Ashadha Krishna 4 Vik. Samvat 2082, Yugabda 5127 : 16 June, 2025: SM 7006 (For Private Circulation only)
1. FESTIVALS :
PURI RATH YATRA : JUNE 27: The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of the
grandest and spiritually significant festivals in Bharat drawing lakhs of
devotees from across the world.
The festival is also celebrated by the Bharatiya diaspora in the UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, South Africa, and several other countries. -GoTop
2. RSS SWAYAMSEVAKS OFTEN REACH EXTRAORDINARY HEIGHTS
THROUGH THEIR ACTIONS: DR BHAGWAT: The swayamsevaks of the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) lead ordinary lives but often reach extraordinary
heights through their actions, all the while striving for the upliftment of
society, said RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat while speaking at the launch
of the two-volume book series Sangh Jeevan Part 1 and 2 at the Shikshak Sahakari
Bank auditorium in Nagpur.
3. KARYAKARTA VIKAS VARG 2 CONCLUDED IN NAGPUR: On June
5, RSS concluded its Karyakarta Vikas Varg 2 at the Reshimbagh campus, Nagpur.
Attended by 840 participants, including 191 full-time pracharaks, this training
camp served not merely as an educational exercise but as a reaffirmation of the
Sangh’s foundational principles.
4. MASSIVE GATHERING AT AGRA’S GIC GROUND TO HONOUR
AHILYABAI HOLKAR: A huge event was held on June 1 at the GIC Ground in Agra
to mark the tricentenary of Punyashloka Ahilyabai Holkar. Around 50,000 people
from across the country attended the ceremony. The event was graced by several
important dignitaries including UpRashtrapati Jagdeep Dhankhar, Haryana Governor
Bandaru Dattatreya, and Uttar Pradesh Mukhya Mantri Yogi Adityanath.
5. PM MODI INAUGURATED WORLD’S HIGHEST RAILWAY BRIDGE:
On June 6, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi inaugurated Chenab railway bridge, the
world’s highest rail bridge, marking a historic milestone in Bharat’s
infrastructure journey. During the visit, PM Modi also interacted with
engineers, workers, and officials who were involved in the execution of the
ambitious project that connects Kashmir to the rest of Bharat by rail.
6. 60 YEARS OF EKATMA MANAV DARSHAN – NATIONAL CONFERENCE:
Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation and Public Policy Research
Centre organized a National Commemorative Seminar on 60 years of Pandit
Deendayal Upadhyaya’s Integral Humanism Lectures. It was held from May 31 to
June 1 at NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi.
Attended by hundreds of thinkers and young leaders, the seminar reaffirmed the relevance of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s Ekatma Manav Darshan in shaping Bharat’s future. -GoTop
7. RSS SWAYAMSEVAKS STEP UP TO HELP MEDICAL TEAM AT CIVIL
HOSPITAL, KARNAVATI: In the aftermath of the Boeing Dreamliner plane crash
in Karnavati, RSS swayamsevaks have actively engaged in relief and support work
at Civil Hospital - assisting medical teams, guiding victims’ families, and
ensuring smooth coordination on the ground.
8. HSS GURUVANDANA EVENTS: The Wilton Chapter of Hindu
Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA hosted its annual Teacher’s Appreciation Event at
Comstock Community Center, bringing together educators from Wilton and
surrounding towns. More than 40 teachers and guests, along with their families,
participated in the event.
On May 12th, the Woodbridge chapter of HSS USA, organized an event at the Kiddie Keep Well Camp in Edison to felicitate the teachers at local schools. Fifteen teachers from different Elementary and Middle schools in Woodbridge, Edison and Scotch Plains Fanwood School Districts and their families attended. The Mayor of Woodbridge John McCormoac and Raunak Patel, a member of the Edison School Board, also participated in the event. The program included cultural activities and teacher felicitation.
9. HSS JAPAN PARIVARIK SHIBIR; The 6th Family Shibir of
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Japan was held on May 17–18 as a 2-day residential
camp. 86 shibirarthis from 9 different shakhas participated in the shibir. For
the first time, participants from Japanese and Nepali backgrounds also took
part.
10. SEVA KUTUMBA SANGAMAM SRI LANKA: On May 24, Seva
International Foundation Sri Lanka hosted Seva Kutumba Sangamam at Swami
Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies, Batticaloa. More than 1500
participants including community leaders, beneficiaries, and supporters
reflected on the impact of recent programs, particularly those focused on
empowering women and children. The ‘Seva Exhibition and Display’ showcased
achievements and progress of 963 Seva Families.
