\Samvad

श्री विश्व निकेतन SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN

Ashwin A. Amavasya, Vik. Samvat 2077, Yugabda 5122 : 16 October, 2020:SM 2014 (For Private Circulation only)


1. FESTIVALS: TIRUMALA BRAHMOTSAVA CHAKRASNANAM

2. GLOBAL BHARATIYA SCIENTIST SUMMIT VAIBHAV 2020

3. THERE IS A NEED TO PRESENT TRUE HISTORY - DR. BHAGWAT

4. PM MODI INAUGURATES ATAL TUNNEL AT ROHTANG

5. PM RELEASES COMMEMORATIVE COIN IN HONOUR OF RAJMATA

6. WORLD LOOKING UP TO BHARATIYA WAYS OF LIFE AMID COVID : DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT

7. HINDU MANDIR EXECUTIVES’ CONFERENCE BY VHP UK

8. HSS TANZANIA 2 DAY SHIBIR

9. RASHTRIYA SEVA BHARATI SELECTED AS BHARAT’S BEST NGO

10. SAKSHAM’S ONLINE EYE DONATION RESOLUTION CAMPAIGN

11. A REMINDER FOR CHINA: INDIA IS FREE

12. 11 CRORE COW DUNG DIYAS TO LIGHT UP DURING DIWALI FEST

13. SAMAJIK SAMRASATA VEDIKA HONOURS SHOE MAKERS

14. EMINENT ACADEMICIAN SRIKANT DATAR NAMED DEAN OF HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL

15. BHARAT DONATES 1.8 MILLION N95 MASKS TO PHILADELPHIA

16. BHARAT GIVES 3000 VIALS OF REMDESIVIR TO MYANMAR

17. INSTALLATION OF GANDHI STATUE AT AMHERST NEW YORK

18. HALL OF FAME FOR DEFENSE SCIENTISTS THIS WEEK

19. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN & FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 

Article: ‘VEERA THURAVI’ SHRI R RAMAGOPALAN JI: A LIFE OF DEDICATION FOR MORE THAN SEVEN DECADES

1. FESTIVALS: TIRUMALA BRAHMOTSAVA CHAKRASNANAM: The nine-day annual Brahmotsavams of Bhagwan Sri Venkateswara at Tirumala concluded with the performance of Chakra Snanam on 26th September. In view of the Covid-19 restrictions, the sacred Chakra Snanam also called Avabhrida Snanam was conducted in a newly constructed mini Pushkarini inside the Srivari temple where the Snapana Tirumanjanam to the deities was conducted before immersion of the Chakra. The Snapana Tirumanjanam to Sri Malayappa Swamy, Sridevi, Bhudevi and Sri Sudarshana Chakrattalwar was performed in a grand manner amidst chanting of Veda Mantras. Later, the Sudarshana Chakkrattalwar was taken ceremoniously to the tank and immersed in the waters in the sacred muhurtam. -GoTop


2. GLOBAL BHARATIYA SCIENTIST SUMMIT VAIBHAV 2020: "The need of the hour is to ensure more youngsters develop interest in Science. For that we must get well-versed with science of history and history of science”, said Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi on 2nd October while inaugurating the Vaishvik Bharatiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit, a global virtual summit of overseas and resident Bharatiya researchers and academicians."VAIBHAV Summit 2020 celebrates Science and Innovation from Bharat and World. I would call it a true sangam or confluence of great minds,”, he said.
In this summit, being held from 3rd October to 25th October, more than 3000 overseas Bharatiya origin academicians and scientists from 55 countries and about 10,000 from Bharat are taking part and it is being organized by 200 Bharatiya academic institutes and Department of Science and Technology. About 700 overseas panelists from 40 countries and 629 resident panelists from eminent Bharatiya academia and Science and Technology departments will deliberate on 18 different verticals with 80 sub-topics in 213 sessions. -GoTop


