BANGALORE: It was swabhiman (pride) personified at the Kittur Rani Chenamma Stadium in Jayanagar reverberated to the mesmerizing tunes of musical bands on December 25. They were playing at the closing ceremony of the Prant Ghosh Shivir of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh'sKarnataka unit.
The 2854 ghosh (band) players left the audience spellbound as the percussions, bugles, flute and clarinets echoed in unison to some of the most original compositions that signified the indigenisation of the western band concept. Saptha Swara, Shankadala, Vanshidala and Tirang were among the many compositions played as artistes grouped into different formations like the swastik, vajra and chakravyuha. It was a demonstration of talent, synchronised discipline and timings as the RSS volunteers adapted the western instruments to suit Indian tunes and sounds like those of the conch, chande, khansale, among others.
Stressing the need for unity and awakening of national pride among Hindus, RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri K.S. Sudarshan said fundamentalists were consistently striving to weaken and destroy the country. Speaking at the valedictory of Prant Ghosh Shivir, he blamed the introduction of the western education by the British and its continuance in the post-Independence era for corrupting the young.
RSS Sarsanghachalak'smessage at Swabhiman Ghosh Varga
Shri Sudarshan urged the swayamsevaks to continue with their work of organising Hindu society till Bharat reached the zenith of its glory.
Shri Sudarshan said that the present education system?devised by Macaulay?did not factor the Hindu way of life and was inimical to it. Stating that Macaulay held Hinduism in disdain, he said that the present education system created a sense of inferiority complex among the Hindus. He said that the only way out for the resurgence of India was the arousal of the Hindu self-respect and added that the RSS founder Dr. K.B. Hedgewar had this mind when he started the organisation.
He said that the real spirit of India was alives largely due to the innumerable saints and sages of the land who took the real message of spirituality and oneness to the masses. Be it Swami Vivekananda or Swami Ramateertha, it was their inspiring message which instilled self-confidence into the Hindus, who were trying to come out of the the debilitating influence of Islamic and British invasions. He also underlined the fact that Hindu dharma is far different from the western concept of religion and added that dharma was code of righteousness to promote healthy living. ?Hindus believe in oneness and the only way to promote and realise oneness is to remove the blinkers of ignorance that surrounds us.?
He recalled that the late Gen. Cariappa on observing the route march and ghosh of the RSS had remarked that he ?had never seen such a thing in my life.? He also held the media, abetted by inimical forces, responsible for spreading canards against the organisation. However, he said that the people could see through the media designs as the RSS workers were directly in touch with the people.
The chief guest Y.R. Patil, former IGP, lauded the discipline and the selfless service that were the hallmarks of RSS swayam-sevaks. Lt. Gen. N.S. Narahari was the guest of honour.
The three-day programme came to an end with a fine display of firecrackers forming the backdrop to the symphony of the ghosh. Prior to the programme, a route march along with a procession was also undertaken in the same area as the massive contingents played Indian compositions for those flanking the roads. While one contingent marched through Rani Saraladevi School, PTA School, Ashoka Pillar, Kuchalamba Choultry, Madhavan Park to reach the venue, the other marched from MES playground to reach Chennamma Stadium through Jain temple, Janata Bazar, Byrasandra Main Road and Navagraha temple.
The two contingents converged at the statium where the closing ceremony was held. The sight was electrifying as each one in the gathering raised their hands to sing the RSS anthem Namaste Sada Vatsale Matrubhoomi. Ghosh has been an integral part of the activities of the RSS and not only enables members to not only sway to the tunes in unison, but also inculcates the ideals of discipline, punctuality and concentration.
The unique ghosh presentation was organised to mark the three-day training programme for artistes from 132 centres in the state. It was held in the city after 34 years.
