\SAMVAD  श्री विश्व निकेतन SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN

Bhadra Shukla 7, Vik. Samvat 2075 Yugabda 5120: 16 September 2018


1. FESTIVALS: Gur gadi 2. WORLD HINDU CONGRESS 2018 AT CHICAGO
3. ISRAEL HONOURS BHARATIYA SOLDIERS WHO LIBERATED HAIFA CITY 4. RSS SARSANGHCHALAK AT GHOSH PRATYAKSHIK BY HSS ILLIONOIS SHAKHAS
5. CULTURE, NATION GETTING MORE IMPORTANT IN GLOBALISED WORLD: DATTATREYA 6. AKHIL BHARATIYA SAMANVAY BAITHAK – RSS
7. HSS THAILAND, RAKSHABANDHAN 8. UN POSTAL AGENCY TO ISSUE SPECIAL DIWALI STAMP NEXT MONTH
9.  ISRO TO SET UP ITS GROUND BASE IN NORTH POLE 10. NEPAL’S QUAKE-HIT KRISHNA TEMPLE REOPENS AFTER 3 YEARS
11. INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS ARRIVAL IN BHARAT HITS RECORD HIGH WITH 15.54 MILLION LAST YEAR 12. THREE TRAILBLAZING BHARATIYA ENTREPRENEURS NAMED ‘ASIA 21 YOUNG LEADERS’
13. BHARAT CLIMBS ABOVE GLOBAL AVERAGE IN HIRING FEMALE AIRLINE PILOTS 14. BHARATIYA ECONOMIST SATYA TRIPATHI APPOINTED UN ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL
15. BHARAT SETS RECORD IN FOREST RESTORATION 16. AMONG FLYERS, BHARATIYAS WERE 3RD LARGEST NATIONALITY
17. GDP GROWTH ACCELERATES TO OVER 2-YEAR HIGH OF 8.2% IN Q1 18. PROTECT, BUT ALSO PRACTISE THE DHARMA’
19. VRUKSHABANDHAN ACROSS KARNATAKA 20. INDIAN AIR FORCE SUCCESSFULLY CARRIES OUT MID-AIR REFUELLING OF TEJAS
21. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Article:

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S VISION IS UNITED BHARAT


1. FESTIVALS: Gur gadi literally means "Guru's throne" and is used to refer to the installation of Guruship by each successive Sikh Gurus. The day when each Guru was installed as a Guru is referred to as "Gur gadi day" or "Gur gadi diwas". On this day many religious celebrations take place in Gurdwaras and homes. The most celebrated Gur-gadi day is the day when the Guru Granth Sahib was installed as Guru. This happy occasion fell on October 20, 1708 and is celebrated every year on October 20. Celebrations begin two days earlier with the commencement of Akhand paath which takes 48 hours to complete. On the actual Gur-gadi day, Nagar kirtan takes place and Langar is served and Gatka and other sports events are held. -GoTop

 

2. WORLD HINDU CONGRESS 2018 AT CHICAGO: WHC 2018 was attended by 2,500 Hindus from 60 countries. It was graced by 220 speakers, including several high-achievers and experts from the world of economy, education, politics, social work, media, and blessed by revered spiritual and religious heads. But, most of all, it was the vibrant energy of the delegates traveling from far and wide and their cross-domain networking that made WHC 2018 such a unique and enriching event. It was indeed a fitting tribute to the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s historic address to the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago.

The theme of WHC 2018 was ‘Sumantrite Suvikrante’ – Think Collectively, Achieve Valiantly. The three goals of WHC were ‘Enlighte, Reform and Advance.’

Against a backdrop of a life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda, to the traditional clarion sound of the conch, the second World Hindu Conference had a resounding start on 7th September at the Westin Lombard York Town Center – Chicago.

In his message to the Congress, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi said that various aspects of Hindu philosophy can help find the solution to several problems that plague the world today. He stated that the Bharatiya community across the world is a catalyst of the resurgence that Swami Vivekananda spoke of contributing to a better future for the whole world.

Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, addressed the inaugural session and highlighted the need for Hindus to work together. “It is an opportune moment. We have stopped our descent. We are contemplating how to ascend. We are not an enslaved, downtrodden nation. People are in dire need of our ancient wisdom,” Bhagwat said.

The Congress recognized four organizations for their outstanding contributions to spreading Hindu philosophy: BAPS Swaminrayan Sanstha, Chinmaya Mission, Geeta Press - Gorakhpur, and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Others who spoke at the inaugural session were Ashwin Adhin (Vice President of Suriname), Prof SP Kothari, chair of WHC, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Raju Reddy - Vice Chair, RSS Sahsarkaryavaha Dattatreya Hosabale, Noted film personality Anupam Kher, Shri Abhay Asthana of VHPA and others.

Upa Rashtrpati M Venkaiah Naidu stressed on the need of preserving the true values of Hinduism to alter ill-informed opinions and attitudes. In his keynote address to the concluding session of the World Hindu Congress on 9th September, Shri Naidu said India believed in universal tolerance and accepted all religions as true.

The next World Hindu Congress will be held in Bangkok in November 2022. -GoTop

 

3. ISRAEL HONOURS BHARATIYA SOLDIERS WHO LIBERATED HAIFA CITY: The Northern Israeli coastal city of Haifa celebrated the centenary year of its liberation from Ottoman rule during World War I honouring the brave Bharatiya soldiers who laid down their lives in what is considered “the last great cavalry campaign in history”.

The Bharatiya Army commemorates September 23 every year as Haifa Day  to pay its respects to the three Bharatiya Cavalry Regiments — Mysore, Hyderabad and Jodhpur Lancers, that helped liberate Haifa following  a dashing cavalry action by the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade  of the then British Indian Army at the Battle of Haifa in 1918. Captain Aman Singh Bahadur and Dafadar Jor Singh were awarded the Indian Order of Merit (IOM) and Captain Anop Singh and 2nd Lt Sagat Singh were awarded the Military Cross (MC) as recognition for their bravery in this battle while Major Dalpat Singh was awarded a military cross for his bravery.

“Major Singh and the bold Indian soldiers are very dear to us and this centenary celebration is special to us,” Mayor of Haifa, Yona Yahav, told the gathering assembled to pay tributes to the fallen Bharatiya soldiers on 6th September.  About 900 Bharatiya soldiers are interred in cemeteries across Israel in Jerusalem, Ramle and Haifa. Yahav also told the gathering that once he became aware of the sacrifices of the Bharatiya soldiers in liberating the city, he subsequently made efforts to get the information in the school textbooks so that the youngsters of Haifa would know an “important episode in the history of their city”.

The Haifa mayor said that he was “touched” by the gesture of the Bharatiya Government to rename the famous Teen Murti Chowk in New Delhi adding his city’s name to it.

Bharat’s Ambassador to Israel, Pavan Kapoor, said that the event is meant to “salute the brave Indian soldiers for their valiant deeds” and “to show that their courage and sacrifice is not forgotten”.

Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi had visited the Haifa cemetery during his visit to Israel in July 2017 and unveiled a plaque commemorating Major Dalpat Singh, known as the ‘Hero of Haifa’.

The Bharatiya Army’s 61st Cavalry, the name given to the unit created after the merger of the three cavalry units after independence, also sent a contingent to participate in the centenary celebrations. The former maharaja of Jodhpur, Gaj Singh, and Brigadier M S Jodha, grandson of Aman Singh Bahadur, were also present for the ceremony. The Israel Post also presented to Yahav and Kapoor special stamps released this year to commemorate hundred years of the battle. -GoTop

 

4. RSS SARSANGHCHALAK AT GHOSH PRATYAKSHIK BY HSS ILLIONOIS SHAKHAS: More than 40 kishors (middle and high school children) from Shakhas in Illinois, Michigan and Indiana showcased "Ghosh Pratyakshik" to Sarsanghachalak Dr. Mohanji Bhagwat on September 8th. The event was held at indoor stadium in Chicagoland where kishors played various Hindustani Classical ragas such as Bhoop, Shivaranjani, Tilang as well as patriotic geet Janani janmabhumi on western instruments. It was a great opportunity and a blessing to perform in front of esteemed guests for everyone. Pratyakshik was followed by excellent "Marg Darshan" speech by Dr Bhagwat and the valuable guiding points to all the kishors and shikshaks. -GoTop

 

5. CULTURE, NATION GETTING MORE IMPORTANT IN GLOBALISED WORLD: DATTATREYA: "Culture and nation and their relevance even in a globalised world are more and they are getting more and more important," RSS Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said in a major policy speech on "Role of Culture and Nation in a Globalised World - An Indian Perspective".

"Contrary to this perception, the relevance of nations and the strength of culture are there to see and experience for all," the RSS leader said at the event organised by the US-based Bharat-centric think tank, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) on 11th September at Washington DC. The event was chaired by Walter Anderson, Senior Adjunct Professor of South Asia Studies at Johns Hopkins. -GoTop

 

6. AKHIL BHARATIYA SAMANVAY BAITHAK – RSS: Akhil Bharatiya Samanvay Baithak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was held at Raghavendra Math, Mantralyam (Andhra Pradesh) on the coast of river Tungbhadra with blessings and address of revered Swami Subudendra Teertha ji. Swami Ji said that Bharat is the best among the galaxy of nation and this is a land where the Saints and ascetics have worked. Bharat is known as Jagadguru among all.

Elaborating the deliberations in the baithak to the mediapersons, RSS Sah Sarkaryavah Dr. Manmohan Vaidya stated that the entire nation will stand and work together in solidarity with Seva Bharathi to overcome the Kerala floods calamity.

He also stated that Sangh will accelerate the efforts to channelize the energy of youth into positive and constructive activities. He said that the RSS and all the inspired organizations will take the whole society along to establish an awareness movement spanning across society for water conservation and environmental protection.-GoTop

 

7. HSS THAILAND, RAKSHABANDHAN: The Bangkok unit of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Thailand organized Raksha Bandhan festival at India Thai Chamber of Commerce convention Hall on 2nd September.

Sri Komkrit Uitekkeng, Dean of Silipakorn University Bangkok and Sri. Kitti Nawani, secretary of Indian Association of Thailand was   the chief guests.

The program started with the lighting of the traditional lamp by the chief guests. Speaking on the occassion Komkrit Uitekkeng said that relations between Bharat and Thailand are rooted in the age-old cultural interactions. Hindus lived in Thailand peacefully because of these common cultural roots.

In a video message Dr. Krishnagopal ji, Sahasarkaryavah of RSS said that Rakshabadhan celebrations are common in Bharat and feels happy when festivals are celebrated miles away from Bharat. He said that thousands of years ago Bharatiya rishis found from their insight, that god exists in each and every individual. When we say Vasudaiva Kutumbakam, all persons living on this earth whether from the forests of Africa or snow covered regions of Europe belong to the same family. Vijay Sharma Sanghachalak of HSS and Thep Sukul, Vyvastha pramukh also spoke on the occassion.-GoTop

 

8. UN POSTAL AGENCY TO ISSUE SPECIAL DIWALI STAMP NEXT MONTH: The United Nations Postal Administration will issue a New York special event sheet on the 19th of October to commemorate the festival.

The sheet in the denomination of USD 1.15 contains ten stamps and tabs featuring festive lights and the symbolic lamps known as ‘diyas'.

The background of the sheet features the United Nations Headquarters building illuminated with the message of “Happy Diwali” to celebrate the spirit of the festival. -GoTop

 

9.  ISRO TO SET UP ITS GROUND BASE IN NORTH POLE: Indian Space Research Organization SRO has decided to set up its ground base at our globe's one of the ends that is the North Pole. This would bolster the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) operations which are critically important in times like disaster management but also for the armed forces. According to a scientist at ISRO, "The plan will take some time to materialise as it involves huge logistical challenges, international approvals and co-operation," adding that hardware installation would be tougher at the North Pole considering the extreme weather conditions. However, ISRO has already two ground stations-IMGEOS at Shadnagar and AGEOS in Antarctica. -GoTop

 

10. NEPAL’S QUAKE-HIT KRISHNA TEMPLE REOPENS AFTER 3 YEARS: Nepal’s famous Krishna temple built in Bharatiya Sikhara style was reopened for the public on 2nd September for the first time after three years. The Himalayan nation was hit by a deadly quake that left much cultural heritage in ruins. The artistic temple built by Siddhi Narsingh Malla of Lalitpur was partially damaged.

Thousands of devotees thronged the 17th century temple of Lord Krishna situated in Lalitpur Municipality of Kathmandu from early morning. The renovation of the stone temple was recently completed. It has been nicely decorated with colourful flags, banners and light. The temple has three stories and 21 pinnacles. The delicate stone carvings along the beam on the 1st floor recount events from the Mahabharata, while the second floor beam features scenes from the Ramayana.

The temple has been built in Indian Sikhara style. -GoTop

 

11. INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS ARRIVAL IN BHARAT HITS RECORD HIGH WITH 15.54 MILLION LAST YEAR: According to data from the UN's tourism organization, International tourist arrivals have hit a record high with 1,323 million last year i.e in 2017. Importantly, in the tourism sector, Bharat is leading the growth in the South Asian region.

Notably, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in a press release said that the international tourist arrivals reached a total of 1,323 million in 2017, some 84 million more than the previous year and a new record. The report said positive results in South Asia were largely driven by the strong performance of Bharat the "subregion's largest destination, which benefited from increasing demand from western source markets and simpler visa procedures."

