Paush Shukla 2 Vik. Samvat 2081, Yugabda 5126 : 1 January, 2025: SM 6019 (For Private Circulation only)
1.
FESTIVALS: MAKAR SANKRANTI, PONGAL, LOHARI: Makar Sankranti (January 14),
Pongal (January 14 to 17), and Lohri (January 13) festivals celebrated in Bharat
showcase the country's cultural diversity and unity. Makar Sankranti
marks the Sun's transition into the Capricorn zodiac sign. On the occasion
people pray to Surya Bhagwan, take holy dip in rivers and partake tilgud,
khichadi etc. at home or in communities. Celebrations also include flying kites
in some places like Gujarat.
2. RSS SARSANGHCHALAK DR MOHAN BHAGWAT’S PROGRAMS:
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat said, “We all
are different, yet one. But West is of the opinion of survival of the fittest,
if I destroy nature in the process, it will be fair as I have to live. Bharat
believes in the exact opposite. We think about others before ourselves”. He
added that Bharat is not founded on politics, but on Dharma and sanskriti. He
was speaking during the 23rd celebration of Sanjeevan Vyakhyanmala on December
19 in Pune.
On December 22, addressing the Mahanubhav Ashram Shatakpurti Samaroh, Dr Bhagwat stated that half knowledge of religion will lead to 'Adharma' and there have been atrocities in the world due to a misunderstanding of religion.
While inaugurating LokSeva-E School in Pune on December 2o, Dr Bhagwat emphasised that education is not a business but a ‘vrat’ (pledge) to create fine human beings.
3. OUR AIM IS TO ACHIEVE HOLISTIC PROGRESS THROUGH COMMUNITY
COOPERATION: HOSABALE: RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale said that
“Swavlambi villages through social service” is the vision for Bharat. He was
speaking at the dedication ceremony of the Pazhassi Raja Cultural Center at
Ealakkuzhi in Kerala’s Kannur district on December 17.
4. PANCHJANYA’S ‘SAGAR MANTHAN’ DIALOGUE 2024:
Panchjanya commemorated the birth centenary of former Pradhan Mantri late Atal
Bihari Vajpayee with the grand organisation of ‘Sagar Manthan: Good Governance
Dialogue 2024.’ The event was held in South Goa on December 24 and it was themed
around Vajpayee’s model of good governance and inclusive development.
5. PRAGJYOTISHPUR LITERARY FESTIVAL 2024: The second
3-day Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival 2024 concluded on December 15 in
Guwahati. The festival was organised by Sankardev Education and Research
Foundation (SERF) with the theme ‘In Search of Roots’. On December 13, the
inaugural ceremony was graced by Dr. Malini Goswami, former Vice-Chancellor of
Assam Women’s University. S Gurumurthy, noted columnist, journalist, and
economist, delivered the keynote address.
6. SEWA BHARTI’S SEWA SAMMAN: Sewa Bharti Delhi
organised Sewa Samman event to honour individuals and organisations who rendered
selfless service to the country during times of crises like COVID19, etc. The
event was held in New Delhi on December 14.
7. CELEBRATING THE RICH CULTURE OF NORTHEAST BHARAT: The
Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) of Government of Bharat
organised Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in New Delhi from December 6 to 8.
8. FIRST WORLD MEDITATION DAY CELEBRATIONS: On December
6, the 193-member UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution
declaring December 21 as World Meditation Day. Bharat was a member of the
core group of countries that guided the unanimous adoption of the resolution.
According to the United Nations, meditation is an ancient practice rooted in
religious, yogic, and secular traditions across cultures and it has been
practiced for thousands of years. Today, it is embraced worldwide to become a
universal tool for personal well-being and mental health. The World Health
Organisation (WHO) also recognises the significant benefits of meditation.
The Permanent Mission of Bharat to the United Nations organised a special
event ‘Meditation for Global Peace and Harmony’ at UN headquarters on December
20. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of the Art of Living Foundation and a
Bharatiya spiritual leader, gave a special meditation session to more than 600
enthusiastic participants at the event.
In New Zealand, Rotorua’s Hindu Heritage Centre hosted the city’s inaugural World Meditation Day celebration, drawing over 30 participants to embrace mindfulness and spiritual well-being.
Bharatiya missions around the world celebrated the inaugural World Meditation Day on December 21, highlighting meditation’s transformative impact on mental and physical well-being.
In a post on X, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi urged everyone to make meditation part of daily lives.
