Alertness of a Swayamsevak in Ludhiana on January 18 averted a potentially critical incident. However, it is yet to be ascertained by investigating agencies whether it was a pre-planned bid to attack the Sangh Shakha or to carry out any other incident. But it is clear that if the miscreants were successful in their game plan it could have resulted in a volatile situation in the State. “Investigation is on. The police have examined the CCTV footage. We have appealed to the swayamsevaks and the general public to be calm and alert and do not join any rumour,” said RSS Punjab Prant Pracharak Shri Kishorekant while talking to Organiser over telephone on January 20.
“The swayamsevaks are alert but not panicked. Forty swayamsevaks attended the shakha the next day and the number of the swayamsevaks has increased in all the shakhas,” Shri Kishorekant added.
The incident took place at 6.15 am at Kidwai Nagar Park Sangh Shakha of Ludhiana on January 18. The atmosphere in the Park was normal as any other day. People were taking their daily morning walk; some others were doing morning exercises and yoga. When 38-year-old Naresh Chauhan, who makes shoes, came as usual for the daily Janakpuri Shakha in the park. Little did he had an inkling of what was awaiting him. As Naresh reached the main gate of the park accompanied by his nephew he noticed a person standing in the dark near the gate and another sitting on a bike. Curiously, he enquired as to why he was standing at the gate. The youth replied that he was waiting for somebody. “So why wait in the dark, come inside and wait there”, Naresh told him not before he sensed something was amiss.
Naresh Chauhan grew suspicious of their presence and was staring at them. At the same time he tried to identify the registration number of the bike, which was missing. The youth asked for his identity. Naresh told them that he was an RSS activist and had come there to conduct the daily morning Shakha. As the youth heard these words one of them took out the revolver and fired at Naresh. However, the alert RSS activist whisked his hand and ducked to save himself. The assailants fired another bullet which also missed the target before fleeing the scene on their speeding bike. After getting the news Vibhag Pracharak Shri Sumit and some other swayamsevaks rushed to the spot and informed the police about the whole incident.
At around 10.30 am, when Prant Pracharak Shri Kishrekant reached the spot about 125 swayamsevaks gathered there. He called upon them to be vigilant, not to pay attention to any rumour. After his brief message all the swayamsevaks performed Sangh Prarthana. n
Protest outside Banga Bhavan in Delhi against Malda attack
Vishwa Hindu Parishad workers staged a demonstration outside Banga Bhavan in Delhi on January 15 to protest against the attack on the Hindus and burning of a police station at Malda District of West Begal on January 3. The protestors criticised the attitude of the CM Mamata Banerjee who instead of punishing the culprits of Malda is providing patronage. VHP’s State organising secretary Dr Anil Kumar alleged that the State government is demoralising the security forces by patronising the rioters and the infiltrators. n
RSS tribute to Sudhindra Theertha Swamiji
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) expressed deep condolence on the demise of Sri Sudhindra Theertha Swamiji, Mathadipathi of reputed Kashi Math Samsthan Guru Parampara on January 17. In his tribute RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sah Prachar Pramukh Shri J Nandakumar said: “The Mahasamadhi of Swamiji has been a great loss to the Hindu society as a whole, and particularly to the Gowd Saraswath Community. During his pontificate of over seven decades, he guided the community very efficiently, both in the spiritual and temporal matters. If the community, in spite of the ill-effects of globalisation, is holding steadfast to the time-old traditions and customs peculiar to it, the whole credit for it goes to His Holiness. Swamiji’s stand vis-à-vis the Ram Temple issue, caste distinctions, etc., was very categorical and he was in favour of the construction of Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya and was against any form of discrimination on the basis of caste.”
Shun bigotry to experience real happiness—Mohan Bhagwat
“Why people have today lost happiness and peace in the life, despite enjoying more facilities, because of the growing narrow-mindedness. Leaving this narrow mindedness if we start thinking about the betterment of family, society, nation and the universe, we shall experience the real happiness. Realising the sufferings of the last person in the society we should come forward for their welfare. This is the gist of Deendayalji’s Integral Humanism,” said RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat, while releasing a book, Karunya Rishi, in Nagpur on January 19. The book, written by Dr Kumar Shastri has been published by Vivaswan Prakashan as part of the birth centenary celebration of Deendayalji.
Shri Bhagwat stressed the need to evolve better programmes for welfare of the weaker sections of the society to practically materialise the philosophy of integral humanism. He said the philosophy of integral humanism is based on the integration of body, mind and soul and promotes conscience for welfare of the entire society. “It promotes integration of human being, society, nature and soul,” he said observing that the philosophy rooted in compassion is not restrictive and could change its form as per the requirements of the modern day situation.
Senior journalist and columnist Shri MG Vaidya recalled his association with Panditji and narrated some incidents to throw light on his way of thinking. Marathi writer Smt Asha Bage, social activist Shri Girish Gandhi and Nagpur
convener of Bharatiya Vichar Manch Shri Umesh Andhare also spoke. n
Adapt to technology as per changing needs
—Dattatreya Hosabale
RSS Sahsarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale stressed the need to adopt the technology as per changing needs but that should not disconnect us from our roots. He was releasing the special issue of ABVP’s journal Chhatra Shakti in New Delhi on January 15. Senior Hindi journalist Shri Rambahadur Rai was also present on the occasion.Shri Hosabale stressed the need to bring more Vanvasi youth under the organisational fold. “Students always have feeling of change. We should create the system where they can freely express themselves and adapt to the changes,” he said while appreciating the efforts of Chhatra Shakti in
educating the students and ABVP workers.
Shri Rambahadur Rai said the Chhatra Shakti provided a platform to ABVP when it needed it the most, as the mainstream media did not pay adequate attention to its activities. He stressed the need to start an exclusive website of the publication. Editor of the magazine Shri Ashutosh Bhatnagar said the magazine provides useful content to the workers. In the beginning, a documentary highlighting the journey of the Chhatra Shakti was screened. n
If God doesn’t discriminate
why should we—Kaviko Abdul Rahman
“God does not discriminate in human beings. But we the human beings dwelt over ignorance, innocence, misunderstanding, failed to exchange the thoughts between various religions, linguistics, literature. The views and similarities found in both Swami Vivekananda and Thiruvalluvar especially in education, knowledge and life should be taken to the society,” said Sahitya Akademi Award winner Shri Kaviko S Abdul Rahman while presiding over the birth anniversary celebration of Swami Vivekananda and Thiruvalluvar in Chennai on January 16. The function was organised by Samskrita Bharati. BJP leader Shri L Ganesan, secretary of Samskrita Bharati also spoke. (VSK Chennai)
