SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: April 2018

1. FESTIVALS: Maharana Pratap Jayanti on May 9: Born to the eldest wife of Maharana Udai Singh II, Maharani Javanta Bai Songara (Chauhan) on this day in 1540 AD, in the Kumbalgarh Fort, near Udaipur (Rajasthan), Maharana Pratap was one of the most celebrated Rajput warriors in history. He is renowned for the honour, integrity and dignity he showed while dealing with the Mughals, especially Akbar. The Battle of Haldighati and the use of the guerilla warfare against the Mughals, have been talked about through ballads and paintings, down the centuries. A hero, who never accepted the Muslim rule and kept fighting for the rights of his land and kingdom, is a story told with pride all over Bharat. Even though, the battle of Haldighati did not win him Chittor, it did show Akbar the prowess of Maharana Pratap. The Mughals in fact lost more in the battle than Pratap did. (Rajasthan Government celebrates Maharana Pratap Jayanti according to Vikram Samvat Jyeshtha Shukla Tritiya which falls on June 16 this year.) -GoTop

2. EMPOWERING WOMEN TO DIGNIFY LIVES: UPA-RASHTRPATI M Venkaiah Naidu has said that empowering women would enable them lead a life of dignity, respect and make informed decisions. He stressed on the need to build coalitions against gender discrimination. He was speaking at an event organized to mark the silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Mahila Dakshata Samiti in Hyderabad on March 30.

With women constituting almost half of Bharat’s population, their empowerment educationally, socially and politically is the fundamental requirement for the country to unleash the forces of growth and achieve rapid progress, he said. “While we have a long lineage of highly accomplished women, there has been unfortunately a parallel trend of gender discrimination. This has resulted in low literacy, low education and consequently, low representation in the workforce and politics,” he added. Goa Rajyapal, Mridula Sinha, Telangana Upa-Mukhya Mantri Mohammad Mahmood Ali and other dignitaries were present. -GoTop

3. THE PASS OUTS OF MAITREYI GURUKULA WILL BE TORCHBEARERS OF GURUKULA EDUCATION: Maitreyi Gurukula, situated at Moorkaje near Mangaluru completed 24 glorious years of its existence. The momentous occasion was observed by celebrating the Ardhamandalotsava on March 27. The inauguration of the Ardhamandalotsava was done by RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat. The function was presided over by Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji of Art of Living. Pujya Sri Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchungiri Mahasamsthana blessed the event.

Shri Bhagwat said our knowledge system does not believe in blind faith, but in experience and questioning as demonstrated by the debate of Swami Vivekananda and his Guru Ramakrishna Paramhamsa over existence of God. Education does not come just from reading and listening but from going through the experience. That can be imparted only by a Guru and not by textbooks alone. The students who graduate from Maitreyi Gurukula will go to the society as torchbearers of the Gurukula education.

Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji said today we need both modern sciences and ancient knowledge. Institutions like Maitreyi Gurukula are living examples of such an amalgamation and should be commended by all.

Established in 1994, the Maitreyi Gurukula is the brain child of the Sangh Pracharak the late N Krishanappa, the late Dr Upendra Shenoy and the late Dr Bharati Ramanaacharya. At present there are 97 girls in the Gurukula hailing from 29 districts of Karnataka and states like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. -GoTop

4. ‘CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MUST BE REMEMBERED FOR THE SAKE OF PROGRESS OF THE NATION’ – DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT: We should adopt from the role model like Shivaji Maharaj who embodies the qualities like desire for social reform, valour and many more other qualities. We should make an effort towards creating ideal society by imitating Shivaji Maharaj. We should strive in such a way that the world comes know about Shivaji. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is guiding book for uplifting of our nation, stated RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Ji Bhagwat.

A programme was organized to celebrate 338th death anniversary of Chhatrapti Shivaji Maharaj at fort Raigad on April 3. RSS Sarsanghchalak was addressing the audience as the chief guest for the same. The program is organized every year jointly by Shri Shivaji Raigad Smarakmandal, Pune and local utsav samiti, Mahad. On the stage were the Hon. Guardian Minister of Raigad district Ravindra Chavan, MLA Bharat Gogavale and other dignitaries. -GoTop

5. SRI VISHNU SADASHIV KOKJE ELECTED AS NEW INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT OF VHP: The meeting of the Central Board of Trustees of Vishva Hindu Parishad was held at Gurugram on 14^th April under the chairmanship of its newly elected international president Justice (Rtd) Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje.

Justice Kokje in this meeting proposed the name of Advocate Alok Kumar as VHP’s Working President, Shri Ashok Rao Chowgule as Working President (External), Shri Milind Parande as Secretary General, Shri Vinayak Rao Deshpande as Organizational General Secretary (Sangathan Mahamantri), Shri Champat Rai as a new Vice-President, Shri Venkata Koteswara Rao as a new Joint General Secretary. The Board of Trustees approved these proposals with the recitation of OM.

The newly appointed Secretary General Shri Milind Parande read out the resolution appreciating the contributions of the former president Shri Raghava Reddy, former working president Dr. Pravin Togadia, former secretary general Shri Champat Rai and former organizational general secretary Shri Dinesh Chandraji which the Trust Board approved with the chanting of “OM”. -GoTop

6. SWARANJALI: A SHOW OF ARTISTRY AND DEDICATION was organized on April 1 at Sir Parshuram Bhau College Ground, Pune to commemorate the birth centenary of a varishtha swayamsevak Bapusaheb Datye. Selected Ghosh squads invited from all over Maharashtra performed Ghosh vadan with clinical precision on this occasion. The performances took place in four groups and every group presented demonstrations of melodious tunes usually played during RSS parades. They performed many ragas and raginis composed by the late Datyeji.

Appreciating the contribution made by the late Bapusaheb Datye, RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat appealed to all the swayamsevaks to follow his suite. “The nature itself has put the art of music in human hearts. This art can be used for national cause and the artists should give their suggestions for this purpose. RSS will definitely make use of them,” he said.

Datyeji made many compositions based on Hindustani and Carnatic ragas for ghosh vadan in RSS. He created a separate notation system for the parade music. He also composed Aruni, a tune to help perform Suryanamaskars in a rhythmic fashion. -GoTop

7. HSS (UK) NATIONAL SPORTS TOURNAMENT: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) held its annual sports competition, KHEL PRATIYOGITA on Sunday 8th April at the Play Football arena in Birmingham. The event was attended by a record 841 people. 33 towns were represented, 69 teams registered and a staggering 192 matches were played. Teams competed in four different games – football (11 & under and 12 to 15), Kabaddi, Kho-Kho and Ring. Finchley won in both Football age groups and won Kabaddi in a very close final. Kho-Kho was won by Newham and Ring by Leicester. Invited guests included Lt Cdr Suzanne Lynch and LH Edmund Grandison from the Royal Navy and the NHS Bone Marrow and Blood Donor registrations team. -GoTop

8. A VOLUNTEERING MOVEMENT: Youth for Seva (YFS) organized a Corporate Volunteering Conclave at Infosys, Bengaluru on March 16 as part of its outreach programme. The motivation behind conducting the Conclave was to inculcate a culture of volunteering and to build a sense of inclusion, promote sustainability, and maximize impact, also to devise models to involve employees. The participants, over 300, comprised of students, corporates, NGOs and others. There were two panel discussions on ‘Ideas & Initiatives: Employee Engagement in Volunteering’ and ‘The Impact of Corporate Volunteer Engagement’ by Corporates & NGOs respectively.

