Vaishakha Shukla 4, Vik. Samvat 2082, Yugabda 5127:1 May 2025: SM 7003 (For Private Circulation Only)
1. FESTIVALS:
BUDDHA PURNIMA: Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is celebrated in most of
South, Southeast and East Asia, commemorating the birth of prince Siddhartha
Gautama, who became Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism.
Buddha Jayanti is celebrated all across the globe by gentle and serene fervour, keeping in mind the very nature of Buddhism. -GoTop
2. PROGRAMS OF SARSANGHCHALAK DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT: On
April 26, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat attended the book launch of ‘The
Hindu Manifesto’ authored by Swami Vigyananand, Joint General Secretary of the
Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and initiator of the World Hindu Congress.
Speaking at an award function in Mumbai on April 24 where the Lata Mangeshkar Award was given to Kumar Mangalam Birla, the chairman of Aditya Birla Group, to honour and acknowledge the immense contribution made by him in shaping Bharat’s growth story, Dr. Bhagwat observed that when people share sentiments and warmth it helps to keep the society connected together.
3. GLOBAL CONDEMNATION OF PAHALGAM ATTACK: Condolences
have poured in from across the globe following the horrific terrorist attack in
Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, in which innocent Hindus were
deliberately isolated, religiously profiled, and killed.
In a press release, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh New Zealand (HSS NZ) strongly condemned and urged the global community to unite against terrorism in all its forms and extend full support to the efforts to ensure peace, justice, and security for all.
HSS Canada demanded that Canadian civic leaders, lawmakers, and institutions unequivocally condemn this act of religiously motivated terror and called upon all Hindu Canadians, interfaith partners, and citizens of conscience to join prayer gatherings, vigils, and advocacy efforts to honor the victims, support their families, and reaffirm the commitment to a world rooted in dignity, safety, and genuine pluralism.
4. HSS ZAMBIA HINDU HERITAGE CAMP: On April 13, Hindu
Swayamsevak Sangh, HSS Zambia conducted a Hindu Heritage Camp at the Radha
Krishna Mandir in Lusaka. 140 students participated in the camp which was
conducted by 15 volunteers. In the concluding session, participants demonstrated
the activities they had learnt during the camp.
5. HSS JAPAN BAL MARATHON 2025: HSS Japan organized the
8th edition of the annual Kids' Marathon on April 12, at Komatsugawa Park,
Tokyo, bringing together young athletes from various schools and communities.
The event aimed to promote physical fitness, healthy competition, and the joy of
running among children in all age categories. First Secretary (Education &
Culture) of Bharatiya Embassy Umesh Nautiyal graced the event as the chief
guest.
Before the marathon began, a shakha was conducted which was attended by more than 500 people including the parents of the marathon participants.
The event was well-supported by volunteers, parents, and local organizations. Volunteers were strategically placed along the route to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. At the conclusion of every category of marathon, an awards ceremony was held to celebrate the achievements of the young athletes.
The Kids' Marathon was a resounding success, fostering a sense of community and encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle among children. -GoTop
6. HINDU HUB INAUGURATED IN PARRAMATTA: Hindu Council of
Australia inaugurated a new Hindu Hub community centre named ‘Prarambh’ on April
13 in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia, in the presence of community
members, member organisations, political dignitaries, community leaders, and
well-wishers.
The centre will be a central touchpoint for the Hindu community and it will host cultural events, music and dance classes, yoga and activities for seniors and young people. -GoTop
7. HANUMAN JANMOTSAV IN ROTORUA, NZ: Hindu Women Forum (HWF)
led the Hanuman Janmotsav celebrations at the Hindu Heritage Centre in Rotorua,
bringing together the community in devotion, strength, and service.
The gathering saw participation from families across Rotorua, with attendees expressing their joy at the spiritually uplifting and well-organised event. The celebration concluded with a community meal (prasadam), symbolising unity and shared purpose.
8. SEWA INTERNATIONAL EARTHQUAKE RELIEF IN MYANMAR: A
7.7 magnitude earthquake followed by a 6.7 magnitude aftershock struck Myanmar
on March 28. The two quakes killed more than 5000 people and caused extensive
damage. Relief efforts were immediately initiated in the affected areas by Sewa
International (SI) and Hindu Family Relief group (HFRG) of Myanmar. Currently,
three Relief Centres are operational in Mandalay, Sagaing and Pyinmana.
