\ SAMVAD संवाद

Bhadrapad Shukla 14, Vik. Samvat 2077, Yugabda 5122:1 September 2020: SM 2011 (For Private Circulation Only)


1. FESTIVALS: PURUSHOTTAM MAAS 2."RESPECT FOR NATURE'S CREATION IS INTEGRAL PART OF BHARATIYA LIFESTYLE. " - DR MOHAN BHAGWAT
3. CHANDRAYAAN-2 COMPLETES A YEAR AROUND MOON 4. VHP TRAINS OVER 5,000 DALITS AS PRIESTS ACROSS COUNTRY
5. ECO-FRIENDLY COW DUNG GANESH MURTIS BY SEWA BHARATI 6. MADURAI SEVA BHARATHI FELICITATED FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE DURING COVID-19
7. RSS LAUNCHES BAL GOKULAM KENDRAS TO TEACH STUDENTS 8. E-CONVOCATION AT IIT BOMBAY
9. SHARDA PUJA PERFORMED IN KASHMIR RIGHT ON LOC 10. 150TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF SRI AUROBINDO
11. HSS USA RAKSHABANDHAN 12. HSS OAKLAND SERVICE TO BURMESE REFUGEES
13. LONDON MANDIR’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS 14. MORAYAA RE BAPPA MORAYAA RE!
15. BHARATIYA FLAG UNFURLED FIRST TIME AT TIMES SQUARE 16. IRELAND'S 1ST HINDU TEMPLE INAUGURATED IN DUBLIN
17. NAMASTE IS THE NEW HELLO! EMMANUEL MACRON WELCOMES ANGELA MERKEL 18. 244 PILGRIMS VISIT MATA VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE ON FIRST DAY
19. IIT-INDORE TO TEACH ANCIENT BHARATIYA SCIENCE IN SANSKRIT 20.SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN & FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Article:

BHARAT WITHOUT RAM WOULD NOT BE BHARAT

 

1. FESTIVALS: PURUSHOTTAM MAAS: Purushottam Maas is the extra month added in the Bharatiya lunar calendar to align it with the solar calendar. This year, in Vikram Samvat 2077, there are two months of Aashwin, the Adhik Aashwin or the Purushottam Maas from September 18 to October 16. During Purushottam Maas, people perform various types of religious rituals such as keeping fast, recitation of religious scriptures, mantras, prayers, performing various types of puja and havan. Marriages etc. are not held during this month.  -GoTop


2."RESPECT FOR NATURE'S CREATION IS INTEGRAL PART OF BHARATIYA LIFESTYLE. " - DR MOHAN BHAGWAT: RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat addressed the 'Prakriti Vandan' program organized by Hindu Spiritual Seva Foundation HSSF and Initiative for Moral and Cultural Training Foundation IMCTF Chennai in Association with Paryavaran Samrakshan on 30th August. "Bharatiya way has been very different. Our ancestors understood the truth behind our existence in its entirety. Since then they understood that we too are a part of the whole nature. Just like the fact that our body can function only when different parts of the body function. And as long as the body is alive, only then a part of the body can function", he said in his address.
Noting the importance of Hindu traditional festivals like Nag Panchami, Govardhan Puja or Tulsi Puja, Sarsanghchalak said that we have to now adapt these to the modern day so that the new generation also learns from them. Urging people to bring about gradual changes for a sustainable lifestyle, he said that thinking about nature should not be a single day's affair.
Paryavaran Samrakshan is a wing of RSS which is working for environmental protection. Thousands of enthusiastic participants performed ‘Vriksha poojan’ on 30th August at their homes throughout Bharat and in over 10 countries across the world. Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi also wished success to the program through his message.  -GoTop

 

3. CHANDRAYAAN-2 COMPLETES A YEAR AROUND MOON: Accomplishing a dream with all its efforts and hard work paying off well, Bharat's second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2 marked one year in orbit around the moon and it has completed more than 4,400 orbits around the Moon. It was launched on 22nd July 2019. On this occasion, ISRO said that all instruments are currently performing well and there is adequate onboard fuel to keep it operational for about seven more years. Chandrayaan-2 was inserted into the lunar orbit on August 20, exactly one year ago. -GoTop


4. VHP TRAINS OVER 5,000 DALITS AS PRIESTS ACROSS COUNTRY: As part of its effort to end the practice of caste discrimination and untouchability in society, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has succeeded in training around 5,000 Dalits as priests across the country, Vinod Bansal, National Spokesman of VHP has said. Many such priests have been taken on the panels of government-run temples. "There is a large number of Dalit priests in southern states. In Tamil Nadu alone, 2,500 priests have been trained. There are a large number of Dalit priests in Andhra Pradesh also. Priests are given certificates by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) once they get proficiency in handling different religious ceremonies and rituals, he added.


5. ECO-FRIENDLY COW DUNG GANESH MURTIS BY SEWA BHARATI
Seva Bharati Delhi, on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, made Shri Ganesh murtis with cow dung to help the workers, which had a cost of only Rs 151. Delhi Seva Bharati joint-secretary Nirbhay Shankar said, “We have made 6500 such Ganesh murtis, out of which 5000 have been sold, and we are also ready for the production as per demand”. The uniqueness of this murti is that there is a plant seed in the Bhagwan Ganesh murti and on the immersion it will grow as a plant. -GoTop


6. MADURAI SEVA BHARATHI FELICITATED FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE DURING COVID-19: On 15th August, the District Collector, Madurai Dr.Vinay presented a certificate and a medal to Madurai district Prachar Pramukh Raghuman who was in-charge at Kesava Seva Kendra (Madurai) of preparing food packets to people affected during COVID-19 lockdown period. This is for its exemplary services to the people who lost their livelihood. Seva Bharathi Tamilnadu has been preparing food packets and distributing them across different districts and locations right from 24th March. Later, after assessing the prevalent situation, Seva Bharathi also moved into distributing grocery kits to needy families. -GoTop


7. RSS LAUNCHES BAL GOKULAM KENDRAS TO TEACH STUDENTS: With a view to providing education to students during the Coronavirus pandemic, the RSS volunteers have launched Bal Gokulam Kendras in the areas Madhya Bharat (part of Madhya Pradesh) on the advice of RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat.
A total of 516 Bal Gokulam Kendras have been launched in 31 districts of this region viz Vidisha, Guna, Gwalior, Bhopal etc with swayamsevaks visiting houses to teach the students so that their studies do not suffer during the pandemic. Many workers of RSS and RSS-inspired organizations like Vidya Bharati, Ekal Vidyalaya, Sewa Bharati have volunteered in this unique venture and offering their services to teach the students by visiting their homes. Besides, the syllabus, the students are imparted training in moral education and sanskaras. -GoTop


8. E-CONVOCATION AT IIT BOMBAY: The avatars of more than 2,000 students from the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Bombay were awarded their certificates by an avatar of IIT director Subhasis Chaudhuri during a ceremony on 23rd August. The Institute thought it best to arrange such a VR-convocation for the graduating students so as not to put their health at risk but at the same time, not deprive them of the sense of achievement and pride of passing out of Bharat’s premier engineering institute.
"Students were also able to roam around a virtual campus, visit their hostels and departments virtually, and bump into/meet their friends and faculty", it added. "Honored to receive a Ph.D. degree at 58th Convocation @iitbombay. The Committee presented everyone with cool personalized avatar," wrote Deepank Verma.  -GoTop


9. SHARDA PUJA PERFORMED IN KASHMIR RIGHT ON LOC: On the eve of Sharda divas on 26th August, Save Sharda Committee members in Kashmir performed first-ever ‘Sharda Puja’ since partition in 1947, on the banks of Kishenganga river in Keran sector right on LoC. Led by its head and founder Ravinder Pandita, the followers started from Tikker in Kupwara to Keran at LoC and performed Sharda Puja for all ancestors and deceased. It is worthwhile to mention that oblations were also offered to those who were deceased unnaturally, particularly in the ongoing violence, in Jammu & Kashmir. The Kishenganga river is the dividing line on two sides of Kashmir and a heavily guarded zone between the Bharatiya and occupying Pakistani armies.  -GoTop