3. THERE IS A NEED TO PRESENT TRUE HISTORY - DR. BHAGWAT: “The British rulers deliberately distorted the glorious chapter of our history to create an inferiority complex in our society so that they could rule for a longer period. There is a need to rewrite this history of our great nation to create a sense of self pride and self confidence,” said RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat while releasing a book ‘Ajeya Bharat – A glorious history of India from 5th to 12th Century’ written by Sudha Risbud. Noted archaeologist and historian and Director General of Maritime Heritage Complex, Lothal, Dr. Vasant Shinde chaired the function held in Pune on 13th October.
In his presidential address Dr Shinde, who pioneered the Rakhigarhi excavations in Haryana, said that many misconceptions prevailed about history and its study. Efforts are needed to make the people understand their history in its real sense. The period under the study was a glorious period of the Bharatiya history which the Britishers painted as ‘dark age’ applying their western parameters. -GoTop


4. PM MODI INAUGURATES ATAL TUNNEL AT ROHTANG: "The Atal tunnel will give new strength to Bharat's border infrastructure. It is an example of world-class border connectivity," said Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi inaugurating the tunnel on October 3. The strategically important, all-weather Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh connects Manali to the Lahaul-Spiti valley and reduces travel time to Leh by up to five hours.
Described as the longest highway construction of its kind in the world (above 10,000 feet), the 9.02 km-long Atal Tunnel is built to ‘ultra-modern specifications’ at an altitude of 3,000 metres in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas. -GoTop


5. PM RELEASES COMMEMORATIVE COIN IN HONOUR OF RAJMATA: Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi released a commemorative 100 rupee coin in honour of Vijaya Raje Scindia, the Rajmata of Gwalior on 12th October. PM said, Rajmata Scindia dedicated her life for the future of the nation and renounced all her happiness for the future generations of the country. He said, her life exemplifies that love for the nation and a democratic temperament is all that is needed for serving others. -GoTop

 
6. WORLD LOOKING UP TO BHARATIYA WAYS OF LIFE AMID COVID : DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT: "Entire world is returning to the basic elements of thought process to practice developmental ways while being environment friendly after being battered by coronavirus during the last six months", said RSS Sarsanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat while addressing a function on the 100th birth anniversary of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh founder and thinker Dattopant Thengadi, organized by Bharatiya Kisan Sangh in Kota on 7th October. Hailing Thengadi's foresight and his works, he said that agriculture was never a subject of trade in Bharat but the world sees it as agriculture economics."We have to adopt ideal agricultural practices based on experience and proven evidence. Bharat has ten thousand years of agricultural experience, so it is not necessary to take anti-environment practices from the West," Dr Bhagwat said. -GoTop

 

7. HINDU MANDIR EXECUTIVES’ CONFERENCE BY VHP UK: First Hindu Mandirs’ Executives Conference was organized by Vishwa Hindu Parishad UK on October 4. 265 executives from 135 Mandirs from 94 towns and cities of UK attended the virtual conference. Keynote address was delivered by Dr Ram Vaidya, joint international coordinator of HSS. This was followed by a session on COVID – Current Government guidelines on health and safety of places of worship, financial resources and visa applications/extension for priests. The other sessions were on various topics connected with Hindu Dharma. -GoTop

 
8. HSS TANZANIA 2 DAY SHIBIR: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Tanzania organized a 2 day physical shibir on 3-4 October at Dar Es Salaam. A total of 118 participants including 43 families took part in various activities like games, yoga, bauddhik sessions, indoor games and vyavastha like preparing food etc. Shri Santosh, Director Vivekanand Cultural Center Dar Es Salaam addressed the participants. Others who addressed the participants were Chandrkant Sharma, HSS UK pracharak and Anita Patel—HSS pracharika from Kenya. Many participants who were new to HSS appreciated the initiative which they enjoyed a lot. -GoTop

