ॐ SAMVAD संवाद
Ashadha Shukla 2, Vik. Samvat 2083, Yugabda 5128:16 July 2026: SM8008 (For Private Circulation Only)
1. FESTIVALS :
CHATURMAS: Chaturmas literally means a period of four months. In religious
and spiritual life, it refers to the sacred span within the rainy season when
spiritual disciples stop their travel for restraint, recitation, vows,
scriptural listening, guru service and introspection.
2. PROGRAMS OF SARSANGHCHALAK DR MOHAN BHAGWAT: On July
4, addressing a public screening of the YouTube documentary ‘Dr. Hedgewar –
Adhunik Yug Ke Shalivahan’ in Nagpur, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak
Dr Mohan Bhagwat said that while the form and scale of an organisation’s work
may evolve over time, its foundational values must remain unchanged.
Dr Bhagwat said that Bharat must advance on a strong foundation to become a
nation of supreme glory and supreme strength, asserting that only then would it
be able to fulfil its role of guiding humanity. 
On July 1, while addressing a gathering at the 75th Foundation Day programme of
the Sindhu Education Society, an organisation run by the Sindhi community in
Nagpur, Dr Bhagwat said that those displaced during Partition were not refugees
but "Sangharshrat Yoddhas" (struggling warriors) who sacrificed everything to
practise their Dharma fearlessly.
On June 28, Dr. Bhagwat delivered the valedictory address on the concluding day
of the 3-day National Conference in Bengaluru. Organized by Bharatiya Shikshan
Mandal, the theme of the conference was “Operationalizing NEP 2020: Integrating
Indian Knowledge Systems”.
3. STATEMENT ISSUED BY RSS SARKARYAVAH DATTATREYA HOSABALE:
The grand temple constructed at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi has become a center
of reverence, faith, and devotion for the entire Hindu society, owing to the
struggles of generations and the dedication, sacrifice, and martyrdom of crores
of Rambhakts. The unfortunate incident of theft in the donation boxes kept at
the Shri Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya has deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of
the entire society and Ram devotees; we are all extremely pained and angered by
this event.
It is natural for the entire Hindu society, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh, to expect the Trust to treat this highly condemnable incident as an
extraordinary matter and take effective steps to rectify all shortcomings in
temple management and operations. This is crucial to ensure that the faith and
reverence of crores of Rambhakts in the Ayodhya temple remain unbroken and
steadfast.
The current state of confusion and uncertainty must end. In this regard, we
expect the temple management and the government-appointed SIT to take all
necessary initiatives. We are confident that through proper financial
management, flawless and transparent operational systems, and an atmosphere
imbued with purity, sanctity, and true dharmikta, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi
Teerth Kshetra Trust will continue to strengthen the faith and trust of the
Hindu society.
The RSS also calls upon the entire Hindu society to display necessary patience
and restraint during this difficult moment and to thwart the conspiracies of
anti-Hindu and anti-national forces seeking to malign the Hindu dharma and
society by exploiting this unfortunate incident. (June 3, New Delhi)
-GoTop
4. AKHIL BHARATIYA PRANT PRACHARAK BAITHAK CONCLUDES:
The annual Akhil Bharatiya Prant Pracharak Baithak of RSS was held at Belagavi,
Karnataka, on July 10-12.
5. SAMITI ORGANISED A SANKALP DIWAS IN NEW DELHI: To
commemorate the birth anniversary of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti’s founder
Lakshmibai Kelkar (Mausiji), Delhi Prant, through its intellectual forum
‘Medhavini Sindhu Srijan’, organised a Sankalp Diwas programme in New Delhi on
July 8. This year’s Sankalp Diwas was dedicated to celebrating Samiti’s 90-year
journey of service, dedication, and nation building.
6. CELEBRATIONS: 80 YEARS OF ORGANISER: Organiser
(Weekly) marked eight decades of nationalist journalism with the grand
celebration of “Organiser: 80 Years of Media Movement”, where Uprashtrapati of
Bharat C. P. Radhakrishnan and RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale paid rich
tributes to the publication’s enduring contribution to journalism, public
discourse, and nation-building. They described Organiser as a thought movement,
a fearless advocate of press freedom, and the voice of the nation’s conscience
that has consistently upheld Bharat’s civilisational values and nationalist
perspective over the past 80 years.
