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From left, Acharya Dharmendra, Shri K.K. Shastri |
Shri K.K. Shastri, one of the founder members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), was honoured at a grand function held in Ahmedabad recently on reaching 100 years of age. Shri Shastri was honoured with seven kinds of traditional garlands along with a garland strung with a hundred golden beads. As per Indian tradition, Shri Shastri’s feet were washed by Dilipbhai, state organising secretary of VHP, Gujarat. Earlier, 22 boys and girls welcomed him by carrying the Bhagawatgita on their heads while Shri Shastri was brought to the dais amidst chanting of Vedic hymns. Speaking on the occasion, Acharya Giriraj Kishore, senior vice-president of VHP, termed the talks of dividing Hindus between the moderate and the offensive as ridiculous. He said Hindus had always been moderate and supporters of world peace and brotherhood. He further said that those who had crossed the age of 100 years during the Mahabharat period had contributed their mite to enhancing the dharma darshan. He also said that the honour bestowed upon Shri K.K. Shastri by the Gujarat government was an honour for the whole Hindutva ideology. Acharya Dharmendra, Peethadhishwar, Panchkhand Peeth of Jaipur, said the felicitation of Shri K.K. Shastri was an honour of the maharishi culture of this holy land and also of the traditions of Maharishis Kanad, Gautam, Agastya, Vedavyas, Valmiki and others.
Moved at his felicitation, Shri Shastri said that the Hindutva ideology should be made stronger for the faster development of the country. He questioned why the Hindus had been neglected despite being the majority community. Swami Vishwadevanand Maharaj described Shri Shastri as a multifarious personality who was born in the land of Narasi Mehta and Maharishi Dayananda. The Tagore Hall, where the function was held, was packed to capacity by well-wishers of Shri Shastri.
