RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat had darshan of 69th Peetathipathi of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Pujyasri Jayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swamiji and Pujyasri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati Swamiji on August 14.  Both the saints are observing Chaturmasya Vratam and puja at Kanchi Mutt. They discussed many social and national issues during the meeting. 

Earlier, Shri Bhagwat offered pushpanjali to the largest 120 ft statue of Sri Adi Sankara at Sankara University, Enathur, Kanchipuram. Later he addressed the gathering. The RSS chief also visited the International Library at the University that contains a large and rare collection of historic manuscripts, collected from various parts of the country. He also visited Kamakshi Amman Temple and had darshan of the deity. 

(VSK, Chennai)

Sarsanghachalak hoists tri-colour at Madurai

RSS Sarsangha-chalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat joined the Independence Day celebrations in Madurai and hoisted the national flag at RL Institute of Nautical Science on August 15. He unfurled the national flag at the Institute and also addressed the gathering. RSS Sahasarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale hoisted the tricolour and addressed the gathering at Nana Palkar School in Nanded, Maharashtra.

In Delhi at Keshav Kunj, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Dr Manmohan Vaidya hoisted the flag and addressed the gathering. Senior Pracharak Shri P Parameshwaran hoisted the flag at Bharateeya Vichara Kendram at Ernakulam. At Keshava Nilayam, RSS State headquarters in Hyderabad, Dr Sadananda Sapre, head Prajna Pravah, hoisted the flag and addressed the gathering. RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sah Vyavastha Pramukh Shri Mangesh Bhende was also present.                 

(FOC)

Rakhi is the protection of dharma and culture: Mohan Bhagwat

RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat tied Rakhi to Dr Nachiyar of Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai on August 20. In his speech he said, “Rakhi is the protection of our dharma, culture and people that ensures a happy national life.  Let us commit to do it by accepting bandhan–vratam by tying Rakhi mutually.”

Life-size bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda to be at Kowdiar Palace Park

To commemorate 150th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and also the saint’s visit to this city 120 years ago, Thiruvanantha-puram Corporation has agreed to the appeal of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari and Sri Ramakrishna Mutt, Thiruvanan-thapuram to install a life-size bronze statue of Swamiji at Kowdiar Palace Park. A committee of very eminent citizens of Thiruvananthapuram, with worshipful Mayor as Chairperson and His Highness Utradam Thirunal Marthandavarma as chief patron, has been constituted for this purpose.

The foundation stone for the statue was laid at a public function by Shri Hansraj Bharadwaj, Governor of Kerala, on October 29, 2012. Vice-President of India Moh. Hameed Ansari has agreed to unveil the statue on September 11, 2013, the day on which Swamiji delivered the epoch making speech at Chicago.

Shri Parameswaran, president of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari and director Bharateeya Vichara Kendram has appealed to the patriotic citizens of Bharat that contributions if any, can be sent in favour of ‘Vivekananda Kendra’ or can be directly remitted to the A/c No- 822201002059, IFSC – CNRB 0000822, Canara Bank, Puthenchantha Branch Thiruva-nanthapuram, Kerala.

(VSK Kerala)

News In Brief

Sarsanghachalak garlands Vivekananda statue in ‘Viveka Ratham’

RSS Sarsangha-chalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat had a look at the ‘Viveka Ratham’ a mobile van and garlanded the statue of Swami Vivekananda in Madurai on August 17. The concept of the mobile van was introduced by Tamil weekly Vijayabha-ratham to stock, display and sell some spiritual books and magazines. The van was flagged off by Mayor of Chennai Corporation Shri Saidai Duraiswamy on January 12, 2013 during the 150th year celebrations of Swami Vivekananda at SKMNS PMC Vivekananda Vidyalaya Junior College, Perambur. The van was the idea of Vijayabharatham. The purpose of the van is to tour all the districts and spread Swami Vivekananda’s message up to the doorsteps of the remotest village in Tamil Nadu. (VSK Chennai)

Dr Harshwanti Bisht to be honoured with Sir Edmund Hillary Medal

Noted mountaineer and member of Uttarakhand and Vivekananda Sardhshati Samaroh Samiti Dr Harshwanti Bisht will be honoured with Sir Edmund Hillary Medal 2013. She is the first Asian woman to be honoured with the medal. She was felicitated with Arjuna Award by the Government of India in 1981. She has successfully planted rare Bhojpatra trees in Gangotri-Gomukh region of Uttarakhand.                               (VSK Dehradun)

Give a befitting reply to separatists in Kashmir: ABVP

Condemning the attack on Hindus in Kishtwar recently by Muslim fanatics, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad demanded befitting reply to the separatists and terrorists in the Valley. In a statement issued on August 16, ABVP general secretary Shri Umesh Datt Sharma said the separatists are trying to generate the same atmosphere in the Valley which was seen during the 1990s. The ABVP alleged that the both the State and the Central Governments have failed in discharging their duties and the minorities are not safe in the Valley.                  (FOC)

‘Bharat Jago Daur’ in Jharkhand on September 11

Vivekananda Sardhasati Samaroh Samiti of Jharkhand will organise ‘Bharat Jago Daur’ all over the State on September 11. On this day, Swami Vivekananda had delivered the historic Chicago speech. The Samiti has also decided to conduct a door to door campaign from August 25 to September 15 throughout the State. Youth between the age group of 15 to 50 years will join the marathon at block levels. A meeting for preparations was held in Ranchi on August 14 which was attended by veteran Sangh Pracharak Shri Madhubhai Kulkarni and many local Sangh leaders. (VSK Jharkhand)

Ashok Singhal’s younger brother, Vivek Singhal passes away

VHP patron Shri Ashok Singhal’s younger brother, Vivek Singhal passed away in New Delhi on August 17. He was 73. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Vivek Singhal had been chairman of BSNL and served the Government of India for many years. He was cremated at Nigam Bodh Ghat, where prominently RSS Sahsarkaryavah Dr Krishna Gopal, RSS Uttar Kshetra Sanghachalak Dr Bajranglal Gupt, former Delhi BJP president Dr Harsh Vardhan, Shri Atul Kothari of Shiksha Bachao Andolan Samiti and many others paid their tribute.