Since April 1, food for around 5000 people is being prepared daily by more than
20 volunteers at Shri Ambika Mata Mandir and distributed at the Mandalay Relief
Centre. Around 200 people are temporarily living in tents in the Mandalay relief
camp complex area. Many religious, community organizations and 13 Bharatiya
diaspora organizations around the city of Mandalay are also working with SI.
Volunteers are going street by street to survey the condition of the affected
people. Based on this, they will plan to expand the relief work.
The Ambassador of Bharat, Counselor General of Mandalay Bharatiya Consulate, the
Chief Minister of Mandalay Region, and many other organizations leaders also
visited the centres to express their appreciation and support.
-GoTop
9. HSS NAPERVILLE-AURORA AND SEWA ORGANIZE EARTH DAY HIGHWAY
CLEANUP: Hindu Swayamesvak Sangh Naperville-Aurora and SEWA recruited over
thirty volunteers on April 19 to help clean the roadside on 75th Street as part
of their yearly highway cleanup. Volunteers worked to clean up trash and other
debris to make the roadside safer. This marks ten years that the two
organizations have been keeping the streets clean.
10. SEWA BHARTI’S ‘RUN FOR A GIRL CHILD’ IN DELHI: On
April 13, Sewa Bharti Delhi successfully organized the ‘Run for a Girl Child’
marathon at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, with more than 5,000 participants joining
hands to raise awareness about women’s empowerment and adolescent development.
Addressing the participants, Akhil Bharatiya Sah Prachar Pramukh of RSS Pradeep Joshi stressed the importance of youth engagement in social development as a pillar of national progress. -GoTop
11. BHARAT SENDS USD 2 MILLION IN MEDICAL AID TO NEPAL:
On April 25. Bharat sent USD 2 million worth of medical aid to Nepal reaffirming
its commitment to the Neighbourhood First Policy. The initiative reflects
Bharat's focus on regional health and humanitarian cooperation. The assistance
includes medicines and vaccines for patients with Thalassemia and Sickle Cell
Disease. The first tranche of this aid consists of 17,030 vials of vaccines for
the immunisation of Thalassemia patients.
12. PRAN PRATISHTHA OF 4 MANDIRS HELD AT KANDAKURTHI:
Kandakurthi village, the ancestral home of RSS founder Dr. Keshav Baliram
Hedgewar, witnessed a historic cultural and spiritual resurgence as the Pran
Pratishtha of four newly constructed mandirs concluded with Vedic grandeur
during the three-day Mahotsavam held on April 16-18.
On April 16, the ceremonies commenced with a grand village-wide procession of the five deities, followed by traditional Punyahavachanam, Ganapati Puja, Agni Pratishtha, and the formal entry into the Yagashala. April 17 was marked by a series of elaborate rituals including Gau Puja, Vighneshwara, Navagraha, Rudra Homa, and various other ceremonies. In the evening, a vibrant Kumkumarchana was performed by over 150 women, signifying community participation and feminine devotion.
The final day also featured a grand public meeting, drawing hundreds of devotees from various regions. -GoTop
13. BHAGAVAD GITA, NATYASHASTRA INSCRIBED IN UNESCO’S
MEMORY OF WORLD REGISTER: According to a release by UNESCO on April 17, a
total of 74 new entries were made in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register,
bringing the total number of inscribed collections to 570.
14. VARANASI NAMED WORLD’S SECOND MOST POPULAR RELIGIOUS
DESTINATION: The ancient city of Varanasi, often called the spiritual heart
of Bharat, has earned a remarkable global distinction. It is now ranked the
second most sought-after religious destination in the world, according to a new
study by MyCross, a platform dedicated to faith-based travel trends.
The study assessed religious destinations across five crucial indicators —
annual footfall, number of religious sites, online search trends, social media
presence and accommodation availability. Each destination was then given a
cumulative score out of 100.
Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh welcomed the global recognition with pride. “This is a moment of honour not just for Varanasi, but for the entire country,” he said. -GoTop
15. SPADEX MISSION: SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATION OF SECOND
DOCKING: ISRO successfully demonstrated the docking of the SPADEX satellites
(SDX 01 & SDX 02) for the second time on April 20. Subsequently, power transfer
from SDX 02 to SDX 01 satellite as well as vice versa was also exercised and
accomplished on April 21. The experiment involved operating a heater element in
one of the satellites through power from the other satellite. The duration of
power transfer was approximately 4 minutes and the performance of the satellites
was as expected.
The second docking experiment was preceded by detailed ground simulations and on-orbit trials incorporating the experience gained from first docking and undocking experiments, thereby providing immense confidence for the second docking demonstration.
V Narayanan, chairman, ISRO said, “This is a significant achievement and further activities are being planned now.”
The demonstration of the fully autonomous second docking along with power transfer marks the completion of an important milestone in the SPADEX mission. -GoTop
16. BHARAT DOMINATES ASIAN YOGASANA SPORT CHAMPIONSHIP:
Bharat delivered an outstanding performance at the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sport
Championship, securing a record 83 gold medals to top the medal tally at the
event in Delhi. The hosts also won three silver and one bronze medal to end with
87 medals, finishing well ahead of Japan, which claimed three gold, three silver
and four bronze medals. Mongolia, Oman and Nepal rounded off the top five
standings. The championship saw participation from over 21 countries. Countries
such as Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kazakhstan and Bhutan also showcased
strong performances, highlighting the growing footprint of yogasana as a
competitive sport across Asia.
The championship concluded with a grand closing ceremony attended by Harsh
Malhotra, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, along with senior officials
from the Asian and World Yogasana federations.
17. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: There is neither creation not destruction, neither
destiny nor free will, neither path nor achievement. This is the final truth. –
Ramana Maharshi
-GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
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HINDUTVA: A LEGACY OF SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE AND GLOBAL HARMONY – PAST,
PRESENT, AND FUTURE INFLUENCE ON THE WORLD AND THE WEST
Hindutva, often translated as
“Hindu-ness” (some would argue a synonym for Hinduism), has its roots in the
ancient cultural, spiritual, and philosophical traditions of Bhārat (India).
Despite frequently being misunderstood as merely a religious or political
ideology, Hindutva encompasses a broader worldview that emphasises unity in
diversity, inclusiveness, resilience, self-realisation, peace and harmony for
all.
Over the years, Hindutva has emerged as a cultural influence beyond India, resonating with international audiences in Europe, the United Kingdom, and beyond. As these countries grapple with modern challenges of multicultural integration, identity, and community resilience, the principles of Hindutva offer unique insights into creating a more harmonious global society. This essay explores the evolution of Hindutva from its origins to the present day and considers its potential impact on Europe and the United Kingdom in the future. By examining Hindutva’s core values of spiritual growth, cultural unity, and social harmony, we can better appreciate its positive contributions to global communities, especially in modern Europe, where societal division and cultural integration remain prominent challenges.
The historical foundation of Hindutva
Hindutva originated as a unifying cultural identity for the diverse traditions, philosophies, and beliefs that developed over millennia in the Indian subcontinent. Unlike Western and Middle-Eastern monotheistic traditions, Hinduism is inherently pluralistic, embracing a range of deities, rituals, and spiritual paths that encourage personal exploration of the divine. Hindutva, as popularised by freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in the early 20th century, was meant to promote a unified national identity for Indians under colonial rule. At the heart of Hindutva lies the idea of “Dharma” – a moral order that governs personal conduct, family relationships, and social harmony.
Hindutva’s foundation lies in values that transcend geographical borders. Respect for the interconnectedness of all beings, the pursuit of self-knowledge, and dedication to social duty form the bedrock of the Hindutva philosophy. These values offer principles relevant to modern challenges worldwide: managing religious and cultural diversity, achieving personal fulfilment, and promoting peaceful coexistence. The rich, inclusive heritage of Hindutva thus holds considerable potential for uniting individuals across national and cultural divides, bringing Eastern and Western societies closer together in pursuit of common ideals.
The principles of Hindutva have found resonance with communities far from their Indian origins, including Europe and the United Kingdom. Hindu communities in these regions serve as cultural bridges, bringing forward elements of Hindutva that are relevant to modern lives in multicultural societies. In the United Kingdom, home to over a million Hindus, temples have become centres for education, social work, and community building. Through these institutions, Hindu values like respect for diversity, environmental sustainability, and community service have gained traction, resonating with individuals from all backgrounds.