 
9. RASHTRIYA SEVA BHARATI SELECTED AS BHARAT’S BEST NGO: Rashtriya Seva Bharati has been selected as Bharat’s best NGO that extended timely help to the migrant workers. The award was constituted to salute the invincible spirit of corona warriors who have led the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. "It is fitting that this is happening on Gandhi Jayanti," Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi said in his letter to India Today Group for honouring Corona Warriors with 'Healthgiri Awards'. The Healthgiri Awards 2020 is the reincarnated version of India Today Safaigiri Awards, held annually on Gandhi Jayanti. -GoTop

 
10. SAKSHAM’S ONLINE EYE DONATION RESOLUTION CAMPAIGN: On the occasion of World Sight Day i.e. 8th October, Saksham— the Akhil Bharatiya organisation of differently-abled persons organized an online "Eye Donation Resolution Campaign" for a fortnight from September 21 – October 4. In response, 3,08,148 persons from 679 districts out of 739 from all states throughout the country resolved for eye donation. Lucknow, with 35,717 eye donation pledges topped the list of 10 districts throughout Bharat with the highest eye donation pledges. -GoTop


11. A REMINDER FOR CHINA: INDIA IS FREE: China should not think it can do in India what it does in its own country, and suppress the media. If it wants goodwill among Indians, it should instead reform its behaviour
Last week, the Chinese embassy in India issued an advisory to the Indian media — asking it to follow the Government of India’s position on the Taiwan question and not violate the one-China policy. The advisory came in the run up to Taiwan’s National Day on Saturday. This, legitimately, sparked outrage among Indian journalists. It also prompted the ministry of external affairs to say that the Indian media is free and reports on issues as it sees fit. This was then, followed, with the appearance of posters greeting Taiwan in Delhi’s key diplomatic enclave, put up by a local Delhi leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). With the embassy complaining, they were taken down, but only because they weren’t authorised.
The episode reflects the undemocratic orientation of the Chinese embassy — much in line with the nature of the one-party regime in China. India is a proud democracy. It has a free and vibrant media. There is a healthy foreign policy debate conducted out in the open. Beijing’s actions in recent years, and its military aggression in Ladakh, have antagonised the Indian street. There is today a strong view that India must speak up against Chinese efforts to institute its hegemony.
The media will, as it must, give space to these views. The government will, as it must, respect diplomatic norms. In fact, many would suggest that it has too cautious in its approach to Chinese sensitivities. But the media is within its right to flag issues, and expand the foreign policy discourse. China should not think it can do in India what it does in its own country, and suppress the media. If it wants goodwill among Indians, it should instead reform its behaviour. —Editorial, The Hindustan Times, October 12. -GoTop


12. 11 CRORE COW DUNG DIYAS TO LIGHT UP DURING DIWALI FEST: The Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog, constituted for promotion of cattle development programmes, has taken up a nationwide initiative to ensure supply of over 11 crore diyas (lamps) made out of cow dung. These will be sold ahead of Diwali. The scheme called the Gau Maya Diya is aimed to help cattle farmers additional income through environment-friendly products. -GoTop

 
13. SAMAJIK SAMRASATA VEDIKA HONOURS SHOE MAKERS: Cobbler brothers Lakshmana Rao and Shyam were felicitated by Samajik Samrasata Vedika in Vijayawada on 1st October during a program to commemorate poets Boyi Bheemanna and Gurram Jashuvajayanthi. Speaking in this program Samajik Samrasata Vedika vibhag coordinator K. Ramu said Samajik Samrasata Vedika is working for building harmony in the society. Although Boyi Bheemanna and Gurram Jashuva were born in the so called lower social class but they did many works to inculcate patriotism for a harmonious society. -GoTop


14. EMINENT ACADEMICIAN SRIKANT DATAR NAMED DEAN OF HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL: Bharatiya-origin Srikant Datar, the Arthur Lowes Dickinson Professor of Business Administration and the senior associate dean for University affairs at Harvard Business School (HBS), will become the School’s next dean. Datar will begin his service on 1st January. He became the second consecutive Bharatiya origin Dean of this leading B-School after Nitin Nohria.  “Srikant Datar is an innovative educator, a distinguished scholar, and a deeply experienced academic leader,” said President Larry Bacow in announcing the appointment. “He is a leading thinker about the future of business education, and he has recently played an essential role in HBS's creative response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. He has served with distinction in a range of leadership positions over his nearly 25 years at HBS, while also forging novel collaborations with other Harvard Schools,” The Harvard Gazette quoted President Larry Bacow as saying. -GoTop