Uprashtrapati C.P. Radhakrishnan, revisited his younger days, when he was
reading Organiser and gaining knowledge, facts and perspectives about national
issues. Uprashtrapati also mentioned that the Organiser has always advocated for
the unity, integrity, culture and national security of Bharat.
-GoTop
7. ABVP ‘S FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATIONS: Marking its
Foundation Day on July 9 as National Sudents Day, ABVP highlighted the role of
youth in nation-building while promoting the values of social responsibility,
environmental conservation, and the spirit of ‘Nation First’. Union Minister
Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta hailed its contribution to
student leadership, nation building and public service.
Addressing the Vasundhara programme at Banaras Hindu University, ABVP National
General Secretary Dr Virendra Singh Solanki said, “Throughout its 78-year
journey, ABVP has consistently connected the holistic development of students
with the larger objective of nation-building.” -GoTop
8. THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR CIVILIZATIONAL STUDIES
“MANAS AND MAHABHARAT” INAUGURATED: A Bharatiya delegation visited
Kyrgyzstan on July 4-7 to participate in the opening ceremony of the
International Centre for Civilizational Studies “Manas and Mahabharat”. It was
officially inaugurated in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, alongside the presentation of the
first Hindi translation of the renowned Kyrgyz epic “Manas”. The Centre is
established by the Manas National Academy in collaboration with the Centre for
Studies of International Relations (CSIR), New Delhi, Bharat.
RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar, was the Chief Guest for the
event. Sunil Ambekar emphasised the longstanding cultural relations between the
peoples of Bharat and Kyrgyzstan, highlighting notable similarities in
traditional cultural values, especially the focus on human values.
He noted that the Mahabharat has had a profound impact on Bharatiya culture,
while the epic ‘Manas’ has been a central cultural force for the Kyrgyz people
for millennia. -GoTop
9. HSS MOZAMBIQUE HINDU HERITAGE CAMP: HSS Maputo (Mozambidue)
organised ‘Hindu Heritage Youth Camp’ from June 19 to 21, in Salamanga. A total
of 48 students, aged 8-18, participated in camp including 11 volunteers.
On June 28, one day HHC was also organized at Beira City Center in association
with "Comunidade Hindu da Beira" (Mozambique). 37 campers and 6 youth volunteers
participated under the supervision of 10 senior volunteers. The camp included
activities like Yoga, Self Defense, Camp Song & chanting. Students received
Certificates and an attractive gift. -GoTop
10. HSS HONG KONG CHANDRAGUPTA SHAKHA ANNUAL EVENT: On
June 27, HSS Hong Kong’s Chandragupta shakha celebrated its annual event with
swayamsevaks, sevikas, their parents and other well-wishers. The total presence
was 53. The event included celebrations of Hindu Samrajya Divas and Guru Purnima.
Highlights of the event included sitting games, quiz session, passage reading,
and essay competitions. Nirmal Laungani, Sanghachalak HSS HK, spoke on the
achievements of the RSS since its inception in 1925, as well as the work of HSS
HK since 5 decades. Manoj Motwani, Karyavah HSS HK, spoke about the significance
of Guru Purnima, Bhagwa Dhwaj and Gurudakshina. Ameya Pandey, a yuva Swayamsevak
spoke on why Chhatrapati Shivaji is considered as the greatest king of medieval
Bharat. Parents also shared their views how Shakha is changing the lives of
their kids. Prizes were given to the winners of the essay competitions. For the
age group of 7-10 years, the topic was “Why is Bharat the greatest country in
the world” and the 1st prize was given to Prajakta Samal.
-GoTop
11. HSS(UK) NATIONWIDE YUVATI MILANS 2026: HSS (UK)
Yuvati Milans were a true reflection of energy, unity, and purpose, bringing
together Yuvatis from across the UK under the inspiring theme “Rooted in Dharma,
Rising with Confidence.” Throughout May and June, nine Vibhags successfully
organised Yuvati Milans events.
