Aimed at spreading the message of ‘Be Good-Do Good’ a mega youth campaign ‘Vivek Band-2016’ will begin in Karnataka from January 12, the 153rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The campaign will be conducted by Samartha Bharat Trust, an organisation dedicated to promote social volunteering among youth. ‘Vivek Bands’ are available at retail outlets across the State from January 5. A detailed list of the retail stores and their locations is available at www.vivekband.com also. In order to make the message available to more youngsters, technology-based forums such as the Samartha Bharat website, social media, Whatsapp and SMS are being used for promoting the campaign. Many organisations, educational institutions, cultural associations, youth icons, scientists, sports stars, cine stars etc are endorsing the campaign. The eminent personalities who have endorsed the campaign include Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani, Padma Vibhushan Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, Pujya Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Math, ISRO scientist & Programme Director of Mangalayaan Dr Myalaswami Annadurai, Asian Games Gold medalist Arjun Devaiah, Justice (Retd) Shivaraj Patil, Kannada actor Srinagara Kitty, Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team captain Mamata Poojari, cricketer Abhimanyu Mithun and music director Guru Kiran.
(VSK Karnataka)
Abolish secrecy in budget preparations: BMS
Appreciating the Government of Bharat for 7.5 per cent growth in spite of global slowdown and introducing good initiatives like bonus hike with retrospective effect, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) demanded total revamping of the budget preparation process. “This is the age of transparency. The secrecy of budget which is a colonial relic should be abandoned. Instead of mere consultation, participation of social sector representatives mainly the trade unions in budget process and overall economic governance is required,” the BMS said in pre-budget consultations with the Finance Ministry on January 4. “In the mad rush for growth, we have forgotten the economics of the development of the last man. Minimum wages, food security including price stability, health and education are the four pillars for ‘empowering’ the marginalised section of Bharat. Radical improvements in these aspects can revolutionise rural Bharat with over six lakh villages,” the BMS added. n
Sri Sri Ravishankar Inaugurates ABAP Conference
Senior advocate Shri Vinayak Dixit was elected national president of Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad (ABAP) in Bengaluru on December 29. He replaced Shri Baldevraj Mahajan. Advocate Shri D Bharat Kumar was elected general secretary, while Shri CL Arora and Shri Joydeep Roy were elected treasurer and organising secretary respectively. The election took place at the 14th national conference of the ABAP organised in Bengaluru from December 27 to 29, 2015. The conference was attended by about 3,500 delegates from all over the country. The theme of the conference was ‘Realising our Constitutional goals and challenges ahead’.
The conference was inaugurated by Sri Sri Ravishankar in the presence of Union Minister of Law and Justice Shri Sadananda Gowda and the Supreme Court Judge Justice Dipak Misra. In his keynote address senior advocate of the Supreme Court Shri KK Venugopal stressed that Directive Principles must be treated as constitutional goals. Justice Misra in his thoughtful speech touched many issues including the special qualities required to become the member of ABAP. Justice Ashok B Hinchigeri, Judge of High Court of Karnataka, also addressed the delegates. RSS Sahsarkaryavah Shri V Bhagaiah in his concluding remarks appealed to the delegates to work for the benefit of the country. n
Spirituality vital for peace and harmony: Mohan Bhagwat
RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat said spirituality is vital for peace and harmony. Inaugurating a research block at Thanthra Vidya Peetam in Veliyathunadu near Kochi on December 29, he said the scientific basis of spiritual knowledge including ‘tantra’ has been proved. It is dangerous to dismiss the Vedas and the traditional knowledge and wisdom. Since the human mind is proved to be faster than light, more studies should be carried out about various aspects of the mind. The Peetam is an institution founded by the late P Madhav, veteran Sangh Pracharak and an expert in Tantra Vidya. Tantra Vidya is the temple science, which includes the system of pooja rituals, comprehensive science of the maintenance of the temple, etc.
Shri Bhagwat advocated financial assistance to the institutions like Tantra Vidya Peetam. “Serious studies should be conducted about Bharateeya traditions, because the whole world including the West looks towards Bharateeya spiritual tradition. They all look towards Bharat for finding the answer of the problems they face. We need scientists of that tradition. Our society should support the endeavour to teach the tradition. More students should come forward to study the traditional knowledge. They should be trained and educated properly and should be able to answer the queries coming from the new generation,” he said adding that this noble task should not confine to Tantra Vidya Peetam alone. It is everybody’s job. We have to show to the world what our achievements were. Our spiritual experiments have revealed many truths. Modern science did not know it until recently. Prant Sanghachalak Shri PEB Menon, Peetam president Shri Azhakath Sasthrasharman Namboo-thiripad, UTM foundation chairman Dr BR Shetty, Malayalam cine artist Shri Devan, Prof PM Gopi and Peetam secretary Shri N Balamurali also spoke on the occasion. (T Satisan)
BKS national convention in Jaipur from Feb 19
Preparations for national convention of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) are in full swing. The convention to be attended by about one lakh delegates from across the country will be held from February 19 to 21 in Jaipur. The convention will have open discussion on various issues concerning the farmers especially how they can get profitable value of their products. The convention will also discuss some modifications regarding crop insurance, new Land Acquisition Bill, water for drinking and irrigation, etc. A review meeting for the preparation was held in Jaipur on January 1 and decided to speed up the work. n
Social Activist Lohani to be
Honoured with Vivekananda Sewa Samman
Noted social activist of Kolkata and founder of ‘Parivar’, Shri Vinayak Lohani was selected for 30th Swami Vivekananda Sewa Samman. ‘Parivar’ is an organisation to impart free education. The Samman, which consists of a cheque of Rs one lakh, a citation and memento, will be presented by West Bengal Governor Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi in Kolkata on January 17. Instituted by Shree Burrabazar Kumarsabha Pustakalaya in 1987, the Samman is presented to individuals or organisations working for betterment of the society according to the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. After completing B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur Shri Lohani obtained MBA degree from IIM Kolkata. Instead of opting for corporate career he took up the cause of imparting free education to the deprived children to ensure their all round development. The project today has its own building at Barkalikapur under 24 Paragna District, where more than 1,000 students from Jharkhand and West Bengal are getting education. n
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