Vaishakh Purnima, Vik. Samvat 2083, Yugabda 5128 : 1 May, 2026: SM 8003 (For Private Circulation only)
1. FESTIVALS : NARADA JAYANTI: Narada Jayanti is celebrated as the birth
anniversary of Devrishi Narada Muni. According to Vedic Puranas, Devrishi Narada
is a universal divine messenger and primary source of information among
Gods.
2. PROGRAMS OF SARSANGHCHALAK DR MOHAN BHAGWAT: On April
13, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat said that
Bharat's spiritual heritage and the guidance of saints have historically enabled
the country to withstand global upheavals and guide the world during crises,
asserting that the reason for the nation's resilience is rooted in its spiritual
wisdom.
Describing Kandakurti as a sacred land that has inspired people across
generations, Dr. Bhagwat inaugurated the newly constructed Shri Keshav Sphoorti
Mandir in the ancestral village of Dr. K. B. Hedgewar on April 11.
At the foundation stone laying ceremony of the ‘Lata-Asha Mangeshkar Institute
of Medical Sciences’ in Nandoshi, Dr. Bhagwat said that service activities
succeed only when driven by selflessness and sincerity. True service arises from
a sense of belonging, and it is this spirit that continues to sustain goodness
in society.
On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, Dr Bhagwat attended the grand
inauguration of Samskrit Bharati’s newly constructed Kendriya Karyalaya, ‘Pranavah’,
in New Delhi.
On the auspicious occasion of Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti on April 21, the Maa
Soundarya Chinmayi Mandir dedicated to Maa Tripureshwari was inaugurated at
Fakirmura village in Tripura.
3. HSS TANZANIA CONCLUDES 2026 HINDU PARIVAR SHIVIR: As
the Easter long weekend unfolded, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) Tanzania brought
together around 90 participants for its annual three-day Hindu Parivar Shivir.
Held at the Hindu Mandal School in Mikocheni, the gathering centered on the
theme ‘Dharme Sarvam Pratishthitam’ - Dharma is the foundation of everything.
As the Shivir concluded, the sense of unity was palpable. By blending physical
discipline with philosophical depth, HSS Tanzania created a platform for the
community to reconnect with its roots while looking forward to a future grounded
in the principles of Dharma. -GoTop
4. UGANDA PARIVARIK SHIBIR: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS)
Uganda successfully conducted a four-day Hindu Parivar Shibir from April 3 to
April 6 at Shree Sahajanand School, Bukoto, Kampala.
The shibir saw the participation of 46 attendees, including 9 swayamsevaks, 26
sevikas, 4 boys, and 7 girls. The program commenced on April 3 with a
traditional Gayatri Havan, setting a spiritual and focused beginning. The
structured schedule over four days combined physical activities, intellectual
sessions (bauddhik), discussions (charcha), and collective routines that
encouraged discipline and harmony.
Interactive charcha sessions enabled participants to reflect on practical
application of these values in daily life. Topics such as strengthening family
bonds, living with discipline, and contributing to society were discussed in an
engaging and participatory manner.
Youth played a significant role in organizing and conducting activities,
demonstrating leadership, responsibility, and commitment.
On April 6, a Samuhik Karyakram was held, where parents and community members
were invited. The event showcased the learnings and spirit of the Shibir through
collective activities and presentations, receiving positive appreciation.
The Shibir concluded on April 6 with Dikshant, marking the successful completion
of the camp. Participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, stronger family
connections, and a commitment to practice the values learned. -GoTop
5. HSS DENMARK CELEBRATED LARGEST HOLI FESTIVAL: Hindu
Swayamsevak Sangh Denmark (HSS-DK) celebrated Denmark’s largest Holi Festival
2026, bringing together more than 500 participants and setting a new benchmark
across Scandinavia. The event on April 12 was a vibrant display of unity,
culture, and community spirit, reflecting the true essence of Holi.
The festival was filled with colours, joy, cultural exchange, and strong
community bonding, making it a truly regal, vibrant, and unforgettable
experience for all attendees. It stands as a testament to the growing cultural
harmony and collaboration within Denmark and across the region. -GoTop
6. KARYAKARTA VARG IN SEYCHELLES: Hindu Swayamsevak
Sangh (HSS) Seychelles successfully conducted a ‘Karyakarta Varg’ (Instructors
Training) program on April 19 at the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Union Vale.
Around 52 highly motivated karyakartas participated in this event, engaging in
discussions on various crucial aspects of HSS shakha methodology.