“In India, international tourist’s arrivals grew from 14.57 million in 2016 to 15.54 million in 2017. International tourism receipts for India grew from 22.42 billion dollars in 2016 to 27.36 billion dollars last year,” the report added. -GoTop

 

12. THREE TRAILBLAZING BHARATIYA ENTREPRENEURS NAMED ‘ASIA 21 YOUNG LEADERS’: The Asia Society announced the 2018 class of its Asia 21 Young Leaders Program on 30th August and three Bharatiya entrepreneurs, Roshan Paul, co-founder and CEO of Amani Institute; Abhay Saboo, co-founder of Viva Health; and Roopam Sharma, a research scientist at Eyeluminati, have found a spot on the list.

Asia 21 is a network of young leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region, representing the new generation of leaders in government, business, arts, media, and the nonprofit sector.

Paul is the co-founder and CEO of Amani Institute, a new model of higher education that helps people build impactful careers.

Saboo holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech. A scientist and an innovator, Sharma is best known for his work on the world’s first intelligent personal assistant for the visually-impaired, Manovue, which combines vision intelligence and the internet of things in the form of an inexpensive wearable device, delivering a technology that replaces Braille. -GoTop

 

13. BHARAT CLIMBS ABOVE GLOBAL AVERAGE IN HIRING FEMALE AIRLINE PILOTS: Bharat soars above global average in hiring female airline pilots. Now it would be a much easier career to embrace. More Bharatiya women want to become pilots, and more benefits await them: union-mandated equal pay, a safe workplace, day care services and a booming aviation sector.

Bharat has the highest proportion of female commercial pilots in the world at 12 percent. The percentage of female pilots in Bharat is twice as high as in most Western countries, including the United States and Australia.

Globally, less than 5 percent of pilots are women, according to the International Society of Women Airline Pilots. -GoTop

 

14. BHARATIYA ECONOMIST SATYA TRIPATHI APPOINTED UN ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL: The United Nations on 27th August announced that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has named Satya S. Tripathi of Bharat as the UN's assistant secretary-general.

In addition to being the assistant secretary-general, Tripathi will also head the United Nations Environment Program's New York office. Tripathi, who takes over for Elliott Harris of Trinidad and Tobago, has since 2017 served as senior adviser on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at UNEP. Tripathi holds honors, bachelors and master’s degrees in commerce; and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law from Berhampur University in Bharat. -GoTop

 

15. BHARAT SETS RECORD IN FOREST RESTORATION: In the last seven years (2011-2017), Bharat has restored 9.8 million hectares of degraded land, with Government agencies playing a major role in the green initiative, restoring 95 per cent while the remaining 5 per cent was done by NGOs and private companies.

Bharat had pledged to restore 13 million hectares of degraded land by 2020 and an additional 8 million hectares by 2030. On this, the report says while restoration commitments are achievable, additional efforts to comprehensively capture the restoration efforts needs to be undertaken by all actors in future stocktaking reports. -GoTop

 

16. AMONG FLYERS, BHARATIYAS WERE 3RD LARGEST NATIONALITY: In all, IATA said over 400 crore passengers flew on schedule services (domestic and international combined) last year. American nationals were the biggest chunk of this at 63.2 crore (18.6% of all passengers), followed by Chinese at 55.5 crore (16.3%) and then Bharatiyas at 16.1 crore (4.7%).

Bharat had become world's third largest domestic air travel market in 2016 when it overtook Japan, according to CAPA.

US, followed by China, are the world's biggest domestic aviation markets by a wide margin. -GoTop

 

17. GDP GROWTH ACCELERATES TO OVER 2-YEAR HIGH OF 8.2% IN Q1: The country’s economic growth soared to an over two-year high in April-June quarter, powered by solid expansion in manufacturing, the farm sector and gathering strength in consumer spending, bolstering the government’s reforms record.

Data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed the economy grew 8.2% in April-June, the first quarter of the country’s fiscal year which starts in April, higher than previous quarter’s 7.7% and 5.6% in the first quarter of 2017-18. This was the fastest expansion since the January-March quarter of 2016. -GoTop

 

18. PROTECT, BUT ALSO PRACTISE THE DHARMA’: RSS Sarkaryavah Bhaiyaji Joshi inaugurated the new hostel building at Janaseva Vidyakendra at Channenahalli on 25th August. The function was attended by many dignitaries including Dakshin Madhya Kshetra Sanghachalak Shri V Nagaraj, Managing Trustee of New Horizon Institutions Dr Mohan Manghnani, Managing Trustee of Janseva Trust Shri VY Raghavendra Rao and others.

Shri Joshi said we not only need to safeguard Dharma but also we must ensure that it is practised.

“Janseva Vidya Kendra” has been imparting education that builds one’s character and those who have studied here have to be part of nation building. He lauded the efforts of the institution in imparting affordable yet quality education based on our culture and traditions to the students from all strata of the society. -GoTop

 

19. VRUKSHABANDHAN ACROSS KARNATAKA: In a unique effort on Raksha Bandhan, a team of volunteers initiated a campaign to tie ‘rakhi’ to trees and plants to drive the message of nature and tree conservation. During ‘Vrukshabandhan’, the students pledge to nurture and protect a Plant. Vrukshabandhan is an initiative by Lingaraj Niduvani and Team to involve students and youth in the efforts to safeguard our trees and green cover and thereby protect nature.

As part of this statewide effort spread across several cities, many prominent local personalities were part of the event along with the students. Just as a brother pledges to protect his sister on Rakshabandhan, here each pledges to protect a plant for life. -GoTop

 

20. INDIAN AIR FORCE SUCCESSFULLY CARRIES OUT MID-AIR REFUELLING OF TEJAS: The Indian Air Force achieved a milestone as it has successfully carried out refuelling of indigenously developed light combat aircraft Tejas on 10th September.

Notably, the first ever mid-air refuelling of the indigenously developed light combat aircraft Tejas was successfully carried out, placing Bharat in an elite group of countries having air-to-air refuelling system for military planes. The enhanced range and endurance in air are expected to provide IAF a host of options in exploiting the operational potential of the LCA as well as to participate in international exercises without having to stage through several locations enroute. -GoTop

 

21. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: RSS Sarsanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat and Sahsarkaryavaha Dattatreya Hosabale returned from USA after attending WHC 2018. Sahsarkaryavah Bhagaiah and Vishwa Vibhag samyojak Saumitra Gokhale are on a tour to Suriname, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago. Visitors:  Yogesh Hinduja – Singapore.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Reining in your mind, the God has appeared in your heart. Now, with his omnipresence, there is no emptiness. – Sant Tukaram -GoTop

JAI SHREE RAM

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SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S VISION IS UNITED BHARAT

Dr. Manmohan Vaidya

Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s feeble attempt to draw equivalence between the Muslim Brotherhood and RSS, caused astonishment in those familiar with the RSS and hold a national perspective. Alternatively, those professing a communist and Maoist ideology, and practitioners of opportunistic politics were predictably elated. Neither of these responses are unanticipated.