12. HSS SPAIN FAMILY SHIBIR: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS)
Spain organized its annual Family Shibir near Barcelona from June 26 to 28. The
theme of the shibir was:
“समाजेन सह सम्बद्धतायाः
साधना। स्वयं को समाज से जोड़ने की साधना।”
- Sadhana of Connecting Oneself
with Society. 82 volunteers of all age groups from five different locations
across Spain participated in the camp. Including visitors, the total presence in
the shibir reached 96. Highlights of the shibir included shakha, bouddhik,
cultural programs and special session on different subjects.
13. HSS UK SEWA AT WATFORD ISKCON MANDIR: On June 27,
30 participants from South Harrow Nagar (Durga and Shakti Shakhas) came together
to visit Watford ISKCON Mandir, experiencing a day of service, learning, and
togetherness. Everyone participated in farming activities at Gokul Farm, helping
to weed vegetable beds and harvest fresh produce.
14. SEWA HOUSTON ORGANIZED A LEADERSHIP SESSION: Sewa
Houston organized an inspiring leadership session on “Entrepreneurship and AI:
Lessons Across Generations" on June 27 at JVB, featuring the Sanghavi family—Rupesh
Sanghavi, Founder & CEO of Ergode, and his sons: Vir Sanghavi (16 yrs), Founder
of Ravioli; Adi Sanghavi (13 yrs), Founder of Leaki; and Dev Sanghavi (12 yrs),
Founder of Learner. The session was a fascinating journey told through stories
and experiences—a father who transformed a single idea into a global company,
and three young sons who are already building their own entrepreneurial
journeys.
15. HSS AND SEWA USA CELEBRATES 250TH USA INDEPENDENCE:
On July 4, as Americans across the nation commemorated Independence Day during
the nation's 250th anniversary year, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA and SEWA
USA celebrated the occasion through patriotic ceremonies, parades, etc., that
brought together hundreds of volunteers, families, and youth to honor the ideals
of freedom, service, and unity. Across HSS summer camps and Sewa Chapters
nationwide, participants gathered beneath the Stars and Stripes to sing the
national anthem, reflect on America's founding ideals, and celebrate the shared
values that unite Hindu and American traditions.
16. MAURITIUS CREATES TRUST FUND TO MANAGE GANGA TALAO
MANDIR COMPLEX: The Mauritius government announced the creation of a Trust
Fund attached to the country’s Prime Minister office to oversee the management
of Ganga Talao and improve administrative transparency. This was announced by
Minister of Arts and Culture Mahen Gondeea on July 6 in Grand-Bassin during a
visit aimed at assessing the sanctuary’s current state and identifying areas
requiring enhanced protection. In partnership with the National Heritage Fund,
the Ministry is developing the first comprehensive guidelines for the management
and preservation of this spiritual sanctuary, which was designated a national
heritage site in 2023.
17. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “The greatest religion is to be
true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves." ― Swami Vivekananda
-GoTop
JAI SHRI RAM
----
BENGAL’S “VANDE MATARAM MOMENT”
Dr. Manmohan Vaidya
(Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini Sadasya, RSS)
The election results in West Bengal
have astonished and delighted the entire nation.
I had the opportunity to visit Bengal in December 2025 and February 2026. Most
people there certainly desired change, but very few truly believed that such a
change could actually become possible. The circumstances were such that change
seemed nothing short of a miracle. Creating the open and fearless environment
necessary for free and fair voting was the greatest challenge. Yet, through the
combined efforts of the Election Commission, the Supreme Court, the Union Home
Ministry, and the security forces, this became possible.
This time, the people of Bengal voted in unprecedented numbers. In the previous
five elections (2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021), the average voter turnout was
79.22%, whereas in 2026 it rose to 92.47%. The contribution of SIR to this
increase of nearly 13% cannot be denied. At the same time, this remarkable rise
also reflects the fearless atmosphere and the extraordinary enthusiasm of the
people. The other critical facts that society viewed this election as a
civilizational battle, that the security forces discharged their
responsibilities effectively, and that people were reassured about their
democratic rights, cannot be ignored.
