Live and die for the nation ?Mohan Bhagwat From S. Chandrasekhar in Thiruvananth

Grand finale to Rashtra Raksha Sanchalan
Live and die for the nation ?Mohan Bhagwat
From S. Chandrasekhar in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Among the countless who fought against the aliens, two names in Kerala stand out as towering symbols of patriotism and bravery. They are Veera Pazhassi Raja of Wayanad in northern Kerala and Velu Thampi Dalawa, the Dewan of Travancore in southern most Kerala. Both these immortal souls fought relentless battles against the British and attained brave martyrdom. Pazhassi Raja is credited for waging the first guerrilla warfare in the world with the help of untrained Kuruchi Vanvasis.

It was these two personalities who came to the mind of the RSS, when programmes in connection with the birth-centenary celebrations of Shri Guruji were planned. The Sangh decided to recreate the patriotic fervour left behind by these martyrs by organising a Ghosh Sanchalan from Bekal Fort in Kasargod to East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Ghosh Sanchalan which started from Bekal Fort on January 5 was carrying the message of Thasmat Jagradha Jagradha?meaning eternal vigilance is needed on the part of society for the safety and security of the nation. The Pazhassi Jyoti from Pazhassi Raja'sresting place in Mananthavadi and the Velu Thampi Jyoti from his resting place in Thalakulam were carried by the sanchalan. Around 6,000 Ghosh Vadaks participated in the sanchalan which covered all the districts of Kerala. Swayamsevaks visited lakhs of houses and educated the people on the threats to national security and safety, especially in Kerala, where Islamic extremism, converting Christianity and totalitarian communism are posing challenges to the Hindu society. The sanchalan which received the blessings and support of lakhs of people en route was also witness to over 22 mass rallies. More than 100 people who had contributed to the national cause like, freedom fighters, soldiers, sports personalities, scientists, literary and cultural personalities, were honoured in the course of the sanchalan.

When the sanchalan reached the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram on January 24, a large number of people were there to receive it at the feet of Lord Padmanabha. Shri R. Hari and Shri P. Parameswaran received the jyotis of Pazhassi Raja and Velu Thampi Dalawa. From it thousands of jyotis were lit and handed over to the citizens of Thiruvananthapuram. Thus, completing 700 kms on foot with Ghosh, the Swayamsevaks have really marched into history.

On January 26, Sarkaryavah Shri Mohan Bhagwat hoisted the national flag.

The sanchalan which received the blessings and support of lakhs of people en route was also witness to over 22 mass rallies. More than 100 people who had served the nation like freedom fighters, soldiers, sports personalities, scientists, literary and cultural personalities, were honoured in the course of the sanchalan.

During the period thousands of vehicles carrying men, women and children poured into Thiruvananthapuram. The Ghosh Sanchalan, which started from six different locations, converged at a single point and marched towards the University Stadium. Thousands of Poorna Ganavesh Swayamsevaks, tableaus depicting scenes from our history and traditional art forms, elephants, and large number of public followed them giving a festive look to the Sangamam.

Addressing the 10,000 odd Swayamsevaks and a mass of more than one lakh from the massive stage which had huge cutouts of Pazhassi Raja, Velu Thampi Dalawa and the Indian soldiers atop Tiger Hills with the tricolour, Shri Bhagwat called upon the Bharatiya Samaj to be in eternal vigilance against threats to its safety and security. He said that while Bharat believe in its timeless culture of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world does not do so. ?Bharat has internal and external threats and our borders are not safe.

Our neighbouring countries are in turmoil. Pakistan which came into existence because it could not live with Bharat is not satisfied with Punjab and Bengal it got. It wants to annex Assam and Kashmir. With the active participation of ISI it is organising terrorist activities from Kashmir to Bangalore. Bangladesh wants to annex Assam and lakhs are infiltrating into it. Arms are being supplied to terrorists in the north-eastern states. China, an expansionist state which has established its domination in Tibet, is building road/rail links to India through Nepal. It is building bases in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and purchased Islands near Andamans and Maldives. ISI is helping Nepal Maoists and US wants to establish base in Kashmir by making it a protected territory. Earlier the world was bipolar and now it has become unipolar. We are in a dangerous situation and we have to be selfish for our national interests. Nations make laws for their financial security but here we have opened the market which will help only the MNCs and lead the nation to a financial crisis. Our agricultural security has been dangerously compromised. Laws to curb terrorists and anti-national activities have been repealed. Special laws are being made to retain the minority character of educational bodies and anybody raising voice against it is dubbed communal and saffron. Governments are pleasing minorities and their anti-national activities and conversions?, he observed. He continued that there is no shortcut for safety and security and that society has to do it on its own. He called upon the society to live and die for national security. He informed that the RSS, from 1925, has been working towards this goal without aiming for name or fame and any action in that direction will be the fitting tribute to Shri Guruji in this centenary year.

Earlier Shri Bhagwat received the Pazhassi Raja and Velu Thampi jyotis and honoured eminent personalities for their contributions in various fields.

Shri R. Hari, Shri Krishnappaji, Kshetriya Pracharak Shri Sethumadhavan, Kshetriya Karyavah, Shri Vannirajan, Prant Pracharak, Shri Gopalakrishnan, Sah-Prant Pracharak Shri J. Nandakumar, Prant Karyavah, Shri A.R. Mohan and Sangh adhikaris from Tamil Nadu participated in this massive rally. Prant Sanghachalak Shri P.E.B. Menon presided over the function.