Phalgun Krishna 4, Vik. Samvat 2081, Yugabda 5126:16 February 2025: SM 6022 (For Private Circulation Only)
1. FESTIVALS :
MAHA SHIVARATRI: Maha Shivaratri is celebrated on Phalgun Shukla
Chaturdashi (February 26 this year) and is one of the significant and important
days for Shiva devotees all over the world. Mahashivratri is the day when
Bhagwan Shiva and Maa Parvati were united after centuries of penance and sadhana.
It is also celebrated as the night when Bhagwan Shiva performed Tandav. It is
mentioned in several Puranas, particularly the Skanda Purana, Linga Purana and
Padma Purana. On this day, many devotees observe a full day of fasting, usually
Nirjala vrat.
2. PROGRAMS OF SARSANGHCHALAK DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT: On February 6, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat inaugurated the Hindu Unity Conference as part of the Cherukolpuzha Hindu Religious Meet in Pathanamthitta, Kerala. Hindu Maha Mandalam President P.S. Nair presided over the function.
3. DATTATREYA HOSABALE AT LAUNCH OF ‘WHO IS RAISING YOUR CHILDREN’ BOOK: RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale highlighted the importance of reviving Bharat’s Vedic education system and emphasized its role in preserving Bharatiya traditions and values. Speaking at the launch of the book ‘Who is Raising Your Children’ by renowned educationist Rajiv Malhotra and co-author Vijaya Vishwanathan at the Vivekananda International Foundation, Delhi, Hosabale stated that despite the damage inflicted on Bharat’s knowledge tradition over the past decades, dedicated individuals - whom he referred to as Dharma warriors - have played a pivotal role in reviving the Vedic education system.
4. VHP’S KENDRIYA MEETING CONCLUDES AT MAHAKUMBH: The three-day meeting of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad at its camp in the Mahakumbh Mela area concluded on February 9 with a firm resolve that Hindu mandirs must be freed from government control. Representatives from all states of the country, as well as from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Mauritius, South Africa, France, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Guyana and other countries attended this meeting. The 950 delegates also formulated a comprehensive action plan to achieve this objective. VHP International President Alok Kumar stated that representations will be submitted to the Mukhya Mantris of every state. Large public gatherings will also be organized in North and South Bharat to strongly present these demands.
5. JANJATI SAMAGAM AT MAHAKUMBH: On February 6, around 10,000 youths hailing from Janjati communities across the country gathered at the pandal of Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhada Swami Avdheshanand to participate in the two-days ‘Janjatiya Yuva Mahakumbh’. The Yuva Mahakumbh was organised as part of the grand gathering of volunteers associated with various welfare initiatives and service-oriented programs run by the Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri, Mahamandaleshwar Raghunathdas (Farshiwale Baba) and Padmashree Chaitram Pawar addressed and interacted with the youths. -GoTop
6. HINDU ADHYATMIK SEVA MELA: On January 23, RSS National Executive Committee Member Suresh (Bhaiyaji) Joshi inaugurated the Hindu Adhyatmik Seva Mela organised by Hindu Adhyatmik evam Seva Sansthan at the Gujarat University ground. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mukhya Mantri Bhupendra Patel, Chandraprakash Dwivedi of Chanakya serial and other eminent guests and sants attended the event.
7. VIDYA BHARATI’S SAMUTKARSH MAHASHIVIR: On January 31, Vidya Bharati’s Samutkarsh Mahashivir brought together 5,000 students from across Northeast Bharat in a grand celebration of cultural diversity and tradition. The event served as a vibrant platform for young participants to showcase the region’s rich heritage through music, dance, art, and traditional performances.
8. MAHAKUMBH 2025 PRAYAGRAJ: Over 2.33 crore devotees took a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam during the third Amrit Snan on the occasion of Basant Panchami. The Amrit Snan commenced with saints and seers of 13 Akharas followed by the devotees.
A unique and intense sadhana began in Tapasvi Nagar on the occasion of Basant Panchami. Called Panch Dhuni Tapasya or Agni Snan Sadhana, it is a practice where the sadhak surrounds himself with multiple circles of fire and meditates at the center.
Spread across 40,000 square feet, the Swachh Sujal Gaon has drawn over 11 lakh visitors. The village highlights Uttar Pradesh’s remarkable rural transformation.
A large-scale Thali (Plate) and Thaila (Bag) Collection Campaign, spanning across 43 states and involving thousands of organisations, played a crucial role in making the religious gathering more eco-friendly. The campaign saw the collection of over 14.17 lakh plates, 13.46 lakh bags, and 2.63 lakh glasses which were distributed at more than 7000 centres.
9. HSS SEYCHELLES HINDU HERITAGE CAMP: On February 9, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) Seychelles organized a Hindu Heritage Camp at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Union Vale, Seychelles. This event brought together 65 enthusiastic participants, supported by 8 dedicated youth volunteers and 8 experienced senior volunteers.
