Magh Shukla 7, Vik. Samvat 2080, Yugabda 5125 : 16 February, 2024: SM 5022 (For Private Circulation only)
1. FESTIVALS:
MAHASHIVRATRI: Mahashivratri, a festival dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva, is
celebrated on the Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalgun
(March 8 this year). Devotees stay awake all night, perform rituals like
abhishekam and Rudrabhishekam, and chant mantras to seek blessings and attain
spiritual awakening.
Annual dance festivals called Natyanjali are organised on the occasion of the Mahashivratri at prominent Hindu mandirs like Konark, Khajuraho, Pattadakal, Modhera and Chidambaram.
2. DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT CALLS FOR UNITY, NON-VIOLENCE AND
HARMONY: On February 12, RSS Sarasanghachalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat addressed an
event organised in Delhi to commemorate the 2550th ‘nirvana’ year of Jain
Tirthankar Mahavira. He said that people in different parts of the world are
suffering because of their materialistic way of life and is looking at Bharat
for solutions to its problems. He called upon the people to follow the path of
unity, non-violence and harmony. Dr. Bhagwat said that the people in Bharat and
other parts of the world took different paths in search of absolute truth and
eternal happiness.
He also said that Bharat has the highest order of life philosophy, which can usher in peace and eternal happiness across the globe. -GoTop
3. LOK SABHA ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON SHRI RAM MANDIR: On
February 10, the Lok Sabha adopted a resolution on the construction of Shri Ram
Mandir and Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ramlala in Ayodhya, terming it a historic and
glorious achievement for the country. The resolution stated that it is an
unforgettable moment in the development journey of the country and it is
important from social, cultural and historical perspectives.
Referring to the resolution Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi said that it will give constitutional powers to the future generations of the country to take pride in its heritage. -GoTop
4. ICCS : 8TH ELDERS CONFERENCE: The 8th International
Conference and Gathering of Elders organised by International Center for
Cultural Studies (ICCS) with the theme of ‘Shared Sustainable Prosperity’ was
held at Shiksha Valley School in Dibrugarh from January 28 to February 1. Around
250 delegates from more than 30 countries, including 126 international delegates
representing 38 ancient traditions, participated in the conference. The ancient
traditions were from all continents of the world and included Yezidi, Maori,
Ubuntu, Ancient Greek, Mayan, Shinto, Romuva, Cherokee, Zulu etc.
The conference included paper presentations and panel discussions on various facets of ’Shared Sustainable Prosperity’. Ceremonies, workshops and performing arts showcased the rich cultural heritage of the ancient traditions. The conference also adopted the ‘Dibrugarh Declaration’ with a three-point agenda of reviving traditions, ecological knowledge and collaborative governance.
5. ‘KALASADHAK SANGAM’ : A CONFLUENCE OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE
IN THE VISION OF ART: The four-day Akhil Bharatiya Kalasadhak Sangam,
organized by Sanskar Bharti, was formally inaugurated at Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
International Centre, Bengaluru on February 1 in the presence of Maharaja
Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar of Mysore and Maharaja Krishadevaraya of
Vijaynagar. In his introductory speech, General Secretary of Sanskar Bharti
Ashwin Dalvi said that Kalasadhak Sangam is an event of participation of people
across the country, who establish nationalism and social harmony on the national
stage through art. In his presidential address, Vasudev Kamat, National
President of Sanskar Bharati said that combination of thought and culture in any
art can convey an effective message.
6. 'AHLAN MODI' PROGRAM IN ABU DHABI: On February 13,
Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi addressed the Bharatiya community in the UAE at 'AHLAN
MODI', an event organized in his honour by the Bharatiya community at the Zayed
Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi. The event drew participation from Bharatiya
Diaspora from across the 7 Emirates and included Bharatiyas from all
communities. The 40000 strong audience also included Emiratis.
Energetic and jubilant chanting, lively traditional dances and a fusion of Arabic and diverse Bharatiya languages infused a sense of pride in Bharatiya identity at the event. The event showcased a spectrum of cultural performances, ranging from Kathak, Garba, Rajasthani folk dances and Haryanvi dance to a classical rendition of Vande Mataram.