10. 150TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF SRI AUROBINDO: August 15, 2022 will mark the completion of 150 years of Sri Aurobindo’s birth and 75 years of Bharatiya Independence. As a part of this Sesquicentenary Celebrations, Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Indian Culture (SAFIC), Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry along with various reputed collaborating organizations, initiated a two-year celebration to present Sri Aurobindo as the Rishi of Bharat’s Renaissance through a series of 12 webinars over this period (One webinar every two months) before the grand celebration happens.
In the first webinar of this series, on the Topic: Sri Aurobindo – The Rishi of India’s Renaissance on August 12, eminent speakers including Dr Sampadananda Mishra, Director, Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Indian Culture, Padma Bhushan Dr David Frawley, Padma Shri Prof. Subhash Kak, a renowned scientist and Dr Anirban Ganguly, Director Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation SPMRF participated enthusiastically with their talks and deliberations on the topic. Dattatreya Hosabele, RSS Sah-Sarkaryavah said that following Sri Aurobindo’s views is essential for Bharat’s renaissance and that Bharat is at the threshold of this reawakening.  -GoTop


11. HSS USA RAKSHABANDHAN: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS celebrates Rakshabandhan as ‘Universal Oneness Day’ by visiting local officials , tying Rakhis to them and express gratitude towards the frontliners, who protect the community. Shivray Shakha in Columbus celebrated Rakshabandhan with the Police Department and met Police Chief and other officers.
Karyakrtas presented to them SEWA report and information about other community outreach programs.
Volunteers from HSS Jersey City got chance to visit Jersey City Medical Center to hand over Rakshabandhan greeting cards created by few of the kid volunteers and greet the health workers. .
Similar programs were held by many shalhas across USA at places like New Jersey, Oakland etc.  -GoTop


12. HSS OAKLAND SERVICE TO BURMESE REFUGEES: The Burmese (Buddhist) Refugee community of Oakland had been facing various difficulties including rations etc. HSS Alameda team created a plan to support these families by involving Balgokulam shakha families. Under the campaign, ‘Each One Feed one’ shakha families were asked to support with a grocery packet for the month of June. It was extended for last two months based on the requirement. Karyakartas visited the monks and other Buddhist families and now plan to take care of various requirements such as education to kids, vocational training to young ones and providing some transportation means etc.  -GoTop


13. LONDON MANDIR’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS: The year-long celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London, culminated with a gripping documentary that explored the Mandir’s rich history and profound international impact.
The journey began with an insight into the arduous search for suitable land as well as the challenging economic climate in the early 1990s. Narrations from senior swamis, volunteers and devotees revealed Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s unshakeable faith and personal connection that inspired devotees to join a ‘labour of love’ and offer their heartwarming personal sacrifices.
Following its inauguration, the Mandir harnessed the efforts and collective spirit of thousands of volunteers who served individuals and families to create a better community, a better nation and a better world. This has been acknowledged by some of the country’s most prominent individuals including HRH The Prince of Wales and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who have shared their messages of goodwill and gratitude through personal testimonies.  -GoTop


14. MORAYAA RE BAPPA MORAYAA RE!: Ganesh chaturthi festivals are usually held in great fervor with the sthapana of decorated Ganesh murti, aartis and Prasad. This festival was celebrated in restricted environment due to Covid -19 restrictions in countries like Nepal, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Fiji, Mauritius, Carribean and European countries and USA etc.
Only two priests at a time conducted the daily prayer at the Ganesh Temple in Flushing, Queens, New York. The Maha Vallabha Ganesh Temple in Flushing where over 3000 prasadams are distributed daily each year, all the festivities were held virtually this year but the temple was open for in person viewing and prayer for five hours.
Hindus and Buddhists celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi in Pattaya Thailand with Pattaya tourism advisor Rattanachai Sutidechanai and Chaiwat Dechnatee, president of the Pattaya Ganesh Lovers Club inaugurating the festivities. It was held for one day this year culminating in the immersion of murtis at sea shore.  -GoTop


15. BHARATIYA FLAG UNFURLED FIRST TIME AT TIMES SQUARE: It was for the first time that the Bharatiya tricolour flag was unfurled alongside the American national flag at the Times Square on 15th August – 74th Independence day of Bharat. More than two hundred Bharatiya Americans were there to witness the Bharatiya flag soaring high in the skies of the United States.
Similar celebrations were organized across the USA at places like Milpitas and San Francisco, Tampa and New Jersey etc. by Bharatiya consulates and other organizations. In Tampa, Florida, Pradhan Mantri Modi told members of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and Florida Association of Physicians of Indian origin during a virtual event and day-long Medical Symposium, “Bharat’s not for money but for humanity. We are known to be connected with humanity.”  -GoTop


16. IRELAND'S 1ST HINDU TEMPLE INAUGURATED IN DUBLIN: The temple is located in Walkinstown in Dublin and it is the first of its kind for the Hindus of Ireland.
The temple named Sarv Sampradaya Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre was inaugurated on the auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi on 22nd August. The temple has been established by the Vedic Hindu Cultural centre Ireland (VHCCI), which propagates the teachings of Sanatan Dharma in Ireland. Apart from being a place of worship for an estimated 25,000-strong Irish-Hindu community, the temple will also hold other activities such as yoga classes, language and Vedic classes, music and dance workshops, etc.  -GoTop


17. NAMASTE IS THE NEW HELLO! EMMANUEL MACRON WELCOMES ANGELA MERKEL: The novel coronavirus has changed our lifestyle 360 degrees including the greeting habits. More people, especially world leaders are opting for the Bharatiya greeting way of ‘Namaste’ to greet each other rather than going for a handshake. From US President Donald Trump to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, everybody is taking the namaste route to welcome each other. And the recent one to join the club is German Chancellor Angela Merkel and France President Emmanuel Macron who greeted each other with a ‘namaste’.
Macron welcomed Merkel for her first-ever visit to the presidential summer residence with a namaste, palms pressed together and bending at the waist, in observance of social-distancing guidelines against coronavirus spread. The German Chancellor reciprocated as she too switched to namaste.  -GoTop


18. 244 PILGRIMS VISIT MATA VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE ON FIRST DAY: After nearly five months, the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage in Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir resumed on 23rd August morning, with nearly 244 pilgrims proceeding to the holy temple from Katra.
On August 4, the Executive Committee of the Department of Disaster Management, Relief Rescue and Rehabilitation for the Union territory decided to reopen all religious places across Jammu and Kashmir from August 16, subject to observance of standard operating protocol (SOP). This fixed a ceiling of 5,000 pilgrims visiting the temple daily, after registering online. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, however, has decided to allow only 2,000 pilgrims daily in the first week.
The board has made face masks/face covers and thermal screening mandatory for pilgrims. Children below 10 years, pregnant women, persons with co-morbidities and those above 60 years have been advised to avoid the yatra in view of the Covid-19 risks.  -GoTop


19. IIT-INDORE TO TEACH ANCIENT BHARATIYA SCIENCE IN SANSKRIT: IIT-Indore has introduced a one-of-its-kind course to teach classical scientific texts to students in Sanskrit, starting with Bhaskaracharya’s mathematical treatise ‘Lilavati’ which is almost a thousand years old. More than 750 people from across the globe have signed up for the course that started on August 22. The first edition will end on October 2; Gandhi Jayanti. The institute has lined up fortnightly programmes to teach metallurgy, astronomy, medicines and plant sciences in Sanskrit. Students can study classical Bharatiya scientific texts in their original forms and converse about them in the ancient language.  -GoTop