During the concluding ceremony, participants demonstrated yoga, mantra chanting, and a patriotic song. On this occasion, a senior social worker Govind Bhai emphasized the importance of imparting cultural values to future generations. -GoTop
10. HSS YOGATHON: On February 2, a grand celebration of yoga and spirituality unfolded at the Statue of Union as over 400 participants gathered to perform Suryanamaskar on concluding day of Surya Namaskar Yajna program. The event was organized by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA and Sri Ashtalakshmi Mandir.
11. SEWA USA ACTIVITIES: Despite freezing temperatures, over 100 Sewa volunteers and 140 runners participated in the Chevron Houston Marathon on January 19.
Sewa USA launched the Sewa Academy on January 1. The online classes/instructions are offered via a Learning Management System (LMS). The first course, ‘Guidelines for Entering Timecards in ADP’ for Mission Officers in the USA, was offered through the LMS on the same day.
On January 2, Sewa Tampa distributed sandwiches, care packages, goody bags and several blankets to those in need in downtown Tampa as part of the Winter Warmth Drive. On the same day, in another event, the Sewa Tampa chapter volunteers joined Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful volunteers for the Rowlett Park cleanup.
The Sewa Phoenix chapter had the kickoff meeting for its LEAD 2025 program, which empowers youth through community service and leadership development.
Sewa International has launched a fundraiser and deployed volunteers to deliver essential aid to communities affected by the devastating wildfires sweeping the Los Angeles area. The situation remains dire with over 50,000 residents under evacuation orders or warnings. Sewa has raised nearly $20,000 through its fundraiser. All proceeds will go directly towards assisting families and individuals impacted by the wildfire.
In collaboration with Kotak Bank Ltd. under their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiative, Sewa distributed ration kits on January 10 to families affected by Cyclone Fengal in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
12. LARGEST HINDU MANDIR IN SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE OPENS IN SOUTH AFRICA: The largest Hindu mandir and cultural complex in the southern hemisphere was unveiled in Johannesburg on January 2. Crowds of worshippers arrived before dawn to take part in the rituals, which was led by Mahant Swami Maharaj of BAPS who travelled from Bharat for the occasion. The mandir will host a variety of courses in art, dance, language and faith in several languages spoken by the community in South Africa, as well as house BAPS charities.
13. FIRST ‘PATOTSAV’ OF BAPS HINDU MANDIR IN ABU DHABI: More than 10,000 devotees visited BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi on January 2 to celebrate its first ‘Patotsav’, the anniversary of its inauguration.
The celebration also featured mesmerising music and traditional dance performances showcasing 19 different performances, with troupes comprising 224 participants. -GoTop
14. MODI JOINS MAHA KUMBABHISHEGAM OF JAKARTA’S MANDIR: On February 2, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi virtually participated in the Maha Kumbhabhishekam ceremony of Shri Sanathana Dharma Aalayam, also known as the Jakarta Murugan Mandir, Indonesia’s first-ever mandir dedicated to Bhagwan Murugan.
15. BHARAT RANG MAHOTSAV: Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2025, regarded as the biggest theatrical festival in the world, was formally inaugurated on January 28 at the National School of Drama (NSD) campus in Mandi House, New Delhi. In addition to 13 Bharatiya towns, the 20-day event from January 28 to February 16 will have an impact on theatre in Nepal and Sri Lanka. The festival, themed ‘One Expression, Supreme Creation’ showcases over 200 productions from nine countries, talks, and masterclasses.
Colombo marked a historic cultural milestone as it hosted the Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) for the first time. The inauguration took place at Tower Hall Theatre in Colombo, in the presence of Sri Lanka’s Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Prof. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi. The Colombo edition features Hindi and Sinhalese plays. -GoTop
16. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Those who see all creatures within themselves and themselves in all creatures know no fear. Those who see all creatures in themselves and themselves in all creatures know no grief. How can the multiplicity of life delude the one who sees its unity? -Isha Upanishad. -GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
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RSS AT 100: SANGHA SHAKHA – MAKING OF A SWAYAMSEVAK
The significance of shakhas can be understood from the fact that they create
various activities that instill patriotism, create all-round harmony and
encourage all Swayamsevaks to work for betterment of society and nation
— MADHUBHAI KULKARNI
The aim of Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh is to bring supreme glory to our country. It is remembered in the daily
prarthana (prayer) – Param Vaibhavam Netum Etat Swarashtram. To attain supreme
glory, society has to be organised. The present majority of the Hindu society
seems to be engulfed with a false sense of higher and lower status , alienated
from one another, scattered due to caste-based discrimination, and divided by
vices like untouchability. All social reformers like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Dr
Babasaheb Ambedkar, Swatantryaveer Savarkar, etc. have given priority to the
effort to make Hindu society flawless. For all of them, inculcating qualities in
the Hindu society to be called as a ‘society’ in a true sense was the core
concern. Individuals in Hindu society suffer from narrow-mindedness of ‘me and
mine’.
