“Bharat will have to tell the world that diversity is the manifestation of inherent unity. People should present Bharat as a country which does not have unity in diversity, but it has diversity of unity. We have so much of diversity in us, we shouldn’t fight with each other. Make your country capable of teaching the world that we are one. This is the sole purpose of Bharat’s existence,” said RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat at the launch of the book Prithvi Sookta: An Ode to Mother Earth at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. The book is authored by RSS senior pracharak Ranga Hari.
Explaining what brings people together in different countries, RSS Sarsanghchalak said, “The basis of United Kingdom is language, basis of America’s unity is economic interest, while the Arab nations are together on the basis of religion. But for us, it is our humanity or human approach”.
RSS Sarsanghchalak also said that other countries have misinterpreted Bharat’s version of nationalism.
“Nationalism is an ideal for us. But to the international community, nationalism is something else. They feel scared of this word. They associate Hitler with the word nationalism. But for Bharat ‘nationalism’ and ‘universalism’ is not opposite to each other,” he said.
“We consider motherland as an essential component of our national unity. It is so. In all tatva gyan (knowledge of elements), this is the conclusion. The whole world is one family, this is our feeling. This is not a theory know it, realise it and then behave accordingly,” Dr Mohan Bhagwat said.
Dr Bhagwat said, “Seers created Bharat for the welfare of the world. They created a society which passed on their knowledge to the last person in the country. They were not ‘sanyasis’ only. They lived the lives of wanderers with their families. All these ‘ghumantoos’ (nomads) are still there, whom the British had declared as criminal tribes… They are often seen showcasing their culture in the society, some share ayurvedic knowledge,” he said.
“We have so much of diversity in us, we shouldn’t fight with each other. Make your country capable of teaching the world that we are one. This is the sole purpose of Bharat’s existence” — Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak, RSS
“Our people went across the world taking the knowledge, from Mexico to Siberia,” he further added.
Referring to his conversation with late former President of India Dr Pranab Mukherjee at a meeting with him during the ghar wapasi controversy in Parliament a few years ago, Dr Bhagwat recalled, “He said Bharat’s Constitution is secular. He paused for some time and then said we are secular not just because of our Constitution but also because the tall leaders who drafted the Constitution were secular .” “He paused again for a minute and then said again ‘we are not secular since then. Our 5000-year-old culture is like this’,” RSS Sarsanghchalak recalled, having been told by Dr Pranab Mukherjee.
“Our life should be meaningful apart from being successful. This is message of life and it is there in every Bharatiya literature. The purpose of India is to educate all human beings in the world through our lives and we have to be prepare for that,” RSS Sarsanghchalak said.
Sharing his experience with Ranga Hari ji, Dr Bhagwat said, “He has always been a diligent and hardworking intellectual. We are always enriched by their company. He is a scholarly figure and repository of knowledge”.
On this occasion, Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammed Khan said that the biggest ideal of India is unity. “After the knowledge of oneness, the difference between God and soul disappears,” he said.
About RSS senior pracharak Ranga Hari, the Kerala Governor said, “He is not a profound scholar and an elucidate speaker but a true Karmayogi who has ability to bring his thoughts into action. I pray for his recovery. May he continue to guide us through his words, writings and actions.”
Vice Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi introduced the core theme of the book. Vice Chancellors of Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University, Prof Santishree D Pandit and Prof Yogesh Singh were also present at the book release function. The programme was organised by Prajna Pravah, Delhi Unit and Kitabwale Publications. Prof Prakash Singh, Convenor, Prajna Pravah, New Delhi and Director South campus of Delhi University welcomed the guests and Amit Rai Jain of Kitabwale proposed vote of thanks.