In Mysuru, Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, celebrated the first ever World Meditation Day in association with AYUSH Department, Yoga Foundation of Mysuru and several other organisations. -GoTop
9. 18TH PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS 2025: The Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2025, is scheduled to be held from January 8 to 10, 2025,
in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It marks a significant moment in the country’s
celebration of the Bharatiya diaspora and their invaluable contributions to
Bharat’s growth.
The 18th PBD is a unique occasion for both the state of Odisha and the Bharatiya diaspora. By bringing together global Bharatiyas and regional policymakers, the event will encourage partnerships and collaborations aimed at fostering business, innovation, and cultural exchange. Five Plenary Sessions planned at the 18th PBD2025 includes: Beyond Borders: Diaspora Youth Leadership in a Globalized World ; Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers: Stories of Migrant Skills; Green Connections: Diaspora’s Contributions to Sustainable Development; Diaspora Divas: Celebrating Women’s Leadership and Influence – Nari Shakti And Diaspora Dialogues: Stories of Culture, Connection, and Belongingness. -GoTop
10. DIWALI FOOD DRIVE: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) and
Hoysala Kannada Koota – donated 3,000 pounds food collected as part of the
Diwali food drive on November 22 to The Village, a Hartford-based nonprofit
dedicated to empowering children, families and communities through social
services and advocacy.
11. BROWARD COUNTY SCHOOLS MAKES DIWALI A HOLIDAY: On
December 17, Florida’s Broward County Public Schools, the sixth-largest school
system in the US, made a historic decision to officially recognize Diwali as a
holiday starting in the 2024-2025 academic year. The unanimous vote by the
school board will allow approximately 35,000 students to celebrate the Hindu
festival without academic commitments.
12. OHIO STATE : HINDU HERITAGE MONTH: On December 19,
the Ohio State House and Senate unanimously passed a legislation designating
October as Hindu Heritage Month. Spearheaded by State Senator Niraj Antani, the
first Hindu and Bharatiya American State Senator in Ohio’s history, the bill
marks a momentous occasion for Hindus across Ohio and the United States.
“This is a huge win for Hindus across Ohio and the country.
13. MODI HAILS BHARATIYA DIASPORA IN KUWAIT: Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi, on December 21, hailed the diaspora’s contribution to global growth and said Bharat has the potential to become the “skill capital of the world.” Modi was addressing a large gathering of the Bharatiya community at an event called ‘Hala Modi’ at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex in Kuwait.
14. HINDUS PROTEST IN MELBOURNE AGAINST THE ATROCITIES ON
MINORITIES IN BANGLADESH: On December 14, Melbourne Hindus held a massive
protest rally against the heinous atrocities committed on the minorities, and
especially the Hindu population in Bangladesh. The protest rally was organized
under the banner of ‘Australian Hindu Community’ at the Federation Square in
Melbourne from 4-6 pm. The protestors urged the Australian Government to take
steps to establish diplomatic dialogue to pressurize the Bangladesh Government
to “Stop religious persecution of the Hindus in Bangladesh and release ISKCON
sadhu Chinmoy Prabhu” who is jailed under false accusation of sedition charges.
Hindus in Melbourne participated in large numbers.
15. CHINA AGREES TO RESUMPTION OF KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA:
Bharat and China on December 18 agreed to strengthen cross-border exchanges and
take concrete steps towards resumption of the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra. The
Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra has been suspended since 2020 due to the Covid-19
pandemic and the Chinese side's non-renewal of arrangements.
16. BHARAT SECURES EARLY RELEASE OF 28 TAMIL NADU FISHERMEN
FROM BAHRAIN: The Bharatiya Embassy in Bahrain on December 18 announced the
repatriation of 28 Bharatiya fishermen who were detained in the country. The
Embassy further said that the fishermen were initially sentenced to six months,
but their term was reduced to three months. The fishermen were arrested in
September 2024 for allegedly entering Bahraini territorial waters illegally.
17. NEETA BHASIN APPOINTED TO NY STATE AAPI COMMISSION:
On December 12, the New York State Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)
Commission was inaugurated at Queens College, where thirteen Asian Americans
were sworn in to strengthen the connection between the AAPI community and the
state.
Neeta Bhasin, who holds degrees in Accounting and Economics from Queens College, NY, has had a career rooted in cultural advocacy. She founded ASB Communications in 1997 and later created Event Guru Worldwide, which made history in 2013 with the conceptualization of Diwali at Times Square. -GoTop
18. PRADHAN MANTRI RASHTRIYA BAL PURASKAR TO 17 CHILDREN:
Rashtrapati Droupadi Murmu on December 26 presented the Pradhan Mantri
Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 17 children, recognizing their exceptional courage and
outstanding achievements across diverse fields, including art, culture, sports
and innovation. The Rashtrapati also paid homage to the unparalleled sacrifices
of Guru Gobind Singh's sons, commemorated as 'Veer Bal Diwas' on December
26, saying, "Their sacrifices for faith and self-respect continue to inspire
countless generations. On this day, the nation bows in reverence to their
bravery and spirit."