However, it must not be assumed that the Congress President has a lack of awareness about the terror Islamist terrorists inflict on the civilised world. Neither does this mean that he is unaware of the social work that the RSS carries out through its affiliated organisations, not to mention the growing appeal and support the Sangh receives from society. But then why would he say such a thing?

Quite simply his political advisors have succeeded in convincing him that criticising the RSS will yield political dividends, that baseless and provocative statements will compensate for the lack of ground work that is required to lift the grand old party out of it’s political misfortunes. Hence he has been schooled to render these statements in a dramatic style without paying any attention to their veracity. When one such statement was legally challenged by a Swayamsevak, the Congress President was seen avoiding his date in court.

In reality, the Sangh is engaged in the noble work of connecting and binding Bharatiya society with the everlasting thread of spirituality and the integral and holistic Bharatiya view of life. To equate this inclusive view of life with the Muslim Brotherhood, is an affront to our great civilisational heritage and history. If one was to view the Islamist ideology in practice, the word “brotherhood” itself is inappropriate. In fact the Muslim Brotherhood which he chose to cite as an example views not only the non-Muslims as outside but even Muslims outside the Salafi Sunni fold as outside their ideological commune, and not Muslim.

11th of September 2018 will be the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekanand’s Chicago address in the Parliament of world religions. In that historic address he presented to a world audience the inclusive world view of Hindu culture. This was not merely an exercise in intellectualism, but one where the strings of the heart were playing a unique tune for an audience unfamiliar with the Hindu view of life but responsive to the music in those sincere words. Swami Vivekananda began his address with “My American Brothers and Sisters…” an endearment which was received with a standing ovation that lasted a few minutes.

In that speech Swami Vivekananda said, “I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation.”

“Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilisation and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now.”

Dr Ambedkar has also drawn a distinction with the Islamic view of the world. Dr Ambedkar in his book “Thoughts on Pakistan” says, “Islam is a close corporation and the distinction that it makes between Muslims and non-Muslims is a very real, very positive and very alienating distinction. The brotherhood of Islam is not the universal brotherhood of man. It is brotherhood of Muslims for Muslims only. There is a fraternity but its benefit is confined to those within that corporation. For those who are outside the corporation, there is nothing but contempt and enmity.”

Muslim Brotherhood wants to bring the Shariat State everywhere, Sangh stands for Hindu Rashtra that is based on the ideal of spreading universal acceptance, as propagated by Swami Vivekanand.

How can the fundamentalist Islamist ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood be equated with the Universal Brotherhood of Swami Vivekananda. And furthermore why does Rahul Gandhi feel compelled to speak ill of an organisation that follows the precepts of universal brotherhood and is focused on organising the entire society?

A senior columnist once said to me a few years ago, that the Congress has been reduced to a party desperately trying to come to power by any means and is outsourcing its intellectual activity to the Communists. Ever since the Congress has carried out this outsourcing to the comrades, it has allied itself with intolerance and has opposed national views and activities.

Before independence, the Congress was an open platform, amongst its members were Hindu Mahasabhaites, supporters of revolutionaries, those with radical approach (Garam Dal) and also those having moderate approach (Naram Dal). There was space for everyone. However when this platform started taking the shape of a political party, it went from being a large tent of ideas to the alienation and exclusion of those having different views. It was however a gradual progression. Even after independence there was space for diverse viewpoints, if Pandit Nehru was an ardent critic of the RSS, Sardar Patel invited Swayamsevaks to join the Congress party. In 1962 during the Indo- China war, Pt Nehru once a staunch critic was so impressed by the selfless service of the Sangh that he invited the RSS to participate in the Republic Day Parade. And even though it was very short notice as many as 3000 swayamsevaks participated with pride in the parade.

During the 1965 Pakistan invasion, PM Shastri called for a meeting with prominent leaders, including the second RSS Chief Guruji Gowalkar, going so far as to arrange his immediate transport to the national capital. During this meeting, a communist leader repeatedly asked PM Shastri : What was “your Army” doing when India was invaded? Agitated by this stance especially at such a critical time, Guruji Gowalkar intervened and asked the gentleman why he couldn’t he just say “our army”? Does he belong to some other country?

Setting politics aside this tradition of a dialogue (samvaad) continued till the 1970s. Subsequently the influence of communist ideology started gaining traction in the Congress and the intolerance and “otherness” so closely linked with Stalinist ideals began rearing its ugly head. Confrontational language and a us vs them discourse started dominating. Apart from the BJP, most political parties reflect communist influence in their intellectual cell in varying degrees. Hence we find that for short sighted political gains there is a tendency to side with attempts (inspired by leftist ideology) of breaking or weakening the unity of the people of the country, and at the same time opposing national ideas and forces. This enervating influence over the past few decades has left the Congress in a strange condition, almost as if its body is but a shell that is now occupied by a Maoist soul. This is not merely an observation, it is borne out by the displays of support the Congress routinely expresses for Maoist protests. It looks obvious that the authors who wrote articles in support of Congress president’s this statement seem to have links with the Left ideology.

Is it not alarming that Congress leaders stand in solidarity with those who raised slogans of “Bharat tere tukde honge, Inshallah, Inshallah”, “Bharat ki barbadi tak jung rahegi” or “Afzal Guru hum sharminda hai, tere qatil zinda hai”. This Afzal Guru was the mastermind behind the terrorist attack on the parliament, the temple of democracy whose verdict of hanging until death was proclaimed by the Supreme Court of India during the UPA regime. When the congress supports those who instigate caste violence undermining and violating the constitution, one is compelled to feel the Maoist soul guides their action, using the Congress identity as a cover. The infiltration of disruptive Urban Maoist into mainstream life and their influence has only recently come to light and when a mainstream party like the Congress which has held power for so many years supports their destructive designs, it is not an occasion to be surprised but saddened. Despite ideological differences, it is important to concede that the Congress of the past never spoke in the terms used by their current leaders or aligned with disruptive forces that undermined the country and national interest.

It is deeply worrying to see the oldest political party in the country, one that enjoys support across the country, stand with such anti national elements.

As a result the Congress is eroding its support base. 125 years ago Swami Vivekananda crossed the oceans to plant the flag of Bharatiya civilizational and cultural values in a foreign land. Today a politician from the same country, travels abroad and equates Indian cultural ethos with the Muslim Brotherhood. This is an insult to Bharatiya civilizational values and culture.

In a democracy it is but expected that there will be a differences in opinion and ideologies but it is imperative to rise above these differences for the good of the nation. It is only when this unity supersedes politics, will the country find solutions to the problems that ail us and move towards realising the Bharat, Swami Vivekananda presented to the world all those years ago.