Recognising that making the Hindu society flawless and organised is the first
condition for achieving the Supreme Glory, which includes independence,
prosperity and contentedness for all, the Sangh decided to organise the Hindu
society as its work.
The goal of Sangh is “Param Vaibhav (supreme glory) and for that Hindu Sanghatan
(organisation)”. The words Hindu Sanghatan encompass all the ideas of social
reforms.
Hindu society is so riddled with divisions that even if our lives are over, unity will remain far from being achieved. Disappointment and despair will prevail. Even though it may seem impossible, it is imperative to do it. We need to create an organisation of dedicated karyakartas who will be consistent, will not get discouraged, and will not give up midway.
Sangh Shakha is run to produce karyakartas adept in organisational skills. The Sangh has adopted the name “Swayamsevak” for them. The meaning of “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh” can be briefly explained as follows – Rashtriya means Hindu, Sangh means society, and those who have taken up the task of organising the Hindu society are Swayamsevaks.
The concept of organising the entire Hindu society is not easy to grasp. The concept of organisation of a caste, same language speakers, farmers, labourers, Congress, BJP are easier to understand. The concept of organisation of all-inclusive Hindu society was not proposed by anyone else except Dr Hedgewar. The resolve to organise a ‘virat’ society, consisting of villagers, city-hill-forest dwellers, rich and poor people spread across six lakh villages and speaking different languages, is miraculous. Doctor considered it as divine work. His life till the last breath exemplified this work. Hundreds of karyakartas have sacrificed their lives keeping his ideal in front of them. The most revered Sarsanghchalak Shri Guruji, Balasaheb Deoras, Professor Rajendra Singh ji, Honorable Sudarshan ji have put forth the same ideal before everyone.
What qualities are necessary in swayamsevaks who set out for the seemingly impossible task of organising a Hindu society, must have been the subject of deep contemplation for the Sangh founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. He was acquainted with many people working in public life – Lokmanya Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Maharishi Yogi Aurobindo, Trailokyanath Chakraborty, Bhai Parmanand, to name a few.
Generally, those who looked after the arrangement of programmes for a convention were called ‘Swayamsevaks’ – the literal translation of volunteer. The concept of ‘Swayamsevak’ in Dr Hedgewar’s mind was completely different.
- Organising means connecting people. We must connect, not divide. Connecting is difficult! A ‘Swayamsevak’ should be selfless, having affinity towards the entire society, without any discrimination in mind then only this connecting is possible.
- One needs to visit home to connect with an individual. One has to develop a nature of approaching a stranger’s place.
- One needs to find time to reach out to new people. One needs to be able to complete other responsibilities in the shortest amount of time and give maximum time to the organisation.
- Should be soft-spoken, a man of few words and ability to listen to others .
- Should work with a resolve.
The work of organising the Hindu Samaj is a test of courage. The work has to be done continuously with the mindset of Kaaryam vaa saadhayet deham vaa paatayet (Either will complete the work or will sacrifice the goal of Sangh is “Param Vaibhav (supreme glory) and for that Hindu Sanghatan (organisation)”. The words Hindu Sanghatan encompass all the ideas of social reforms earthly body.
This same legacy has to be passed on to the next generation. Five Sarsanghchalaks came after Dr Hedgewar and the work is going on continuously and regularly. Doctor Ji evolved the ‘Shakha’ method of functioning that can materialise the idea of ‘Swayamsevaks’ he had in mind.
The Shakha begins with obeisance to the bhagwa dhwaj and ends with veneration to Bharat Mata. No image of any deity or person is kept in the Shakha.
The dhwaj is accorded the highest place. All are equal in front of the flag, there is no place for any kind of high-low, educated-uneducated, urban-rural, and other discriminations. ‘Everyone holds Bharat-Mata as the only Goddess to be worshipped’. ‘The readiness to sacrifice everything for Bharat Mata means Swayamsevak’ – This desire of Swayamsevak – Patatu Eshah Kaayah – sacrificing this life – is expressed in daily prarthana- Bharat Mata is the worshipable deity, Society is God and the Bhagwa Dhwaj our ideal. This is the structure of the Sangh Shakha. There is no place for ego and selfishness.
One hour is fixed for the Shakha. Utilisation of each minute of this hour is carefully planned. One becomes successful in his work when one achieves coordination of body-mind-intellect. A personality that pulls the intellect on one side, the mind on the other and the body and senses on the third side will not be integrated one. One will always experience a dual state of mind. The planning of one hour is generally as follows.