Inaugurating the Conclave, Rajya Sabha MP Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe reminded the audience of the sewa tradition of Bharat, which exists for ages when there was no concept of CSR. Madan Padaki, CEO of 1Bridge appealed to the corporates to encourage employees to develop Seva Quotient (SQ) and to replace MindSet with HeartSet. National organising secretary of the YFS Shri Venkatesh Murthy pointed out that they had started YFS ten years ago to make ‘Volunteering a Movement’. As it has already taken space, they would now work on transforming ‘A Selfie Volunteer to Self-Less Volunteer’. Corporate Panelists from Infosys, KPIT, CISCO and Thomson Reuters expressed that engaging employees in volunteering has increased trust upon their organization among the employees and their stay at the organization.

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9. ‘DHARMA’ BINDS PEOPLE: SARASANGHACHALAK: “Religion is a path that one follows which should be respected by other faiths too. But ‘dharma’ is the element that binds the humanity in entirety which augurs well for building a strong society,” said Shri Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak of RSS on March 29. Speaking after releasing ‘Amrutkumbh’, a souvenir brought out by Hindu Dharma-Sanskriti Mandir (HDSM) to mark the conclusion of its platinum jubilee celebrations at Nagpur, Bhagwat said words ‘dharma’ and ‘sanskriti’ have no alternatives in English that could rightly convey its meaning. Religion has its origin in Latin which means binding. But it is ‘dharma’ that desists people away from indulging in wrongdoings and gives freedom in life. Lauding Hindu Dharma-Sanskriti Mandir, Mohanji said running such an organization for 75 years and imparting knowledge without charging money is unparalleled in history. Present on the occasion were Gurunath Bhagwat, president of the organization, and CA Rajesh Loya and Vandana Lakhani, vice-presidents of the jubilee committee.

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10. PM MODI GIFTS THE ‘EPITOME’ FOR WORLD TO INSPIRE AND CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS SOCIETY: On the eve of the 127th birth anniversary of father of Bharatiya constitution Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi inaugurated Dr Ambedkar National Memorial in national capital on 13^th April. This is the place where Dr Ambedkar attained Mahaparinirvana on December 6, 1956.

The museum at the memorial intends to create an immersive experience into the life of Dr. Ambedkar and his contribution to Bharat, through extensive use of static media, dynamic media, audio-visual content, and multimedia technologies. A meditation hall has also been created. Toran Dwars, a Bodhi Tree, a musical fountain, and facade lighting are other important elements of the memorial. The memorial also has an exact replica of the room of Dr Ambedkar as it was in real life with furniture and assorted things being kept in the same way.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion Prdhan Mantri Narendra Modi called the memorial both divine and magnificent and called it a tribute to the last days of the glorious son of mother Bharat. -GoTop

11. ISRO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES INRSS-1I NAVIGATION SATELLITE: The Indian Space Research Organisation’s navigation satellite INRSS-1I was launched on 12^th April by PSLV-C41 from the spaceport at Shriharikota and successfully placed in the designated orbit. The workhorse, PSLV injected the satellite into orbit 19 minutes after lift-off from the Sathish Dhawan Space Centre.

ISRO Chairman K Sivan described the mission as a success and congratulated the scientists behind it. He said IRNSS-1I was successfully placed in the designated orbit.

IRNSS-1I is expected to replace IRNSS-1A, the first of the seven navigation satellites, which was rendered ineffective after its three rubidium atomic clocks failed. The seven satellites are part of the NavIC navigation satellite constellation. -GoTop

12. THE SECRET BEHIND STEPHEN HAWKING’S ‘VOICE’: BHARATIYA AMERICAN ENGINEER HARI VYAS: Legendary physicist Stephen Hawking passed away recently. A lot has been written about how he managed to survive decades while dealing with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS. Bharatiya American Hari Vyas is the man behind the program that allowed Hawking to speak to others using his voice synthesizer board.

Vyas was the architect who designed the hardware for the board, along with a team of developers that included Jim Caldwell, who worked on the development of the firmware and some others.

The 73-year-old Vyas, a native of Kanjari, Gujarat, moved to the U.S. in 1968 and went on to earn his master’s degree from Georgia Tech. Vyas began his career as an engineer at Dayton, Ohio-based N.C.R. and eventually found a permanent home in San Jose in the late 1970s working for National Semiconductor. -GoTop

13. GURDWARA AMONG 10 TOP FAITH PLACES IN ENGLAND: Europe's largest Gurdwara in the UK has featured in a new list of most important faith buildings in England, according to a media report.

The Guru Nanak Gurdwara, in Smethwick, features alongside iconic locations such as Stonehenge and Canterbury Cathedral. The Gurdwara has been chosen alongside nine other places of faith to feature in 'A History of England in 100 Places' which is being run by campaign body Historic England. The Gurdwara, which was built in the 1990s, housed one of the largest congregations in the UK and was the biggest in Europe, a citation by Historic England said."It continues to expand with Smethwick's growing Sikh population," the citation added. “Community is at the heart of the Sikh faith and Gurdwaras are a focal point for communities to come together and get closer to God." The UK is home to over 432,000 Sikhs, according to the 2011 census, making up 0.7 per cent of the population. -GoTop

14. ARGENTINA DECLARES THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY: By decree of Governor Alfredo Cornejo, the International Yoga Day celebrated on June 21 of each year was declared of provincial importance. The decree was published on April 3 in the Official Gazette after a request by the Senate of the province to recognize through a resolution that the UN has invited member states, organizations and civil society to "observe" that day in the appropriate way.