19. AHILYABAI HOLKAR TRICENTENARY CELEBRATIONS IN KOCHI:
The Ahilyabai Holkar Tricentenary celebrations were inaugurated in Kochi on
December 15 by Smriti Irani, former Union Minister. During her inaugural speech,
Smriti Irani stated that the legend of Ahilyabai Holkar’s valor, courage, and
strength, which had been hushed up by politically motivated and selfish
historians, is being revived through the tricentenary celebrations.
20. 5,000-YEAR-OLD WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AT RAKHIGARHI:
The ongoing archaeological excavation at Rakhigarhi, an ancient Harappan
site located in the villages of Rakhi Shahpur and Rakhi Khas in Haryana’s Hisar
district, has uncovered remarkable evidence of sophisticated water management
systems and cultural practices dating back nearly 5,000 years. A significant
discovery from the excavation is the identification of a water storage area
between mounds one and two, with an estimated depth of 3.5 to 4 feet. This
finding highlights the advanced water management techniques employed by the
Harappan people. -GoTop
21. RSS PAYS TRIBUTE TO FORMER PM DR MANMOHAN SINGH:
The nation is engulfed in grief following the demise of former Pradhan Mantri Dr
Sardar Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26 at the age of 92. Dr.
Singh, a renowned economist and statesman, played a pivotal role in shaping
Bharat’s economic landscape and strengthening its democratic foundations.
RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale
expressed their deepest condolences on the passing of Dr. Singh.
Rashtrapati Droupadi Murmu, Pradhan Mantri Minister Narendra Modi, and many world leaders including from USA, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mauritius, paid their rich tributes to the departed noble soul. -GoTop
22. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Perfect health, sincerity, honesty,
straightforwardness, courage, disinterestedness, unselfishness, patience,
endurance, perseverance, peace, calm, self-control are all things that are
taught infinitely better by example than by beautiful speeches. – Sri
Aurobindo -GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
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MAHAKUMBH: A CONFLUENCE OF SPIRITUALITY, SCIENCE, ECONOMY AND SOCIAL UNITY
The Mahakumbh Mela, a centuries-old spiritual gathering, transcends mere religious observance, offering profound scientific, social, and economic significance. As millions prepare for the 2025 event, its role in promoting unity, equality, and global economic growth is poised to make an enduring impact
-Pankaj Jagannath Jayswal
In a world characterised by the
frenetic pace of modernity, few events possess the capacity to unite millions in
the quest for a purpose greater than themselves. The Mahakumbh Mela, a revered
pilgrimage occurring four times over a span of 12 years, exemplifies this
phenomenon. Kumbh Mela, the largest peaceful assembly globally, attracts
millions of pilgrims who immerse themselves in sacred rivers to purify their
sins and achieve spiritual liberation. As pilgrims prepare for their journey to
Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, they will partake in a series of
spiritual rituals and embark on a journey that transcends physical, cultural,
and spiritual boundaries.
Here are some scientific elements of the Mahakumbh Mela
The Mahakumbh Mela is a festival
that incorporates science, astrology, and spirituality. The dates of the
Mahakumbha are calculated using scientific techniques, majority of which utilise
planetary placements. When the planet Brihaspati (Jupiter) enters the
astrological sign Vrishabha (Taurus), it corresponds with the Surya (Sun) and
Chandra (Moon) entering Makara (Capricorn). These changes affect water and air,
resulting in a completely positive atmosphere in the holy city of Prayagraj.
Simply being there at that sacred site and taking a holy dip in the Ganges can
spiritually enlighten a soul, reducing physical and mental stress.
Astrology: The celebration takes place when the sun, moon, and Jupiter are in
certain positions.
River confluences: The event takes place at river confluences where unique
forces are thought to act at specific periods in the solar cycle.
Water: The event is thought to benefit the body (72 per cent water) by
connecting with the energy churning of the waterways. The Mahakumbh Mela is a
massive gathering of people from all across India who come to wash in the sacred
Ganges River. The event is filled with information and features numerous rituals
and cultural activities.
The Kumbh Mela is not only the world’s largest human gathering, but also one of
the most spiritually profound, attracting millions of devotees, saints, and
seekers from all over the world. The next Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj is a
one-of-a-kind opportunity for people to reconnect with their spiritual essence,
cleanse their souls, and embark on a sacred journey that has been practised for
millennia.