The varg was coordinated by Govindbhai Vaghodia, who is a swayamsevak from
Gujrat, and is closely connected with the Swaminarayan Mandir. -GoTop
7. HSS JAPAN: BAL MARATHON 2026: The year 2026 marked a
significant milestone for Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS Japan as it celebrated the
10th edition of the Bal Marathon in Tokyo. Over the past decade, this initiative
has grown from a small community activity into a flagship event for the Hindu
diaspora. More than just a race, the Bal Marathon is a platform to promote
fitness, discipline, confidence, and cultural values among children growing up
away from Bharat. It helps build a strong foundation for the next generation
through community bonding and value-based activities.
• 1.5 km (kids with parents)
• 1.5 km, 2 km, 3 km, and 5 km runs
Officials from the Embassy of Bharat in Japan including Umesh Nautiyal, First
Secretary (Education, Community Welfare, and Cultural Wing) were present during
the event to encourage the participants. -GoTop
8. HSS USA AT SOLON CITY SPRING FEST: Hindu Swayamsevak
Sangh HSS USA participated in Solon City’s Spring Fest at the Solon Community
Center, alongside several other organizations. The HSS booth stood out as a
vibrant space showcasing Hindu culture, values, and community service.
9. SEWA USA ACTIVITIES: The Sewa Houston SELF team
organized its monthly 5K walk/run on April 4 at Arthur Storey Park, in
collaboration with Bilingual Education Institute (BEI) and 14 partner
organizations. The event began with energizing warm-up and stretching exercises,
followed by a brief overview of the event's objectives. The 5K walk/run was then
kicked off, with enthusiastic participation from all attendees. After the
walk/run, participants visited booths hosted by partner organizations, which
featured informational sharing and fun activities such as an Easter egg hunt and
a photo booth.
On April 19, HSS and Sewa families also cleaned 6 miles of the highway and
celebrated Earth Day in Naperville-Aurora. -GoTop
10. BRADFORD HINDU COUNCIL CELEBRATES VAISAKHI: The
Bradford Hindu Council joined the Sikh community for the vibrant Vaisakhi Nagar
Kirtan in Bradford, celebrating the birth of the Khalsa.
11. HCA FELICITATES EMINENT GURUS AND AUSTRALIAN HINDU
ORGANISATIONS: The Hindu Council of Australia (HCA) felicitated Brahmashri
Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma Garu - an esteemed Bharatiya spiritual leader,
scholar, journalist, and lyricist, widely respected for his profound discourses
on Hindu scriptures. He has been conferred with the distinguished titles
‘Samanvaya Saraswathi’, ‘Aarsha Dharmopanyasa Kesari’, and ‘Vaagdevi Varaputhra’.
The four day discourse of Sarma Garu in Sydney was on the significance of the
twelve Jyotirlingas.
12. INTERNATIONAL TRAINING FOR PANDITS AND PANDITAS IN
GERMANY: Pandit Krishna Kripa Dasa (Juan Carlos Ramchandani) conducted an
intensive training course for pandits and panditas at the Shree Peetha Nilaya
ashram—the international spiritual center of the Bhakti Marga
organization—located in the town of Springen, near Frankfurt, Germany. The
training brought together seven pandits and panditas from various
countries—Switzerland, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States,
and Brazil—reflecting the truly international character of the contemporary
Hindu community.
13. CHINESE ARTISTS BRING RAMAYANA TO LIFE IN BEIJING:
Chinese artists in Beijing staged a spectacular dance drama titled “Adi Kavya –
The First Poem,” inspired by the ancient Bharatiya epic Ramayana. The
dance-drama was performed by more than 50 local Chinese artists.
Held at the old Bharatiya Embassy premises in Beijing, the event attracted
around 200 attendees, including members of the diplomatic community and Chinese
cultural enthusiasts. -GoTop
14. SHIVAJI MAHARAJ JAYANTI CELEBRATED IN SOCAL: A
packed auditorium at Kennedy High School came alive on April 5 as hundreds from
across Southern California gathered to celebrate Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti at a
large-scale cultural event organized by Shivaji Maharaj America Parivar.
The program blended traditional Bharatiya heritage with modern technology,
reflecting the organizers’ goal of making Shiv Jayanti both spiritually
uplifting and educational for the community. Through performances and speeches,
attendees were encouraged to draw inspiration from the life and leadership of
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
15. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: There is only the Reality whatever you think it is, it looks like that. If you call it time, it is time. If you call it existence, it is existence, and so on… This is immaterial for the Path of Knowledge. – Ramana Maharshi -GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
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THE DIMENSIONS OF THE ‘SWA’
IN BHARAT’S ‘SWADESHI’ WAY OF LIFE
- DR MANMOHAN VAIDYA
The ‘Self’
embedded in Bharat’s Swadeshi way of life encompasses multiple profound
dimensions that go far beyond mere cultural expression. During 1964 to 1966,
under the leadership of Dr. D. S. Kothari, a commission was constituted to
evaluate Bharat’s education system. One of its significant conclusions was that
Bharat’s intellectual domain had become Eurocentric, whereas it ought to be
rooted in a Bharat-centric perspective.