The decree states that "yoga techniques provide physical, mental and spiritual benefits, and can be practiced in all ages, from children to older adults." It explains that "yoga is a state of well-being and harmony in the three existential planes of man: mind, body and spirit. It integrates the person with their environment, family, society and nature, through the realization of asanas (physical postures), pranayamas (techniques of control of vital energy) and meditation, which forms an integral whole". -GoTop

15. DALAI LAMA EMBRACES TROOPER WHO ESCORTED HIM IN 1959: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama got emotional on March 31 as he embraced one of the five Assam Rifles troopers, Naren Chandra Das, who escorted him in Bharat after his escape from Tibet. In 1959, as a young trooper Das, now 80, escorted the Dalai Lama, now 82, on his arrival in Arunachal Pradesh. Dalai Lama has lived in exile ever since fleeing Tibet in March 1959."I feel blessed once again as His Holiness touched me and bumped his head with my head," Das told reporters after he was honoured by the leader at an event in Dharamsala to mark the 60th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's arrival in Bharat. Das said he was overwhelmed by the gesture of His Holiness for inviting him. The event marked the onset of a year-long 'Thank You India' campaign.

Kendriya Samskriti Mantri Mahesh Sharma, Sansad-sadasya Shanta Kumar and Satyavrat Chaturvedi were also present in the event along with functionaries of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), comprising its President Lobsang Sangay. In 2017, Das was reunited with the Dalai Lama for the first time in 58 years at a festival organized by the Assam government. Das, who joined the force in 1957, said he was told to escort the Dalai Lama along with others. "We were directed only to escort the Dalai Lama and not to speak with him," said Das. -GoTop

16. BHARAT TO GROW 7.3% THIS FISCAL, 7.6% IN NEXT: ADB: Bharat’s economic growth is expected to rebound to 7.3 % this fiscal and further to 7.6 % in 2019-20 with increased productivity post GST and investment revival due to banking reform, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.

The economy grew 6.6 % in the last fiscal as it battled the lingering effects of demonetization in 2016, businesses adjusting to Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017, and a subdued agriculture.

The ADB’s growth projection of 7.3 % this fiscal is in line with that of rating agency Fitch, but a tad lower than RBI’s forecast of 7.4 %.

“In sum, growth is forecast to pick up to 7.3 % in FY2018 on improved rural consumption, a modest uptick in private investment, and less drag from net exports. Urban consumption growth will remain stable, and impetus from public investment modest,” it said. -GoTop

17. GUJARAT GOVT PLANS WORLD’S BIGGEST 5K MW SOLAR PARK: The BJP-ruled State Government has granted permission in principle to develop world’s biggest 5,000 Mega Watt (MW) capacity solar park at Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR).

In lines with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to produce 175 Giga Watt (GW) from renewable energy by 2022, Gujarat will develop the solar park in 11,000 hectare area near Gulf of Khambhat.

“This solar park will not only create employment for locals but will also create opportunities for the entire supply chain to set up manufacturing facilities in the adjacent Dholera Industrial City” said the Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

DSIR is the world largest Greenfield industrial township project being developed in 920 sqkm area near the Gulf of Khambhat. -GoTop

18. BANGLADESH, BHARAT SIGN 130 KM OIL PIPELINE DEAL: Bangladesh and Bharat signed an agreement here on 9^th April on their proposed nearly 130 km oil pipeline aimed at pumping Bharatiya oil to Bangladesh with a capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum.

The deal was part of the six memorandums of understandings (MoUs) which Dhaka and New Delhi signed during a meeting between their foreign secretaries in Dhaka. Bharatiya foreign secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale held talks with senior Bangladeshi officials on a host of bilateral and regional issues. “Today, we add another six documents to our large and growing list of meaningful agreements signed during the recent visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India,” Gokhale said. -GoTop

19. FIRST BHARAT-NORDIC SUMMIT TO BOOST TIES WITH 5 NATIONS ON APRIL 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Stockholm to meet leaders of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark & Iceland for the first Bharat-Nordic Summit on April 17. Klas Molin, Swedish Ambassador to Bharat told “Prime Minister Löfven was very happy to accept the proposal by PM Modi to hold an Indo-Nordic Summit in Stockholm. The two PMs have met and spoken often over the last few years and they have very good chemistry. They jointly invited the other Nordic prime ministers to Stockholm for the summit. The six leaders will exchange views on regional and global issues such as environment and climate, trade and investment and discuss areas of future cooperation.” -GoTop

20. BHARAT IS WORLD’S SECOND LARGEST MOBILE PHONE PRODUCER: ICA: Bharat is now the second largest mobile phone producer in the world after China, as per information shared by Indian Cellular Association with Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

ICA referred to data available from market research firm IHS, China's National Bureau of Statistics and Vietnam General Statistics Office.

According to the data shared by ICA, annual production of mobile phones in Bharat increased from 3 million units in 2014 to 11 million units in 2017. Bharat replaced Vietnam to become second largest producer of mobile phones in 2017.

With the rise in mobile phone production, imports of the devices in the country also reduced to less than half in 2017-18. -GoTop

21. BHARAT PIPS JAPAN TO BECOME SECOND LARGEST CRUDE STEEL-MAKER: In a major achievement, Bharat has overtaken Japan to become the world's second largest producer of crude steel in February, according to the Steel Users Federation of India (Sufi). At present, China is the largest producer of crude steel in the world, accounting for more than 50 per cent of the production.

Bharat's crude steel production was up 4.4 per cent and stood at 93.11 million tonnes (MT) for the period April 2017 to February 2018, compared with April 2016 to February 2017, which has helped Bharat to overtake Japan and become the second largest producer of crude steel in the world, the federation said in a statement.Bharat overtook the US in 2015 to become the third largest producer of crude steel. -GoTop

22. NEW BHARATIYA MISSIONS IN AFRICA TO BE OPENED IN NEXT 4 YEARS: The decision to open 18 new Bharatiya missions in Africa was taken in a recent cabinet meeting. The move is seen as a bid to strengthen ties between Asia’s third largest economy and the resource-rich continent where Bharat’s strategic rival China has built a formidable presence in recent years. The 18 missions will be opened over a four-year period between 2018 and 2021, a government statement said thereby increasing the number of resident Bharatiya missions in Africa from 29 to 47.

Bharat organized the India-Africa summits—the first in 2008 in New Delhi and second in 2011 at Addis Ababa. The third one in New Delhi in 2015 saw the attendence of all 54 African countries including 41 at the level of heads of governments or states. -GoTop

23. NANOROBOTS DEVELOPED AT IISC BANGALORE FOR CANCER TREATMENT: Researchers at Indian Institute of Science Bangalore have developed a method of using nanorobots to deliver payloads to specific parts of a living cell--a breakthrough that could transform cancer treatment.

