Excerpts from the Vijayadashmi Speech of Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat
The Change
This year the environment is quite different and everyone can feel it. The grand success of our scientists in sending the 'Mangal Yaan' into the orbit of Mars, that also in the maiden attempt, has tremendously generated respect for us and has added to our self-confidence. Congratulations to the scientists engaged in this mission. Also congratulations to the sportspersons who earned pride for the nation by winning medals at the 17th Asian Games going on in South Korea.
We have also made the world realise that the common citizen of Bharat takes part in the process of future building of her/his nation through execution of her/his democratic responsibilities with maturity and enthusiasm as equal, if not more, to the prosperous and well educated citizens of so-called developed countries. But we must also realise that all this is only a small step in the direction of our goal of making Bharat the 'Vishwa-Guru', a model nation that runs on the principles of happiness, peace and harmony. We have to do a lot and have to cover quite a long distance to reach the goal. The enthusiasm and resolve that the people of Indian Diaspora are displaying towards their motherland is also a good sign for making Bharat a glorious and prosperous nation.
New incarnation of terror
Vested interests of the western countries are responsible for the new incarnation of terror and fundamentalism that has emerged today in West Asia in the form of ISIS terrorising the whole world. There is no doubt that most countries and religious groups of the world are thinking of standing united and fighting against this menace and they may do so; but, unless the momentum of that vicious cycle of terror is uprooted, it is not possible to rescue the world from the cyclic waves of terror which keeps on emerging in a new shape every time due to the acts and tendencies of self-centeredness and selfish greed since centuries. Those who want to undertake this effort will have to first completely eradicate the selfishness, fear and absolute materialistic fundamentalism from their own hearts and adopt an integrated and holistic view that looks for happiness of one and all.
Hindutva is the remedy
The special characteristic of Hindutva is that despite the natural plurality of languages, geography, faiths and sects, castes and sub castes, food habits, traditions etc., it assimilates and accepts all of them with full respect and takes them along in the direction of welfare of the entire world. It offers complete freedom in matters of one's search for truth in life, experience and its inference. Neither any questions are raised against one's faith being different, nor campaigns are run to destroy other idols of worship, nor there is any tradition of raising disputes over the validity or respectability of other's faith on the basis of systems restricted by the dictates of a book. That is why communities and thinkers across the world see a positive hope for themselves and the world in the future of Bharat.
Spirit of Bharat
On this auspicious day of Vijaya Dashami, a new horizon of victory is clear to us – as our goal of developing Bharat into the guide and torch bearer of the whole world. We have to develop India consistent with the present times and conditions, which can stand on its own as an all capable, beautiful and prosperous nation in every manner; a nation that looks at the entire world with a holistic, selfless, integral and impartial vision. We have to build a Bharat where prosperity comes hand in hand with ethics and rationality; where compassion, service, welfare and fearlessness are constituents of invincible strength; whose path of development should promote universal welfare.
Bharat of our vision, whose Diaspora across the world grandly exemplify Bharat's gentleness, strong character and universality to their host populations, a strong Bharat which will be a natural assurance of safety and security to every such person who claims links with its land, ancestors and culture.
Signs of positive hope
With similar expectations in mind, few months ago, the people of Bharat brought about a drastic change in the government. This change of government is not even six months old. But positive signs are emanating from time to time which give hope about emergence of Bharat on the international horizon and it appears that the people's desire of a life, secure and progressing in all its aspects, will soon start reflecting in the governance.
In a very short period, some policy initiatives taken by the central government in national interest on the fronts of economy, national security, international relations and many other areas have raised good hopes. The government should now ensure that these policies maintain their momentum in a determined and well organised manner. We need to wait for some more time, with a sense of hope and faith.
J&K Floods
The swiftness, efficiency and open heartedness with which the Central Government provided relief and help to the flood affected people in J&K deserves appreciation. As always, this time too, the swayamsewaks of RSS and workers of Sewa Bharati joined hands with numerous other organisations to provide timely relief to the affected people. They have also taken up future action plans in this direction.
People’s participation
Without active cooperation and participation of people, mere political power cannot bring about desired change. Therefore those individuals and organisations which are engaged in giving direction to the society and solving its various problems must remain active and vigilant. In a democratic system, the governments gain tremendously from their activism, awareness and maturity in the interest of the nation and it also protects the nation from possibility of detracting in the game of power politics. It is therefore necessary that all such individuals and organisations rise above their and organisational interests and keep themselves busy in educating people and solving their problems.
Jehadi terrorism
There is a serious upsurge in jehadi activities in southern parts of Bharat, especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. No effective policy imperatives, efforts are visible in curbing such activities. No visible reduction in smuggling of rare earth minerals from the southern coast has come to notice. In states like West Bengal and Assam, the population imbalance has been caused by illegal migration of a particular community from across the national borders. Near surrender before these fanatic elements and appeasement policy adopted by the ruling parties in these states, have put the life of local Hindu communities, the law and order situation as well as the national security under serious threat in the region. The nation has yet to see the impact of the joint plan of the Central and State governments in putting an effective check on the activities of Jehadi and Naxal extremists and those forces which are helping and promoting them. The society too has to play an important role in meeting this challenge.
Self Reliance
It is necessary that policies of the government should take the nation towards self-reliance and should encourage entrepreneurship among the people, but it is equally important for the people to encourage consumption of Swadeshi products. Our tendency of buying daily need goods, even buying foreign made idols of our Gods and Goddesses, simply because they are cheaper in price, needs to be abandoned. There is also a need to swiftly ban meat export, especially the beef, and also ban smuggling of the cows.
Values of life
Our own family is a micro society. It is entirely up to us to preserve the traditional values and mould the conduct of elders in the family and create a dialogue, consistent with the traditions, among family members. It is the need of every household today. There are few more fields in which we don't need to wait for the government's role and can take lead on our own, like putting an end to poverty and social discrimination. Our swayamsewaks too are engaged in many such activities.
There is an urgent need to take up eradication of social discrimination in the society in a bigger and faster way. No government or administrative machinery has the powers to remove feeling of discrimination from people's mind. It will end only with the efforts and initiative of society itself. This can start only by direct action at the level of our mind, our family and friends. To do this, we will have to remove all such habits, misbeliefs, traditions and practices which encourage such discrimination. We will have to drive out even the smallest of the remnants of our caste based, regional and linguistic egos which breed such prejudices. We must ensure that each of our Hindu temple, cremation ground and community water source must remain open to all Hindus.
The way ahead
Since its inception, the RSS has been engaged in the great mission of building a work force of swayamsewaks who are energised with the pride of their national Hindu identity; are empowered by inculcating great qualities in their personality; and are prepared to sacrifice everything even their life for the great goal as a constituent of dedicated and disciplined organisation.
The all inclusive and all encompassing truth is what we call Hinduness. It is our national identity. That is why we should take the Sangh Shakha to each home in every village, street and community. The entire world is today waiting for this eternal nation to stand up in its own form.
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