( www.vskbharat.com, The author is Joint General Secretary of RSS ) -GoTop


Shri Vishwa Niketan www.shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com vishwav@bol.net.in



\SAMVAD  à¤¶्री विश्व निकेतन SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN
Bhadrapad Krishna 6, Vik.Samvat 2075 Yugabda 5120: 1 September 2018

Shraddheya Atal Behari Vajpayee
“We all are deeply saddened on the demise of Shraddheya Atal Behari Vajpayeeji. Even in imagination his departure from this mortal life is unbearable. Along with the ideological commitment, he will always be remembered as an ideal dedicated life who achieved an unfading niche in the political and social fields through his hard work and efficiency. Atalji was the name of a poet with the sensitive heart, a visionary with a clear sense of future and a great personality adored by the masses. True to his name, he was ‘Atal’ throughout his life. Our last respect to Atal Behari Vajpayee, the giant politician with exceptional oratory skills and a dedicated Swayamsevak, who ruled over the hearts of countless Bharatiyas. Your memories will always continue to inspire us. Heartfelt Tribute!”
Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghachalak & Suresh (Bhaiyyaji) Joshi, Sarkaryavah, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

A LEADER FOR THE AGES AHEAD OF HIS TIMES
Narendra Modi
In times of turbulence and disruption, a nation is blessed to have a leader who rises to become its moral compass and guiding spirit, providing vision, cohesion and direction to his people. And, in such a moment at the turn of the century, India found one in Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was gifted in spirit, heart and mind.
For those of us who knew him, he was, first, the rarest of human beings, who touched and inspired everyone he met. He was compassionate to the core, generous in spirit, warm beyond measure and kind to a fault. He was deeply respectful of others and gifted with a rare sense of humour that he often turned upon himself.
Orator without parallel, he could switch from disarming humour to a lofty vision with ease, with a rare ability to connect with people naturally, to stir them to self-belief and to a higher cause. Sharply perceptive, he could summarize the most complex issues and discussions in a single sentence or question.
Born into a family of modest means and high ideals, he hailed from a small town in Madhya Pradesh. His youth was defined by academic excellence and quest for public service during the gathering momentum of freedom struggle. Starting as an ordinary Karyakarta in the Jana Sangh, he organized the only truly national-level party to be formed in independent India – the BJP – and helmed its organization work after the passing away of Shri Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
Through the four decades of leadership in Parliament, the struggle against Emergency (who can forget that memorable rally in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan when his speech became the roar of the nation), the clarity to represent his party with passion but always speak for the nation, he defined the spirit of democracy in India.  Firm in his political beliefs, but always accommodating and respectful of other points of view, he set the standards of debate in Parliament. In his simplicity and integrity, in his dignity and empathy, and a sense of personal non-attachment to the office, he became an inspiration for a nation of youth.
He rescued the economy from the morass of the mid-1990s, when political instability at home and an uncertain global environment had threatened to derail a still incipient economic reforms process. He sowed the seeds of much of the economic success that we have experienced over the past two decades. For him, growth was a means to empower the weakest and mainstream the marginalized. It’s that vision that continues to drive our government’s policy.
It was Atal Ji who prepared the foundations of an India that is ready to take on the mantle of global leadership in the 21st century. The futuristic economic policies and reforms of his Government ensured prosperity for several Indians. His thrust on next-generation infrastructure particularly roads and telecom contributed to our country’s economic as well as social empowerment.
Atal Ji irreversibly changed India’s place in the world. He overcame the hesitation of our nation, the resistance of the world and threat of isolation to make India a nuclear weapons power. It was not a decision he took lightly, but one he knew was of paramount importance in the face of mounting challenges to India’s security. No longer would India’s security be vulnerable. At that moment of surge in national pride, his was a voice of restraint and responsibility. And, the world listened to the wisdom of the man of peace. Equally important, he then brought to bear his extraordinary understanding of world affairs and formidable diplomatic skills to gain global acceptance of new realities. Indeed, it is the combination of his legacies of creating strategic capabilities, promoting stronger economic growth, undertaking multi-directional diplomacy and harnessing of diaspora energies that is today the basis for the respect we command across the world.
He transformed five decades of estrangement with USA into an enduring strategic partnership in the course of five years.
He also steered India to deep friendship with a new post-Soviet Russia through a strategic partnership in 2000. I had the privilege of accompanying him on a visit to Russia in November 2001 when we concluded a sister province agreement between Gujarat and Astrakhan.
With China, he made the boldest move for peace in an effort to overcome the burdens of a difficult past by establishing the mechanism of Special Representatives for boundary talks. Atal Ji’s conviction that these two ancient civilisations - which are rising powers - can work together to shape the global future continues to guide my thinking.
A person of grassroots, our neighbours were his priority.  In many ways, he was the inspiration for, and even pioneer of, our Neighbourhood First policy. He was unwavering in his support as an opposition leader towards Bangladesh’s liberation. He went to Lahore in search of peace.  With persistence and optimism that was his nature, he continued to search for peace and heal the wounds in Jammu and Kashmir. But, he was resolute in winning the Kargil War. And, when our Parliament was struck, he made the world recognize the true nature and source of cross-border terrorism against India.
Personally, Atal Ji was an ideal, a Guru, and role model who inspired me deeply. It was he who entrusted me with responsibilities both in Gujarat as well as at the national level. It was he who called me one evening in October 2001, and told me to go to Gujarat as the Chief Minister. When I told him that I had always worked in the organization, he said he was confident I would fulfill the people’s expectations. The faith he had in me was humbling.
Today, we are a self-assured nation, brimming with the energy of our youth and resolve of our people, eager for change and confident of achieving it, striving for clean and responsive governance, building future of inclusion and opportunity for all Indians. We engage the world as equals and in peace, and we speak for principles and support the aspirations of others. We are on the path that Atal Ji wanted us to take. He was ahead of the times, because he had a deep sense of history, and he could peer into the soul of India from his grasp of our civilizational ethos.
A life is to be judged not just by the extent of grief that follows when its light goes out. It is also to be measured by the lasting impact on the lives of people and the course of time. For that reason, Atal Ji was a true Ratna of Bharat. His spirit will continue to guide us as we build the New India of his dreams. (The writer is Prdhan Mantri of Bharat) — The Pioneer 17 August 2018.