“We can now very precisely move it from point A and B, that too inside a living cell,” Malay Pal, a co-author of the paper published in the journal Advanced Materials, said. For chemotherapy to treat cancers, cancerous cells are identified using ultraviolet radiation, after which the probes are used to deliver drugs without impinging on healthy cells. -GoTop

24. WEAVING DREAM IN TRIPURA: Sewa International Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana - PMKVY centre at Khakchangpara Camp was formally inaugurated on 18th March , in the august presence of Shri M.K.Singla (MHA(IS) Special Secretary), Shri Animesh DebVarma (DC, Kanchanpur) and dignitaries from Assam Rifles. The event also witnessed the Certificate Distribution to successful candidates of the first batch of PMKVY training in Self-Employed Tailor program, completed at Ashapara Camp. Shri Singla appreciated the efforts of Sewa International for the forgotten communities of Bru Tribes, and expressed his full support for the future endeavors in the region. The feelings were echoed by the dignitaries at the event. The event was very well received and new trainees promised to give their best to complete the training for a promising future.-GoTop

25. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Shri Saumitra Gokhale samyojak Vishwa Vibhag will leave for USA. Visitors: Ma Jaiprakash Goel, HongKong

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Just as a flower gives out its fragrance to whomsoever approaches or uses it, so love from within us radiates towards everybody and manifests as spontaneous service.- Samarth Ramdas -GoTop

JAI SHREE RAM

BAMBOO WONDER!

Amreesh Pathak

In 2001, massive earthquake trembled Gujarat’s Kutch region reducing thousands of lives to dust. In the wake of post disaster panic, no one knew who lost what? While some lost dear ones, number of families were left with no survivors. Cries of homeless people were felt all across the nation through media reports. Amidst this tragedy, when earthquake-victims despite the constant urge by local administration refused to move even an inch away from the debris of their houses, a special team of 45, from Maharashtra, lead by social worker Sunil ji Deshpande and his wife Nirupma ji landed in Kutch and with the help of RSS Swaymsevaks performed unbelievable service in the dignified rehabilitation of the victims.

To everyone’s surprise, the wonder tool that Sunil Deshpande's team used to provide shelter to the victims was the simple Bamboo Plant, loosely found in the tribal areas! Sunil ji camped in the earthquake hit region along with his team members for almost year.

During this period with the help of local cadre of RSS, they erected 742 premises, including houses, hospitals and schools,constructed with Bamboo Plant popularly known as-Bhunge. These unique constructions were formally handed over to the public by the then Sarsanghchalk K.S Sudarshan ji himself.

Once worked as volunteer with RSS veteran Pracharak Nanaji Deshmukh, Sunil ji Deshpande always wanted to do something ground breaking for the upliftment of the Vanvasis (tribesman). In persuing of his dream, in 1994, he founded Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra in Lavada village of Maharashtra's Melghat district with the blessings of RSS top brass. Today this Center actively brings development in the lives of poor tribesmen through 250 Self-help Groups spread in 38 villages in the region by preserving, encouraging and marketing their traditional bamboo artwork. “Our main focus is on making these tribesmen both financially and socially independent through converting their own tradition art work into a lucrative means of employment”, says Sunil ji Deshpande.

Gorelal ji Ahariya, who comes from the Bhill Tribe, has been working at this Center for thirteen years. Despite the fact his body structure is not normal as its bended from the eight places, he is superbly brilliant in different form of bamboo artwork. Once he used to be a liability to his family but today he is the biggest financial support to his family. Currently he is giving training to the 20 blind students from Nagpur. Similarly, a differently abled man from Korakoo tribe, Sohanlal ji Kashdekar, for the last five years at this Center has been proving his metal in bamboo artwork. Both the Gorelal ji and Sohanlal ji are the chief trainers at the Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra.

Marketing and branding of the Bamboo products made by villagers is done by Venu Shilpi udhyogic Cooperative Society. Research on various new varieties on bamboo plant is also one of the priorities here. Recently Center has developed easily installable Bambu- toilet, made of bamboo plant, is indeed a very useful innovation in order to pave the path of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.(http://www.sewagatha.org/know_more_content1.php?id=1&page=126) -GoTop

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GOOD NEIGHBOURS

India and Nepal reset relations while agreeing to build on the cultural and historic ties.

The visit of Nepal Prime Minister K P Oli has been hailed by both sides as “successful” in resetting the relationship. Whether this is true will become evident only with time. For the moment, Oli, who is viewed as “pro-China” in India, and his host, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appeared to have made an effort to find meeting ground. The Nepali prime minister, whose visit to India came soon after he won a floor test with two-thirds of the 275-member Parliament backing him, is arguably the most powerful politician to lead his country in recent times. His rise on a nationalist platform mirrors Prime Minister Modi’s own style of politics, and though he kept the tradition of newly elected Nepal leaders visiting India first, he came demanding an equal friendship. Anxious about the Chinese footprint in Nepal, India showed it was ready to please.

Indeed, one of the main outcomes from the visit reflected India’s China anxiety. The two sides have agreed that India will build an electrified rail link between the Indian border town of Raxaul and Kathmandu, apparently in response to China’s reported plans to expand its railways from Tibet into Nepal. Prime Minister Modi described the project grandiosely as a plan to link the Everest to the ocean. Given India’s track record of completion of projects in other countries, the focus should be on getting this project on track and completing it without delay so that it gives people in Nepal — hundreds of thousands of them are employed in this country, study here, or visit regularly for business or religious tourism — easier access to the country’s vast rail network. A more ambitious project is to provide Nepal inland waterway connectivity to transport cargo. The two sides have opened up a new area of co-operation in agriculture. Oli is also reported to have brought up the need for India to complete unfinished projects such as the Pancheshwar dam on the river Mahakali, and to keep a commitment to build a road link the Terai.

The joint statement flags the resolve of the two prime ministers “to work together to take bilateral relations to newer heights on the basis of equality, mutual trust, respect and benefit”. It also references the cultural and historical ties between the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi’s good governance mantra, Sabka saath sabka vikas, found mention in the statement as “a guiding framework for India’s engagement with its neighbours”. Such assertions are good for joint statements. Good neighbourliness can only come out of a deep understanding of each other, including the fact that a neighbour is bound to have more than one neighbour. (Editorial, Indian Express, 10^th April 2018) -GoTop

SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN vishwav@bol.net.in www.shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com

SAMVAD श्री विश्व निकेतन SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN

Vaishakh Krishna 1, Vik.Samvat 2075, Yugabda 5120: 1 April 2018

1. FESTIVALS

2. Historic! DRDO successfully test fires Brahmos supersonic cruise missile

3. RSS SARSANGHCHALAKJI SPEAKS TO ORGANISER AND PANCHJANYA

4. Power and tact needed in Kashmir: Mohan Bhagwat

5. INSPIRING STORIES OF 5 UNSUNG HEROES WHO WON THE PADMA AWARDS THIS YEAR

6. Health for Humanity Yogathon 2018

7. Shanti and Shalom, from BHARAT to Israel: Hindu-Jewish cross-cultural celebration

8. ISRO’S GSLV ROCKET SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES GSAT-6A COMMUNICATION SATELLITE

9. EDUCATION SHOULD NOURISH VALUES AND CULTURE: DATTATREYA HOSBALE

10. A CONFERENCE ON ‘CULTURAL HARMONY IS THE WAY FORWARD FOR GLOBAL PEACE’

11. Air India flight flies over Saudi airspace to Israel

12. CHINA AGREES TO SHARE BRAHMAPUTRA DATA

13. PANCHWATI YOGA CENTER AT PYIN OO LWIN – MYANMAR

14. NEEMRANA BAOLI TO GET NATIONAL HERITAGE TAG

15. RSS SahSarkaryah Suresh Soni attends 5th ‘Nadi Mahotsav’

16. Hindus commend Emory University for Ramayana exhibition curated by students

17. BENGALURU AWARDED FOR BEST AIRPORT IN CENTRAL ASIA FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

18. ‘SANGH NAAD’ IN POKHRAN

19. The second World Hindu Congress will be held in Lombard, Illinois, U.S. from September 7 – 9, 2018:

20. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN & FOOD FOR THOUGHT

ARTICLE:

HINDU NEW YEAR - A GREAT TRIBUTE TO A CIVILIZATION AND HER PEOPLE

1. FESTIVALS: Narada jayanti is associated with Devrishi Narad who is considered as universal divine messenger and primary source of information. It falls on Vaishakh Krishna Pratipada (May 1 this year). Narada can rightly be remembered as world’s first reporter.

Vishwa Samvad Kendras in Bharat celebrate the day by organizing programs for people in the media field felicitating accomplished ones among them. -GoTop

2. Historic! DRDO successfully test fires Brahmos supersonic cruise missile: Bharat has achieved a major milestone in strengthening its defense system after the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on March 22 successfully test-fired BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from Rajasthan's Pokhran R test range. The BrahMos missile, which is the result of a Bharat-Russia joint venture, can fly almost three times the speed of sound at Mach 2.8 and has a range of 290 km. This test will strengthen army’s power, especially in cases of combat operations from stand-off ranges. Brahmos is capable of being launched from Land, Sea, and Air. The precision strike weapon with Bharatiya made seeker flew in its designated trajectory and hit the target with pin point accuracy." -GoTop

3. RSS SARSANGHCHALAKJI SPEAKS TO ORGANISER AND PANCHJANYA: Today the Sangh work has a growing acceptability. How do you view this?

The Sangh swayamsevaks are characterized by their approach, inclusivity, transparency, simplicity and selfless attitude, and this leaves an extraordinary impact on the society. The common people have started realizing that Sangh swayamsevaks are trustworthy and they would work for the society, for the welfare of all and being with them they can also do well.

The canvass of the Sangh inspired work in different fields is very wide. Is it going to expand further?

May be. Sangh inspires the swayamsevaks. It must be noted that Sangh doesn’t make any action plan, swayamsevaks initiate a work. If it turns out to be good, we encourage them. If needed, some support is provided. Sangh would only organize Shakhas, swayamsevaks will take care of the rest. If they find something important and worthwhile, they will certainly undertake it and the work will expand.

How does Sangh manage and coordinate with so many organisations?

This is not to be done, it just happens. The samskars, actions and goals of swayamsevaks are the only common things. If these three things are there, then coordination and complimentarity naturally take place. We just ensure that originality of the swayamsevaks remains intact. Rest of the things take care of themselves. Sangh coordinates even with those people who are not directly Sangh swayamsevaks, but share the same qualities.

Today’s Sangh is not limited to Shakhas and grounds, but is also present in the virtual world. You have experienced this changing time. How do you perceive this?

Whatever is necessary for the organizational work, we have been using that. First, we used to travel on foot, and then vehicles were provided with. We have seen the time when in the whole of Nagpur, Sangh had just one vehicle, which was kept for Sri Guruji’s use. With the changing social conditions, many swayamsevaks have vehicles now. This is a normal process. We make sure that we do not become slaves of these comforts and the side-effects of them are not entered the organization.

Earlier Shakhas, organization and related issues used to be the focus of Sangh, now even in Shakhas social issues are getting more prominence. Is the Sangh changing?

This is not a change, this is a natural expression. Thengadi ji used to call it “progressive unfoldment”. In ‘Sangh Prarthana’ when we say, ‘Samartha Bhavatva…”, it means increasing the evolutionary strength. Sangh is instrumental in that process. The swayamsevaks are one as a collective whole and at individual level they work as an element of the Sangh and work for the cause with sincerity, dedication and purity.

Tripura is another noteworthy development. Is there any special or political reason to make Tripura as a separate Prant for the Sangh functioning?

Nothing special. As the Government looks at the regions from administrative point of view, we look at them from actual Sangh work point of view, terrain, connectivity and the flow of interaction among the people. This is the basis of our Prant structure.

Bharat is the country of youth and largest number of young minds is getting attracted towards the Sangh. How do you see this flow of young and energetic human resource towards the Sangh?

Yes, youth are getting attracted and we would take them along and train them. As per their taste and ability, they will be encouraged to work in the national interest.

In the present political scenario, there is an attempt to portray two kinds of Hindutva narratives. One what is called as original Hndutva and the other is aggressive Hindutva. How do you see this kind of differentiation?

Hindutva is one. It cannot be different even if one looks at it with different prisms. I believe in Truth and non-violence, but somebody is attacking me, indirectly to kill the Truth and non-violence I believe in, then to protect those values I will have to fight. Whether to fight or not is not Hindutva, to live or to die for Truth and non-violence is Hindutva. To fight for and practice of Truth and non-violence is Hindutva.

The proponents of Hindutva are getting natural benefit of it. To deny that advantage, divisions are being created. As a Hindu, we do not consider anyone as our enemy, nor do we consider anyone as alien. But for the sake of same Hinduness we have to protect Hindu Dharma, Hindu Sanskriti and Hindu Society. In the process, we may have to explain, we may have to fight, if necessary. That is why in Meerut I said, “If Hindus become more kattar (fundamentalists), it actually means they will be more liberal.”

What would be your message for the swayamsevaks?

One has to raise the standards, ability, understanding and everything. We have to be more open and inclusive. We not only will have to maintain our standards, but also will have to raise them further in a flattering atmosphere. We should never forget our basic qualities because of which we have reached here. Keep all those fundamentals in mind, while moving forward is my only message. Interviewed by Prafulla Ketkar and Hitesh Shankar (Organiser 25 March, 2018). -GoTop

4. Power and tact needed in Kashmir: Mohan Bhagwat: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on March 15 called for using strength and tact to counter "forces seeking to divide the people" of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and said trouble-makers only understood the language of power. There was need for "shakti" (power) and "yukti" (tact) to ensure that "truth prevails", Bhagwat said. Bharatiya Army, with its "efforts, sacrifices and dedication", had maintained "shakti", which was needed because trouble-makers "only understand the language of power", he said. Shri Bhagwat was speaking at the inauguration of the 'Sapt-Sindhu Jammu Kashmir Ladakh Mahotsav' organised by the Jammu Kashmir Study Centre in Nagpur. -GoTop

5. INSPIRING STORIES OF 5 UNSUNG HEROES WHO WON THE PADMA AWARDS THIS YEAR: This year's edition of the Padma awards went beyond felicitating celebrities, and moved to becoming ‘people’s awards’ by honouring the silent heroes of Bharat.