In February 2026, I met a senior woman journalist in Kolkata who holds firmly
leftist views; I spoke with her again on 29 May. She told me that she had cast
her first vote when she was eighteen years old, and now, in 2026, she had voted
once again. She is presently forty-six years old. The intense desire for change
and the belief that change was indeed possible were among the most important
motivations behind this voter turnout.
For a long time, Bengal had a history of violence during elections. In such a
context, this election was comparatively peaceful. Credit for this may also be
given to the Union Home Ministry. That is why people came out fearlessly and
cast their votes.
This election was not merely a victory for the BJP. The people of Bengal have
ensured the triumph of Bharat’s spiritual tradition and the idea of Hindutva. It
appears that the soul of Bengal has awakened once again. This is the victory of
the Bengal of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekanand, Sri Aurobindo, Bankim
Chandra Chattopadhyay, Rabindranath Tagore, Jagadish Chandra Bose, Bipin Chandra
Pal and countless other great pioneers of spiritual and national awakening.
This moment reminds me of the resistance to the partition of Bengal proposed by
British rule in 1905. At that time, accompanied by the resounding cry of “Vande
Mataram”, Bengal witnessed the rise of indomitable energy, unprecedented unity,
and a powerful national consciousness. The force of that awakening was so
immense that it eventually compelled the British government to revoke the Bengal
Partition proposal in 1911. Not only that, the British administration was also
forced to shift its capital from Kolkata to Delhi in 1911. Viewed from this
perspective, the victory of Bharat’s spiritual tradition and the idea of
Hindutva in this Bengal election may rightly be called Bengal’s “Vande Mataram
Moment” The song “Vande Mataram” was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in
1875 for his novel Anandamath. In 1896, it was sung for the first time at a
session of the Indian National Congress by Rabindranath Tagore. Thereafter,
during the agitation against the British proposal to partition of Bengal in
1905, the people of Bengal adopted “Vande Mataram” as the battle mantra of the
freedom movement.
In the struggle against the British proposal to partition Bengal, the role of
“Vande Mataram” was of immense significance.
On Sunday, 16 October 1905, the Raksha Bandhan celebration observed in Calcutta
was historic and profoundly significant. Ordinarily, Raksha Bandhan falls on the
full moon day of the month of Shravana, that is, in August. However, in protest
against the partition of Bengal, on 16 October Hindu and Muslim men and women
throughout Kolkata bathed in the sacred Ganga, tied rakhis on one another’s
wrists, and pledged that, just as this silken thread binds us together, so too
would they keep Bengal united and never allow it to be divided.
Sri Aurobindo was the first to describe “Vande Mataram” as the mantra of
freedom. To awaken national consciousness, he published a weekly newspaper
titled Vande Mataram. In 1907, the flag of Free India unfurled by Madam Bhikaji
Cama in Germany bore the words “Vande Mataram”. From then onwards, “Vande
Mataram” became the hymn of freedom, a song of patriotic inspiration, and the
mantra of consciousness for revolutionaries.
Alarmed by the revolutionary fire ignited by “Vande Mataram”, the British
government banned its public singing in April 1906. Yet this repression only
generated greater enthusiasm and energy in Bengal, and eventually forced the
British government to withdraw the proposal to partition of Bengal.
This energy and enthusiasm did not remain confined to Bengal. The flames of this
awakening spread across the entire nation. At Nagpur, Dr. Hedgewar, the future
founder of the Sangh and then a tenth-grade student, publicly proclaimed “Vande
Mataram” and incurred the wrath of the school authorities. As a consequence, he
was expelled from school.
Thereafter, the complete “Vande Mataram” continued to be sung at every annual
session of the Indian National Congress. Eminent musicians such as Rabindranath
Tagore, Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, and Omkarnath Thakur lent their voices
to it. All Congress members whether Hindu or Muslim sang it as the life-breath
of the freedom movement.
However, after 1921, under the influence of Britain’s divisive politics,
communal forces began to gain influence within the Congress. As a result,
tendencies emerged that supported the Khilafat Movement and opposed “Vande
Mataram” by labelling it communal. The very song that until 1920 had been
regarded as the life-mantra of the freedom movement began to be called communal
after 1923. It was from this point, according to this view, that the seeds of
Bharat’s partition began to be sown.