20.SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far. -- Swami  -GoTop

JAI SHRI RAM

--
BHARAT WITHOUT RAM WOULD NOT BE BHARAT
Maria Wirth

Hindus have shown immense restraint and have waited for many decades, and indeed centuries, till finally the Supreme Court gave the green signal for the construction of a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on the very place where 500 years ago the great Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir had been destroyed by Muslim invaders and a mosque built in its place.
It’s a day for celebration on 5th August, when Bhoomi Pujan will happen, because Ram is not only the beloved Prince and later King of Ayodhya, but an Avatar of Vishnu, the sustainer of the universe, and he is alive in the hearts of Hindus. Bharat without Ram is not Bharat. Ram personifies Dharma and Ram Rajya, just rule, and has immense importance for Bharat.
Even I came to know about Shri Ram soon after I landed in Bharat and read about his life. I remember an incident of 1985. Some boys had discovered me sitting at the back of a shrine at the outskirts of Chamba near Tehri and typically for Bharatiya kids, who are never shy, asked me, “Do people, where you are from, also know about Ram?” “No, where I am from, people don’t know about Ram”, I replied. They looked disappointed. Only then I realised that the crackling of loudspeakers that I heard from a village downhill, was in preparation for the Ramlila.
A year later, I attended the grand Ramlila in Varanasi, which is performed over 30 evenings in October/ November, and wrote about it for a German magazine to let the people, where I am from, also know about Ram.
The article was over 6 pages with many photos. I reproduce it here shortened in English, since a truly historic day is coming up for Bharat. After 500 years the start is made so that Shri Ram is getting back his palace. Finally.
Here is my article from 1986:
Ram, the prince of Ayodhya, lived many thousand years ago. Yet even today most people in Bharat know in detail his eventful life story, which is recounted in the Ramayana. Not only in Bharat but in Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Indonesia, too, Ram had great influence on art and literature. An international Ramayana festival last year in Bangkok made clear, how alive Ram is even today and which great importance the Ramayana has in Southeast Asia. ‘If Asia has an epic in common, it is the Ramayana’, was declared in Bangkok.
In Bharat, the land of its origin, however, the Ramayana is more than a grand epic. It is a sacred scripture that contains all what one needs to know to live a dignified life and to conduct oneself in an ideal way in the different relationships. Ram is not only an exemplary human being, but an avatar, a conscious embodiment of the divine principle that comes down to earth whenever the bad is gaining the upper hand, and humanity strays from the dharmic path.
Valmiki, supposedly a contemporary of Ram, narrates in 24,000 Sanskrit shlokas vividly the life story of the prince, who later becomes the king of Ayodhya. In the 17th century Tulsidas wrote the story of Ram in colloquial Hindi and made it even more popular. Ram is an ideal, an outstanding example for others – noble, just, brave, ever protecting the weak, and doing the right thing at the right time. He is ready rather to die than to break his word and prepared to wage a war to rescue his wife Sita who had been kidnapped by the demon king Ravana.
Sita, the princess who marries Ram, possesses all the virtues, which a woman is supposed to have according to the ancient rishis. She is modest, chaste, always intent on the wellbeing of her husband, warm hearted, full of trust in God, considerate, graceful – and exquisitely beautiful.
Feminist groups, which also exist in Bharat, are likely to find fault with Sita, yet the majority of Hindu women do not care. They revere Sita as their ideal even today.
For Ram to be a model for others, he has to have a difficult life. And he indeed faces countless, unexpected complications and hardship. For example on the very day, when the handsome, much loved prince is to ascend the throne, his father Dasaratha, caused by an intrigue in the palace, has to send him into exile for 14 long years.It breaks his father’s heart. Ram calmly takes off the festive robes and dresses in a simple gown. Sita and his brother Lakshman insist on joining him. And so the three of them finally walk out of the town into the forest – and the whole of Ayodhya weeps.
To my very western question when this happened, I always got the same answer: “Many thousand years ago for sure. But the exact date is not important. Important is, to let Ram come alive in your inner vision and learn from him for your own life.”
This ‘present’ view or attitude has no doubt a valid point and is probably the reason, why Bharatiyas do not get tired to listen again and again to Ram’s story or to watch it in village plays. In Varanasi, I met a man who had attended the Ramlila there 35 times. Each year he followed Ram with devotion and attention for 30 nights.
The Ramlila in Varanasi is staged in Ramnagar on the other side of the Ganges, under the patronage of the Maharaja, with great pomp, yet very traditionally. There were no loudspeakers in spite of thousands of spectators and people were not allowed to take photos with a flash.
The Ramlila culminates at Deepavali, when Ram returns to Ayodhya after his exile and takes over as king, whose benign, selfless and just rule was unparalleled and is still remembered. Every evening before the play, puja is performed for the actors and thereafter they are considered to be true embodiments of their roles. Many people touched respectfully the feet of the 12-year old boy who played Ram, when there was an occasion during breaks. The actors were right in the midst of the crowd. There was a festive atmosphere with food carts and stalls selling trinkets. When Ram went into exile, several thousand spectators walked with him around two kilometres to the place, where the next episode would unfold. An amazing experience in itself.
The Maharaja moved high up on a fabulously decorated elephant through the crowd. The Yuvaraj was sitting on another elephant, which was also splendidly decorated.
I have fond memories of the journeys back across the Ganges in the middle of the night after the play. Mainly men crossed over to the town on countless, crowded boats in the stillness of the night – once it was even 4 o’clock in the morning. They narrated excitedly to each other, how admirably Ram had conducted himself today and how exemplarily Sita had reacted –as if it had just really happened and they had had the good fortune of having been present. When the talking occasionally stopped, they started singing “Siya Ram, Siya Ram” – everyone in his own tune and rhythm. Towards the end of the boat ride, when we were gliding past a Shiva temple on the ghats of Varanasi, they interrupted their “Siya Ram” for a moment and full throatily shouted a salutation to Shiva: “Hara Hara Mahadev!”
I was not afraid of riding alone in a cycle rickshaw at that late hour from the Ganges to the tourist bungalow near the railway station through unusually empty streets. My trust was never disappointed. Varanasi is a fascinating, intense city, where life and death are present side by side and this world and the beyond merge into each other. Kashi (light) was the name of the city in ancient times. In all likelihood it is the most ancient of all towns on this earth and has its origin in an age, when the world was still more transparent for its luminous essence and less dense in the material sense. (August 4, 2020, https://kreately.in)  -GoTop


SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN vishwav@bol.net.in http://shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com


\ SAMVAD संवाद

श्री  विश्व निकेतन SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN

Bhadrapad Krishna 12, Vik. Samvat 2077, Yugabda 5122:16 August 2020: SM 2010 (For Private Circulation Only)


1. FESTIVALS: GRAND RAM MANDIR BHOOMIPOOJAN

2. RASHTRAPATI JI MENTIONS RAM MANDIR IN HIS ADDRESS

3. ‘MAKE FOR WORLD’ ALONG WITH ‘MAKE FOR INDIA’ – PM MODI

4. AFTER 30 YEARS OF STRUGGLE, RESOLUTION FULFILLED: DR MOHAN BHAGWAT

5. PIOUS SOIL FROM POJK USED IN RAM MANDIR BHOOMIPOOJAN

6. BHARATIYA COMMUNITY CELEBRATES RAM MANDIR BHOOMIPOOJAN WORLD OVER

7. HOW METALLURGICAL ENGINEER ASHOK SINGHAL CAST RAM JANMABHOOMI MOVEMENT

8. RAM MANDIR BHOOMIPOOJAN AN EMOTIONAL, HISTORIC MOMENT: LAL KRISHNA ADVANI:

9. 160 MILLION PEOPLE WATCHED RAM MANDIR BHOOMIPOOJAN

10. WE NEED TO MOVE FROM 'GLOBAL MARKET' TO 'GLOBAL FAMILY': DR MOHAN BHAGWAT

11. LOKMANYA TILAK TRULY INDIANIZED FREEDOM STRUGGLE

12. ILLUMINATE 2020 FOR 250 SCHOOL STUDENTS BY HSS UK

13. ONLINE ‘RAKSHA BANDHAN’ IN MYANMAR

14. SEVA BHARATI AND RSS SWAYAMSEVAKS JOIN RESCUE OPERATIONS AT KERALA FLOODS

15. HSS DENMARK SEWA

16. SARSANGHCHALAK UNFURLS NATIONAL FLAG AT NAGPUR

17. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN & FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

 

Articles

RSS IN THE TIME OF COVID: FROM PLASMA DONATION TO CONDUCTING LAST RITES

 

RAM MANDIR IS NOT A MERE TEMPLE, IT IS THE SYMBOL OF OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE

 


1. FESTIVALS: GRAND RAM MANDIR BHOOMIPOOJAN: Describing the historic moment of bhoomipoojan of the grand Ram Mandir at Shri Ram Janmasthan on August 5, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi reiterated “Shri Ram Sab ke hain” i.e. Shri Ram belongs to all. He was addressing a select gathering of sants, acharyas, and social activists at the bhoomipoojan program organized for construction of a magnificent Shri Ram Mandir by Shri Ramjanmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Nyas. Chairman of the Nyas Mahant Nrityagopal Das Maharaj, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohanrao Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present on the dais. Modiji donning the traditional golden-colored ‘dhoti’ and ‘kurta’ performed the vedic ceremony of bhoomipoojan of the Mandir. Pradhan Mantriji also performed poojan of a 40 kg silver brick. Sacred soils and waters of rivers etc. from over 2000 places all over Bharat were also used at the ceremony. -GoTop