Eighty-four people were recognized by the government for their contributions across the fields of literature, education, sports, healthcare, public affairs, science, engineering, trade, industry, social welfare, and development work, among others. Arvind Gupta, a student of IIT Kanpur, has spent his life creating toys for children. He has been making toys from garbage for over four decades to inspire children to be curious about science. In an attempt to inspire children to conduct scientific experiments using waste, he also made a movie Tarang. This movie has been translated into 18 languages and has been viewed at 3,000 schools across the country.

Hailed as a “Goddess of women empowerment” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sitavaa Jodatti has fought for the welfare of Devadasis and Dalit women in Belagavi. Sitavaa’s sufferings and experiences gave her the courage to do something for other women like her. She founded Mahila Abhivruddhi Matthu Samraksahna Samsthé (MASS) in 1997 to empower Devadasis and provide them with support.

From living in abject poverty to becoming an acclaimed artist and illustrator, Bhajju Shyam’s journey is inspiring. His book, London Jungle Book, has been published in five foreign languages and his paintings have been exhibited globally. He has exhibited his work in the Netherlands, Germany, England, and Italy.

Lakshmikutty, a woman from the forests of Kallar in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, is well known in the area for her proficiency in herbs and their medicinal powers. Her prowess attracts hundreds of people to her. Apart from being known as a healer who works with leaves, she is also famous for healing with her words.

Subhasini Mistry was 23 years old when she lost her husband — not to an incurable disease but because she could not afford the treatment. She started working as a domestic help and vowed to build a hospital to make sure that others who could not afford treatment were not helpless. Almost 50 years after she started her mission, in 1996, she built Humanity Hospital, in a village near Kolkata, brick by brick. -GoTop

6. Health for Humanity Yogathon 2018: SNY 2018 Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, Inc. (HSS) concluded its Eleventh Annual Surya Namaskar Yajna or Health for Humanity Yogathon on February 3rd, 2018. During the two-week Yogathon, over 11,254 participants from over 350 locations from 27 states across the US. As a result, a lot of energy from community members and active participation from all age groups was observed. Several HSS centers across the nation conducted special yogathon event from six hours to 24 hours. Following are some highlights:

900 students from two elementary schools in San Antonio and 714 students from South Carolina elementary school actively participated in this year's SNY program.

During this 14 days event, 828,586 Surya Namaskars were performed by 11,254 participants across the US. HSS volunteers also conducted a Surya Namaskars workshop at 156 locations. -GoTop

7. Shanti and Shalom, from BHARAT to Israel. - Hindu-Jewish cross-cultural celebration: HSS USA Peoria Chapter and Jewish Federation of Peoria celebrated two of the oldest living religions of the world on Feb 10 at Hindu Temple of Central Illinois in Peoria. More than 80 members of the Jewish community graced the temple at the appointed hour. After mesmerizing chanting of shanti mantras by the priests, Dr. Mandar Pattekar, a member of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh National team and member of the Hindu Temple board, introduced the basics of Hindu Dharma and philosophy of the Hindu Temple sanctum, and rituals. This was followed the Havdalah celebration by Anshai Emeth Rabbi Bryna Milkow.

Members of both the communities sang the bitter sweet song of Hinu_Jew_IL2018-02Havdalah. The Jewish guests explored the sanctum and admired the beautiful Murtis. The sanctum service was followed by dinner in which members of each community tasted the delicacies from the other. After dinner, all the guests joined the students from Bradley Hillel house in the traditional Israeli dance. Later, the youth volunteers of HSS taught the guests the traditional Bharatiya dance of Lezim (yogchap) with rhythmic Dhol accompaniment. -GoTop

8. ISRO’S GSLV ROCKET SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES GSAT-6A COMMUNICATION SATELLITE: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the GSAT-6A, a communication satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota on 29^th March.

“The GSAT 6A is a complement to GSAT 6 which is already in orbit. These two satellites combined provide a platform for development of advanced technologies such as unfurlable antenna, two-way, point to point satellite communication,” K Sivan, chairman ISRO, said. -GoTop

9. EDUCATION SHOULD NOURISH VALUES AND CULTURE: DATTATREYA HOSBALE: The newly constructed school building of Pasupati Shikha Mandir Vidyalaya was inaugurated on March 2018 in Katahari of Morang District of Nepal by the Mukhya Mantri of Province No. 1 Sherdhan Rai. Addressing the gathering Mukhya Mantri congratulated and praised the contribution of the business people in the education sector and elaborated that such schools would be a Model for others. Bharatiya rajdoot for Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri said Pashupati Shiksha Mandirs were aiming human character building and urged students and people to take full advantage of it. Sammananeeya Athithi Dattatreya Hosbale, Sahsarkaryavah Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh (RSS), said education should be given with all modern facilities but it must be imparted in such a way that it would nourish values and culture. -GoTop

10. A CONFERENCE ON ‘CULTURAL HARMONY IS THE WAY FORWARD FOR GLOBAL PEACE’ was organized by International Center for Cultural Studies - ICCS Nagpur on 16-17 March. The conference was inaugurated by Ma. Shri Jayantrao Sahasrabuddhe (Vigyan Bharatee). Dr. A D N Bajpayee, former Vice Chancellor of Himachal University was the chief Guest. The function was presided over by Dr. Siddharthvinayak Kane, Vice Chancellor of RTM Nagpur University. Also present were RSS Sarkaryawah Ma. Shri Suresh (Bhayyaji) Joshi. Eminent speakers presented their papers and spoke on subjects like ‘Role of University Education in bringing Cultural Harmony & Global Peace’, ‘Philosophical Approach in bringing cultural harmony and global peace’ etc.

Two prestigious lectures – one by Prof. Virendra Malhotra and another by Shri Rajiv Malhotra were held during the conference. The valedictory function was chaired by ICCS President Dr. Vinayak Deshpande. Regional Director of Archaeological Survey of India (Eastern Region) Dr. Nandini Bhattacharya – Sahu was the Chief Guest. Vandaniya Shantakka - Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sewika Samiti was present in this event. -GoTop

11. Air India flight flies over Saudi airspace to Israel: Air India flight AI 139 from New Delhi to Tel Aviv landed at Ben Gurion Airport on 21^st March making Bharat and Israel come closer. This opens up a new chapter in the India-Israel friendship and also ending a decades-old overfly ban by Saudi Arabia. Meantime Bharat - Saudi relations are also positively evolving.