PM Modi also interacted with the first batch of students from the IIT Delhi–Abu Dhabi Campus and said that this not only begins a new chapter in bilateral collaboration between Bharat and the UAE, but also brings the youth from the two countries together. -GoTop
7. MODI INAUGURATES FIRST HINDU MANDIR IN ABU DHABI: On
February 14, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bochasanwasi Akshar
Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir, the first Hindu mandir in Abu
Dhabi. Ahead of the inauguration, PM Modi offered water in the virtual Ganga and
Yamuna rivers in the mandir premises and then proceeded to offer prayers and do
Aarti at the mandir.
8. 8 FORMER BHARATIYA NAVY PERSONNEL RELEASED IN QATAR:
Qatar has released the eight former Bharatiya Navy personnel who were jailed
nearly three-and-a-half months ago after they were handed death sentences in a
case of suspected espionage. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that
seven of them have returned to Bharat.
The Union government released an official statement welcoming the decision to
set the veteran officers free, saying, "The Government of India welcomes the
release of eight Indian nationals working for the Dahra Global company who were
detained in Qatar. Seven out of the eight of them have returned to India. We
appreciate the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release
and home-coming of these nationals."
9. RITUALS AT GYANVAPI COMPLEX AFTER COURT ORDER: On
January 31, the Varanasi District Court granted permission for Hindu devotees to
worship inside the sealed 'Vyas ji Ka Tehkhana' area in the basement of the
disputed Gyanvapi mosque. Executing the orders, the administration of the
northern city of Varanasi allowed Hindu devotees to worship in the southern part
of the Gyanvapi complex on February 1. A passage was cleared and barricades put
up on both sides to facilitate smooth access to the southern cellar, ensuring
unhindered observance of the rituals.
10. FOREIGN LEADERS AT AYODHYA: A delegation from Fiji,
led by Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad, arrived at Maharshi Valmiki Airport
in Ayodhya on February 8 to visit the Ram Mandir. In a media interaction, deputy
PM Prasad, the first foreign leader to visit the Ram Mandir, highlighted the
profound connection of Fijian citizens of Bharatiya origin with their root.
11. BHARAT’S UPI REACHES SRI LANKA AND MAURITIUS: On
February 12, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi along with the President of Sri Lanka
Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Prime Minister of Mauritius Mr Pravind Jugnauth
jointly inaugurated the launch of Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services in
Sri Lanka and Mauritius, and RuPay card services in Mauritius via video
conferencing.
PM Modi expressed confidence that connection with UPI will benefit Sri Lanka and Mauritius, digital transformation will get a boost, local economies will witness positive change and tourism will be promoted. -GoTop
12. BHARAT’S NAVY RESCUES TWO HIJACKED BOATS: Bharat’s
naval forces rescued an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel Al Naeemi which was
hijacked by Somali pirates and freed its 19-member Pakistani crew off the east
coast of Somalia, a navy statement said. Later that day, the navy said in a
statement that along with forces from Seychelles and Sri Lanka, it also rescued
a Sri Lankan fishing vessel Lorenzo Putha 04 after three pirates hijacked it 955
nautical miles east of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.
13. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Vishwa Vibhag Samyojak Saumitra Gokhale will be travelling to Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Visitors: Sooman Jewooth - Mautitius, Sumitra and Tapash Ghosh - Canada, Tamilarasan - Myanmar , Sandra Bharadwaj - Netherlands. -GoTop
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Resolve this in your mind that ‘I shall not forget Sangh as long as I live’. - Dr Keshavrao Baliram Hedgewar -GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
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FROM SWAMI VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL TO RAM MANDIR:SANGH’S ROLE IN NATIONAL
AWAKENING
DR. MANMOHAN VAIDYA
The Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in
Ayodhya, who represents the aspirations of Bharat, concluded on January 22.
Hindus in Bharat and across the world are filled with extreme joy and
satisfaction. The day commemorates the fulfilment of a longstanding desire and
resolution, which at times felt impossible to attain but is now in its final
stages, leaving many awestruck. At this point in time, people are looking
towards the Sangh (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, RSS).
Once, someone asked me, “What contribution has the Sangh made for Bharat after
Independence?” I responded, “The Sangh has committed itself to the realms of
individual development, social organisation and fostering national
consciousness. Individuals nurtured with a national perspective, supported by
societal awakening, will naturally accomplish everything that is required,
expected, and doable. The Sangh will not do anything except social awakening and
nurturing these individuals. Nevertheless, the absence of the Sangh could lead
to a lengthy list of missed opportunities and unfulfilled achievements in Bharat.”
Swami Vivekananda is known to be the proponent of Hindutva who not only
propagated this ideology in Bharat but abroad as well. Swami Vivekananda, before
going to America, embarked on a two year journey across Bharat. His odyssey
culminated at Shripada Shila (rock) in Kanyakumari on December 25, 1892, where,
following three days and nights of deep meditation, he attained profound
insights into the purpose and direction of his life.
Reclaiming Disputed Site : The year 1963 marked the centenary year of the
birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Hence, in 1962,the then Tamil Nadu
Government proposed erecting a grand statue of Swami Vivekananda on the sacred
rock as a memorial. However, the plan sparked controversy as Christian groups
claimed ownership of the rock, announcing a memorial for Saint Xavier. In a bid
to avoid conflict, the Tamil Nadu Government abandoned the idea of a memorial.
At this point, the then-Sarsanghchalak Shri Guruji, entrusted the project to the
then Sarkaryavah Eknath Ranade. With the help of Swayamsevaks, Shri Eknath
Ranade began the process of reclaiming the disputed possession by Christians for
the memorial. To fund the project, they sought symbolic contributions of Rs one,
two or five from the public, amassing Rs eight lakh from 30 lakh people across
all States of Bharat.
VHP formed under Guruji’s leadership: In pursuit of this goal, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) was established in 1964 under the leadership of Sarsanghchalak Shri Guruji. The inaugural assembly of the VHP drew prominent representatives from Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism, alongside major heads of Akharas, Hindu monastic orders and practitioners of various traditions in Hindu society The first World Hindu Congress convened in 1966 at Tirthraj Prayag, marking the rare gathering of all Shankaracharyas from the four peethas, along with major heads of monastic orders and Dhamracharyas. Amidst concerns arising from forced conversion sand the subsequent desire of many converted Hindus to return to the Sanatan fold, a prevailing notion had taken hold that those who had converted were deemed impure (Mlechha). Hindu society, weakened in its ability to protect them, witnessed compelled conversions. Recognising the responsibility to welcome the convertees back, a unanimous proposal was passed at the religious conference, emphasising that a Hindu can never be impure.
The proclamation "नहिन्दूपतितोभवेत्" became a resounding slogan. Likewise, the second Dharma Acharya Conference of the VHP convened in Udupi, Karnataka, in 1969. In Hindu society, which inherently believes in the common Divine essence shared by all Hindus as children of the same Ishwar (Bhagwan), issues like untouchability and caste-based hierarchy have emerged. At the Udupi conference, all religious leaders collectively passed a resolution disavowing untouchability as a basis for religion. They declared that all Hindus are brothers, a sentiment echoed by all the religious leaders, saints, others in attendance. This transformative shift was not initiated by the Sangh, but it is true that it became possible only because of the Sangh.
In this context, a new mantra was born: 'हिन्दव: सोदरा: सर्वे, नहिन्दूपतितोभवेत्।' In 1981, the mass conversion of people from the Scheduled Castes to Islam in Meenakshipuram, Tamil Nadu, sent shockwaves across the nation. To curb such conversions, the VHP devised comprehensive plans. In order to promote social justice and respect for the uneducated, marginalised and backward communities affected by conversions, several Seva Prakalps (service projects) were launched. These initiatives were also aimed at raising awareness, providing education, and instilling social consciousness.
To achieve these objectives, Sanskriti Raksha Nidhi was collected from across the country, and the volunteers reached out to the people in as many as 5,500 villages.
Following this conference, an additional verse complemented the earlier proclamation: हिन्दव: सोदरा: सर्वे, नहिन्दूपतितोभवेत्।ममदीक्षाहिन्दू: रक्षा,मममंत्र: समानता।। All the political parties, irrespective of their ideologies, showed the same concern, empathy and collective response to the massive conversion going on in the small village of Tamil Nadu.