2. RASHTRAPATI JI MENTIONS RAM MANDIR IN HIS ADDRESS: Rashtrapati Ramnath Kovind, in his address to the nation on 14th August said that the nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront in the fight against corona virus. He also mentioned the members of police personnel, sanitation workers, delivery staff, transportation, railway and aviation personnel, providers of various services, government employees, social service organizations and generous citizens who have been scripting inspiring stories of courage and selfless service. He also remembered the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in Ladakh.
He emphasized the need for a human centric approach and living in harmony with the nature. He thanked all the citizens of the country for respectfully accepting the Supreme Court verdict on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi and expressed happiness on the occasion of its Bhoomipoojan at Ayodhya. -GoTop


3. ‘MAKE FOR WORLD’ ALONG WITH ‘MAKE FOR INDIA’ – PM MODI: Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi reiterated the importance of becoming self-reliant, and added that self-reliance would help to increase Bharat’s share in the world economy. He was speaking from Red Fort at Delhi on the eve of 74th Independence Day of Bharat attended by 1500 corona warriors including 500 police personnel recovered from infection.
While mentioning various schemes and achievements of the Government during the last year, he proudly mentioned about the distribution of sanitary pads to over 5 crore women at Re.1 each. Making an announcement about 3 probable vaccines against corona, he also mentioned upcoming projects like ‘National Digital Health Mission’, ‘One Nation One Ration card’, joining the villages with optical fiber cables and others. -GoTop


4. AFTER 30 YEARS OF STRUGGLE, RESOLUTION FULFILLED: DR MOHAN BHAGWAT: We struggled for 30 years and in the 30th year, we've attained the joy of fulfilling our resolution", said RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat after taking part in Ram Mandir Bhoomipoojan program at Ayodhya. He said that Bharat believes in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ i.e. the world is a family and that Bharatiyas believe in taking everyone along. “Today is a new beginning of a new Bharat,” he added.
Remembering Shri Ashok Singhal and Mahant Ramchandradas Paramhans, Dr. Bhagwat said that the beginning of temple construction proves that ‘we can do what we want to do’. “We had taken a resolution. I remember the then RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras telling us that we'll have to struggle for 20-30 years, only then this will be fulfilled. We struggled for 30 years and in the 30th year, we've attained the joy of fulfilling our resolution,” he said. -GoTop


5. PIOUS SOIL FROM POJK USED IN RAM MANDIR BHOOMIPOOJAN: Save Sharda Committee, Kashmir on invitation of VHP, had sent the pious soil and a shila from Sharda Peeth in POJK and it was presented to the Mahant of Ram Mandir. In a statement on 5th August, founder of Save Sharda Committee Ravinder Pandita thanked the civil society members of Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir – POJK, who had sent the pious soil and flowers from Sharda Peeth to him. Save Sharda Committee has been struggling for more than two decades for the exploration of Sharda Peeth situated along the Neelam river in POJK and reopening of the pilgrimage. -GoTop


6. BHARATIYA COMMUNITY CELEBRATES RAM MANDIR BHOOMIPOOJAN WORLD OVER: Hindus across the globe celebrated the Bhoomipoojan of Shri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya on 5th August by lighting diyas and praying at homes and temples and distributing sweets, displaying placards and huge billboards. In New York, 17,000-square-foot wrap-around LED display screen and the giant NASDAQ screen at Times Square, lit up with the image of Bhagwan Ram along with the Ram Mandir together with Bharatiya tricolor. The display lit up from 10 am to 10 pm. Besides, a large group of people also gathered near the digital billboard to celebrate the event. In Washington, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, America VHPA took out a tableau truck with the digital image of Ram Mandir, and went around the Capitol Hill with chanting of slogans ‘Jai Shri Ram’. LED Billboards were displayed at prominent places in Sydney. A program was held at Hindu House Mauritius on behalf of VHP Mauritius and Hindu House in which prayers were chanted and congratulatory messages were read along with speeches from prominent community members. -GoTop


7. HOW METALLURGICAL ENGINEER ASHOK SINGHAL CAST RAM JANMABHOOMI MOVEMENT: Ashok Singhal, a metallurgical engineer by education, played a lead role in moulding the Ram Janmbhoomi movement since the gathering of Hindu religious and spiritual leaders in 1984 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi where the matter of reconstruction of Hindu temples at Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi was formally taken up for the first time. In 1986, Singhal took over as VHP general secretary and gave a push to the movement in a single-minded pursuit. Over the next six years, several key events were organized to get the movement to its feverish pitch. One of the most important event was ‘ShilaPujan’ in 1989, under which the bricks for the foundation of the proposed temple were sent from across the country to Ayodhya. He led the Kar Seva in Ayodhya in 1990 from the front, when the then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav ordered firing on the Karsevaks. Two years later, on 6th December 1992, the disputed structure was demolished in what became a defining episode of the era.
Ashok Singhal was born on 27 September 1926 in Agra. He got associated with the RSS in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) and decided to dedicate his life to the organization after finishing his Engineering studies. One of his peers from Prayag, Rajendra Singh alias Rajju Bhaiya, became the third RSS Sarsanghchalak in 1994. -GoTop


8. RAM MANDIR BHOOMIPOOJAN AN EMOTIONAL, HISTORIC MOMENT: LAL KRISHNA ADVANI: BJP veteran L K Advani, who played a pivotal role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and undertook Ram Rath Yatra, said on the eve of the Bhoomipoojan that it will be a historic and emotional day not only for him but for all Bharatiyas. Noting that Bhagwan Ram occupies an esteemed place in Bharat’s culture and civilizational heritage and is embodiment of grace, dignity and decorum, the BJP veteran said that it is his belief that the temple will inspire Bharatiyas to imbibe Bhagwan Ram’s virtues. The former Deputy Prime Minister also said that he believes that Ram Mandir will represent Bharat as a “strong, prosperous, peaceful and harmonious nation with justice for all and exclusion of none so that we can truly usher in Ram Rajya, the epitome of good governance.” -GoTop


9. 160 MILLION PEOPLE WATCHED RAM MANDIR BHOOMIPOOJAN: Doordarshan’s live telecast of the ceremony at Ayodhya recorded massive viewership of more than 160 million people resulting in viewership of more than 7 billion viewing minutes according to Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati. He also revealed that DD’s live coverage of the event was carried by nearly 200 TV channels on August 5. Prasar Bharati also translated PM Modi’s speech in multiple Bharatiya languages including Ladakhi, Odia, and Kannada.  -GoTop


10. WE NEED TO MOVE FROM 'GLOBAL MARKET' TO 'GLOBAL FAMILY': DR MOHAN BHAGWAT "Mutual cooperation among self-reliant countries while considering the world as one family and not one market seems to be the economic model required for the post-COVID world," RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat said while speaking at a virtual book launch event at New Delhi on 12th August .
Elaborating on the concept of Swadeshi, Dr Bhagwat said that only those technologies or materials may be imported which the country lacks traditionally or are not available locally. Backing the idea of Atmanirbhar Bharat, RSS Sarsanghchalak said swadeshi means to promote and give preference to indigenous products or technologies and not necessarily boycott all foreign items. For Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliance), Atmabhan (Self-realisation) and Atmavishwas (Self-Confidence) are essential, he added.
He also described the National Education Policy as a ‘step in the right direction’ to make Bharat self-reliant. Dr Bhagwat launched books ‘Your Degree is not Enough’ and ‘Tough Choices & Hard Decisions: Rebuilding India’, authored by Prof Rajendra Pratap Gupta. -GoTop


11. LOKMANYA TILAK TRULY INDIANIZED FREEDOM STRUGGLE: “Lokmanya Tilak truly Indianized freedom struggle. If any one made India’s Independence struggle Indian, it was Tilak”, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah while speaking at a webinar on the occasion of 100th death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak on August 1. He added that Tilak used every bit of his capacity, his multi-dimensional personality, his intellect, his austerity for the welfare of the masses. His every breath was for the country. The International webinar on ‘Lokmanya Tilak: Swaraj to Atmanirbhar Bharat’ was jointly organized by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Deccan Education Society (DES), and Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA). ICCR Chairman Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, IGNCA Member-Secretary Dr. Sachchidananda Joshi and Vice- Chancellor of Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth Deepak Tilak and former Pune Mayor Mukta Tilak were present at the program. -GoTop

 