The gathering featured a series of speeches from esteemed guests including
Global Coordinator of Sewa International and Secretary of Sewa International
Bharat Shyam Parande, who shared insights on the importance of community support
and education. Attendees also participated in the distribution of essential
supplies, reinforcing Seva International’s commitment to uplifting families in
need. This event not only highlighted the foundation's accomplishments over the
past year but also strengthened the bonds within the community, fostering a
spirit of collaboration and shared purpose.
Established in 2000, the foundation has actively contributed to humanitarian
efforts in Sri Lanka, particularly during crises such as the tsunami,
landslides, and ongoing economic hardships since 2020. With a strong focus on
empowering women and children, Seva International aims to create sustainable
solutions that foster resilience and independence within communities. Over the
years, it has successfully implemented various initiatives, providing essential
support to thousands of families in need. -GoTop
11. SEWA IN FLOOD AFFECTED REGIONS IN NSW: Caused by a
slow-moving low-pressure system, massive flooding impacted the New South Wales
coast of Australia including the cities of Taree, Kempsey and Sawtell among
others. More than 48,000 people were isolated by the flooding and more than
10,000 homes were at risk.
The Hindu Council of Australia, through its Karma Kitchen and Hindu Benevolence
Fund (HBF) teams, worked alongside the NSW State Emergency Services (SES) to
support affected communities and offered food, care, and comfort, providing calm
amid chaos. -GoTop
12. ICCS BHARAT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: On May 31 -
June 1, International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS) Bharat, in
collaboration with Bharatiya Sanskriti Vaishvik Kendra and the Sharda School of
Humanities and Social Sciences, organised a seminar titled ‘Shifting the Lens:
Undoing Colonial Infrastructure Towards Global Indigenous Resurgence’ at the
Sharada University in Greater Noida.
The sessions at the conference included the philosophy of interconnectedness, research methods for ancient traditions, decolonising ancient traditions and history and lessons from ancient traditions. -GoTop
13. ICCS MUSEUM OF WORLD ANCIENT TRADITIONS INAUGURATED:
On June 12, International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS) inaugurated the
Museum of World Ancient Traditions at its office in Keshav Kunj, New Delhi. It
was attended by over 100 distinguished delegates from various institutions and
cultural organisations.
14. BUDDHA RELICS RETURNS AFTER VIETNAM PILGRIMAGE: The
sacred relics of Bhagwan Buddha returned to Bharat on June 3 after a month-long
exposition across nine Vietnamese cities, drawing over 17.8 million devotees.
15. POSON POYA – MARKING ARRIVAL OF BUDDHISM OVER 2000
YEARS AGO IN SRI LANKA: Sri Lanka celebrated the sacred Poson Poya festival,
marking the historic arrival of Buddhism over 2,000 years ago. Observed on the
June full moon, the festival commemorates the first sermon preached by Arahat
Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka, to King Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale. Thousands
of devotees gathered at the Mihintale Hill and other sacred sites such as
Anuradhapura, which are central to the celebrations.
16. RAM DARBAR CONSECRATED IN AYODHYA: The Ram
Janmabhoomi Mandir witnessed the grand Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Darbar on June
5. With sacred chants echoing through the air and rituals steeped in Vedic
precision, the divine ensemble of Bhagwan Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Bharat,
Shatrughna and Hanuman was ceremonially installed on the first floor of the
mandir.
The idols, including Bhagwan Ram seated on an ornate throne, are sculpted from a rare kind of marble — slabs that have aged nearly 40 years and are expected to last a millennium. “This marble is no ordinary stone,” said master sculptor Satyanarayan Pandey, who supervised the carvings. “It grows more lustrous with every ritual wash. This is divinity carved in permanence.”-GoTop
17. OVER 20,000 DEVOTEES ATTEND SRI SIVAN MANDIR
CONSECRATION: More than 20,000 devotees gathered to witness the consecration
of the Sri Sivan Mandir on June 8. The Geylang East mandir, one of the oldest
Hindu mandirs in Singapore, has a history that dates back to the 1800s. The
event was attended by Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister
for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam.
18. DR. MANOHAR SINGH AS CHANCELLOR AT UW-OSHKOSH: Dr.
Manohar Singh, currently serving as interim president of Western Connecticut
State University, has been named the 12th Chancellor of the University of
Wisconsin–Oshkosh. He will officially begin his leadership role on July 1.
19. BHARATIYA-ORIGIN PHYSICIAN SWORN IN AS AMERICAN MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT: Bharatiya-origin physician Bobby Mukkamala has been
sworn in as the 180th president of the American Medical Association, becoming
the first physician of Bharatiya heritage to lead the organisation. Mukkamala,
an otolaryngologist - an ear, nose, and throat specialist - took the oath on
June 10, according to a statement by the association.
20. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
The explorers
seek happiness in finding curiosities, discovering new lands and undergoing
risks in adventures. They are thrilling. But where is pleasure found? Only
within…..
– Ramana Maharshi.
-GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
---
INTERVIEW OF SARSANGHCHALAK DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT
...contd. from last issue ....
Q: How has Sangh's work been
growing in the Vanavasi (Scheduled Tribe) areas?
The primary work in the forest areas is to empower the tribal people and serve
them. Later, the efforts for safeguarding their interests were also included. We
aspire that the leadership should emerge among the Janjatiya from within—leaders
who care for their own people and see themselves as an integral part of the
nation.
The number of Swayamsevaks working in these areas is steadily increasing. The
efforts to build leadership and Karyakartas at the grassroots level, who would
echo the national sentiments and contribute accordingly, are going on. To
achieve the same, reawakening about the Scheduled Tribe traditions, their roots,
local icons and their contribution in the freedom struggle is necessary. Shakhas
are expanding across tribal regions of Bharat including the North-eastern
parts.
Someone will worry about Hindus, only when Hindus are strong enough. As Hindu society and Bharat are intertwined a glorious nature of Hindu society will bring in glory for Bharat. Such a strong Hindu society only can present a model for taking along the people of Bharat who do not consider themselves Hindus, as at one point they were also Hindus. If the Hindu society of Bharat becomes strong, then automatically Hindus will gain strength globally. This work is going on, but it is not yet complete. Slowly but surely that situation is evolving.
This time the way anguish against the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh has been expressed, this is unprecedented. Even Local Hindus now say: “We won’t flee. We’ll stay and fight for our rights.”
Now, the internal strength of the Hindu society is increasing. As the organisation grows, its impact will translate naturally. Until then, we must keep fighting.
Wherever Hindus are there in the world, we will do everything possible for them following the international norms, Sangh exists for the same. Swayamsevaks take oath ‘to work for all-over development of the Hindu Rashtra by protecting Dharma, Sanskriti, and society’.
Q: What is the Sangh’s vision regarding national security, military strength, and economic power?
We must strive for strength. As we pray through the daily Prarthana: "Ajayya cha viśvasya dehīśa śaktim" — “Grant us such a strength that globally we are invincible”.
True strength is internal. For national security, we must not be dependent on others. We should be able to defend ourselves. No one should be able to conquer us—not even if multiple powers come together. There are evil forces in the world who are aggressive by nature. A virtuous person is not safe just because of his virtues; hence, virtues should be combined with strength. Mere brute power can be directionless, leading to blatant violence; hence power should be combined with righteousness. So we must worship for both - virtues and strength. For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked, should be the nature of our power. When no option is available, then wickedness has to be eradicated forcefully. WE are not doing this to dominate the world trade, but to ensure that everyone should be able to lead peaceful, healthy and empowered life. We have no option but to be powerful as we have been witnessing the wickedness of the evil forces on all our borders.
Q: Given Bharat’s linguistic, religious, and cultural diversity, how does Sangh promote inclusivity?
Come and see yourself, people from all languages, sects, and backgrounds work together in the Sangh, with a great joy. The Sangh songs are there not just in Hindi but in multiple languages. Each language has poets, singers and composers who compose patriotic and inspirational songs of Sangh, and yet the three songs in different languages assigned during the Sangh Shiksha Varg are sung across Bharat. While retaining the unique identity, everyone is working by upholding the sense of one nationhood and unity and integrity of the nation. This is Sangh – that provides a thread to put all diversities in one garland of unity.
Q: The Sangh talks and works for Samarasta (समरसता), but some people speak for equality. How do you differentiate the two?
Equality is economic and political and we are striving for social equality, without which first two will be meaningless. Fraternity is Samarasta (Social harmony); the edifice of freedom and equality rests on fraternity. Equality without freedom brings restrictions and if it has to be sustainable, then the basis of fraternity is inevitable. This sense of Brotherhood is Samarasta. Even after legislating laws against casteism and untouchability, inequalities do not go away as it resides in mind. It has to be mentally eradicated. We are equal because all are ours has to be the conviction. Even if we do not look alike, we belong to each other, we are bound by affinity, and this is called Samrasata. It is nothing but sense of affinity and fraternity.
Q: The Sangh often faces questions about women's participation. What is your response?
In the early days of the Sangh, around 1933, it was decided that the work of personality development and social organisation among women would be done by the Rashtra Sevika Samiti. It continues to function effectively. Whenever Samiti expects Sangh to work among women (for the Shakha work), then only we will think about it.
Another aspect is, the RSS shakha format is designed for men, but women observe and attend freely. Also, the Sangh doesn’t function only on the basis of male karyakartas —mothers and sisters support the work fully, then only Sangh functions. Every woman in a swayamsevak’s family is part and parcel of the Sangh.