“This is really a historical moment. We are in a new era. I am sure that we will see many more Indian tourists coming to Israel…and Israelis would also come to India in much higher numbers,” Israeli Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said.

Saudi Arabia’s decision to permit Air India to use its airspace has enabled the airline to take a shorter route. It will cover the distance in 7.15 hours, 2.10 hours less than the time taken by the only other airline that flies between the two countries — Israel’s national carrier El Al. -GoTop

12. CHINA AGREES TO SHARE BRAHMAPUTRA DATA: Bharat and China agreed to share hydrological information to manage their trans-border rivers during times of crisis as the two countries finished with their two-day talks. The meeting held in the city of Hangzhou comes at a time when former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi requested PM Modi to raise the issue of China building a dam on the Brahmaputra. “On the basis of humanitarian spirit and our shared will to develop bilateral ties, we will continue with the cooperation on hydrological information cooperation,” told Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang.

China’s announcement to not to share the data came soon after the 73-day-long stand-off between Bharatiya and Chinese troops at Doklam over Chinese military’s plans to build a road close to Bharat’s Chicken Neck corridor connecting the northeastern states.-GoTop

13. PANCHWATI YOGA CENTER AT PYIN OO LWIN – MYANMAR: Sanatan Dharma Swayamsevaks Sangh Myanmar and Jan Kalyan Seva Samiti Myanmar started its new steps towards social work. Panchwati Yoga Centre is the latest of them. This centre is in Pyin Oo Lwin - a scenic hill town in Mandalay Region, Myanmar. 15 years ago SDSS Myanmar received 2.96 acres land from the committee of Neelkantheshwar Mahadev Temple as a donation to start social activities.

It was decided to establish a Yoga Centre for all mankind. The Bhumipujan program was held on 1st May 2016 in presence of RSS sah sarkaryavaha Ma Bhagaiah ji. In 2017 Patanjali Bhawan was constructed by the donation of Ma. Shri Ashok ji Khetrapal & family from Mandalay.

On the occasion of 7th day of Vasantik Navratilova’s, 24th March 2018, Patanjali Bhawan was formally opened with Havan-Yajna and ceremony. About 200 people gathered on the occasion. The program was attended by Shri Ashok Khetrapal and family and senior sangh pracharaks Subhash ji Ahuja and Dr Ramniwas ji. Many prominent Hindu leaders from Upper Burma attended the program. There are plans and preparations to start Yoga training and Naturopathy in near future. -GoTop

14. NEEMRANA BAOLI TO GET NATIONAL HERITAGE TAG: Fifteenth-century’s magnificent nine-step deep structure, Neemrana ki Baoli or baodi, and an adjacent fort with the similar name at a little-known village in Rajasthan’s Alwar are all set to get the national tag. The move will put this marvel of Rajasthan on the tourist map and ensure its protection.

The site was built by the rulers of Neemrana for famine relief as well as a stopover for the travelers to get some respite from the scorching heat of this desert land. One has to descend around 200 steps in order to reach the bottom of this step well, and to enjoy the cold air no matter it is scorching outside. There are passageways, chambers and steps which provide access to the well. -GoTop

15. RSS SahSarkaryah Suresh Soni attends 5th ‘Nadi Mahotsav’: Addressing the gathering on March 16, Suresh Soni said that the world of rivers and rivulets in the villages is altogether different and we need to understand it. Referring to the work of late Anil Madhav Dave, he said that Dave had done such works that inspires us to follow him. We need to move ahead with maintaining the balance of ecology. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recalled the work done by late Anil Dave in the field of cleaning Narmada River and preserving environment and ecology. Madhya Pradesh Mukhya Mantri Shivraj Singh Chauhan recalled the mission started by late Anil Dave and said that to accomplish his mission will be the real tribute to that great soul. -GoTop

16. Hindus commend Emory University for Ramayana exhibition curated by students: “Tell the Whole Story from Beginning to End:” The Ramayana in Indian Painting— exhibition has been launched at Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University (Carlos Museum), which will continue till May 20. Claimed to be first-of-its kind art exhibit which was curated, organized and researched exclusively by Emory students; uniting artwork and classwork; in the class “The Art of an Hindu Epic”; which was taught by professors Ellen Gough and Marko Geslani from Emory’s Department of Religion. -GoTop

17. BENGALURU AWARDED FOR BEST AIRPORT IN CENTRAL ASIA FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR: The Kempegowda International Airport was given the Skytrax Award for being voted as the best regional airport in Bharat and Central Asia by air travellers at the World Airport Awards in Stockholm in Sweden.As the country's third busiest airport after Mumbai and Delhi, the airport at Devanahalli on the city's northern outskirts won the award for the second consecutive year, and two times in 2015 and 2011. About 250 lakh passengers used the decade-old airport in calendar year 2017, up 13 per cent from 2016. Nearly 45 Bharatiya and international airlines operate services, connecting 62 cities across the country and overseas. -GoTop

18. ‘SANGH NAAD’ IN POKHRAN: The nuclear town of Bharat that received worldwide attention in 1998 following nuclear tests by Bharat, witnessed another show of strength on March 18 when thousands of RSS swayamsevaks in full uniform took out four pathsanchalans, which joined together at Jainarayan Vyas Circle at sharp 3.18 and 18 seconds. Swayamsevasks from all villages and Dhanis of Jaisalmer Districts joined the Jagrat Hindu Mahasangam. Everyone witnessing the confluence of the four pathsanchalans lauded the discipline and organizational skills of the swayamsevaks.

Addressing the Mahasangam RSS Akhil Bharatiya Pracharak Pramukh Shri Suresh Chandra said: “The Sangh is working to make the Hindu society stronger by eliminating all caste differences.” Major General (Retd) Shri GD Bakshi appealed to the local people to be vigilant, as Pakistan has been hatching different conspiracies to disturb Bharat. Pujya Parashuram Giri Maharaj from June Akhara Haridwar presided over the function. -GoTop

19. The second World Hindu Congress will be held in Lombard, Illinois, U.S. from September 7 – 9, 2018: Inspired by the Hindu principle, Sumantrite Suvikrante or THINK COLLECTIVELY, ACHIEVE VALIANTLY, the World Hindu Congress 2018 promises to be a movement not to be missed. On the eve of the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s historic address to the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago, Hindus from around the world and of all backgrounds are invited to actively participate. For More Details: http://whc2018.worldhinducongress.org -GoTop

20. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Shri Saumitra Gokhale , samyojak Vishwa Vibhag will leave for USA. Visitors:

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Like the appearance of silver in mother of pearl, the world seems real until the Self, the underlying reality, is realized.