 A LEADER FOR THE AGES AHEAD OF HIS TIMES - A tribute to Pradhan Mantri of Bharat By Pradhan Mantri of Bharat.
1.  Atal Bihari Vajpayee An Exemplary Statesman - UN Chief Antonio Guterres 2.  Gaganyaan Mission: Three astronauts will spend 5-7 days in space
3.  RASHTRAPATIJIinaugurates sixth edition of International Buddhist Conclave 2018 4.  Buddhism BHARAT's greatest gift to Bhutan - Bhutan's Queen Mother
5.  BHARATIYAS ABROAD CELEBRATE I-DAY WITH TRADITIONAL FERVOUR 6. BHARAT gifts 30 ambulances, 6 buses to Nepal on Independence Day
7. Late Nana Palkar dedicated his life for welfare of society: Bhagwat 8. 11th World Hindi Conference held in Mauritius
9. VISHWA-HINDI-SAMMAN FOR DR. RATNAKAR NARALE 10. HINDU SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH CELEBRATES RAKSHA BANDHAN WITH FIREFIGHTERS IN CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA
11. Sewa For Kerala 12. ‘BHARAT SET EXAMPLE FOR WORLD BY SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY, DIVERSITY’
13. ISRO’s Chandrayaan-I proves water ice at the surface of the Moon – NASA 14. SCOTLAND YARD RETURNS 12TH CENTURY STOLEN BUDDHA STATUE TO BHARAT
15. bharatiya American Prof. Balaji Rajagopalan Named Fellow of American Geophysical Union for Scientific Excellence 16. BHARAT TO HELP CAMBODIA RENOVATE LORD SHIVA TEMPLE
17. WHC 2018 registrations CLOSED 18. Thousands Gather at Golden Gate Park for ISKCON’s 52nd Annual Festival of Chariots
19.  Bharat-based Engineering Firm AXISCADES Bringing Jobs to Arizona 20. UK lake passes Hindus' ashes test for immersion
21. INDIA COMMUNITY CENTER’S 10TH ANNUAL SEVATHON TO BENEFIT INDIAN AMERICAN AND OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS 22. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN & FOOD FOR THOUGHT

