RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarkaryawah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale paying floral tributes to Bharat Mata to mark the beginning of ABPS in Karnavati, Gujarat on March 11, 2022
This year, Bharat is celebrating Amrit Mahotsav of its Independence. This occasion marks the outcome of centuries-old historic struggle for selfhood and glorious symbol of the sacrifice and dedication of our brave freedom fighters. The greatest feature of the Independence Struggle of Bharat is that it was not a political struggle alone, rather a socio-cultural movement with the participation of all strata of society and touching all the aspects of national life. It would be appropriate to view the national independence movement as a continuation of the efforts for bringing to the fore the most fundamental aspect of our existence, that is, our national selfhood.
“Sangh will Organise Various Programmes to Mark Centenary Year”Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale said the centenary year of the RSS is approaching so it is going to be organising various programmes marking the 100th anniversary. Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha was held at Nishkalanki Narayan Tirthdham at Karnavati. The Sarkaryavah thanked the people of Gujarat for giving full support to the work of the Sangh for decades. Talking to mediapersons, Shri Dattaji informed that over 1200 members of the RSS attended the annual Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha which commenced on March 11. “The people of Gujarat have given full support to the work of the Sangh for decades. On behalf of the Sangh, we thank the people of Gujarat,” he said. |
Violence and Mistrust: Barriers to Healthy DemocracyOrganiser Bureau After the declaration of the results of the Assembly elections in West Bengal, riots and widespread violence at many places in the State created a gruesome atmosphere. If violence, fear, malice, violation of law become rampant in the society, not only will there be unrest, instability, but democracy, mutual trust etc. will also be destroyed. The events that took place in Bengal last May 2021, were a result of political animosity and religious fanaticism. Election is a competition, the result of which is natural for someone to win and the other to lose. Treating it as just verdict given by the people, continuing social life with mutual cooperation and trust, is the hallmark of mature democracy. But, abusing the administrative machinery, an attempt to destroy political opponents by giving free rein to hatred and violence, will proved to be costly for the future. That the citizens of one State had to go for a safe haven in the neighbouring State for their safety, is not only a failure of administration but also points to a situation of gross violation of democracy and Constitution. Scheduled Castes Commission, Human Rights Commission, Women’s Commission and many such institutions have made their enquiries of the incidents in the State of Bengal and prepared reports. We hope that the aggrieved people will get complete justice soon. Competition is essential in the political field, but it should be in a healthy spirit, and should be within the purview of democracy; the race should facilitate ideological brainstorming, and strengthen the development of society. But the events of the past days, the allegations and counter-allegations in the elections and its language have become a cause of concern. The most condemnable incident of stopping the convoy of the Honourable Prime Minister of the country in the name of farmers’ agitation, on the main road while he was going for a scheduled programme, was certainly a challenge for the security; but at the same time, this heinous act has also raised questions about political decorum, the Central-State relation, the sentiment towards constitutional posts, etc. (Source: Annual Report) |
Besides the commercial interests, these colonial invaders had a definite aim of Bharat’s political, imperial and religious enslavement. The British conspired to weaken the emotional and spiritual connect with our motherland by striking at the very basic fundamentals of oneness among the people of Bharat. They attacked and tried to destroy our self-based systems such as indigenous economic and political systems, faith-belief and education systems.
Fanaticism: A ChallengeThe formidable form of growing religious fanaticism in the country has raised its head again in many places. The brutal murders of activists of Hindu organizations in Kerala, Karnataka are an example of this menace. Series of dastardly acts revealing communal hysteria, rallies, demonstrations, violation of social discipline, custom and conventions under the guise of the Constitution and religious freedom, inciting violence by instigating meagre causes, promoting illegal activities, etc. is increasing. There appears to be elaborate plans by a particular community to enter the government machinery. Behind all this, it seems that a deep conspiracy with a long-term goal is working. On the strength of numbers, preparations are being made to adopt any route to get their points convinced. All out efforts with organised strength, awakening and activeness to successfully defeat this menace before the unity, integrity and harmony of the society is the need of the hour. There is continuous information about the planned conversion of Hindus in different parts of the country like Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh etc. This challenge has a long history, but, of late, different newer ways of converting new groups are being adopted. It is true that the social and religious leadership and institutions of Hindu society have woken up to some extent and become active to check this trend. It seems necessary to make joint and coordinated efforts in this direction in a more |
This National Movement was all-inclusive and covered the entire Bharat. Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Swami Vivekananda, Maharshi Aurobindo and other spiritual leaders motivated the people and leaders of Bharat to offer sustained resistance to British subjugation. This movement had awakened the consciousness for Independence among women and tribal communities as well as in all dimensions of national life, including art, culture, literature and science. Lal-Bal-Pal, Mahatma Gandhi, Veer Savarkar, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Chandrasekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Velu Nachiyar, Rani Gaidinliu and other known and unknown freedom fighters further strengthened the feeling of self-respect and nationhood. The swayamsevaks also played their role under the leadership of staunch patriot Dr Hedgewar.
