Hindu Samajotsava at Mangalore was altogether a different programme in both its intent and content. A disciplined crowd of more than 1,00,000 came in a procession in a jubilant mood of eradicating all evils of the Hindu Society. The pledge of making 118 socially empowered villages and starting a Vidya Nidhi for weaker sections made this Samajotsava a unique function. It was rather a model Samajotsava on the lines of Shri Guruji'sdream.
?In the midst of global and local threats, Hindu society is now ready to face the challenges and at the same time it is committed to the cause of social harmony?, RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Mohan Bhagwat said. He gave a clarion call to the big crowd of Hindu Samajotsava at Mangalore. The two sentences, which he spoke in Kannada language, enthralled the audience both for its spirit and as it was in their mother tongue.
He was speaking to a mammoth congregation at Kendra Maidan of the coastal city of Mangalore, as the mark of finale of Shri Guruji Birth Centenary celebrations in the state.
He opined that terrorism and conversion have become problems for their own instigators. Terrorism has become a problem for terror-exporting nations. Christians in Pakistan are becoming targets of Islamic conversions.
?Apart from these, ecological exploitation and breakdown of family structure are also becoming major problems. Hindu Society has got time tested solution for all these problems. But it will work only when it becomes an organised, coherent, harmonious form of society. The whole world is looking at Bharat with hope. So it becomes the responsibility of the Hindu Society not only to become strong for itself, but also to serve the humanity?, he said.
?We, Hindus should throw away all our weaknesses and should emerge a strong society and this was the dream of Shri Guruji? he recalled.
Pejawar seer called for unity among Hindus and he condemned the practice of untouchability in very strong words. He gave a pledge to all the participants to protect Hindu Samaj and Hindu values. Ramachandrapura Mutt Swamiji stressed on the protection of swadeshi breed of cow variety. Ten Swamijis belonging to the various sects were present on the dais.
Damodara Nisarga, a prominent social leader of South Canara district, presided over the function and exhorted for the consolidation of the Hindu Society. Dr. Prabhakar Bhat, Prant Karyavah of Karnataka South, gave a key-note address. M. Venkataramu, Prant Sanghachalak of Karnataka South, Dr. Vijayalakshmi Deshamane, a famous cancer surgeon, Dr. Mohan Alva, Chairman of the Reception Committee of the Samajotsava introduced and invited the guests.
Huge rural response
The revolutionary feature of this Samajotsava was 118 village heads took a pledge for eradicating untouchability in their respective villages. The first step is, at the level of temples, public tanks, hotels and schools. The final goal would be to remove all traces of social discrimination. These village heads took pledge by accepting prasadam from various Swamijis who were sitting on the dais.
This Samajotsava in numbers
In order to build a strong social leadership among the weaker sections, a volunteer scheme called Vidya Nidhi was also launched during the same Samajotsava. By giving educational support to a socially backward student, the weakest link of the society will be strengthened. After the 10th level, further five years? study will be taken care of by this scheme. This will run under the banner of Shri Guruji Janma Shatabdi Vidya Nidhi project and managed by Keshava Smruti Samvardhan Samiti, Mangalore. More than 100 sponsors have come forward till now to take up this cause. Per year an average of Rs 10,000 are required to take care of educational expenses of a student. There are some broad-minded people, who having learnt about this scheme, came forward to take care of each student as their own house member. They wish not only to look after the economic aspect, but also to give family accommodation with moral support. The response to this scheme is very encouraging as many social, Educational and Industrial institutions have come forward to take up this nation-building task.
