Debobrat Ghose in Bhopal
External as well as internal discipline form the core of the ideology of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and this was reiterated by the RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat in his address to the organisation cadre during his four-day interaction session in Bhopal from February 20-23.
While addressing the meeting of the Madhya-Prant of the RSS, he said in order to make a nation progressive and happy, there should be a continuous and persistent man-making effort. “Now the nation doesn’t need ‘kranti’ (revolution), but‘sankranti’, that is to bring a positive change in the society by giving a positive direction to it. Because one can’t avoid the after-effects of a revolution, which is natural,” the RSS chief said.
The various interactions of Bhagwat comprised meetings related to organisational issues, on the way of life for RSS swayamsevak, path sanchalan (March) andShakti-Samvadwith distinguished women functionaries, which were restricted only to RSS members.
On Challenges
Shri Bhagwat said the national identity of our country was a Hindu identity and anyone who kept away from that identity would become a victim of divergent view. “Hindu society has a rich culture and a glorious past, but since it had been in bondage under foreign rule, it has gone into oblivion,” he said. “The Sangh along with reviving the lost glory, has taken up the responsibility to bind the society on the basis of Hinduism and is striving towards bringing in a positive change through perseverance and devotion. The need of the hour is to draw a decisive strength from within ourselves through our conduct and behavior”.
On Leadership
The nation today needs a strong leadership and it could only be possible by building a positive environment within the society, by keeping aside our personal interests and biases, he said. The nation needed a strong Hindu identity, he added. TheRSS is involved in nation building as the task cannot be left to any leader, party or institution.
On Change
Without naming Arvind Kejriwal or Aam Admi Party, the RSS Chief said change in society couldn’t be induced by agitations and inciting passions of the people, but change of individuals and their mindsets. When leaders and common people selflessly work towards progress of the country, the country’s destiny can change. The RSS has taken up the responsibility to develop people with strong character, who believes in taking everyone along and work selflessly for the society and its shakhas (branches) are doing the job. A country’s future can only change, when both the leader and the public selflessly strive without any discrimination towards upliftment of the nation. The Sangh through itsshakhashas been working relentlessly to mobilise people with strong character and selflessness in order to inculcate a positive change in the character of the society. “This will change the future of the country”.
On Physical Strength
Addressing the RSS volunteers after path sanchalan and traditional physical exercise session at Model School ground in the City, Shri Bhagwat said thepath sanchalanor physical exercise were not for display of power but an attempt to make Hindus strong in body, mind and character, and empower the Hindu society. While conveying the importance of physical fitness, the Sarsanghchalak cited ‘Mao Zedong’ and how the latter had inspired a revolution by his regimented approach that involved testing the body’s preparedness in extreme cold and hot conditions.
On Public Decorum
Responding to a query about the rowdy and indecent behavior of activists, who are often linked with the Sangh’s branch outfits especially during occasions like Valentine’s Day, the RSS supremo made it clear that anyone who engaged in public indecency or rowdiness could not be an RSS member. “Such elements should be treated as common criminals and brought to justice according to the law,” he strongly said.
Muslims shower rose petals on RSS’ path sanchalan
The 7 kms longpath sanchalanby the swayamsevaks in uniform was a show that the citizens of Bhopal witnessed and enjoyed after a long time. People gathered by the side of the road could be seen showering flowers on the marching RSS workers at many places. Several Muslim youths wearing skull caps welcomed the march and showered rose petals on them.
Mathematician Madhavan remembered
World famous mathematician and professor of mathematics in Manchester University, Dr Geevarghese George Joseph said that our countrymen forgot the mathematical genius of Sangamagrama Madhavan. Madhavan had made remarkable contributions to mathematics even before the time of Isaac Newton. Presenting a paper on ‘Madhavan’s Contributions to Human Civilization’ in connection with the National Science Day celebrations held under the auspices of Sangamagrama Madhava Ganitha Kendram (a Sangh Parivar organisation in Kerala run by Vidhyabhyasa Samrakshana Samithi) in Thiruvananthapuram, he said that Madhavan of Irinjalakuda in Kerala and his disciples had invented calculus two hundred and fifty years before European scientists Newton and GV Lebnis “invented” it.
Dr Geevarghese, is the author of ‘Crest of Peacock – The Non-European Roots of Mathematics’. He said that after his book was introduced, people began to acknowledge the contributions of Madhavan and started renaming the theories of Lebnis, Newton and Gregory as Newton-Madhavan, Madhavan-Gregory and Madhavan-Lebnis. But, still Kerala, Madhavan’s own land, lacks efforts to acknowledge his contributions. Dr Geevarghese stated that if contributions of Madhavan and other mathematicians of India are popularised, it would help to boost the ‘mathematics tourism’ in Kerala. Geevarghese pointed out that Indians considered zero not merely as a number but a comprehensive idea. It was the golden era of Indian history. At that time Europe was still in dark age.
Dr Geevarghese said that he came across Indian mathematical tradition by accident when he was studying in Cambridge University. But his later studies boosted his self respect. Kerala tradition of mathematics developed through Samgamagrama Madhavan is the part and parcel of Indian mathematical heredity.
Vivekananda Kendra president P Parameswaran draped Geevarghese with a ‘ponnada’ (angavasthra) and presented a memento to him. VB Panicker presided over the meeting. Dr VPN Namboodiri delivered CV Raman memorial speech. MN Sreedharan Nair, M Mallya, K Vijayaraghavan, Ganitha Kendram secretary, A Vinod and Amalkrishna N were also present there. —T Satisan