1. Atal Bihari Vajpayee An Exemplary Statesman - UN Chief Antonio Guterres: United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has described former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as an "exemplary statesman" during his visit to the Bharat's permanent mission to the UN to offer his condolences to the late BJP leader.
Mr Guterres, during his visit to the Permanent Mission of Bharat recently, extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the former prime minister, recalling that he had met Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the first Bharat-EU summit. The UN chief added that he would always be remembered as an "exemplary statesman and leader who worked selflessly for peace and development in India and the world." -GoTop
2. Gaganyaan Mission: Three astronauts will spend 5-7 days in space: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will be ready to send the country’s first astronauts to space in forty months time; the launch will take 16 minutes and three astronauts will spend 5-7 days in space before re-entry. Detailing the space agency’s plans after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Gaganyaan Mission on August 15, ISRO Chairman K Sivan August 28 said that he was confident of meeting the Prime Minister’s target of sending humans to space.
“The estimated cost is less than Rs10,000 crore, and totally indigenous, very cost-effective even by Bharatiya standards. From international standards, it is unbelievable,” said Minister of State in-charge of Department of Science, Jitendra Singh. Sivan explained that the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk-III, which has the necessary payload capability for this mission will be used to launch ‘Gaganyaan.’-GoTop
3. RASHTRAPATIJIinaugurates sixth edition of International Buddhist Conclave 2018: Addressing the event, Rashtrapati ji said that the Buddhist Circuit in Bharat is an important and revered set of destinations for the approximately 500 million-strong community of Buddhists that lives across Asia and other parts of the world.Emphasising on the role of Japan in the conclave, he said, “I would like to acknowledge the participation of Japan as a partner country in this Conclave. Bharat and Japan have much in common, but there are a few links we treasure as much as our shared Buddhist heritage.” The Conclave was organized by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the State Governments of Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh from August, 23rd to 26th, 2018 at New Delhi and Ajanta (Maharashtra), followed by site visits to Rajgir, Nalanda and Bodhgaya (Bihar) and Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh). The first International Buddhist Conclave took place in 2004 in New Delhi and Bodhgaya. -GoTop
4. Buddhism BHARAT's greatest gift to Bhutan - Bhutan's Queen Mother: Describing Buddhism as one of Bharat's greatest gifts to Bhutan, the Himalayan nation's queen mother said on August 13 that the ancient religion is the "unchanging constant" in the deep bond between the two neighbours. "It is a matter of immense satisfaction and happiness for the people of Bhutan and Bharat that our two countries enjoy excellent and exemplary friendship - a friendship that is anchored in unwavering trust, goodwill, understanding, and mutually beneficial cooperation," Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk said. She was delivering the opening address at the ninth edition of the Mountain Echoes Literary Festival that is celebrating 50 years of the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between the two countries. "Following the arrival of Buddhism, great Buddhist masters from Bharat, most notably Guru Padmasambhava, travelled to Bhutan. The teachings of Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava continue to influence the lives of every Bhutanese", she said. -GoTop
5. BHARATIYAS ABROAD CELEBRATE I-DAY WITH TRADITIONAL FERVOUR: Thousands of Bharatiyas across the world proudly celebrated Bharat’s 72nd Independence Day with the tricolour fluttering high and the national anthem reverberating at Bharatiya missions abroad. Bharatiyas in the US, China, Pakistan, Australia, Singapore and many other countries marked the day with hoisting of the national flag and singing of patriotic songs. In Canada, Toronto's downtown turned into a celebration square on Sunday, the 19th August for Bharat's 72nd Independence Day as Panorama India, with the support of the Consulate General of Bharat, Toronto, hosted the 19th India Day Grand Parade at Nathan Phillips Square. Visitors belonging to other ethnicity too participated wholeheartedly in the event. This year the event drew between 75,000 and 80,000 people as compared to last year's 60,000. The all-day programme included performances by more than 300 local dancers and Panorama Idol singers, besides a line-up of some delectable Bharatiya cuisines. -GoTop
6. BHARAT gifts 30 ambulances, 6 buses to Nepal on Independence Day: Bharat on 15th August gifted 30 ambulances and six buses to Nepalese hospitals, charitable organisations and educational institutions on the occasion of its 72ndIndependence Day. Bharatiya Rajdoot to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri handed over keys of the vehicles to the representatives of the respective organisations at a function in the premises of the Bharatiya Dootavaas in Kathmandu. A function was organised in Kathmandu to mark the Bharatiya Independence Day. Hundreds of people, including members of the diplomatic community, Bharatiya community in Nepal, friends of Bharat, media persons and students attended the celebration. -GoTop
7. Late Nana Palkar dedicated his life for welfare of society: Bhagwat: “Dharma is the collective behaviour that constantly reminds you of your responsibility towards the society, to look at the world with fraternity and to do things that will take the society forward”, said RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohanrao Bhagwat  in Mumbai on August 24. He was speaking at the concluding function of Nana Palkar Birth Centenary celebrations and Golden Jubilee of Nana Palkar Smruti Samiti at Yashwant Natya Mandir. Famous industrialist, former Chairman of Tata Sons Ratan Tata presided over the function as special guest. Nana Palkar was the senior RSS pracharak who devoted all his life to the mission of Hindu consolidation as envisioned by the RSS. He was a prolific writer, poet and an ace organiser.
Paying rich tributes to Palkar, Bhagwat said that he was the epitome of social activities and remains an inspiration for those who want to take up social activities. Late Palkar worked in such an era when there were paucity of materials, money and men but he plunged him in his mission and accomplished it. Dedicating ourselves to uplift of the all communities would be the best tribute to that great soul, he added. -GoTop
8. 11th World Hindi Conference held in Mauritius: 11th World Hindi Conference was inaugurated by Mauritian Prime Minister Praveen Kumar Jagannath in capital city Port Louis on August 18.Videsh Mantri Minister Sushma Swaraj, Rajyapal of Goa Mridula Sinha and West Bengal Rajyapal Keshri Nath Tripathi are attending the conference. Speaking in the inaugural session Ms Swaraj said that today there is a need to preserve, spread and maintain the purity of Hindi language. Addressing the concluding session of the conference, acting President of Mauritius Paramasivum Pillay Vyapoory said, the present state of Hindi is very encouraging and it will find its rightful place in the United Nations as 7th recognised language.
On last day of the conference recommendations upon deliberations held on “Hindi World and Bharatiya Culture” and eight subtopics, were read out. A committee under Videsh Mantri Sushma Swaraj will examine these recommendations. Eminent Scholars, academicians, teachers and institutions working for Hindi in Bharat and across the world were also felicitated. More than 2000 delegates across the world attended the three-day conference. The World Hindi Conference was started in 1975 to propagate and spread Hindi language around the world. -GoTop
9. VISHWA-HINDI-SAMMAN FOR DR. RATNAKAR NARALE: Hindi, Sanskrit and Music scholar Dr. Ratnakar Narale was conferred with the prestigious "Vishva-Hindi-Samman" by the Bharatiya Videsh Mantralaya at the 11th World Hindi Conference held at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre, Mauritius on August 20, 2018.The award was given by Videsh Mantri Sushma Swaraj at the 3-day grand celebration. This World Hindi Conference and the Vishva Hindi Samman are celebrated every fourth year in various countries of the world. It is prestigious like Hindi Nobel Prize. Dr Narale a scholar of IIT Kharagpur, a non-Hindi person, living in Canada for last 50 years could achieve this glorious award was a matter of pride and a history making event for Bharat and Canada. The award was given as a result of Dr. Narale’s 50 years of educational services in Canada and his Hindi musical epic publications.
At this glorious event, Prof. Narale’s most unique 2-volume Music Epic “Shree-Krishna-Ramayana”, was released by Sushma Swaraj. This world’s first Opera-musical Style epic mega poem of Sangit-Shri-Kriṣhṇa-Ramayaṇ is written in 20% Sanskrit, 80% Hindi and 100% music, composed in Chhandas and Raagas.
As the Principal of Hindu Institute, Dr. Ratnakar Narale, received the prestigious title of “Hindu-Ratna” at the celebration of 150th Anniversary of Canada, held in the month of November 2017, in the city of Machakham, by Mayor Scarpitti. Dr. Narale’s is immortalized in Golden Letters in the cultural history of Canada and Bharat. The progressive Markham is considered as the Silicon Valley of Canada. Ratnakar Narale, a native of Nagpur, has proficiency in Hindi, Marathi, Sanskrit, Music and Poetry.  -GoTop
10. HINDU SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH CELEBRATES RAKSHA BANDHAN WITH FIREFIGHTERS IN CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA: The Cerritos, Calif., Abhimanyu Shakha, or branch of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, celebrated the festival of Raksha Bandhan with firefighters from Cerritos Station #30.They began the event by explaining the meaning of Raksha Bandhan. After introducing the organization, Dr. Amit Desai, the karyavaha of Abhimanyu Shakha, explained the significance of the festival. The tying of rakhi, he said, signifies that they be blessed with good health, and that they achieve success in their life. Desai also explained that Raksha Bandhan symbolizes the spirit of brotherhood and harmony amongst all sections of the society, irrespective of their race, religion, or color. “On this auspicious occasion, we inspire ourselves with the true spirit of service and sacrifice for the welfare of the society and find therein the highest spiritual fulfillment of human life,” he said. The firefighters also gave the volunteers a tour of the station. -GoTop
11. Sewa For Kerala: Heavy monsoon rains in Kerala led to unprecedented flood damage bringing the entire state under water. Sewa International announced an immediate grant of Rs.7 lakhs towards flood relief.  Over 5,000 volunteers  of Sewa fanned out distributing food packets and cooking kits, and opened free kitchens and medical camps to help the flood affected.Sewa International, a Bharatiya non-profit organisation in America, raised over $10,000 for the flood relief operations in the deluge-hit Kerala.
