“The twin tasks of strengthening the country and integrating Indian society are essential for survival of civilised world and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is committed to these tasks,” said RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat at a function in Chandigarh on December 6.
Addressing a gathering of uniformed swayamsevaks at Exhibition Ground he said survival of the world requires a tolerant and sensitive approach for which neither the doctrinaire liberals or left ideologies nor the religions that believe in the dictum of “we alone hold the true knowledge” are equipped.
He said, the votaries of socialism and capitalist have not been able to deliver on their promises nor growth of science and technology has brought peace of mind to humanity. Stressing the need of an inclusive approach to humans and all living beings as well as the environment Shri Bhagwat said as the oldest civilisation Bharat has to show the way to the world as it has the civilisational experience to do this. “Our civilisation teaches us to care for jal, jan, jangal, jaanvar and zameen (water, humans, jungles, animals and soil) while other civilisations treat nature a resource for reckless consumption which is the cause of the environmental crises facing the world today,” he added.
He said hardline ideologies, whether political or religious, are at the root of almost all problems of the world today. These are not prepared to accommodate the true freedom of thought and action to all. On the other hand, Indian thought has always been accommodating all religious beliefs, even agnosticism.
Explaining the action plan of RSS in furthering this process, Shri Bhagwat said RSS has been working to integrate Indian society for the last 84 years and has been striving to make society free from considerations of caste with a value system aimed at bringing together all sections of society for common good of all.
Stressing the need to involve the entire society in the process of strengthening India he said RSS is not going to monopolise the task of making India strong—the role of RSS is to start the process of sensitising the society about the challenges it is faced with. Citizen’s pride in their identity as Indians and the urge to do their best for the country will ensure that society meets the challenges. Talking about the need to strengthen India Shri Bhagwat said experiences in Uganda, Fiji and recently in Australia have shown that Indians are not safe anywhere, unless we make India strong we can not be safe.
The function was attended by a large number of distinguished citizens of Chandigarh. Kshetra Sanghachalak Dr Bajrang Lal Gupt, veteran worker Shri Darshan Lal Jain, Kshetra Karyavah Shri Sita Ram Vyas and Punjab Prant Sanghachalak Shri Brij Bhushan Singh Bedi were also present on the occasion.
By Ashok Malik