This insight invites a deeper reflection through contemporary examples. The
ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas is widely described by global media,
including in Bharat, as a war in the Middle East. However, Bharat’s Ministry of
External Affairs has recently begun referring to this region as West Asia. The
geography has not changed, but the perspective has. The term Middle East
reflects a European vantage point where Bharat is seen as the East and Japan as
the Far East. As an independent nation, Bharat must define the world through its
own lens. For Bharat, Europe is the West, Japan is the East, and the Gulf region
is West Asia. This shift in perspective represents the essence of Swadeshi
consciousness.
The British came to Bharat with the intention to rule, and accordingly, they
framed laws with a punitive orientation, most notably the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
In present-day Bharat, governance is rooted in the will of the people, where the
objective is not punishment but justice. In alignment with this principle, the
Indian Penal Code has been replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). This
transformation signifies not merely a change in nomenclature but a deeper shift
in philosophical orientation from rule to justice. Similar changes are unfolding
across multiple domains.
Even today, festivals in Bharat are not observed according to English dates but
in accordance with the traditional lunar tithi. Ram Navami is celebrated on
Chaitra Shukla Navami, Raksha Bandhan on Shravan Purnima, Janmashtami on Krishna
Ashtami of Shravan or Bhadrapada, Navaratri begins on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada,
and Vijayadashami falls on Ashwin Shukla Dashami. Regardless of the
corresponding Gregorian date, these observances remain anchored in tithi. This
raises a pertinent question. If we consult auspicious timings while determining
marriage dates, why should anniversaries and birthdays be confined to English
dates alone? The insistence on tithi is not merely cultural but civilizational,
rooted in a system that is ancient, scriptural, and scientific. It is an
expression of our intrinsic self.
The contemporary practice of celebrating birthdays according to English dates,
marked by midnight rituals, cake cutting, and superficial customs, stands in
contrast to Bharatiya tradition, where the day begins in Brahma Muhurta, before
sunrise.
Observing birthdays according to tithi transforms the very ethos of celebration.
One awakens early (before sunrise), performs ablutions, lights a sacred lamp
before the Divine, seeks blessings from elders, takes noble resolutions, and
commits oneself to societal good. Such observances foster harmony, values, and a
spirit of collective joy within the family.
This is the essence of the Swadeshi way of life, where thought, time, conduct,
and culture are aligned with one’s own civilizational self. Without
confrontation or excessive expenditure, merely by transforming perspective, one
can make life more meaningful, rooted, and authentically Bharatiya.
Education, Learning, and the Purpose of Life: Bharat’s ‘Swa’ Perspective
I recently came across a thought-provoking reflection. The author observes –
“I have met some uneducated but learned people and some educated unlearned
people too.”
Education gives you a means to earn a livelihood, whereas learning is different
from education. Learning gives you a purpose in life. If the purpose is clear
and the direction is decided, you can set your priorities.
When there is a purpose and direction coupled with efforts, life flows like
water in a river. The river chooses to flow between the limitations of its banks
because it has to reach its goal, to be one with the ocean. Mere education and
earning money in life is like water in a lake; however large it is, it stinks.
Books help you to learn the meaning and purpose of life. It is said that first
we learn to read, and then we read to learn. By managing tasks, one can spare
time for reading to learn. Like the fish lives in water, we live in time. How
can a fish say that there is no water! Similarly, no one can say that he or she
doesn’t have time. One has to prioritise tasks, and he can find time to read and
lead a meaningful life by navigating the depths of learning beyond education.”
Therefore, life must not be confined merely to the pursuit of wealth; it must be
anchored in a higher purpose. Achieving such a purpose requires resolve, waking
before sunrise, followed by consistent effort and eventually disciplined habit.
Once the waking time is fixed, the time of rest aligns automatically.
Within these two boundaries, life flows in balance, fostering both physical and
mental well-being. If every household were to adopt the practice of rising
before sunrise, it could transform both the direction and condition of life.
Exceptions may exist for those engaged in night shifts or suffering from
illness, but for most, practices such as regular exercise, yoga, and Surya
Namaskar naturally become integral to life. This too reflects an essential
dimension of Bharat’s intrinsic Swa, a harmonious alignment of discipline,
purpose, and holistic well-being.
“To Give a Little More”: The Silent and Salient Ethos of Bharat
Before the advent of British rule, Bharat did not exist as a politically unified
entity. There was immense diversity in language, modes of worship, and ways of
life, with various kings ruling over the people of Bharat, framing different
kingdoms. Yet, across this vast civilizational expanse, one enduring tradition
could be observed for centuries. Whenever a liquid commodity such as milk or oil
was measured and given, after filling the measure completely, a little extra
would invariably be added.
