Cover Story/Shivshakti Sangam : “Need to create a strong society based on principle of equality and homogeneity”

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“The world always listens to the language of the strong people and respects the nations that have  strength and power. It is therefore, necessary that we need to develop a collective power of the society in order to create proper place for our country in the world. Such strength must have a strong base of ethics and values,” observed RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat while addressing the mammoth Shiv Shakti Sangam in Pune on January 3.
Asserting that leadership, constitution and government are not enough to make the nation great and developed he said an awakened society with unimpeachable national character and positive strength can take the country on the path of development and glory. “Only strong and developed countries can assert their views and cast influence on other nations. The world too follows them and accepts their culture and values irrespective of their distinguishing qualities. Before Independence we had little influence on the world. But as we became free, made some progress with nuclear technology and scientific and industrial achievements, the world began to respect and regard us as emerging power. Now, the entire world has accepted the Bharatiya system of yoga. This is the proof of strength making great thoughts acceptable to the world,” he added.

  • Only strong and developed countries can assert their views and cast influence on other nations.
  • The presence of lakhs of swayamsevaks is not just the expression of strength of the Sangh, it is the receipt of RSS’ reach in all sections of the Hindu society.
  • RSS shows the way to ensure development through selfless service and sacrifice.
  • RSS mission has been to develop the citizens with strong national character and goodwill towards all sections of the society.

Citing the example of Israel, the Sarsanghachalak said the Jews wandered the world for over 2,000 years, spent their days in great distress and trouble wherever they went, except in Bharat. Every year they repeated their resolve to offer prayers in their chosen land of Israel. It took them 2000 years to realise their dream. But they had to fight the surrounding enemy nations to establish and strengthen their nation and convert the desert into a heaven. Likewise, we Bharateeya should also develop a feeling of oneness towards each other and make our society strong, he suggested.

Highlights

  • The Shivshakti Sangam was held at the sprawling 450 acres land in Marunji. This constituted the Sanghsthan in 100 acres; parking space in 200 acres, and 44 Siddhata Kendras spread in 150 acres.
  • The flag post measured 70-feet in height sporting the ‘Bhagwa Dhwaj’ facing the impressive stage from where Sarsanghachalak addressed the gathering. The stage measured 200 feet in length, 100 ft in breadth and 80 ft in height. It had a lift to scale the highest point where the dignitaries were seated.
  • The stage had a background of Shivaji’s Torna fort, and Meghdambari of Raigad fort where the portraits of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr Hedgewar and Sri Guruji were kept.
  • Amongst the 1,58,772 swayamsevaks, 35,730 were college students, over 35,000 employees, more than 33,000 businessmen, over 8,000 doctors, lawyers, chartered accountants, company secretaries, over 8,000 retired persons and more than 20,000 farmers attended the Shivshakti Sangam.
  • They included 102-year-old Shridhar Ballal and 95-year-old Chandulal Mehta of Talegaon Dabhade in full uniform standing in the formation. Four generations of swayamsevaks participated.
  • Shri Mohan Bhagwat observed the rank and file of swayamsevaks in an open jeep.
  • Swayamsevaks handled the traffic arrangements so effectively that there was no traffic jam. This relieved the police and administration also of their heavy duty.
  • The swayamsevaks were given food packets consisting puris, chutney and two sweet traditional tilgul cakes. These food packets were collected from nearly one lakh families in Pune by the RSS activists by personally contacting them.
  • A digital exhibition of RSS service activities was organised at the site.
  • The entire programme was executed on time. The 2,000-strong band played melodious tunes to please the audience and inspire the swayamsevaks. The most notable tune was Swantryveer Savarkar’s ‘Ode to Liberty’ ‘Jayostute Shri Mahanmangale…’

Paying rich tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in his 125th birth anniversary, Savitribai Fule, the pioneer of women’s education in Bharat and RSS founder Dr Hedgewar, Shri Bhagwat  appealed to the swayamsevaks and people to strive hard to eradicate differences based on castes, language, religion etc. to create a society based on equality and homogeneity.

““It was a great experience  to attend the Shivshakti  Sangam.  Great organising skills, coordination and excellent arrangements just like an Army function. Even better! Starting from selection of ground to orgnising such a large function. Please convey our compliments and congratulations to each and every one.”                    —General Shekatkar”

He said the RSS’ mission has been to develop the citizens with strong national character and goodwill towards all sections of the society. We are the sons of Mother Bharat and as such we are related to each other. The Sangh aims at strengthening this relationship to create a strong society imbibed with national character. Such a society can alone build a strong nation, he said.

““The speech by Hon. Mohanji was most appropriate and inspiring. The display of organisation, discipline and selfless attitude by the huge cadre of swayamsevaks was memorable.” —Abhay Firodia, Chairman, Force Motors”

“The swayamsevaks who are always the first to reach and help their brethrens in distress are the personified expression of this mission of RSS. We need to worship ‘Shiva’ and ‘Shakti’ at the same time to make the society stand on the pillars of liberty, equality and fraternity, as envisaged by the great visionaries. Unless this is accomplished, we would not get proper answers to the very fundamental questions that have been dogging the society for centuries, Shri Bhagwat said.     
—Virag Pachpore

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