12. ILLUMINATE 2020 FOR 250 SCHOOL STUDENTS BY HSS UK: When most students would be enjoying a lie in during the summer break, 250 students from across the UK joined a unique five day online summer programme ‘Illuminate 2020’ from 8.30 am in the morning until midday. The day started with chanting of various mantras from ancient scriptures followed by a Yoga session led by expert instructors and a high impact, high energy martial arts class.  In one of the interactive sessions, organizers encouraged participants to prepare a healthy drink or a meal in 15 minutes!
A number of engaging talks were arranged covering Hindu History, Hindu Way of Life and examples of exemplary individuals who have positively contributed to society.  Participants then had an opportunity to discuss the topics in smaller groups using the Zoom platform’s breakout room option. 85 students enrolled for Project Week which provided an opportunity to research a topic of their choice.  They were then asked to either submit a written piece, a presentation, a speech or an interview. -GoTop


13. ONLINE ‘RAKSHA BANDHAN’ IN MYANMAR: Sanatan Dharma Swayamsevak Sangh (SDSS) Myanmar, organized the Raksha Bandhan festival via zoom cloud meeting on August 3. State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi delivered a message of loving kindness in her video clip to the event. Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko made a congratulatory online message for the festival, praising loving-kindness, peace, unity, freedom of religion in Myanmar and recognition of the government to different faiths, including Hinduism.
Bharatiya Ambassador to Myanmar Saurabh Kumar and other dignitaries also joined the event. -GoTop


14. SEVA BHARATI AND RSS SWAYAMSEVAKS JOIN RESCUE OPERATIONS AT KERALA FLOODS: Seva Bharathi came to the rescue in Kerala with the onset of rains in the last week of July and beginning of August. Seva Bharathi also came forward for the rescue operations in Idukki Rajamalai which was hit by a landslide although heavy rains hampered the rescue efforts. The RSS swayamsevaks joined the rescue and relief operations. At Pettimudi landslide site in Rajamala, Kerala, hundreds of RSS swayamsevaks along with the NDRF team worked selflesly to save the people. -GoTop


15. HSS DENMARK SEWA: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Denmark team of volunteers did the gardening and cleaning up activity on 9th August at the Danish Handicap Foundation Center Copenhagen which was frequented by many long thorny bushes hampering free movement. Erna Christensen, head of the Center appreciated the service given by the volunteers. The HSS Sewa team also performed the cleaning of Copenhagen canals while kayaking by picking up garbage deposited in the canals. -GoTop


16. SARSANGHCHALAK UNFURLS NATIONAL FLAG AT NAGPUR: RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat hoisted the national flag at Dr Hedgewar Bhavan, Mahal, at Nagpur on 15th August as part of the 74th Independence Day celebrations. Nagpur Mahanagar Sanghchalak Dr Rajesh Loya and few swayamsevaks were present on the occasion.-GoTop


17. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: No matter how many lectures we give or listen, until we work like what is talked we should not expect our goal to be achieved even by mistake. . -- DR K. B. Hedgewar.  -GoTop

JAI SHREE RAM

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RSS IN THE TIME OF COVID: FROM PLASMA DONATION TO CONDUCTING LAST RITES

From the Covid-recovered donating their plasma in UP, Delhi, Bengaluru, Guwahati and Surat to opening shelters for returning migrants in Bihar; from distributing food packets in West Bengal to providing masks and sanitisers in Karnataka; from donating TV sets for students to access virtual classes in Kerala to organising vehicles during the lockdown in Chhattisgarh — and helping conduct the last rites of victims in Maharashtra.
For the RSS and its nationwide network, the Covid outbreak and the lockdown have brought about a realignment in strategy — shakha activities on the ground are on hold and, instead, the entire machinery has been redirected to outreach and relief work.
“During the lockdown, 5.07 lakh volunteers distributed over 4.66 crore food packets and helped over 44.86 lakh migrant labourers. And since the lockdown ended, we have been helping labourers get their jobs back,” says Parag Abhyankar, who heads the RSS’s Seva Vibhag.
According to him, relief efforts were kickstarted by an appeal issued on April 26, a month after the lockdown was imposed, by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat: “Our seva (service) must be without bias. Seva is not an obligation but our duty.”
According to the organisation, the vibhag ran over 92,000 relief centres in five months. The other measures include: 483 medicine distribution centres; donation of blood by over 60,000 workers; and, distribution of over 73.8 lakh ration kits. The decision to focus on relief measures came after the outbreak put all major activities of the group on hold. The annual Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Bengaluru in March was cancelled. Another key annual event, the fund-raiser called Gurudakshina, was postponed from July to September 15.
During this period, many workers and leaders, including joint publicity chief Sunil Ambekar, were infected with four deaths — two in MP, one in Maharashtra and another in Bihar. Today, the group’s Delhi office is almost empty with leaders spreading out across the country.
From Bengal to Kerala, leaders of the RSS and its affiliates, such as Seva Bharati and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, said that focus has shifted fully to relief work. The key highlights:
Maharashtra: Over 26,000 volunteers at 6,277 locations. Over 10 lakh ration kits, over 87 lakh meals and over 5 lakh masks and sanitisers provided. Assistance for over 1 lakh nomadic families. Over 24,000 people donated blood at camps. Over 4,000 volunteers received training from municipal corporations on using PPE kits. Over 1,000 temporary health facilities catered to 2 lakh people. “Over 100 volunteers also helped conduct the last rites of those who had no family support,” said Upendra Kulkarni, the region’s welfare chief.
West Bengal: Food items, cooked food, masks, sanitisers and medical awareness sessions for 2.5 lakh families. Food packets, each with 5 kg rice, 1 kg pulses, 3 kg potatoes and 250-300g of salt and cooking oil, distributed weekly, including to over 500 women in red-light areas. The group also opened over 80 camps for migrant workers, and medical helplines, said Jishnu Basu, secretary (South Bengal).
Bihar: “We provided food packets and bottled water to migrants returning on special trains. Our volunteers also distributed masks, sanitisers and food grain,” said Ramdutt Chakradhar, a state office-bearer.
Rajasthan: Distribution of ration and food packets, preparing masks, shelters for migrants and blood donation camps. “We have also helped set up stalls of fruits and vegetables, small businesses and farmers’ groups,” said an office-bearer.

In Jaipur, over 12,600 workers distributed over 22 lakh food packets, 2 lakh family ration kits and homeopathic medicines for over 52,000 people. Chhattisgarh: Volun-teers reached over 2 lakh beneficiaries with food, ration, masks, soap and sanitisers. Vehicles arranged for over 1,000 people to reach home during the l ockdown, apart from awareness campaigns, blood donation drives and counselling sessions.
“We helped people on the highway, and in tribal villages and cities,” said Surendra Kumar, state publicity chief. Karnataka: Over 8,400 volunteers distributed 71,667 ration kits, 1,04,377 food packets and 51,920 masks to over 3.17 lakh beneficiaries. Food and ration distribution was carried out in Bengaluru, Bagalkot, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi and Shivamogga, and blood donation camps conducted. Kerala: Seva Bharati’s 42,000 volunteers distributed food packets, grocery kits and medicine. They helped local bodies prepare Covid centres and took part in sanitation campaigns. Seva Bharati also distributed TV sets for students to access virtual classes. “So far, 42 lakh families in Kerala have benefited from our voluntary work,’’ said Gopalankutty Master, state general secretary. (By Shyamlal Yadav, Indian Express, August 10, 2020, New Delhi )  -GoTop
 

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RAM MANDIR IS NOT A MERE TEMPLE, IT IS THE SYMBOL OF OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE
Dr. Manmohan Vaidya

Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, is raring to turn the pages of history and usher a new chapter in its saga with the construction of a grand Shri Ram Temple slated to commence on August 5. The chronicle of this festival will be inscribed in golden letters in the cultural history of Bharat. Not a mere block of concrete and stones, this temple is the symbol of faith and aspirations of billions of Bharatiya people spread across the world.
A landmark event, this day transports one back to the year 1951 when the then Rashtrapati of independent Bharat, Rajendra Prasad, did prana pratishtha puja of the Somnath Temple. Illustrious leaders of the country like Sardar Patel, Mahatma Gandhi, Kanhaiya Lal Munshi, V P Menon, S Radhakrishnan, and Rajendra Prasad had hailed the resurrection and restoration of the Somnath temple as a proud moment in the history of independent Bharat - an affirmation of our eternal legacy.
However, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru deemed the act as “Hindu revivalism”. In his book Pilgrimage to Freedom, KM Munshi, a minister in Nehru’s cabinet, reproduced excerpts of a debate that ensued between the two of them at that time. Today, given the backdrop of Ayodhya, re-invoking parts of that debate is crucial to better understand the cultural significance of the restoration of Ram Mandir, and also, why there is opposition to it.
The history of Somnath Temple is comparable to that of the Ram Mandir of Ayodhya as the Muslim Turkic invader Mahmud of Ghazni attacked the Somnath temple and successive Muslim invaders repeatedly demolished it, eventually destroying it completely.
Temples that comprise the cultural heritage of civilization are not mere physical symbols, they are an embodiment of the moral values and traditions that bind and energize the whole society. Munshi writes: “In November 1947, Sardar …visited the temple. At a public meeting, Sardar announced: ‘On this auspicious day of the New Year, we have decided that Somnath should be reconstructed. You, people of Saurashtra, should do your best.’”
The country’s leadership of that time was split into two opposing ideological camps. Munshi writes: “At the end of the cabinet meeting, Jawaharlal called me and said: ‘I do not like your attempt to revive Somnath. This is Hindu revivalism.’”
Why did Nehru oppose this act as “Hindu revivalism,” while Munshi referred to it as “Bharatiya collective-conscious” and saw the revival as a celebration for the common man?
These two interpretations are in reality the two different ideologies that have inhabited the Bharatiya mind. Nehru was not opposed to Bharat but the Bharat of his dreams was a spin-off of the European view of life, which was diametrically opposite to the Bharatiya view. It was “abharatiya”. Whereas the concept of Bharat of leaders like Sardar Patel, Rajendra Prasad, and Munshi was steeped in Bharatiya civilization. Munshi goes on to write: “On April 24, 1951, I wrote a letter to him (Nehru) which I am reproducing next literally: ‘When the whole scheme was discussed by Sardar with Bapu, he stated that it was all right except that the funds necessary for reconstructing the temple should come from the public. Thereafter, the idea that the Government of Bharat should finance the reconstruction of the temple was given up… Yesterday you referred to ‘Hindu revivalism’. I know your views on the subject; I have always done justice to them; I hope you will equally do justice to mine… It is my faith in our past which has given me the strength to work in the present and to look forward to our future. I cannot value freedom if it deprives us of the Bhagavad Gita or uproots our millions from the faith with which they look upon our temples and thereby destroys the texture of our lives.’”
And so, the reconstruction went ahead. When the time came to install the deity, Munshi approached Prasad and asked him to perform the ceremony, but added a rider, “that he should accept it only if he was prepared not to fail us.” Munshi says “when it was announced that Dr Rajendra Prasad was to inaugurate the Temple, Jawaharlal vehemently protested”. Still, “Rajendra Prasad kept his promise. However, his speech delivered at Somnath was published in all the papers, but was cut out from the official organs.”
It is ironic that Nehru, the Bharatiya icon of liberalism and freedom of expression, should make sure that the speech of the President is censored. In this manner, despite opposition, Somnath was rebuilt and today the magnificent shrine attracts millions of devotees. However, 60 years of rule of one regime and the patronage of governments have proliferated the proponents of the Nehruvian idea of Bharat in academia and the media. Hence, history is repeating itself and the opposition to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is more vocal than the opposition to the Somnath temple was. This does not dampen the spirits of innumerable Bharatwasis who believe in the integral and holistic spiritual tradition of Bharat.
Restoration of the national and cultural heritage of Bharat will begin with the Ram Mandir construction on August 5. The DoorDarshan telecast of the inaugural will enable people of Bharatiya origin across the world to witness this historic moment. In observance of corona-related directives, this event will see fewer participants in attendance.
It is my firm belief that the temple trustees also view this event as the re-establishment of eternal Bhartiya legacy and pride and not just the construction of a structure. This must be why senior representatives of various faiths and sects like Jain, Bauddh, Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, priests, Mathadhish, and spiritual gurus of our country have been invited to grace this jubilant affair.
The Ram Mandir is not a mere temple, it is the symbol of our cultural heritage.
— The author is Sahsarkaryavah of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. (News Bharati 5th August 2020)  -GoTop


SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN vishwav@bol.net.in http://shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com


\ SAMVAD संवाद

श्री  विश्व निकेतन SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN

Shravana Shukla 12, Vik. Samvat 2077, Yugabda 5122:1 August 2020: SM 2009 (For Private Circulation Only)


1. FESTIVALS: RAMAYANA MONTH

2. SHRI RAM TEMPLE WILL BE UNIQUE HUB OF SOCIAL HARMONY

3. BHARAT'S DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION DOES NOT COME WITH 'ANY CONDITIONS': PM MODI

4. 5 RAFALES LAND IN AMBALA, GREETED WITH SPECIAL SALUTE

5. AT 103, BHARAT’S FIRST FEMALE CARDIOLOGIST STILL ACTIVE

6. INDIGENOUS ATOMIC POWER STATION ACHIEVES CRITICALITY

7. SEWA UK: NATIONWIDE CYCLE4SEWA AUGUST 20—SEPTEMBER 6

8. TILAK JAYANTI CELEBRATED IN NETHERLANDS

9. BHARATIYA-ORIGIN NURSE AWARDED HIGHEST NURSING ACCOLADE IN SINGAPORE

10. IN A FIRST A MLC NOMINATED FROM SIDDI COMMUNITY

11. BHARAT LIFTED 273 MILLION OUT OF POVERTY IN 10 YEARS

12. RAKTA-DHARA: RSS MANIPUR DONATES BLOOD IN MEMORY OF SIPAHI VIDROH

13. A BALAKRISHNAN- VIVEKANANDA KENDRA’S NEW PRESIDENT

14. BHARAT BUILDS WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRIFIED RAIL TUNNEL

15. OVER 7.88 LAKH BHARATIYAS RETURN UNDER VANDE BHARAT MISSION

16. NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020 ANNOUNCED

17. BHARAT SENDS 10 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES TO BANGLADESH

18. JAGDEVRAM URAON OF KALYAN ASHRAM PASSES AWAY

19. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN & FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 

ARTICLE:

SEWA INTERNATIONAL USA REPORTS A SUCCESSFUL YEAR

 


1. FESTIVALS: RAMAYANA MONTH: Hindus in Kerala observe ‘Karkidakam’, the last month in Malayalam calendar as Ramayana month ( July 16 – August 16 this year), chanting verses from Adhyatma Ramayana, Malayalam translation of Valmiki Ramayana by medieval poet Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan. The idea of the observance of Ramayana month at Hindu houses and temples was mooted by late P. Parameswaranji at Vishala Hindu Sammelanam held in Kochi in the late 1970s. This year various Hindu organisations and fraternities are conducting a month-long Ramayana chanting and discourse on various digital and social media platforms. -GoTop


2. SHRI RAM TEMPLE WILL BE UNIQUE HUB OF SOCIAL HARMONY: Shri Milind Parande, Secreatry General of Vishwa Hindu Parishad has said that Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple at Ayodhya will showcase togetherness of the whole of Bharat and stand to enthuse, motivate and orient the people to always uphold and celebrate uncompromising cultural nationalism, national unity, territorial integrity of the nation. While addressing a press conference at Nagpur on 30th July, he informed that sacred waters from holy rivers and sacred earth from thousands of pilgrimage centres all over the country viz first RSS shakha at Nagpur, birthplace of Sant Ravidas ji in Kashi, Tantya Bheel’s holy land in Madhya Pradesh, Shri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) of Amritsar, the birthplace of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at Mahu and Jain Lal Mandir in Delhi; are being sent for consecration ceremony at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya.
He also called upon all Ram Bhaktas to sit collectively, as far as possible, from 10.30 a.m. on August 5 in their respective homes, ashrams, temples, etc. to offer worship-Bhajan-Keertan-Smaran-Flowers-Aarti and distribute Prasad. They should decorate the houses and light Diya (lamps) in the evening and pledge to donate for the temple. -GoTop


3. BHARAT'S DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION DOES NOT COME WITH 'ANY CONDITIONS': PM MODI: Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated new Supreme Court building in Port Louis via video conference on 30th July and stressed that the new building is a ‘symbol of Bharat -Mauritius cooperation and shared values’.
Noting that the most fundamental principle in development cooperation for Bharat is respecting its partner, Pradhan Mantri also said that "history taught the world that in name of development partnerships, nations were forced into dependence partnerships".
PM Modi also spoke about Bharat's vision of 'SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region' and said that Mauritius is at the ‘heart of Bharat's approach to the Bharatiya Ocean region’. -GoTop