Women also work together with the Sangh swayamsevaks in various organisations. They also have representation and active participation in the meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (national council – the highest decision making body) of the Sangh. Some of these women have led major survey on status of women which the government has also accepted. Last year, massive women's conferences were held with lakhs in attendance.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh supported and cooperated in all these works. We believe: women’s upliftment is not dependent on men, they will do it themselves. Women will empower themselves and it will automatically empower everyone. Hence, we give emphasise on supporting them for what they think is necessary for their transformation.
Q: In the centenary year, the Sangh has resolved for ‘Panch Parivartan’ (Five Transformations). What is the plan ahead on this?
For the behavioural transformation, mindset is the key. Whatever action transforms the minds and habits—that work needs to be given. Hence, Panch Parivartan:
Samajik Samarasta - Social harmony is the first task. There should be affinity in the society. There is a diversity, of stages, geographical conditions, problems, in our vast society. If we have to find a way-out in this situation then there has to be provisions based on informed consensus, then only everyone will accept it, without diluting the sense of affinity.
Samajik Samarasta must be practiced, not just spoken of or advertised. We consider all as one, I must have friends of all castes and class, my family must have too. Temples, cremation grounds, and water bodies must be inclusive where Sangh has influence. This is already going on, we must expand it.
The same thing applied to Kutumb Prabodhan. Things that provide relief to the world, that come from essential traditional values, are in our family tradition and the customs of the country. Sitting together, discussing, agreeing on them and bringing them into the family's conduct, this is family enlightenment. The value of family as a global model must be reintroduced rooted in samskaras (values).
For Paryavaran (Environmental Awareness), there are many things going on, including various movements. But, people do not worry about the water being wasted in their homes; pay attention to that first. Plant trees, remove single-use plastic, save water. Doing this develops the understanding, one starts thinking about the environment.
The same can be done about Swa (Selfhood). Our conduct should be based on national selfhood. In our families, we must follow our own traditions when it comes to food, dressing, language, home, worship and travel. We need to adjust when outside, but nurture the family values based on selfhood at home. Until we are fully self-reliant, we must fulfil our needs with Swadeshi products. We have to make this a habit. This does not mean that we should stop international trade; we must balance global engagement with national interest. If there’s no Bharatiya substitute or alternative, things may be brought from outside, but then it must happen on our own terms, and not under any foreign pressure. All this will constitute the conduct based on selfhood.
The last one is Civic Duties that is following the law, the constitution, and social decency.
Swayamsevaks will inculcate these five resolves and after the centenary year, through Shakahs this will be carried forward through Shakhas in the society. If this is brought in behaviour, it will transform the environment and, which will lead to sustainable transformation. Many things will evolve out of this; let us see how fast the change takes place.
Q: What is the resolve for the next 25 years?
To unite the entire Hindu society, and take Bharat to the pinnacle of the glory — and eventually, to extend this transformation to the whole world. Dr Hedgewar envisioned this in 1920 itself—he urged the Congress to declare that total independence (purna swarajya) must be our goal and an independent Bharat must liberate other nations from capitalist bondage.
Q: The Sangh turns 100, and Bharat will complete 100 years of Independence in 2047. How will Bharat become a Vishwaguru (global guide)? Many people are trying to create divisions in the society? How do you see this?
Our process takes care of all these things. We have been marching forward by fighting against the three ills of the society —self-oblivion, selfishness and divisiveness. Now, we are earned trust of the society. This process will go on. On the basis of affinity, people from all sections of society will develop the same the sense of belongingness. If we stay organised and dedicated, what is usually “1 + 1 = 2” will become “1 + 1 = 11”. The work of organised and powerful Bharat will encompass all walks of life and will continue. Entire world will emulate the example of harmonious and powerful Bharat that would constructively contribute to global life.
A senior karyakarta in 1992 had said, people across the globe will form their own “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh”. This process of global transformation will start post-2047 and it won’t take 100 years, 20-30 years would suffice.
Q: What is your final message to well-wishers, thinkers, and Hindu society in this centenary year?
The Hindu society must awaken now. Forgetting internal divisions and selfishness, we need to shape our personal, family, social, and professional life based on Dharmic values rooted in Hindutva (Hinduness). That will pave the way for a powerful, righteous and self-reliant Bharat. World is waiting for a new path and Bharat, means Hindu society, has to provide it as a divine duty. Agricultural, industrial and scientific revolutions are over. Now the world needs a Dharmik revolution—I am not talking about religion, but based on human life has to be reorganised based on Truth, Purity, Compassion, and Austerity. World needs this and Bharat has to inevitably show that path.
We must understand the importance of our Sangh work. There is a need to rise beyond ‘Me and My Family’ mindset, build such active lives of moving forward together, so that we become living examples for the world. (Concluded) https://www.rss.org/Encyc/2025/5/25/Sarsanghchalak-ji-s-interview---RSS-at-100.html -GoTop
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