To summarise, the positions of many planets have an effect on our planet’s water
and air. At certain planetary positions, the positive energy levels of a
specific location during a specific time rise to a high, creating an ideal
environment for spiritual growth and awakening.
Economic importance of Kumbh Mela
The Prime Minister recently unveiled 167 development projects totalling Rs 5,500
crores in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to prepare for the Maha Kumbh 2025.
Sah’AI’yak, a multilingual AI-powered chatbot, was introduced to help devotees
in 11 Indian languages. The Mahakumbh, which covers around 4,000 hectares, is
expected to attract 40-45 crore pilgrims, making it the world’s largest
religious gathering.
KV Raju, economic advisor to the Uttar Pradesh government, claims that with a
projected 45 crore pilgrims, the Mahakumbh might produce at least Rs 2 lakh
crore.
Former IAS official Avnish Awasthi, who advises the Chief Minister, projected
that if each pilgrim spends 8,000 rupees, overall economic activity might exceed
3.2 lakh crore rupees, highlighting the event’s colossal financial significance.
Senior tourism experts feel that the Mela’s infrastructure and global exposure
...will benefit tourism for many years to come. The upgraded amenities and
connectivity will make a lasting impact on the region.
According to an earlier CII report, the last such Maha Kumbh in 2013 earned
total revenues of Rs 12,000 crore, which included infrastructure improvements to
airports and hotels, while the Kumbh Mela in 2019 garnered total revenues of Rs
1.2 lakh crore. Although the Kumbh Mela is spiritual and religious in nature,
the economic activities related to it employed over six lakh people in 2019
across a variety of sectors, according to the CII.
The Yogi government is making substantial efforts to improve the state’s tourism
economy, with the approaching Maha Kumbh playing an important role in this
initiative. It is expected that approximately 45,000 families will benefit from
direct or indirect job possibilities related to this magnificent event and lakhs
of people across a variety of sectors.
Tracing History: A Journey Across Time
The Kumbh Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage,
is held four times every twelve years in four separate locations: Prayagraj,
Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. The Kumbh Mela 2025 will take place at Prayagraj,
where the sacred rivers Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati meet at the
Sangam.
The Kumbh Mela has thousands of years of history, with early allusions dating
back to the Maurya and Gupta periods (4th century BCE to 6th century CE). The
early meetings, albeit not as huge as the present Kumbh Mela, attracted pilgrims
from all around the Indian subcontinent. The Mela’s importance expanded with the
emergence of Hindutva, with emperors such as the Guptas elevating it to the
status of a venerated religious gathering.
The Kumbh Mela was supported by a number of royal dynasties during the medieval
period, notably the Chola and Vijayanagar Empires. In the nineteenth century,
figures such as British colonial administrator James Prinsep documented the
Kumbh Mela, noting its ritualistic rituals, massive congregations, and
socio-religious dynamics at play. These testimonies provided vital insights into
the Kumbh’s evolution and
durability over time. The Maha Kumbh Mela took on even greater significance
after independence, representing national unity and India’s rich cultural
legacy.
The Kumbh Mela, recognised by UNESCO in 2017 as an intangible cultural property
of mankind, is a witness to the survival and adaptation of traditional
traditions in the face of modernism.
Unity in Diversity
The Mahakumbh brings together millions of people from many castes, creeds, and
walks of life, fostering social harmony and cultural exchange. The Mahakumbh
Mela in 2025 is more than just a gathering; it is a journey towards oneself.
Beyond rituals and symbolic deeds, it allows pilgrims to engage in inner thought
and deepen their connection with the holy. In a world dominated by the demands
of modern life, the Mahakumbh Mela stands out as a symbol of togetherness,
purity, and enlightenment. This eternal trip serves as a strong reminder that,
despite humanity’s diverse pathways, we are fundamentally united—a common quest
for peace, self-realisation, and an unwavering regard for the sacred.
Every spiritual or religious activity in Sanatan dharma has a strong connection
to human and societal upliftment, which promotes social harmony while also
reminding us that Sanatan dharma does not believe in caste discrimination,
thereby boosting millions economically. The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 has the
potential to enrich spiritual lives and accelerate long-term economic growth in
Uttar Pradesh. With its vast size and the jobs it will generate, the event aims
to leave a lasting legacy, transforming the state into a global economic hub.
The event’s economic impact is not just immediate, but it will continue to
stimulate tourism, infrastructure, and job creation in the region for many
years.
https://organiser.org/2024/12/22/269741/bharat/mahakumbh-a-confluence-of-spirituality-science-economy-and-social-unity/
-GoTop
SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN samvadnewsletter@gmail.com http://shrivishwaniketan.