Similarly, while weighing goods on a scale, even after the balance was achieved,
a small additional quantity would be offered. This practice continues even
today, especially in rural Bharat. It is not merely a style of commerce; rather,
it reflects the intrinsic civilizational ethos of Bharat, its ‘Inner Self’. The
sentiment behind it is clear: whatever value/money I receive, in return I must
ensure that even by mistake I should not give ‘less’ to society, but a little
more. This disposition of returning more to society is the essence of Bharat.
A Lasting Remedy to Corruption
Regrettably, modern education is increasingly shaping individuals into being
self-centric, materialist, and driven primarily by economic gain. In contrast,
the ordinary citizen of Bharat finds a natural joy in giving more to society.
This is the innate disposition of Bharat. If this inner ethos is awakened and
translated into conduct, corruption would find no space to exist. The guiding
principle is simple: whatever remuneration or value I receive for my work, I
must return more to society, never less under any circumstance. This is the true
manifestation of Bharat’s swadeshi way of life and its civilizational self.
The Irish-born disciple of Swami Vivekanand, Sister Nivedita (Margaret Noble),
articulated a profoundly significant idea concerning social life. She stated
that in a society where people, instead of keeping the remuneration of their
work to themselves only, share it with society, on the basis of this accumulated
wealth (social capital) with the society, the society as a whole becomes
prosperous and everyone in the society becomes prosperous. It is this social
capital that leads to the prosperity of society, enabling every individual
within it to progress. This is Dharma, not confined to any sect, way of worship,
or religion, but a life philosophy that binds society into a cohesive whole.
Sister Nivedita further noted that in a society where individuals accumulate the
fruits of their labour solely for personal gain without returning anything to
society, a few in the society may appear affluent, but the society as a whole
remains impoverished. Therefore, if this principle becomes an integral part of
the Swadeshi way of life, the entire character of society can be transformed.
For this, conscious and active participation of every individual is essential.
“Dharma” The Civilizational Ideal of Bharat
The guiding thought and conduct of Bharat have always been rooted in three
principles: abundance in production, equity in distribution, and restraint in
consumption. To regulate one’s consumption and dedicate what remains beyond
one’s needs to the welfare of society with a sense of belonging is Dharma.
Conversely, to pursue self-interest by causing harm to others or by depriving
them of their rightful share is Adharma.
Keeping this spirit in mind, the leadership of independent Bharat adopted
certain symbolic and idea-driven expressions. The motto of the Lok Sabha is
“Dharmachakra Pravartanaya”, that of the Rajya Sabha is “Satyam Vada, Dharmam
Chara”, and the Supreme Court of Bharat bears the inscription “Yato Dharmastato
Jaya”. Even the wheel in the national flag represents the Dharmachakra.
Bharat is, at its core, a Dharma-centric civilization. When Artha and Kama, the
pursuits of wealth and desire, operate within the discipline of Dharma, Moksha
(the ultimate goal of a human being) naturally follows. Compassion is Dharma,
while ego is sin. Therefore, life must maintain a balance between inner
spiritual discipline and outer social service. Swami Vivekanand encapsulated
this beautifully in the principle of serving living beings in the spirit of
Shiva, that to serve man is to serve God, and regarded service to the poor as
equivalent to worship of the Divine. The same meaning is conveyed in the saying,
“Ekant me Sadhana aur Lokant me Seva”, meaning, Sadhana in solitude and Seva in
public. Gurudev Rabindranath Thakur has put it beautifully. He says giving or
donating to society is “Charity”, while giving back to society is “Dharma”.
This is the civilizational self of Bharat, this is its Swadeshi way of life.
In the
eighteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, it is stated that a person attains
perfection by being devoted to their own rightful duty, and by worshipping the
Divine through the performance of their own work.
Sant Dnyaneshwar expresses this idea with simplicity and depth, stating that
offering one’s actions as flowers in worship to the all-pervading Divine present
in society brings profound fulfilment. The essence of all these teachings is
that every action of ours should be performed in the spirit of service to
society. Just as we choose fresh, fragrant, and the finest flowers for worship,
so too must our actions be pure, outstanding, and of the highest quality when
dedicated to society.
This is the true Swa of Bharat. Let this become our nature, let this shape our
way of life. Then our social and national life will become harmonious,
prosperous, and deeply fulfilling. This alone is the Swadeshi way of life. (Dr.
Manmohan Vaidya, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini Sadasya) https://vskbharat.com/the-dimensions-of-the-swa-in-bharats-swadeshi-way-of-life/?lang=en
-GoTop