In Bharatiya thought, the human being is not viewed merely as a physical body,
but as a five-layered existence comprising body, life-force, mind, intellect,
and soul. In the same way, “Vande Mataram” presents the complete form of Bharat.
Its first stanza describes the land of Bharat; the second portrays its people;
while the later stanzas depict Bharat’s mind, intellect, life-force, and
spiritual consciousness.
“Tumi Vidya, Tumi Dharma”, “Vidya” refers to Bharat’s spiritual wisdom that
teaches the path to liberation.
And “Dharma” (not religion) means reducing the prominence of the individual ‘I’,
expanding the collective spirit of ‘we’, and giving back to society with a sense
of belonging. Sister Nivedita observed that when people do not keep the
remuneration of their labour solely for themselves but contribute them back to
society, that society accumulates social capital, becomes prosperous and
enriched, and enables every individual within it to flourish. This is “Dharma”.
In that sense, enriching the social capital of society itself is “Dharma”. That
is why, after Independence, Bharat’s leadership consciously adopted ideals such
as “Dharmachakra Pravartanaya” for the Lok Sabha, “Satyam Vada, Dharmam Chara”
for the Rajya Sabha, “Yato Dharmastato Jaya” for the Supreme Court, and
incorporated the Dharma Chakra into the national flag. This Vidya and this
Dharma, it is said, reside in the heart of Bharat Mata; they are the very
life-force of Bharat.
Bharat Mata is the united embodiment of Durga, the goddess of strength; Lakshmi,
the goddess of prosperity; and Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. This is
Bharat. For this very reason, the complete rendition of “Vande Mataram”
continued to be sung at the annual sessions of the Indian National Congress from
1905 onward. It takes approximately three minutes to sing the entire
composition. Where then, is communalism in this vision?
Later, under the influence of divisive and communal elements, opposition to it
began to emerge a trend that, in one form or another, continues even today.
Those who see communalism in it merely display their ignorance of Bharat’s
spiritual heritage and traditions. Or else, it appears that they are either part
of, or unwitting instruments in the hands of, the divisive forces that once
served British rule and today work against Bharat.
Yet “Vande Mataram” stirred the very soul of Bharat. It awakened national
consciousness and ignited the spirit of freedom in every heart. It was precisely
for this reason that such widespread public outrage arose against the partition
of Bengal that the British government was ultimately compelled to withdraw its
proposal. Recently, the Government of Bharat has accorded greater prominence to
“Vande Mataram” and has encouraged the singing of the complete composition. This
is both appropriate and commendable.
The results of the 2026 Bengal elections have revived memories of the awakening,
determination, national consciousness, and decisive activism that characterized
Bengal between 1905 and 1911. This election has shattered attempts to separate
Bengal on the basis of linguistic identity. Although the Bengali language is
distinct, its identity is not separate from Bharat’s spiritual identity; rather,
it is an inseparable part of it. The results of this election have reaffirmed
that truth. Just as, in 1905, British colonial forces and jihadi extremists were
working together to undermine Bharat’s national identity, so too, in 2026,
mindless politicians, jihadi extremists, and cultural Marxists were working in
concert to sever Bengal’s ties with the rest of Bharat. Both in 1905 and in
2026, the Hindus of Bengal were confronted with a crisis affecting their very
existence.
It appears as though the spirit and identity of the Bengal of Ramakrishna
Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo and Rabindranath Tagore have
awakened once again. Bharat’s all-inclusive, integrated, and spiritual
philosophy of life, Bharat’s Hindutva has once again found a clear and powerful
expression.
Heartfelt congratulations are due to all the officers of the government and
administration who made this result possible, and to the women and men of Bengal
who displayed extraordinary courage and determination by coming out fearlessly
and voting in unprecedented numbers. Their commitment to democracy and their
aspiration for change made this historic outcome possible.
Without a doubt, this is Bengal’s “Vande Mataram Moment”.
https://vskbharat.com/bengals-vande-mataram-moment/?lang=en -GoTop
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