15. BHARAT DONATES 1.8 MILLION N95 MASKS TO PHILADELPHIA: The city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has received a donation of 1.8 million N95 masks from Bharat to help in its fight against COVID-19. The donation came after Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney made a request to Bharat for supply of masks to be used by the city’s frontline healthcare workers.The masks were delivered on 5th October. -GoTop

 
16. BHARAT GIVES 3000 VIALS OF REMDESIVIR TO MYANMAR: As part of Bharat's contribution to help a friendly neighbor Myanmar fight against COVID-19, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Army chief General MM Naravane handed over 3000 vials of Remdesivir to DawAnug San Suu Kyi on 5th October during their two-day visit to Myanmar to "take stock of the existing bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest". Both the countries, during their visit discussed important bilateral issues in order to further strengthen co-operation between the nations. -GoTop


17. INSTALLATION OF GANDHI STATUE AT AMHERST NEW YORK: Amherst town in New York has paid tribute to Gandhi's global role promoting non-violence and peace by installing his bust through a Bharatiya American community initiative on 2nd October - Gandhi Jayanti, joining several places across the US that already have statues honoring the Mahatma, including San Francisco, California.
Bharat’s Consul General in New York Randhir Jaiswal, state Assembly woman Karen McMahon, county head Mark Poloncarz and Brian Kulpa, who is the equivalent of town mayor, jointly unveiled the bust.
The Council of Heritage and Arts of India spearheaded the effort for installing the bust sculpted by Ram Sutar, well known for his portrayals of Gandhi. -GoTop


18. HALL OF FAME FOR DEFENSE SCIENTISTS THIS WEEK: Bharat successfully tested a new-generation anti-radar missile (RUDRAM) by firing it from the front-line fighter jet SU-30 on 9th October. Mounted on fighter jets, these missiles can subvert enemy radar and other communication systems. The indigenously developed Laser-Guided Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) was successfully test-fired on 1st October defeating a target located at longer range. The test was conducted from MBT Arjun at KK ranges (ACC&S) Ahmednagar. The ATGM employs a tandem HEAT warhead to defeat Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) protected armoured vehicles in ranges from 1.5 to 5 km. It has been developed with multiple-platform launch capability. DRDO has successfully flight tested the Supersonic Missile assisted release of Torpedo, SMART. This will be a major technology breakthrough for stand-off capability in anti-submarine warfare. The Ministry of Defense informed that all the mission objectives including missile flight upto the range and altitude, separation of the nose cone, the release of Torpedo and deployment of Velocity Reduction Mechanism (VRM) have been met perfectly. -GoTop

 
19. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: What are you doing today that when you die will make a difference. – ManickSorcar, son of the famous magician P C Sorcar at Fall Banquet 2016 organised by Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago attended by Shanti Prasad Agrawal of Samvad Team also. -GoTop

JAI SHRI RAM

---
‘VEERA THURAVI’ SHRI R RAMAGOPALAN JI: A LIFE OF DEDICATION FOR MORE THAN SEVEN DECADES
(A tribute to veteran RSS Pracharak and founder of Hindu Munnani in Tamilnadu Shri Rama gopalan)