Nearly 400 people have lost their lives in Kerala since August 8 due to floods caused by rains and landslides, while over 3.14 lakh people have been moved to relief camps.Over 62,000 Keralites, in Houston cancelled the Onam celebration and attended the Bharat Culture Centre's Independence Day celebration to raise money for flood victims back home. 
After the rains stopped Sewa volunteers in Kerala despite having no prior experience of such a calamity of such scale shows exemplary courage and determination in reaching out to the last possible man, woman and child to rescue them.
Three Bharatiya Americans Arun Nellamattom, Ajomon Poothurail, and Abin Kulathilkarottu – all natives of the flood-ravaged Kerala – created a Facebook fundraising page Aug. 15, Kerala Flood Relief Fund from USA: https://bit.ly/2BCqAeJ. Within five days, they were able to transfer one crore of rupees to the Mukhya Mantri’s Disaster Relief Fund.The trio shut down the page Aug. 20, but then were asked by Kerala Mukhya Mantri Pinarayi Vijayan’s office to relaunch the fundraising effort.As of Aug. 23, the site had raised $1.5 million, from 30,000 donations, ranging in amounts from $20 to over $250. All donations are being channeled through the Care and Share Foundation, a 501 (c) 3-approved charity, which allows donors to receive a tax credit. -GoTop
12. ‘BHARAT SET EXAMPLE FOR WORLD BY SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY, DIVERSITY’:Bharat has set an example for South Asia and the world by supporting democracy, diversity and the rule of law, the US said on August 15 while greeting the country on its Independence Day. In his message on behalf of the United States of America on the occasion ofBharat’s 72st Independence Day, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo lauded the contribution of the vibrant Bharatiya-American diaspora and young students in strengthening ties between America and Bharat.“On this Bharatiya Independence Day, we congratulate Bharat — a unique civilization, fellow democracy, and a friend — on taking its rightful place as a leading global power and continuing our shared efforts to sustain the rules-based order,” he said. -GoTop
13. ISRO’s Chandrayaan-I proves water ice at the surface of the Moon – NASA: Chandrayaan-I has frozen water deposits in the darkest and coldest parts of the Moon's Polar Regions. According to the study published in the journal PNAS, the ice deposits are patchily distributed and could possibly be ancient.
Using data from the spacecraft that was launched by Bharat 10 years ago NASA on August 21said that scientists used data from NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) instrument aboard the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, launched in 2008 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to identify three specific signatures that definitively prove there is water ice at the surface of the Moon.
The study said with enough ice sitting at the surface within the top few millimeters water would possibly be accessible as a resource for future expeditions to explore and even stay on the Moon. -GoTop
14. SCOTLAND YARD RETURNS 12TH CENTURY STOLEN BUDDHA STATUE TO BHARAT: A 12th century Buddha statue stolen from a museum at Nalanda in Bihar nearly 60 years ago was returned to Bharat on August 15 by the UK’s Metropolitan Police as part of a ceremony inLondon mark Bharat’s Independence Day.The bronze statue with silver inlay is one of the 14 statues stolen in 1961 from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) site museum in Nalanda and changed several hands over the years before surfacing at a London auction. Once the dealer and the owner were made aware the sculpture was the same one that had been stolen from Bharat, the Metropolitan Police said they cooperated with the Met’s Art and Antiques Unit and agreed for the piece to be returned to Bharat.
Scotland Yard returned the stolen statue to the Bharatiya High Commissioner to the UK, YK Sinha, as part of the ceremony to mark Independence Day at India House in London. -GoTop
15. bharatiya American Prof. Balaji Rajagopalan Named Fellow of American Geophysical Union for Scientific Excellence: AGU announced the Fellows Aug. 10, a list announced annually since 1962, electing individuals whose visionary leadership and scientific excellence have fundamentally advanced research in their respective fields, AGU said in a news release.This year, 62 members will make up the 2018 class of Fellows, an honor, according to AGU, bestowed on only 0.1 percent of AGU membership in any given year. AGU Fellows are recognized for their scientific eminence in the earth and space sciences. Their breadth of interests and the scope of their contributions are remarkable and often groundbreaking, it said. Rajagopalan is a professor of hydrology, water resources and environmental fluid mechanics, civil systems and environmental engineering at the University of Colorado’s Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering.The Bharatiya American educator earned a bachelor’s degree from the National Institute of Technology in Kurukshetra, a master’s from the Indian Statistical Institute and a doctorate from Utah State University. -GoTop
16. BHARAT TO HELP CAMBODIA RENOVATE LORD SHIVA TEMPLE: Bharat on August 29 signed an MoU with Cambodia to help the South East Asian nation on restoration and preservation of an ancient Lord Shiva Temple, a world heritage site. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed after External Affairs Minister Sushama Swaaraj held wide-ranging talks with her Cambodian counterpart Park Sokhonn. The Temple in remote Preach Vihear, which is also known as the “Temple of Preah Vihear”, dates back to the first half of the 11th century AD. Situated on the edge of a plateau that dominates the plain of Cambodia, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
According to the UNESCO, the temple is composed of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases over an 800 metre long axis.Its complex history can be traced to the 9th century, when the hermitage was founded.
This site is particularly well preserved, mainly due to its remote location and is exceptional for the quality of its architecture, which is adapted to the natural environment and the religious function of the temple, as well as for the exceptional quality of its carved stone ornamentation.The temple is described as an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture, in terms of plan, decoration and relationship to the spectacular landscape environment. -GoTop
17. WHC 2018 registrations CLOSED: Over 2000 Hindus from across the globe and 250 thought leaders are expected to fly in Chicago, USA to attend the World Hindu Congress (WHC). They include heads of countries with a sizable Hindu population, top tier corporate heads from both India and the US, dynamic Hindu leaders and media personalities. Registration coordinator Amitabh Mittal stated that registration has been closed two months prior to the event due to the tremendous response. A few spots for co-sponsors are all that’s left and some spots have been reserved, on a case by case basis, for delegates from countries outside or North America. -GoTop
18. Thousands Gather at Golden Gate Park for ISKCON’s 52nd Annual Festival of Chariots: Colorfully-dressed men and women, dancing and chanting to the beat of dhol drums while pulling equally-festive chariots bearing replicas of Hindu deities down John F. Kennedy Drive, pierced through the gloom of a fog-shrouded morning Aug. 19 at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
Thousands of men and women of all faiths, including a sizeable contingent of Bharatiya Americans, joined the 52nd annual Rath Yatra – Festival of Chariots – to spread the ideal of a peaceful, more joyous world, achieved through faith. The event was organized by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, founded by the late Srila Prabhupada. -GoTop
19.  Bharat-based Engineering Firm AXISCADES Bringing Jobs to Arizona: Executives with AXISCADES, an engineering firm based in Bharat, say they plan to create 320 jobs in Tucson over the next five years. The company specializes in providing engineering solutions to customers in numerous industries — from mining and aerospace to energy and health care. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey Aug. 24 called the announcement a big win for Tucson. Company officials say they chose the southern Arizona city to be closer to Caterpillar, one of their key customers, and other clients in the mining industry. -GoTop'
20. UK lake passes Hindus' ashes test for immersion: Hindus in northern England, especially followers of the Swaminarayan sect, have found an unlikely place for dispersing ashes in a holy water body denoting end of the man's final journey – Windermere Lake, one of the biggest lakes of English isles which is nestled in scenic Lake District National Park.The lake witnesses about 10 immersions of ashes after last rites in a month. Acharya Purushottampriyadas Swami of Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, Maninagar was in the UK recently where he performed the last rites of Devji Bhojani, a NRG in UK, at the lake.“For us this lake is as holy as any river in Bharat and we believe that it would have the same impact for my father’s final journey as we travelling to Bharat and performing the rites there,” Khushal Bhojani, Devji Bhojani’s grandson said. -GoTop
21. INDIA COMMUNITY CENTER’S 10TH ANNUAL SEVATHON TO BENEFIT INDIAN AMERICAN AND OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: The 10th annual event, held at Arena Green East in San Jose on 19th August, was attended by more than 3,500 guests, with more than $350,000 generated in sponsorships and registrations and another $250,000 raised by the roughly 85 nonprofits participating, many of them Indian American groups. 
From the Sanskrit word 'Seva' meaning service, Sevathon was born as an India Community Center initiative. It welcomes any and all nonprofits with good standing to participate in the platform for marketing, fundraising, support and more.
Walkers, runners, yogis and entertainers come together to fundraise and strengthen their causes and community through walking, running and doing yoga. The event included a half marathon, 10K, 5K, Yogathon and a family-fun festival, with participants choosing a nonprofit to support.
Among the causes supported through the Sevathon event include poverty, homelessness, education, healthcare, women empowerment, environment immigration, domestic abuse and several others.
Among the guests were several dignitaries and leaders from Indian American community viz California Assembly member Ash Kalra, San Jose Vice Mayor Magdalena Carrasco and others. -GoTop
22. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: RSS Sarsanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sah Sarkaryavaha Dattatreya Hosabale will travel to USA for World Hindu Conference 2018. Sahsarkaryavaha Bhagaiah ji will also travel to USA for WHC 2018 and pravas to Caribbean countries of Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad. Dr Ram Vaidya sah samyojak Vishwa Vibhag will travel to USA for WHC. Visitors: Vijay Gupta - UK, Satyanarayan Kothari - Indonesia
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: People want government to deliver – here and now. – Atal Bihari Vajpayee. -GoTop
JAI SHREE RAM

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