4. 5 RAFALES LAND IN AMBALA, GREETED WITH SPECIAL SALUTE: A batch of five Rafale fighter jets touched down to a special water cannon salute at the Ambala air base on 29th July, the first western combat aircraft to join the Indian Air Force 23 years after Sukhoi aircrafts were imported. The French-manufactured Rafale multi-role combat jets covered a distance of nearly 7,000 km and were escorted by two Sukhoi 30 MKIs after they entered Bharatiya air space.
The fleet, comprising three single-seater and two twin-seater aircraft, will be part of No. 17 Squadron of the Air Force, also known as the ''Golden Arrows'.
The aircraft is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons;. European missile maker MBDA's Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile, Scalp cruise missile and MICA weapons system will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets.
This is the first batch from a contingent of 36 Rafale jets from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation. The planes are expected to give a mega-boost to Bharat's air power amid tensions with China and Pakistan. -GoTop


5. AT 103, BHARAT’S FIRST FEMALE CARDIOLOGIST STILL ACTIVE: Now 103 and retired from active practice, Dr Padmavati was working 12 hours a day, five days a week till late 2015 at the National Heart Institute in Delhi that she founded in 1981. She still comes to the institute once or twice a week to see some of her older patients. So, what’s the secret to her longevity? Dr Padmavati credits it to her genes and disciplined lifestyle.
Born in 1917 in Rangoon and MBBS from there, Dr Padmavati further studied at Royal College of Physicians at London and Edinburgh, in Sweden and then USA. She started her career as a lecturer at Lady Harding Medical College, New Delhi in 1953. In 1967 she became the Director of GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi and set up a cardiology department and started DM cardiology course for the first time in Bharat. She also set up Maulana Azad Medical College’s cardiology department. In her career, Dr. Padmavati published over 300 research articles on preventive cardiovascular medicine. -GoTop


6. INDIGENOUS ATOMIC POWER STATION ACHIEVES CRITICALITY: The indigenously built Kakrapar atomic power station or KAPS –3 has achieved criticality on 22nd July, thus giving a boost to the `Make in Bharat’ initiative in the reactors sector. This means that it reached normal operating conditions of a reactor and is ready to generate power. Situated near the city of Vyara in Gujarat, the atomic power plant consists of two 220 MW pressurised water reactors with heavy water as moderator (PHWR). -GoTop


7. SEWA UK: NATIONWIDE CYCLE4SEWA AUGUST 20—SEPTEMBER 6: Since its inauguration in 2012, Cycle 4 Sewa has become one of the most anticipated Sewa events of the year. Held in East London, Cycle 4 Sewa brings together people of all ages from across the country to enjoy a day of cycling whilst participating in the act of Sewa.
Since the event began, the participants come together to raise in excess of £100,000, an immense achievement by those involved. But it is not just about the money raised, every year young budding cyclists get fitter, stronger and faster; challenging themselves to do better. That grit and determination is a testament to the effort that each individual puts in and also a surprise to most of the parents! The day is packed with a variety of cycling challenges starting with the individual event where participants complete as many laps of the track as possible in a 2-hour time frame. This is then followed by the team event, consisting of 5 cyclists per team, collectively completing laps of the track in 1 hour to battle it out for the coveted Cycle 4 Sewa shield. -GoTop


8. TILAK JAYANTI CELEBRATED IN NETHERLANDS: The Gandhi Centre, the cultural wing of Bharatiya embassy in The Hague aims to encourage and promote Bharatiya knowledge and culture within Netherlands. In such an event, the centre celebrated Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s Jayanti on 22nd July by organizing speeches for kids by following a dress code of Tilak under supervision of Dr. Nirmala Sharma, Director Gandhi Center. The great leader of Bharatiya freedom movement Lokmanya Tilak was born on 23rd July, 1856 and died on 1st August, 1920. He was famous for his quote “Self rule is my birthright and I shall have it”. -GoTop


9. BHARATIYA-ORIGIN NURSE AWARDED HIGHEST NURSING ACCOLADE IN SINGAPORE: Kala Narayanaswamy is among five nurses who have been honoured with the President’s Award for Nurses 2020. The 59-year-old has been conferred with this, the highest accolade in Singapore’s nursing profession, for serving on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each recipient was awarded a trophy, a certificate signed by Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob and SGD 10,000 (USD 7,228). Deputy Director of Nursing, Ms Kala has been contributing to Nursing Service in Singapore for the past 40 years.  -GoTop


10. IN A FIRST A MLC NOMINATED FROM SIDDI COMMUNITY: Shantaram Siddi, a social activist, an eloquent speaker, an environmentalist has been nominated to the Karnataka Legislative Council. He is the first from the Siddi community, one of the most backward tribes of the state to be getting this new responsibility. Siddis are said to hail from East Africa and came to Bharat as soldiers to various kingdoms in the Deccan plateau after the Muslim invasion. Shantaram has done remarkable work for the welfare of many vanvasi communities all over Bharat. Coming from a family with a poor economic and social background, Shantaram became the first-ever graduate of the entire Siddi Community. He has been associated with Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram since 1989, working for the welfare of Janjati people. -GoTop


11. BHARAT LIFTED 273 MILLION OUT OF POVERTY IN 10 YEARS: About 273 million Bharatiyas moved out of multidimensional poverty between 2005-6 and 2015-16, according to a UN report, which noted that Bharat has recorded the largest reduction in the number of people living in this category. The data, released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), shows that 65 out of 75 countries studied, significantly reduced their multidimensional poverty levels between 2000 and 2019. -GoTop


12. RAKTA-DHARA: RSS MANIPUR DONATES BLOOD IN MEMORY OF SIPAHI VIDROH: In commemoration of the 163rd year of Sipahi Vidroh of 1857, RSS Manipur Prant, Seva Bharati, Manipur and National Medicos Organisation (NMO), Manipur jointly organized Rakta-Dhara, a Blood Donation Camp at Imphal. Seva Bharati, Manipur has been organizing blood donations across the state of Manipur every year in remembering the contributions and sacrifices of Bharatiya freedom fighters. Along with the commemoration of 163rd year of ‘Siphai Vidroh’, and in view of the shortage of blood at this time of crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic, the blood donation was conducted under the theme of Rakta Dhara on five Sundays beginning from 10th May and concluded on 12th July. A total of 119 units of blood were collected during the donation camp. -GoTop


13. A BALAKRISHNAN- VIVEKANANDA KENDRA’S NEW PRESIDENT: A. Balakrishnan, Vice-President of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, has taken over as 6th President of the service organization dedicated to the ideals and ideology of Swami Vivekananda. A jeevanvrati of the first batch of Vivekananda Kendra, Balakrishnan succeeds P. Parameswaran who passed away some months ago due to old age.
After his retirement from the Indian Air Force, Balakrishnan came in contact with Eknath Ranade, founder of the Kendra, and was trained as a life-worker in the first batch of 1973. After the training, he was posted in the North-Eastern region as Zonal Organizer. From 1981 to 2001, he held the responsibility as General Secretary. It was under his leadership that the Vivekananda Kendra started the residential Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas in Arunachal Pradesh in 1979. -GoTop


14. BHARAT BUILDS WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRIFIED RAIL TUNNEL: Bharatiya Railways and L&T engineers have completed the world's first double-stack electrified tunnel section. It is capable of running double-stack container trains through its passage under the Aravli mountain range near Sohna, Haryana. Engineers had to blast through 2,500 to 500 million-years-old proterozoic rocks to build the tunnel. The entire corridor will be free of level crossings and the freight train operation would be on an advanced automatic signaling system. A double-stack container goods train will be able to run at a speed of more than 100 km from within this tunnel. One end of the tunnel is near Rewari while the other end of the tunnel is at Dadri. -GoTop


15. OVER 7.88 LAKH BHARATIYAS RETURN UNDER VANDE BHARAT MISSION: Over 7.88 lakh Bharatiyas have returned from abroad after the government launched ‘Vande Bharat’ evacuation mission on May 7 in view of the coronavirus pandemic as per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
As on 22nd July, 7, 88,217 Bharatiya nationals have returned. 1,03,976 Bharatiyas have returned from Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh by land borders. Under the Phase 4 of the Vande Bharat mission, a total of 1,197 flights have been scheduled including 945 international flights and 252 feeder flights. These flights are operated by the Air India group, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir. They cover 29 countries. They will be reaching 34 airports in Bharat. -GoTop