Launching Yatras to unite Bharat: Taking inspiration from this accomplishment, the VHP laid down a plan for three major yatras aimed at uniting the entire Bharat and imbibing a sense of unity. These yatras, known as Ektama Yajna Yatra, set forth with chariots embarking on three routes: Kathmandu to Rameswaram (Pashupati Rath), Haridwar to Kanyakumari (Mahadev Rath), and Ganga Sagar to Somnath (Kapil Rath). People with murti of Bharat Mata and Gangajal Kalash (sacred water) in hand began the yatra. Over 300 chariots traversed various locations across Bharat within a span of 1,000 days. People from each destination brought Gangajal (sacred water) in kalash as, with a total of 38,526 places contributing 77,440 kalashas for worship. Of the 564,342 places (including hamlets) in India, a remarkable 7,28,05,520 individuals from 184,592 locations actively participated in this event, with 49 per cent being women.
The profound emotional awakening experienced during this Ektama Yajna Yatra instilled a sense of unity throughout Hindu society, transcending caste, region, language, and worship diversity. In the midst ofthis yatra, during a religious assembly in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, Shri Daoodayal Khanna, a Minister of the then Uttar Pradesh Government, highlighted the locked status of the Mandir of Bhagwan Ram in Ayodhya. He brought attention to the fact that except for the pujari, no devotee of Sri Ram was permitted inside for darshan.
The Mughal invader Babar committed the crime of demolishing the Mandir of Sri Ram Lalla and constructing a mosque on the same site, solely to display aggression. Scholars of Islam emphasise that forced occupation of land or a building does not make Allah accept prayers. However, this non-Islamic act was carried out to humiliate Hindu society. Subsequent to this incident, persistent efforts were made to rebuild the Mandir. During British rule, a court order in 1938 restricted the entry of the Muslim community within 100 meters of the disputed site. In 1948, after Ram Lalla appeared at the disputed site, the Mandir was locked and regular worship of Ram Lalla continued, with only the pujari allowed inside to perform rituals.
VHP boosted morale of Hindu society: Since then, the VHP started organising public awareness programmes with demands to unlock the Mandir of Ram Lalla. In February 1986, following the order of the Allahabad High Court, the Mandir was opened, allowing devotees easy access for darshan. This development, coupled with emotional awakening and the subsequent triumph of truth, bolstered the morale of Hindu society. Plans were set in motion to construct a grand Mandir for Bhagwan Ram at the disputed site, symbolising victory over aggression rather than maintaining the disputed structure. To garner public support, nationwide programmes were organised for the Pujan (worship) of Ramshilas, which began their journey to Ayodhya. Just like the Mandir in Somnath, the vision to build a grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is not against Islam or a mosque; rather, it is a concerted effort to restore Bharat’s pride.
As a result, an unprecedented mass awakening happened across Bharat. The Pujit (worshipped) Ramshila, inscribed with the name Shri Ram, from distant villages of Bharat started coming to Ayodhya for the construction of the Ram Mandir. This initiative sparked extensive nationwide public outreach and awareness. Six crore people in 2,75,000 villages performed the puja of Ramshilas, and the entire country was ‘Rammay’ (coloured in the idea of Ram). The impact of this initiative, indeed surpassed the organisational strength or network of the RSS and its entities. To claim that only the Sangh accomplished this feat would be unjust. The people of Bharat, devotees of Bhagwan Ram, played a crucial role in it with the Sangh being an integral part of the collective effort. Without the Sangh, such extensive, systematic public outreach and awareness might not have been possible. Just as a building’s entire load relies on strong pillars/columns during construction and the unseen skeleton of iron bars plays a supportive role. This iron frame provides strength to those pillars to bear the load of the building, else they will collapse. In a similar manner, the Sangh endeavours to create a similar societal structure that will empower the society in every welfare task, with the society itself undertaking the actions consciously.
