Bengaluru: The first proponent of ‘ghar waapsi’ (home coming) was none other than the great philosopher Ramanujacharya, said the VHP working president Dr Pravin Togadia, while speaking at the millennium anniversary function of Sri Ramanujacharya at Rashtrotthana Parishat on May 27. “We are speaking of Ghar Waapsi today and trying to bring back the people who were converted to other religions. However, one should realise that the real proponent of it was Ramanujacharya who is credited with bringing back 25,000 Muslims to their original roots,” he added.
Dr Togadia also said Ramanujacharya worked towards the casteless society. He ensured that all the non-Brahmins including those from the Scheduled Castes and Tribes enter the temples. Dr Togadia said Ayodhya Ram Movement was started by Ramanujacharya and was followed by Ramanandacharya. Ramanuja reformed the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple complex, undertook nationwide tours and expanded the reach of his organisation. The temple organisation became the stronghold of his ideas and his disciples. It is here that he wrote his influential Vishisht Advaita philosophy text, Sri Bhashyam, over a period of time but also not only developed theories and published philosophical works. He organised a network of temples for Vishnu-Lakshmi worship. He is also credited to have set up centres of studies for his philosophy during the 11th and 12th-century, by travelling through India in that era.
Organised jointly by the VHP and Nallan Chakravarthy Trust, the programme attracted hundreds of people from all age groups. Shri KS Sridhar from Nallan Chakravarthy Trust, VHP Bengaluru president Shri Vijaya Kumar Reddy and secretary Shri Krishnamurthy also shared the dais. — R Guruprasad
‘Kochi Book Fest to take on Breaking India Brigade’
New Delhi: “In the late 1980s Shri P Parameswaran wanted to take the ideological confrontation led by CPM into an intellectual realm from physical plan with the publication of his scholarly written book Marx and Vivekananda. But it was sidelined and suppressed by a group of so-called intellectuals who monopolised the intellectual discourse and decided who should speak, what should be read. It was in response to that we took an initiative to establish the Book Festival 20 years ago, with a view of creating a parallel cultural and literary milieu based on Bharatiya where nobody can censor their ideological adversaries,” said Prajna Pravah National Convener Shri J Nandakumar while speaking on May 24 at the brochure release ceremony of 21st International Book Festival 2017.
“At Kochi Book Fest, we provide platform even to those who see us as their ideological opponents. It is indeed a Bharatiya way of taking on ‘Breaking India Brigade’ as it is our tradition that dates back to the times of Charvaka and Kanada,” he added. National Book Trust Executive Member and one of the key organisers of the Book Fest EN Nandakumar said that the book fest turned out to be a big success last year with a participation of more than 200 publications and over 1 lakh people. “Now it has become the second largest book festival in South India. From last year onwards, we have been conducting a Literary Festival and a Children’s Book Festival as a part of the Book Fest,” he added.
Hailing the Kochi Book Fest, NBT Chairman Shri Baldevbhai Sharma said Kerala society has a very enlightened population in India. Sharing his
experience with Sharjah International Book Fair, he said that Malayali society takes our cultural and intellectual wisdom even abroad. Shri Sharma along with Shri J Nandakumar and other dignitaries released the brochure of the 21st International Book Festival 2017.
Social Harmony Meet on Maharana Pratap Jayanti
Jaipur: Vidyadhar District unit of Hindu Jagran Manch organised a social harmony meet on the occasion of birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap on May 28. Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Hansdevacharya from Haridwar addressed the gathering at the meet. Others who addressed the gathering included Union Minister of State for Finance Shri Arjunram Meghwal, national co-convener of Hindu Jagran Manch Shri Kamlesh Singh. Chittor Prant convener of Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad Shri Surendra Singh Rao spoke on the life of Maharana Pratap.
A pictorial exhibition showcasing the life and sacrifices of Maharana Pratap was also organised on the occasion. An exhibition of the handicraft products was also organised. Gaurav Sena organised a bike rally. The rally began from six places of the city and culminated at the
programme venue.
Worshiping Humans as a form of God
New Delhi: Delhi unit of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram celebrated its annual function on May 28. Addressing the gathering Delhi BJP president Shri Manoj Tiwari recalled his association with the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram in Banaras. He exhorted the audience through a song to bridge the gap between the Vanvasis and Nagarvasis. Chairman of Arunachal University Dr Ashwani Agrawal and chairman of SK Construction Shri Sushil Garg were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion the RSS Uttar Kshetra Bauddhik Pramukh Shri Ajay stressed the need of constant efforts for the betterment of Vanvasis. He lauded the efforts of Kalyan Ashram in this regard. He said Kalyan Ashram is working in the remote areas with the view to worship humans in the form of God as stressed by Swami Vivekananda.
Opt for Zero Budget Farming
Rohtak: In order to promote zero budget farming so that farmers can earn more profit, Samagra Gram Vikas organised a district level workshop on May 26. Haryana Prant Gram Vikas Pramukh Shri Kuldip provided tips to the farmers. He specifically explained in detail how the
farmers in many parts of the country are earning good profit through zero farming. He said cow has been the backbone of Indian farming and in the days to come she will again be the backbone of farming and rural economy. Agriculture Development Officer Dr Wazir Singh explained the zero budget farming methods in detail and how farmers in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and some others are successfully following it. He also explained the harms of chemical farming. Dr Sanjeev Kumari stressed on tree plantation especially the saplings of peepal, mango etc. n
Comments