 
16. NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020 ANNOUNCED: Union Cabinet of Bharat gave a nod to the new National Education Policy 2020 on 29th July, which provides for major reforms in higher education, increased focus on non-academic skills and increased inclusion through language diversity and course fluidity.
Making the announcement, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, "Cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given approval to new education policy for the 21st century. It is important, as for 34 years there were no changes in the education policy." The Cabinet has also approved a proposal to rename the Ministry of Human Resource Development as the Ministry of Education.
The new policy aims to achieve 100 per cent youth and adult literacy in Bharat. The government aims to increase the public investment in the education sector from the current 4.3 per cent to reach 6 per cent of GDP at the earliest.
The 10+2 structure of school curricula is to be replaced by a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure corresponding to ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively. The new system will have 12 years of schooling with three years of Anganwadi/pre-schooling.
The NEP 2020 advocates for mother tongue/local language/regional language as the medium of instruction at least till Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond. Sanskrit will be offered at all levels of school and higher education as an option for students, including in the three-language formula. The National Research Foundation will be created as an apex body for fostering a strong research culture and building research capacity across higher education. -GoTop


17. BHARAT SENDS 10 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES TO BANGLADESH: Bharatiya Government handed over 10 diesel locomotives to Bangladesh Railways on 27th July. They were flagged off through video conference to bolster economic ties and connectivity within the region. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, and MoS for Railways Suresh Angadi were present during the handover ceremony. The physical location of the handover was the Gede station of the Eastern Railways in West Bengal's Nadia district and the receiving station was Darshana in Bangladesh. These locomotives would provide improved train operations within the Bangladesh Railways and also for interchange with the Bharatiya Railways, and strengthen the partnership between both the transporters. -GoTop


18. JAGDEVRAM URAON OF KALYAN ASHRAM PASSES AWAY: Jagdevram Uraon, President, Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram passed away on 15th July due to massive cardiac arrest at Kalyan Ashram head Quarters in Jashpur Nagar, Chhattisgarh. He was 72 years old. He hailed from Uraon village named Komado, 3 km away from Ashram’s headquarters.
Jagdevramji was heading the organization since 1995 following the demise of its founder President Vanyogi Balasahab Deshpande. He joined Kalyan Ashram in 1968 as a teacher in the school run by Ashram at Jashpur. He accompanied Deshpande ji during his nationwide tour in the eighties when Kalyan Ashram extended its network all over Bharat.
He led the Kalyan Ashram from the front to carry out various activities. It was under his leadership that the vision document on Janjatis was brought out. Kalyan Ashram has undertaken many service activities and relief works for the needy under his leadership.
RSS Sarsanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavaha Bhayya ji Joshi offered condolences at the sad demise of Jagdevram ji and said that Jagdevram ji devoted his entire life with a mission to serve the society. Due to his soft-spoken demeanour and mature intellect, he commanded the respect of all karyakartas and emerged as their leader. He became the voice of Vanvasis through his steering of Kalyan Ashram.-GoTop


19. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
The real change must happen within us. For only when conflict and negativity are removed from within, we can play a truly constructive role in establishing peace.
-- Mata Amritanandamayi Ma (Amma) -GoTop

JAI SHREE RAM

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SEWA INTERNATIONAL USA REPORTS A SUCCESSFUL YEAR

Meeting virtually for their annual conference this year, in the context of COVID-19, and with the highest attendance of nearly 300 people, Sewa International reported a record fundraising effort – raising $8.3 million in 2019, as per initial estimates. It spent $128,032 in general and administrative expenses, and $168,354 in fundraising expenses. The general and administrative expenses amount to 1.5 percent of the total funds raised by Sewa International. “A charity of our size would, at a minimum, have 12 to 18 percent of such expenses. We are unique in that regard in the US, may be internationally,” said outgoing president, Prof. Sree Sreenath.
Prof. Sree Sreenath, who served as President of Sewa International for eleven years, from 2009 to 2020, announced that Sewa’s Board of Directors had accepted his resignation and he was handing over the role and responsibilities to Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Arun Kankani, whom the Board had selected as the organization’s new president. “It is a bittersweet moment that I share with you all my resignation from the responsibility of President of Sewa International. The relationship with you all has been a long, fruitful, and intimate. Together we solved many problems, fought many battles, took up many intimidating challenges, and in the end, we came out victorious,” he said as he presented the 2019 Annual Report. “…..Arun Kankani will take my place effective immediately. He is a terrific organizer and a fabulous leader. His discipline and steadfastness are legendary. I am proud to pass the baton over to him,” he said as the nearly 300 attendees expressed their admiration of his leadership, and their love and support for him. “It has been a great eleven years serving Sewa working and working alongside with you. Our hard work paid off for Sewa. I feel fortunate for having journeyed together on this quest to serve humanity. I have learned many important lessons from all of you,” he told the Sewa volunteers, executive leadership, advisory board, and staff -- virtual attendees spread across the US, India, Colombia, and other parts of the world. “I am accepting the position of President of Vivekananda Yoga University, VaYU, Los Angeles, CA, but Sewa will still be my first love,” he said.
Arun Kankani who will now take charge as the new President of Sewa International is no stranger to leading large teams and innovative ventures. Accepting his new role as President of Sewa International, he said, “We shall certainly miss the energy and enthusiasm of Prof. Sree Sreenath. He will continue to be part of the executive team as Ex-President and will continue the great tradition of Sewa International where former presidents will continue as members of the Board of Advisors”. Arun Kankani is also the Director of Inventory Management at Star Pipe Products in Houston, TX.
Arun Kankani is one of the founding members of Sewa International, which was formed in 2004. He has been involved in Sewa’s nationwide expansion as a prominent charitable organization involved in disaster relief and rehabilitation; family services; child, tribal, and refugee welfare; women’s empowerment; health and education; and promoting volunteerism. In 2012, Kankani discussed with a multitude of experts the problems faced by families, and the different support models that were available to them in times of crises and trouble. He was involved in formulating and implementing the Family Services program at Sewa that now supports and responds to various unexpected family situations such as death, hospitalization, mental health issues, and relationship issues. In 2013, he helped build the foundation for the ASPIRE program in Houston, where he resides. The ASPIRE program provides after-school educational support in collaboration with the local school system in underprivileged neighborhoods to help children learn well and the schools and school districts improve their success rates. Kankani was chosen to be the head of operations for the largest community reception in Houston for a visiting foreign dignitary – the “Howdy Modi” event in 2019. The event was attended by both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump. As the Head of Operations for the “Howdy Modi” event, he led a team of over 1,200 volunteers who worked together to organize the event that attracted 50,000 people from around the country. He and his team had to get the work done in three months, and for his successful effort he received a letter of gratitude from the Ambassador of India to the United States.
In his report to the attendees at the national conference, Prof. Sree Sreenath said that during his eleven-year tenure Sewa had seen annual revenues increase from $325,000 in 2009 to $8.3 million in 2019; the number of chapters increase from five to 43; the number of national team members increase from two to 62; the number of volunteers increase from less than a hundred to 3,000; and the number of volunteer hours recorded per year rise from 100s to 180,000. He said that he and his team were able to show that an untested brand such as a “Hindu faith-based nonprofit organization” can be successful and thrive, and not just survive. “We have also shown that the entire middle and upper management can be volunteers – from Chapter Coordinators, Chapter Presidents, National Directors, Vice Presidents, Executive-VP to the President. We have no designated headquarters. We have made a name for Sewa in ‘Disaster Recovery’, and we helped start Sewa Nepal, Sewa Pakistan & Sewa Bangladesh,” he recounted with pride. “We know we have worked hard and dedicated ourselves to service in the true spirit of volunteerism, and as per our guiding principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, and Sarve Bhavantu Sukinah. But it also gives us satisfaction that our work is recognized by agencies that rate and rank nonprofits. We have earned the maximum four-star rating by Charity Navigator; we have earned perfect 100 scores in ‘Accountability & Transparency’ and ‘Financial Health’ categories; we have been ranked in the ‘10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions’; we have been awarded the Platinum rank by Great Nonprofits; earned the Seal of Transparency by GuideStar; and the Better Business Bureau has rated us as an Accredited Charity”.
The day’s events started with traditional prayers and lighting of the lamp. Prof. Subhash Kak, Regents Professor at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK, the chief guest, in his address to the attendees spoke about India’s traditions of giving and sharing, and how in these challenging times Sewa is showcasing the best in serving humanity without any discrimination or prejudice. In his concluding remarks, Saumitra Gokhale, Global Coordinator for the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, spoke of the guiding principles of Sewa International and how the good work done is for humanity and not for selfish reasons. “While we do take pride in what we do and what we have accomplished, our true calling is serving the world selflessly,” he said. (www.sewausa.org)


SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN vishwav@bol.net.in http://shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com