One of the most significant global contributions of Hindutva has been the establishment of International Yoga Day. Yoga, which originated from ancient Hindu spiritual practices, embodies the holistic principles of Hindutva—unity, balance, and self-realisation. Celebrated annually on June 21st since its United Nations endorsement in 2015, International Yoga Day has become a symbol of global harmony and wellness. Proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it received overwhelming support from the international community, with over 170 nations co-sponsoring the resolution.
Yoga Day has brought Hindutva’s holistic worldview to the global stage, where physical wellness and mental balance transcend cultural and religious boundaries. It reflects Hindutva’s core belief in harmony within diversity, fostering a sense of global community and encouraging practices that support both individual and collective well-being. Today, millions across Europe, the UK, and other parts of the world practice yoga, benefiting from its therapeutic effects and principles of unity, resilience, and peace.
What does Hindutva really mean?
In the corporate world, Hindutva’s ethos of inclusivity and ethical responsibility has inspired organisations to consider new ways of doing business. European companies, for instance, are adopting practices based on Hindu principles, such as mindfulness in the workplace, ethical treatment of employees, and environmental stewardship.
This influence is seen in the growing popularity of yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic wellness across Europe and the UK. Many corporations have embraced these practices, recognising that Hindu-inspired philosophies can foster productivity, employee well-being, and community-mindedness.
Politically, Hindutva’s emphasis on social harmony and cultural respect is increasingly relevant. Europe faces significant challenges in balancing cultural integration with national identity. By embracing the Hindu approach to pluralism, European societies can find constructive ways to integrate diverse communities without eroding cultural identities. Hindutva demonstrates that it is possible to celebrate diversity while fostering unity, promoting an intercultural model that Europe can learn from.
Future potential: Hindutva’s positive impact on the global stage
As Europe and the UK face ongoing challenges of social cohesion, the future influence of Hindutva in these regions holds significant promise. Hindutva encourages a society that values both individual rights and social duty, a balance that can address societal issues of isolation and division. The philosophy of “vasudhaiva kutumbakam”—”the world is one family”—promotes a view of global citizenship that goes beyond national borders, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and environmental stewardship. This idea, rooted in Hindutva, aligns with contemporary movements that seek to address global issues like climate change, social justice, and economic inequality.
In the UK, which has seen a recent resurgence in cultural introspection, Hindutva can offer new frameworks for addressing questions of national identity. By adopting the Hindu approach to intercultural respect and unity, the UK can model an inclusive national identity that respects individual cultural backgrounds while fostering a shared commitment to the country’s well-being. Moreover, Hindutva’s advocacy for family values and community responsibility provides a compelling answer to the fragmentation often seen in modern Western societies.
In the corporate and educational arenas, Hindutva’s future influence could shape new ethical standards and transformative practices. As mindfulness, sustainability, and ethical responsibility become increasingly prioritised, the principles of Hindutva can guide initiatives that benefit society, the environment, and the economy. For example, many European educational institutions already incorporate yoga and meditation into their programs, helping students manage stress and develop self-awareness. Expanding on this, schools could integrate Hindutva’s teachings on empathy, non-violence, and ethical responsibility, providing students with tools to lead balanced and purposeful lives.
Hindutva: Timeless values
The philosophy of Hindutva offers timeless values that have found renewed relevance in a rapidly globalising world. As Europe and the UK face unprecedented challenges in cultural integration, community building, and social cohesion, Hindutva’s emphasis on unity within diversity presents a powerful model for contemporary societies. By embracing principles rooted in Hindutva, Western societies can foster more resilient communities, grounded in respect for all beings and dedication to personal and collective growth.
Looking forward, the teachings of Hindutva promise to shape an inclusive global identity that values cultural differences while celebrating shared human aspirations. Whether through social, corporate, or personal domains, Hindutva offers a vision of peace, harmony, tolerance, and self-awareness that can help create a brighter, more united world. https://insightuk.org/hindutva-a-legacy-of-spiritual-resilience-and-global-harmony-past-present-and-future-influence-on-the-world-and-the-west -GoTop
SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN samvadnewsletter@gmail.com http://shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com https://svn.epapers.in