- Adi Shankaracarya -GoTop

JAI SHREE RAM

HINDU NEW YEAR - A GREAT TRIBUTE TO A CIVILIZATION AND HER PEOPLE

Tarun Vijay

With the dawn on 18th March, the world saw Hindus celebrating their New year with pujaris, archakas, worshiping rivers and chanting the holy names of their Shiva, Durga, praying for the well being and peace for every creation of the God- humans, animals and nature.

It might appear as an unbelievable, strange moment of celebration for those followers of abrahamic religions, who adhere to one book and one prophet, to see that here is still a great number of people who have preserved pre-Islamic and pre-Christian tradition, language and rituals alive in their homes without any change, without and dilution- a continuity of thousands of years which is something that is seen in our every day life- without any State help, in fact in-spite of a government apathy and hesitation to help them. Those who are intrinsically opposed and doubtful of anything that a Hindu may say about his past glory- would simply make fun, mock at all these calculations and go on social media describing these claims as a fun time joke.

So sad that still, we need Firangs to prove that we were great in arithmetic, geometry, architecture and calculating-interpreting time.

But that’s not the case with the common Indian. The calendar- devised by Hindu seers and scientists- still governs our life- and a billion plus Hindus across the world observe their most defining moments of life and death- taking help from this calendar and NOT going to the Gregorian one.

A large part of humanity, from Indian states like Andhra, Maharashtra, Punjab, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat- begin their new year under different names but on the same date and period- and also in Nepal (Vikramsamvat is their official calendar), Indonesia, Cambodia and specially Balinese Hindus celebrate their new year as Baisakh, Vesak, Baisakhi, on same dates. Inspite of the most cruel of efforts by the British colonizers, who were brutal and barbaric- to delete the memories and knowledge system of their subjects. Take for example the Indian Hindus. They use, for all practical purposes Gregorian calendar- which is a Christian era time division. Though till few centuries back the western Christians had hardly any knowledge of the scientific calendar system- and they practised a ten month year system, completely ignoring the three months of the winter. It goes to the credit of the Hindu scientists, who often are mocked by the illiterate or semi-literate English educated elite- who gave the most scientific time division in 3 BC ( seeAetereya Upanishad, Shatpath Brahmin and Rig Veda).

So deep are the roots of the Hindu calendar in the psyche of the common Hindu, even today, that inspite of the Gregorian calendar system being followed in the offices, every festival, birth ritual, post-death rites, marriages, new home warming time and date, children’s ‘shaving the head’ ( Mundan) ceremony, Ganga snan (holy bath), Kumbh (world’s biggest congregation of the Hindus- involving more than twenty million people gathering), take place only according to the Hindu calendar system- called Panchanga. Every single event in a Hindu home is governed by Hindu calendar and not by the Gregorian one, since last many millenniums.

Salutes to the tenacity, perseverance, flexible nature and deep-rooted belief in their ancient arithmetic, geometry, numeric system, cosmology and astronomy, that even the highly accomplished scientist, and a highest ranking chief of a multi national conglomerate would practice in his personal life only the Hindu calendar system.

The new Hindu year – Vikramsamvat- began 57 years before the Christian Era- established by the great king of Ujjain, who defeated the enemies of the country- the Shakas- and wore the title of Vikramaditya. It is to be remembered that no Hindu great king or the gods were ever remembered or respected for their passiveness. They all were essentially warriors who defeated and annihilated the wrong doers.

Pardoning an unrepentant wicked was never a part of the Hindu psyche. Ram is not adored because he signed a peace treaty with Ravana- but his Ayodhya return is celebrated as Diwali because he annihilated the wicked and restored the glory and grace of Sita.

When the western Christian world was busy in declaring women as witches who have no soul and Galileo was hanged for declaring scientific facts, Hindu scientists were solving the mysteries of the cosmos and mathematics- they gave zero, Hindu numerals- which were later called as Indian numerals, measured the circumference of the earth, gave astronomy, named galaxies, stars, months, and orbits, when there were no telescopes. Arybhatta refined the Hindu calendar as early as 5th Century.

A noted scientist and a student of Hindu calendar system R.K. Chopra, (B.Tech. Mining Engg) (http://www.astroworld.co.in/astrology/the-science-behind-indian-hindu-calendars/) writes-

In a highly scholarly article written by Sadhu Paramtattvadas on the official website of the Swaminarayan sampraday (BAPS) the flawless system of Vedic or Hindu calendar system is described which also mentioned about the several aspects of the Christian Era calendar system. Four of these points are mentioned below-

A. In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar authorized a reformed system of dating, which came to be known as the Julian Calendar. To compensate for errors that had accumulated over previous years, Caesar decided to allocate 445 days to the first year. Not surprisingly, 46 BCE later became infamous as ‘The Year of Confusion’.

B. In 1582, Pope Gregory VIII ordained a reformation to restore the calendar to its ‘correct’ schedule. However, he estimated only a 10-day adjustment.

C. Many Christians abhorred the new system. For one thing, New Year’s Day, which had until then been celebrated on 25 March, had to be moved to 1 January. The major issue of discussion, though, was Easter Sunday. The Christian ecclesiastical (church) calendar was originally bound by the belief that Jesus’ resurrection was on a Sunday, and so Easter should always fall on a Sunday. Later, it was decreed that the Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox should be regarded as Easter Sunday.

D. Another interesting point is the year the present-day Gregorian calendar commences from, the ‘year of grace’, which signifies the year in which Jesus was born, and the beginning of the Christian Era. The year is followed by the initials ‘AD’ which stand for ‘Anno Domini’, Latin for ‘in the year of our Lord’. But the Bible clearly gives reference to Jesus being born during the reign of King Herod, who died in 4 BC!

No doubt that the western scientists and doctors gave the greatest gifts to mankind like electricity, aerodynamics, modern medical science and printing press. Still, to look down with contempt and make a fun of the Hindu ancient scientific advancement will be self defeating and shameful. Every country and society thrives on the glory of her people and ancestors and that must not be forgotten by the new modern, secular intellectuals of India.

Prof. BhaktiputraRohitam of the Benaras Hindu University has given a detailed explanation on the scientific aspects of the Hindu calendar which must be a matter of deep research in the other Indian universities. We must, necessarily include the Indian calendar system in our school curriculums also.

It’s a matter of pride for every Indian no matter what faith he or she belongs to. It is an Indian heritage after all. Ugadi, Durga Puja, Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Baisakhi, Onam, Pongal, Navaratra, Guru Nanak birthday, all the Indian special dates are not decided by Gregorian system but by Indian calendar system. Then why the apathy ?

The Hindu Vikram new year began on 18th March is 2076 Vikrami. May the new Vikrami year bring happiness, joy and prosperity to all. A very Happy New Year- the year of the Indians be auspicious and blissful to everyone on this Earth.

(Times Of India Blog, March 18 2018) -GoTop

SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN www.shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com vishwav@bol.net.in