Be modern but don?t imitate western values?Mohan Bhagwat

Culmination of Swami Vivekananda’s 150th Birth Anniversary Celebration in Nagpur

Nagpur: In a fervent appeal to thousands of youths assembled at Reshimbagh Ground on January 12 to participate in ‘Yuva Shankhnaad’—the colourful culmination of 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat asked them to follow the ideals and thoughts of that great spiritual leader of modern India to lead their life in right direction and with a right purpose.

The RSS chief exhorted them to imbibe the teachings of Swami Vivekananda in their life. Quoting Vivekananda he said our youths should have very good character and they should be strong. The world also gives importance to the sayings and thoughts of those who are strong and powerful, he said.

The function was attended by noted mathematician from Patna and creator of ‘Super 30’ Anand Kumar, film artist Vivek Oberoi , Nagpur Mayor and president of All India Mayors’ Council Prof Anil Sole, president of celebrations committee Vilas Kale, Sameer Bendre, Somdatt Karanjekar besides young personalities who excelled in various fields like sports, environment and spirituality and religion.

Consistent efforts needed

The RSS chief further said that it is easy to dream of becoming Swami Vivekananda. Anyone can have this dream but it is well nigh impossible to imbibe the thoughts and ideals of Swami Vivekananda in our own lives. But this is also possible with consistent efforts, penance, and practice. Therefore, the youth of India should undertake this vow to go through such efforts in order to prepare them to face the challenges of life. They must strive for strong physical strength, mind as pure as the waters of the Ganga and intellects as sharp and penetrating as sunlight. This will earn them the power of discrimination too.

Shri Bhagwat said that the thoughts and vision of Swami Vivekananda formed the very edifice of RSS. He recalled how the founder of RSS Dr KB Hedgewar used to participate in the relief works for flood victims under the banner of Ramakrishna Mission while he was in Kolkata pursuing his medical education. His successor late Shri Golwalkar Guruji was a direct disciple of Swami Akhandananda who was brother-disciple of Swami Vivekananda. The RSS is carrying forward the vision of Swami Vivekananda, he said.

Be modern but don’t be western

The RSS Chief emphasised that “Our youth should be modern but need not imitate the western culture and life values.” “India has been the only country with a glorious past and spiritual heritage”, Shri  Bhagwat said adding “hence there is no sense in blindly following the western lifestyle and values in order to be called as modern.” We must feel proud of our cultural and spiritual heritage, he said.

We should embrace the changes according to changing times but remember that we have to march forward with our country, culture, dharma and people. We need not copy any country to become modern and progressive. Instead we should move ahead on the path of progress and development as one country firmly rooted to our cultural moorings, the RSS chief said.

Shri Bhagwat appealed to the youths to move forward with the firm resolve and deep compassion for the people.

Youth must have confidence in them

Addressing the gathering mathematician and founder of Super 30 Anand Kumar urged the youths to build unshakable confidence in them so that they can face any difficult situation in the life. He squarely criticised the Government education policy which according to him favoured only the rich students. Decisions to reduce the number of attempts to two for getting admission clearance for IIT or making English language compulsory at the UPSC examinations were harming the prospective intelligent but poor youths from getting admission to institutes like IITs, he said.

Book on Swamiji transforms life

Anand Kumar, who was invited by the Cambridge University but could not go there for want of money, explained from his own example how his life was changed by reading a book on the life of Swami Vivekananda which he bought for just one rupee at a book fair in Patna.

Appealing to the audience to adopt Swadeshi attitude the mathematician called on them to elect such a leader who has the capacity to steer clear the country and society to the path of glory.

Swamiji’s teachings inspired me

Noted film actor and youth icon Vivek Oberoi shared in detail how the thoughts and ideals of Swami Vivekananda to which he was exposed by his father Suresh Oberoi had changed and inspired him to undertake social work.

Vivek who undertook a relief operation for the tsunami-hit people of Tamil Nadu found only two organisations—the Army and the RSS—working in the field. “With the help of RSS we could construct houses, schools and sheds in that tsunami devastated village”, he said.

Oberoi informed about the other social activities like Ganga purification, relief activities in Kedarnath and rehabilitation of young girls at Vrindavan and the positive response these projects are elucidating from the people.

Enthusiastic attendance

The Yuva Shankhnaad program was attended by whooping 30,000 young college students donning saffron caps and headgears. The programme started with electrifying cultural events by Shiv Mudra group, skits and songs. Prof Somdatt Karanjekar of Nagpur Mahanagar committee made the introductory remarks while Chairman Sameer Bendre proposed vote of thanks.

Talented youths from sports, spiritual and social fields were felicitated on this occasion. They included Monica Raut, Deepali Sabanem Dhanshree Lekurvale, Jitesh Mesavat, Jai Kavishwar, Sandeep Selukar from sports, Ashish Bhagwatkar, Sumedha Bodhi, Ankit Sharma, Guddu Kewalramani, Manish Badiyan, Swami Anand Shesh, and Bhante Gyandas from spiritual and Prof Ram Wagh, Varun Shristav, Raj madankar, Ashok Mungne, Karan Nayak and Satish Bhoyar from social activities field.      —Virag Pachpore