The nation had to face the horrors of Partition due to certain reasons that led to a progressive weakening of selfhood during the Freedom Movement. This is also an appropriate time to assess how successful we have been to utilise the opportunity to express this selfhood in all spheres of national life after Independence.
To keep the Indian society as one nation and to save the nation from future crises, it is necessary to re-establish the self-based life vision with determination. The 75th anniversary of independence gives us an opportunity to rededicate in this direction.
More youth joining the Sangh: Dr Manmohan VaidyaAddressing mediapersons, RSS Sah-Sarkaryavah Dr Manmohan Vaidya said that the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha is an important decision-making body of the Sangh. This time, 1248 karyakartas from all the States of the country attended the meeting. At the beginning of the meeting, tributes were paid to all important personalities who passed away last year. Among them were Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, CDS General Bipin Rawat, Babasaheb Purandare, Shri Rahul Bajaj, Pandit Birju Maharaj and P Srinivasa Ramanujacharya Swami. Despite the Covid-19 crisis during the last two years, 98.6 per cent of Sangh Karya (activities of RSS) has resumed as compared to 2020. The number of Saptahik Milan (weekly meetings) has also increased. Of the daily Shakhas, 61 per cent are of Vidyarthi swayamsevaks and 39 per cent are of Vyavasayi (working) swayamsevaks. As per arrangement for RSS work, there are 6506 khandas (blocks) in the country out of which 84 per cent have Shakhas. Out of 59,000 Mandals, about 41 per cent of the Mandals have Sangh Karya in the form of basic Shakhas. Shakha work is going on in 94 per cent out of 2303 urban areas and efforts will be made during the next two years to have Shakha of Sangh in all the Mandals (Mandal is a cluster of 8-10 villages). During the period from 2017 to 2021, about 1 lakh to 1.25 lakh youths between the age group of 20 to 35 expressed their desire to join Sangh through the online platform 'Join RSS' made available on the website of RSS. Between April 15 to mid-July of this year, there will be Sangh Shiksha Vargas (training camps of RSS) at 104 places wherein the average number would be about 300 per varga. “During the corona period, the volunteers of the Sangh actively did Sewa Karya (offered their voluntary services) together with the society. 5.50 lakh swayamsevaks started Sewa Karya from the very first day of the pandemic. India is the only country in the world wherein a large number of people from monasteries, temples and Gurudwaras came out for Sewa Karya. This is a sign of an awakened country," Dr Manmohan Vaidya said. The work of Kutumb Prabodhan (family awareness), Gau-Samvardhan (nurturing cows) and Gramin Vikas (Rural Development) is going on in good proportion in Sangh, he added. The Sah-Sarkaryavah called upon swayamsevaks to devote more time for Sangh Karya. Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Shri Sunil Ambekar was also present at the press conference. Akhil Bharatiya Sah Prachrar Pramukhs Shri Narendra Kumar and Shri Alok Kumar were also present on the occasion. |
It is a matter of satisfaction that despite many obstacles, Bharat has made commendable progress in various fields, but it is also true that the goal of making Bharat completely self-reliant is yet to be fulfilled. However, now the country is getting ready to move in a right direction by taking the resolution of self-reliant Bharat with a visionary thinking. It is necessary that by engaging students and youth in this great effort, Bharat should be developed and established as a knowledge rich society by effectively implementing Bharat centric education policy and enable it to take up the role of Vishwaguru.
The nation had to face the horrors of partition due to certain reasons that led to a progressive weakening of selfhood during the Freedom Movement. This is also an appropriate time to assess how successful we have been to utilise the opportunity to express this selfhood in all spheres of national life after independence
On the occasion of Amritostav of independence, we should take a resolve to re-invent our selfhood which provides us an opportunity to connect with our roots and to uphold the spirit of national integration.
(Courtesy: Statement issued by Sarkaryavah)
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