The first five minutes are for Dhwaj Vandan, and the last five for Bharat Mata Vandan. Forty minutes are for physical activities like sports, Surya Namaskar, Yoga, Samata, Sanchalan etc. A weekly schedule is set for ten minutes every day for bauddhik or intellectual activities.
Sports make the mind happy, enthusiastic, and eager to win. The feeling of I will win is important in life. The ambition to win and move forward in society is necessary.
An attempt is made to instil discipline in the Swayamsevaks through yoga, samata (drill), sanchalan (route march) etc. The ‘arbitrariness’ of bodily senses is reduced. The body remains under the control of our mind.
Surya Namaskar is considered to be a beautiful full-body exercise in all aspects. It combines seven asanas and pranayama. Surya Namaskar creates a healthy, hardworking body.
Shareeramaadyam Khalu Dharma Saadhanam (In order to fulfill our dharma, first start with the body) is a famous maxim. Ten minutes are designated for intellectual activities. Discussions on topics such as loyalty to Hindu society, the disturbed state of current society, lack of unity, essential efforts to create a sense of harmony, giving time for it, etc. are held.
The intellectual activity is in the form of telling short motivational stories that convey qualities of affinity for society, bravery, valour, character, service, dedication, etc.
Patriotic songs are sung collectively in the Shakha. The daily prarthana is an integral aspect of the intellectual dimension as it provides the thought process for being a Swayamsevak.
The volunteer who conducts or leads the Shakha is called the Mukhya Shikshak (Main Instructor). A slightly older Swayamsevak who helps him is called the Shakha Karyavah (Secretary of the Shakha). Gana Shikshak (group instructor) are appointed according to the categories of the participants such as child, student, youth and adult. Some Shakhas also take place separately according to these categories such as Child, students, professionals and elderly. Groups of 5-7 Swayamsevaks are formed in the Shakha. Each group has a Gata Naayak (group leader). The Gata Naayak goes to the house of each Swayamsevak in his group and gets acquainted with the family members. Organisational skills begin with the Gata Naayak.
Planning skills are developed from the Shakha level itself and going into minute details becomes a habit.
Due to planning skills and ingrained discipline, Swayamsevaks carry out tremendous tasks very easily. These qualities are clearly seen during disasters; be it an earthquake, flood, storm or corona pandemic.
In the meantime, the Ganga Mata-Bharat Mata Yatra took place. Fifty thousand kilometers were travelled, punctuality was kept, and there was no confusion in the arrangements anywhere. The Indian Express daily column described it as ‘military precision’. The All India convener of the entire program was respected Moropant Pingle, who had been a Swayamsevak since childhood.
The personality of honourable Eknath Ranade, who took every step with the confidence of a winner and who made the Vivekananda Shila Smarak (Rock Memorial) a reality, was created by the Sangh Shakha. Eknathji did not just sit back and relax after erecting the Smarak. Inspired by Swami Vivekananda, he established a university for the proper training of the youth committed to social service. Hundreds of karyakartas trained at the Vivekananda Kendra are contributing in unifying the society across the country.
In the early days, many Swayamsevaks from Nagpur and Maharashtra left their homes to expand the Shakha work in other prantas (provinces), in unknown territories. Rajabhau Paturkar and Madhavrao Mule in Punjab, Vasantrao Oak in Delhi, Shri Bhaurao Devras and Nanaji Deshmukh in Uttar Pradesh, Madhusudan Dev in Bihar, Baburao Paladhikar in Odisha, Dadarao Paramarth, Dattopant Thengadi and Yadavrao Joshi in the South are just a few names to mention. Where would they have slept? When would they have eaten? Their ingenuity and planning, their affinity to each individual, their perseverance, are truly remarkable. And this was possible due to the process called Shakha.
Today, 80000 Shakhas are functioning to nurture such Swayamsevaks. The following sentence is seen in the literature of Swami Vivekananda. “I am in search of such individuals, such man making machines. Man with capital M.” What was his expectation from the people of the country when he was saying this? I want
intelligent and courageous youth who will enter the jaws of death, who will swim across the ocean of unfathomable. I want the flame of fulfillment of aspiration burning in their hearts. I want youth who are ablaze with the radiance of holiness, who have the auspicious armour of faith in God, whose muscles and nerves are pulsating. I firmly believe that thousands of young men and women with immense compassion for the downtrodden will travel from Himachal to Kanyakumari. They will call for liberation, service and social upliftment and all kinds of equality and this country will rise from the ashes with manliness”. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Sangh has made efforts to realise Swami Vivekananda’s above ideas of national resurgence in the form of a Shakha system, keeping in mind the objective of ‘Man making that is Swayamsevak in making’.
https://organiser.org/2025/02/05/276555/bharat/rss-at-100-sangha-shakha-making-of-a-swayamsevak/ -GoTop
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