Kar Seva on December 6, 1992, marked the outcome of this awakening. The constant delays in the judgement of the court despite the completion of all legal proceedings was distressing for as many as two and a half million Kar Sevaks, who had assembled in Ayodhya that day. While it seemed unimaginable and impossible for such a robust structure to collapse in just five hours, Kar Sevaks maintained self-discipline in such an uncontrolled atmosphere. There was an order in disorder. This is why the removal of the Murti of Ram Lalla during the commotion, the construction of a temporary shed and its Pran Pratishtha (consecration) became possible. Ayodhya, a town with a population of 55,000, where approximately 10 per cent are Muslim and there are about 15 mosques, remained peaceful. None of the lakhs of Kar Sevaks disturbed any of those mosques. There was no misconduct towards any Muslim resident. This contrasted sharply with the violent behaviour of Left-wing extremists towards the depressed during their movements. Despite being less in numbers, their movement involved damage to homes, shops and vehicles. However, approximately two and a half million Kar Sevaks from all over Bharat did not engage in any violent behaviour. Their remarkable self-discipline, even in an uncontrolled situation, was unbelievable. Such discipline resulted from two facts, one being that this movement was not against Islam or a mosque and the other was the Sangh’s organisational iron skeleton which not only provided the strength but also the patience to this movement. Individuals who contemplate and engage in the rejuvenation and progress of Bharat, guided by its inherent ‘self’ across all facets of life—be it students, farmers, laborers, scientists, artists, lawyers, and more—are the ones poised to contribute to personal development.
The Sangh’s role extends solely to fostering this vision, anticipating that awakened individuals with a national perspective will collaborate and garner support from society to establish new systems.
The Sangh is dedicated to the holistic development of the nation, with selfless service. For this, initiatives are being taken by Sangh through the implementation of education rooted in Bharatiya values, with12,000 schools and 84,000 Ekal Vidyalayas currently functioning in society. Collectively, the Sangh, without any Government aid, is developing as many as 2,000 villages and 1,000 urban colonies. Eliminating social disparities, efforts are being made to create a harmonious and united society.
Various initiatives, including training, inspiring, and supporting self-employment over job-seeking, are actively led by society with the help of Sangh and Swayamsevaks.
The foundation of Bharat’s ‘self’ is deeply rooted in its spirituality, with one of its symbols as Bhagwan Ram. Amidst the global impact of the deadly corona virus pandemic, Bharat witnessed a unique collaboration of the government machinery with 5.5 lakh swayamsevaks and a large segment of society to provide assistance. This crisis showcased the spiritual expression of Bharat’s general society. Another pillar of Bharat’s ‘self’ is its societal (national) systems, which are driven by society rather than being state-controlled, as evident during the corona virus period. A poignant Sangh song echoes the sentiment: ‘Do not anticipate transformation solely from power; the eternal society will arise from the centers of awakened knowledge.’ The Sangh operates Shakhas as awakening centres for individuals who envision a society driven by awakened minds, capable of establishing a structural framework (iron skeleton) across various sectors of societal life. These centres provide strength and direction, unlike the static skeleton between RCC pillars that enhances load-bearing capacity. Instead, the dynamic structure of a vibrant society is carried by living individuals who remain steadfast and resilient throughout their lives. To achieve this, the Sangh prepares dedicated, selfless, committed, and unwavering Swayamsevaks (volunteers) who tirelessly contribute to these efforts. The Sangh has been preparing these Swayamsevaks in the past and doing it to date.
As the saying goes, ‘Rome was not built in a day.’ Similarly, this national awakening did not occur overnight but is the result of continuous efforts and consistent support from society. The result of the2014 parliamentary elections was announced on May 16. On May 18, 2014, an article was published in The Guardian, stating, “Today, May 18, 2014, may well go down in history as the day when Britain finally left India.” The editorial further notes, “It should be obvious that underlying changes in Indian society have brought us PM Modi and not the other way around.”
This national awakening has begun and will continue. It became easier due to devotion to Bhagwan Ram.
It is necessary to do it, to keep doing it. It is necessary to walk, to keep walking. “Charaiveti-Charaiveti” –Keep Marching Ahead! https://organiser.org/2024/02/03/219793/international/intl-opinion/from-swami-vivekananda-rock-memorial-to-ram-mandir-sanghs-role-in-national-awakening/ -GoTop
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