The family system is the precious contribution of our society to the humanity. Due to its uniqueness, Hindu family functions as the basic unit which connects an individual to the nation taking the journey towards ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. Along with being a complete system of social and economic security, the family also is an important medium of inculcating samskars and imparting values in the new generation. The multi-centred character of the Hindu society is the main reason for its eternal existence and the family system is one of the effective and important centres.
RSS Sahsarkaryavah Dr Manmohan Vaidya addressing the media persons during the Pratinidhi Sabha. Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Shri Arun Kumar (right) and Akhil Bharatiya Sah Prachar Pramukh Shri Narendra Thakur (left) were also present
These days, our family system that epitomises the sacred cultural heritage seems to be disintegrating. The principle reasons for the breakup of the family system are the increasing influence of the materialist mindset and self-centeredness. Due to the materialistic thinking, the problems of self-centred and acrid behaviour, unchecked desires and greed, stress, divorce, etc are on the rise. Today, our joint families are turning into nuclear ones. The tendency to keep children in hostels at a very young age is growing. Due to the absence of emotional security of the family, the feeling of loneliness is growing in the young generation. As a result, drug addiction, violence, heinous crimes and suicides are reaching alarming levels. Growing numbers of old age homes, in the absence of the social security of the family, is worrisome.
The ABPS is of the firm opinion that there is a need for comprehensive and immense efforts to sustain the lively and value-based nature of our family system. Through our day-to-day behaviour and conduct, we should ensure that our family life works for building character, enriching life-values and strengthening mutual relationships. The family life will be joyous and blissful through dining, praying, celebrating festivals and going on pilgrimage together, the use of mother tongue, insistence on Swadeshi and, nourishing and protecting family and social traditions. Family and Society are complementary to each other. To instill the sense of social responsibility, encouraging donations for social, religious and educational cause and readiness to help the needy as per ability should become the nature of our family.
The mother is the pivot in our family system. Habit to respect Matrushakti should be inculcated in each and every family member. Collective decision making should be the norm in our family. Duties rather than rights should become the focus of discussion in the family. The rights of others are protected in discharging of one’s own duties.
With the passage of time, some distortions and rigidity have crept in our society. Ill-practices like dowry, untouchability and discrimination, ostentatious and extravagant spending, superstitions etc are creating obstacles in the all-round development of the society. The ABPS calls upon the entire society, starting from our own families, to make efforts in uprooting these evils and shortcomings and work towards establishing a value-based and harmonious society.
Revered saints and, social, religious, educational and intellectual organisations have always played an important role in social development. Pratinidhi Sabha urges them to take into account the seriousness of the situation and make every possible effort to strengthen the family institution. Various platforms of media can be an effective tool in imparting values to society. The Sabha appeals to the eminent personalities in this field to make films and various programmes with a positive message to strengthen the roots of the family system and contribute towards the bright future of the new generation. Pratinidhi Sabha urges all governments to constructively consider the need for strengthening the family system while formulating the education policy and making family related legislations.
Those who are forced to stay in nuclear families due to the circumstantial compulsions should keep their contacts alive with the ancestral family and spend some time with them collectively on regular intervals. To remain connected with the ancestral place is like connecting with the roots. Therefore, activities, like being there together as a family, undertaking some service projects etc, should be undertaken. Elementary education of children should be conducted in the local environment to nurture family and social bonds. Organising community festivals and programmes in our residential area can be useful to cultivate the sense of larger families. Initiating activities like Balgokulam and Samskaar Varg for young and adolescent children will also be useful for their balanced development.
The life based on sacrifice, restraint, love, affection, cooperation and mutual complementarity is the foundation stone of a happy family. The family consisting of all these qualities will ensure a happy life for all its constituents. Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha calls upon the entire society, including the swayamsevaks, especially the young generation, to take all necessary steps to make the invaluable family system more lively, vibrant, and value-oriented.
(Full text of the resolution passed by the ABPS held in Gwalior from March 8 to 10, 2019)
