Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat spoke about the sacrifices of Sangh founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar while addressing a public gathering at U Soso Tham auditorium in Shillong. The meeting began on an auspicious note with the Khasi welcome of presenting him with traditional attire. While addressing a large gathering, which had come from across Meghalaya, Dr Mohan Bhagwat narrated different inspiring incidents relating to Dr Hedgewar, who was a born patriot. It was interesting how before being jailed fighting the British, his reply to the judge who was hearing Dr Hedgewar, his reply was more seditious than his original speech.
Dr Bhagwat said we have been an ancient nation since time immemorial, but due to forgetting our civilisational values, we lost our freedom. Our binding force is our inherent faith in our age-old values which are based on spirituality.
The Sangh teaches sacrifice for the country by giving up one’s individual selfish ends. In one hour of Sangh shakhas, people learn about these benevolent values and duty to the motherland, Dr Bhagwat said. The RSS draws this tradition of sacrifice from this country’s ancient history. Our ancestors had visited foreign lands and imparted these values to Japan, Korea, Indonesia and many other countries. We are following the same traditions even today.
Dr Bhagwat explained how during the COVID-19 crisis, Bharat had served humanity by sending vaccines to different countries. Recently, our country stood with Sri Lanka during her worst ever economic crisis. He added Sangh is not just another organisation working for making itself strong but the real mission is to make Bharat attain her all-round development. To achieve it, the Swayamsevaks learn certain disciplines from the working methodologies inherent in the shakhas. Three things are emphasised – Rashtriyata, Swayamsevakatva, we emphasise.The important analysis from Dr Bhagwat’s speech was his drawing a comparison that one citizen’s fate is also determined by the country’s fate and vice-versa. During the Ugandan crisis, a few years ago, the Indians there too had to suffer despite no fault of theirs, Bharat’s stature in the global arena was then weak. Our objections made no impact at that time as our country was on a weaker footing. Nevertheless, if Bharat becomes powerful and prosperous, each Bharatiya too becomes powerful and prosperous. Dr Bhagwat asked the audience from different walks of life to analyse RSS not from a distance but by direct observation.
The two-day Meghalaya visit of Bhagwat Ji included his meetings with different Sangh functionaries and socio-cultural leaders
This is the specialty of India which has been there since ages. We have always been one. When we forget this, we lose our independence. Hence, we must make sure that we become one and make our country stronger and more self-reliant. We all have to work for this unity.”
Seated on the dais were Munujik Khongjrim, President, RSS East Khasi Hills and Ri-bhoi, Dr Umesh Chakraborty, Sanghchalak, Northeast Zone, Ravi Shankar Koch, Sanghchalak, RSS, South West Garo Hills. The Pynter orchestra NAM performed the song ”Jingrwai ieid Ri”. The speech of Dr Bhagwat Ji was translated into Khasi by Mangkashang Khongshei. The vote of thanks was proposed by Niewstor syiemlieh, Baudhik Pramukh, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya..