The Hindu nationalist movement in Tamil Nadu has suffered an irreparable loss with the passing away of Shri R Ramagopalan, founder President of Hindu Munnani and Sangh pracharak; fondly known by thousands of swayamsevaks and karyakartas as Gopalji. Gopalji attained the lotus feet of Almighty on September 30, 2020, at the ripe old age of 94 years, a life of dedication for more than 70 years. Gopalji was a multi-faceted personality which flowered to the fullest extent throughout his life. 
An Agitated Youngster 
Born on September 19, 1927, in Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam district, Gopalji first got introduced to Sangh through a colleague while studying at a Chengalvaraya vocational training institute in Purusaiwalkam, Chennai. He started attending Shakha from 1944. A visit to the refugee camp for victims of partition in Avadi agitated him very much and made a very deep impact on Gopalji. It created an unending urge in him to serve Hindu society and become part of Sangh activities. He decided to become a pracharak in 1947, leaving his job in an electrical company in Gudiyatham town near Vellore. Within a short time he became Zilla Pracharak for Madurai District, in which capacity he organised a large gathering on the occasion of Guruji’s 51st birthday. The fact that the meeting was presided over by the great nationalist leader and follower of Netaji, Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, shows how well Gopalji maintained his samparka network among all sections of society. Soon he rose to become the Prant Pracharak of RSS in 1964. 
He played a crucial role during Emergency (1975-77), during which time he was the Saha-Pranta Pracharak. He ably and successfully led the organization as well as all the democratic forces by organizing various protests against Emergency. He later penned down the various activities carried out during Emergency in the form of a book in a lucid manner. 
He was instrumental in starting of Desiya Chinthanai Kazhagam (Prajna Pravah) in Tamil Nadu while he was the Pranta Pracharak of RSS in order to strengthen the nationalist spirit in the State which was vitiated by the divisive forces. At a time there was propaganda to the effect that Tamil being a separate language and Tamil Nadu being a separate state by the Dravidian forces, he brought out more than 100 books written by many Tamil scholars highlighting the oneness that prevailed right from the Sangam period (ancient times) with proof from the Tamil literature which firmly established that Tamil and Tamil Nadu are integral part of Bharat. This had a profound effect on the Tamil intellectuals. Similarly, he started hand-written magazines by name Nanneri and Thyaga Bhoomi highlighting the Hindutva ideology and oneness of Tamil and Tamil Nadu, which later became a weekly magazine by the name Thyaga Bhoomi and later Vijaya Bharatham.
An Excellent Motivator
During the years as pracharak he brought hundreds of youngsters into the Sangh fold and organised them into permanent and dedicated local units in every corner of the state. Most prominent leaders of Parivar organisations today including BJP, ABVP, VHP, Vidya Bharati etc were either introduced to Sangh or mentored by him. 
In the Sangh executive meeting held in Karur in 1980, taking into account the anti-Hindu forces prevailing in Tamil Nadu, he was given the responsibility of starting Hindu Munnani, which is at the forefront of defending Hindu society in Tamil Nadu till today. It is important to know the situation of Hindu society in the decades before Hindu Munnani was formed. Hindus of Tamil Nadu were facing threats from so many quarters that nowhere else in India were Hindus in a more precarious position. Over two centuries colonialists and missionaries had sowed seeds of discord among Hindus by manufacturing artificial caste differences, especially in the south Tamil Nadu. The numerical strength of converted Christians in Kanyakumari was strong that they started a movement to rename the district as “Kanni Mary” or Virgin Mary district. In Ramanathapuram, Muslim organisations were issuing open declarations that they would be converting lakhs of Hindus within targeted periods. On the other hand, the ideological mentor of the ruling dispensations of the time, the Dravidar Kazhigam (DK), was sinking to extremely low levels of public discourse and goddesses by hitting the idols of Lord Rama with chappals and holding obscene debates denigrating Hindu Gods and Goddess. Though the Hindus were, by and large, pious and religious, they were timid and kept quite by being mute spectators. They were waiting for somebody to lead the protest against the anti-Hindu activities of DK. Sri Gopalji/Hindu Munnani filled the vacuum which resulted in Hindus cutting across caste barriers rallying around Hindu Munnani. Within a short time, Hindu Munnani became a mass movement so much so that in many villages people started putting banners announcing the starting of branches of Hindu Munnani without anybody approaching them. The spread of Hindu Munnani became a catalyst for the growth of RSS in Tamil Nadu after the 1980s. 
