custodian of this nation. The nature and sanskriti of this country is Hindu. Therefore, this is a Hindu Rashtra.
Everything is to be done while maintaining this core. Hence, the Sangh Swayamsevak while taking the oath explicitly states about: “the all-round development of the Hindu Rashtra while protecting the sacred Hindu Dharma, Hindu Sanskriti and Hindu society”. The definition of "Hindu" is also comprehensive — there is enough scope in it to maintain the fundamental framework and direction and still make necessary changes as per the need of time and situation. The Sangh pledge also says: “I am an organic element of the Sangh”, organic element means who shapes the Sangh and inalienable part of the Sangh.
Therefore, there is a complete freedom to express the diverse and conflicting opinions during the discussion. Once a decision is reached by building consensus, everyone keeps aside the individual opinion by merging it in the collective decision. The decisions taken are accepted as theirs by everyone. Hence, everyone has a freedom to do work and still maintain the direction with all others. The eternal is preserved; the transient evolves with time, space, and context.
Q: Outsiders, who perceive Sangh without direct experience, often see it structurally but how does the internal process of introspection and discussion work?
There’s a well-established system where the objective and essence is constant. While the delivery may change. Structures may change, but the core essence of that structure remains the same. Along with the situation, mindset is equally important.
Therefore, our training programmes take into account the national situation and challenges etc. Accordingly, how should swayamsevaks prepare themselves, which qualities constitute the organisation and what should be done to inculcate qualities to address those challenges is also thought about.
We daily remind ourselves the collective resolve in the form of Prarthana, the prayer, and individual resolve, in the form of Pratigya, the pledge. A swayamsevak means the one who begins with the self. The meaning of being ‘Ghatak – or organic element’ of the Sangh, means me and Sangh are not separate but mirror each other qualitatively, as with the relationship between the drops and the ocean - just as each drop constitutes the entire ocean and ocean consists of each drop. This symbiotic relationship between the individual and collective whole has been intact in Sangh since its inception.
Introspection is a continuous process for a swayamsevak. When success comes, it is collective effort of the Sangh; in case of failure, personal shortcomings are evaluated. This spirit is central to the training of swayamsevaks.
Q: Today society and lifestyle have drastically changed. Is the model of daily shakha still relevant, or are there any alternatives?
While the programmes in a shakha may have alternatives, the essence of a shakha is—coming together, cultivating collective virtues, and reigniting the resolve on a daily basis that we are working for the paramvaibhav (ultimate glory) of Bharat Mata (our motherland) —this is the root — meeting, and cooperating with each other is fundamental. This is the basis, it is irreplaceable.
A common person remains common until he is connected with the collective whole. Then even ordinary person also do extraordinary work and unimaginable sacrifices. For achieving this, what needs is a conducive environment and condition to be part of that environment. Ideals and affinity are the only facilitators of change, nothing else. All over the world, there exist a model for transformation, somebody becomes agent of self-transformation which inspires others to emulate. Such model or ideal cannot be distant, it has to be close by and with the sense of belongingness. There are many great personalities, we know them and have respect and reverence for them but individually we generally follow the people around us. We generally do as per the environment provided by our peer group. A more competent friend is easier to emulate, this has been the tested method of transformation. Until this is true, Shakha is irreplaceable as it provides environment for inculcating individual and collective virtues. While the time and attire of shakha may change (and that’s already allowed), there is no alternative to Shakha. Shakha is never irrelevant. Today, people from advanced countries are coming and studying our shakha model, asking about it. Every ten years we contemplate whether there is any other alternative. I have been present in such contemplations for 6-7 times, but till date, no viable alternative has yet emerged. ...contd.part2. -GoTop
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