A Courageous Leader 
He channeled the Hindu outrage in the wake of the Meenakshipuram conversions and created an unprecedented momentum for Hindu resurgence in Tamil Nadu. Gopalji’s success rattled the anti-Hindu forces so much that they resorted to unprecedented violence against Hindu activists. While fundamentalist elements regularly attacked Hindu Munnani activists, the governments under Dravidian parties also targeted or arrested only the Hindu activists every time there was a confrontation caused by these anti-Hindu forces. As is well known, attempts were made on Gopalji’s life itself on multiple occasions, the most well-known incident being the brutal attack on him in Madurai railway station in 1984 which left a permanent scar on his head. Undeterred he started touring Tamil Nadu with tirelessly with redoubled enthusiasm. As a result people started calling him with the adage ‘Veera Thuravi’(a courageous saint). The Hindu Munnani office in Chintandripet, Chennai was attacked with bombs by the same individuals who caused bomb blast in the Sangh karyalaya in 1993. Even in recent past, Hindu Munnani offices in other parts of the state have also been attacked with petrol bombs etc. It was in this atmosphere that Gopalji steered the Hindu Munnani organisation with great success. Realising that role of women being crucial in Hindu consolidation, he revived the practice of Vilakku Pooja (Worship of the Lamp) which grew from hundreds to lakhs which resulted in women raising voice against the injustice meted to the Hindu society. 
He led many mass movements viz., installation of Shiva Linga in Jalakanteswarar temple, running of the Thiruvarur Temple chariot which was stopped for decades, reclaiming of Dhanuskoti, Rama Setu etc.  Through the Hindu Munnani organisation, Gopalji was instrumental in converting a neighbourhood Ganesh pooja in Triplicance locality into a statewide movement within a short span of time. From one Ganesh visarjan in Triplicane in 1983, it is estimated that more than 50,000 Ganesh visarjans happen today all over Tamil Nadu. 
He always came out with creative ideas for furthering the Hindu consolidation work and for reaching out to the masses. He was instrumental in Hindu Munnani holding thousands of street corner meetings without any expenditure. Similarly, he introduced Gram Sabhas wherein the villagers themselves will come together and discuss the issues confronting them and find a solution for the same. Under Gopalji’s guidance, Hindu Munnani activists have successfully blocked illegal missionary activities and unauthorised church constructions on several occasions throughout the state. In accordance with ancient Hindu wisdom, Gopalji not just relied on ‘shakti’ but also ‘yukti’ while defending Hindu society. 
A Storehouse of Talents 
Gopalji was a storehouse of variety of talents, some in-born and some acquired. He was a voracious reader, author, poet, Vamsi Vadhak etc. During his younger days, he had a desire to learn Carnatic Music from the legendary GN Balasubramanian. However, destiny had a different plan. As a result, his music talent flourished in Sangh and he developed hundreds of Swayamsevaks to sing patriotic songs. Songs written by him have been inspiring swayamsevaks and Hindu karyakartas for decades. Some of his patriotic songs have left an indelible impression in the hearts of the Swayamsevaks. He has written very well researched and highly engaging books, including one large one on the emergency. He was a Vamsi Vadhak and used to play it until he was 75 years. Under his leadership Hindu Munnani brought out hundreds of small books for the common people highlighting the various issues confronting the Hindu society etc., which were sold in lakhs. His trademark writing style however is creating pamphlets with sharp bullets points that will leave a deep impact on any reader. Thousands of such pamphlets from Gopalji have been instrumental in countering Dravidian, missionary and fundamentalist propaganda for the last several decades. 
A Perennial Source of Inspiration 
His complete commitment to the Hindu cause kept him active well into the 9th decade of his life. His skills as a master organiser and life of total dedication will continue to inspire Hindu karyakartas in Tamil Nadu till Hindu resurgence is complete. (https://www.organiser.org/Encyc/2020/10/14/-Veera-Thuravi-Shri-R-Ramagopalan-ji-A-life-of-dedication-for-more-than-seven-decades.html) -GoTop


No comments: