Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat touched upon a plethora of issues during his 55-minute address at the annual Vijayadashami function at Reshambag Ground in Nagpur on the occasion of the 99th Foundation Day celebration of the RSS.
Noted singer and composer, Padmashri Shankar Mahadevan, was the chief guest at this function. RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, Vidarbha Prant Sanghchalak Sri Ram Harkare, Nagpur Mahanagar Sanghchalak Rajesh Loya, and Sah-Sanghchalak Sridhar Gadge were seated on the dais.
In his address, Dr Mohan Bhagwat asserted that the crisis-ridden world is expecting Bharat to emerge with a new vision based on its own value system to meet the contemporary needs and challenges confronting the globe. To achieve this, the Sangh is working to create a strong and united Bharatiya society, he said.
The Sarsanghchalak said the desire to preserve the identity of Bharat and the identity of the Hindu society is only natural. It is also the responsibility of Bharat to teach the principles of harmony to all because the entire world needs it the most, he added.
Referring to the successful conclusion of the G20 summit in Bharat, the Sarsanghchalak said: “Due to Bharat’s distinct thoughts and vision, our guiding principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam has now been incorporated in the philosophy of the entire world. Thanks to Bharat’s endeavors, the economy-centric idea of G20 has now transformed into human-centric”.
By successfully holding the G20 summit, our leadership has done a commendable job of firmly establishing Bharat as a major nation on the global stage, Dr Mohan Bhagwat underlined, praising the leadership of the country.
Among the prominent issues the RSS Sarsanghchalak touched upon in his address were violence and instability in the North-Eastern border State of Manipur, cultural Marxism, responsibility of citizens in times of elections and global conflicts, and the role of Bharat in resolving those crises.
MANIPUR VIOLENCE
On Manipur violence, Dr. Mohan Bhagwat was probably the first to publicly hold the external or foreign forces responsible for the unstable and volatile situation there. “In Manipur, Manipuri Meities and Manipuri Kukis have been living together for many years. How did this sudden discord take place?” he asked while accusing foreign forces of orchestrating violence and discord in the State.
Manipur is a border State, he said and asked: “Who benefits from such internal discord and secessionism in the region? Outside forces also benefit. Were people from outside involved in what happened there?” he asked without naming any particular group or country.
He said the Government is committed to resolving the issue. The Home Minister had stayed there for a full three days and other Ministers, too, camped there for 15 days. Despite that, the violence continued, which showed that this was being orchestrated, he observed.
“Any tune (dhun) has Sargam (musical notes) just like computers have binary codes behind them and words have alphabets. Similarly, if our country is like a song, then Swayamsevaks are like the musical notes behind it attending to various problems and challenges”, said Shankar Mahadevan while speaking at the RSS Vijayadashami Utsav organised at the historic Reshimbagh ground of Nagpur. Shankar Mahadevan began his address with a prayer to Goddess Saraswati for the glory of the nation and Vijayadashami wishes to the entire world.
Overwhelmed by the getting this invitation, the Padma Shree awardee said, “I am touched by the simplicity of Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, a chance to interact with him in person and getting the invitation to be the Chief Guest of the historic grand event”. Saluting the incessant efforts of millions of Swayamsevaks for the nation, the musical maestro said, “no one has contributed more in preserving the idea of Akhand Bharat and protecting and nurturing our Sanskriti”. “I can only seek your blessings for the work the members of the RSS family have done and will be doing for the country. I can only thank you that nobody has put efforts as much as you in protecting our culture and tradition in the country…,” he said at the occasion.
Turning to his favourite subject of music, he explained the treasure of knowledge that our ancient scripture has. The ‘Breathless’ fame singer emphasised that everyone pursuing any profession should have minimum allegiance to our ancient knowledge and motherland. I am doing that by educating youngsters through his music.
“I believe it is my duty to educate and transmit our culture through music and songs to future generations. I try to do it in my interactions with youngsters and children and also in my shows, reality shows and even film songs”, he explained while giving examples of various songs and making of the Marathi film like Katyar Kalajat Ghusali. He was mesmerised with the compositions of the RSS band which are based on the classical ragas. He generously offered his services for future endeavours in this regard.
He concluded his speech with melodious rendering of ‘Mai Rahu Na Rahu, Bharat ye Rahna Chahiye’.
Sarsanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat complimented the Musical Guru who runs an academy to impart classical music for more than eleven years, by saying, “what our chief guest has said is the essence of today’s programme” and “he is not just a great singer and composer but also an amazing orator”.
“When restoration of peace was in sight, some incident occurred and once again violence took place widening the gap between the communities. Who is instigating the violence? It is not happening but being made to happen. Which foreign powers may be interested in taking advantage of unrest and instability in Manipur? Does the geopolitics of Southeast Asia also have a role in these events?”
The Sarsanghchalak praised the RSS cadres who, even risking their lives, worked to restore peace in the violence-hit Manipur providing relief to people and assuaging their hurt feelings and emotions, and said we are proud of their role. The country is already in election mode. Five states will be electing new assemblies next month. The parties are active in conducting electoral propaganda fiercely to the extent of vitiating the atmosphere. Referring to this atmosphere, Dr Mohan Bhagwat sounded a warning bell saying that parties will make attempts to garner votes by inflaming emotions. He urged the people not to get swayed by this emotional propaganda and vote while keeping in mind the ‘unity, integrity, identity and development of the country’.
“Elections are coming and there will be attempts to incite emotions and sway the voters. Do not get provoked,” he said, urging voters to choose from the available best. “We have tested all the parties and governments. Now people will choose from the available best and make their best choice. It was our national duty to vote”, he said.
Cultural Marxists
Referring to the new development of Wokism, the Sarsanghchalak warned the people of this new tool of anti-Bharat forces which he described as “Cultural
Marxism or Woke”. “Some people inside and outside the country do not want Bharat to move ahead. They try to build conflicts, destroy our unity, and sow the seeds of disharmony. These elements now have a new name i.e. Cultural Marxists or Woke meaning awakened… They are opposed to all kinds of orderliness, culture, dignity and restraint in the world”, he said.
“These Cultural Marxists are accused of using a modus operandi of taking over the control of media and the academia in their pursuit of spreading chaos and dividing society. However, we must defeat their designs and stay united and strong. “Three elements – devotion to the motherland, pride in the forefathers, and common culture make us one nation by tying together all the diversities of language, region, religion, sect, caste, and sub-caste, Dr Mohan Bhagwat said.
“The permanent unity of society stems from a sense of belongingness, not from selfish bargaining. Ours is a very large society, with a remarkable breadth of diversity. During the course of time, some aggressive, violent traditions from foreign countries also infiltrated our country, yet our society remained a society based on these three elements of devotion to the motherland, pride in ancestors, and common culture, ” added Dr Mohan Bhagwat
Chief guest Padmashri Shankar Mahadevan began his address with a Namaskar followed by Saraswati Vandana in his melodious and enthralling voice. He said, “My experience today has been mind-blowing. The contribution of all of you in protecting our culture and tradition is unparalleled.” Eulogising the role of swayamsevaks in times of crises, he drew an analogy with song and its ‘sargam’. He said: “When I look at the swayamsevaks, they work silently whenever there is any incident, any crisis or any problem; wherever there is a crisis, they stand behind silently and work for the country. If our country is a song, then these Swayamsevaks are its ‘sargam’ that injects life into the song.”
“Our music has the richest heritage that goes back to many centuries. That is the treasure we have which no other country in the world has got,” he said. He presented a poem while concluding his address. “Desh se hai pyar to har pal ye kehna chahiye, Main rahun ya na rahu, Bharat ye rehna chahiye, Silsila baad mere yun hi chalna chahiye, Main rahun ya na rahu, Bharat ye rehna chahiye” – subtly explaining the mission, objective and vision of the Sangh in the simple yet power-packed words.
Addressing the annual Vijayadashami programme of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the largest nationalist women’s organisation in the country, Pramukh Sanchalika Vandaniya Shantakka appealed to the people to defeat the forces trying to create confusion in the guise of narrative building. Dr Urvashi Mishra, Vice-President of Swami Narayana Dev Mahila Mandal, Vadodara, was the chief guest at the programme organised at the Dr Hedgewar Smriti Mandir in Nagpur. Former Samiti Pramukh Sanchalika Vandaniya Pramilatai Medhe and former judge of the family court Justice Meera Khadakkar were prominent among those present on the occasion.
In her address, Vandaniya Shantakka said: “Despite many foreign attacks and invasions, our culture remains unbroken and continues to remain so. However, attempts have been made in recent times to create confusion and mislead society to weaken the country in the name of building a narrative.” We need to defeat such forces, he said. Expressing her views on the power of narrative, she said: “Whatever is seen around or heard by the people becomes a collective perspective or opinion of the entire society. Such is the power of narrative.” She called upon the people to be aware of the right knowledge and truth. Mentioning the diversity of the country, the Pramukh Sanchalika said that the sense of unity is organically present within the citizens of this country and no force on earth can break it. However, she said, many seem to be caught under the influence of the Western culture, lifestyle, and ideas but urged the people to keep the nation as “the first priority”.
Lauding the role of Sevikas, Vandaniya Shantakka said they are doing their best to raise social and cultural awareness in families because the family needs to be emotionally strong and well entrenched in its cultural roots. It is the responsibility of all to make efforts to stop the atrocities against women, she said.
Dr Urvashi Mishra congratulated all on the occasion of Navaratri. She said that women are the cornerstone of culture, which helps in protecting it from bad influences. “The role of a mother becomes prominent in nurturing, and instilling and inculcating values in their children because the future of the country depends on the coming generations,” she said. Nagpur Karyawahika Karuna Sathe made the introductory remarks. Earlier, the sevikas performed drills and martial arts such as pyramids, flag drills, niyuddh, yashti yoga, and so on.
The Rashtra Sevika Samiti was founded on October 25, 1936, by Vandaniya Laxmibai Kelkar of Wardha in consultation with RSS founder Dr KB Hedgewar to inculcate values and empower the women of Bharat. Since then, it has been continuously working to achieve its goal and spread awareness among the womenfolk of Bharat and even abroad.
Earlier, Swayamsevaks in uniform took out two route marches which culminated at Ashok Chowk where Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, and Chief Guest Shankar Mahadevan inspected the route march.
Earlier, 5000-plus Swayamsevaks performed physical drills, niyuddha, samata, danda, vyayam yoga, and yoga asanas. The Ghosh presented melodious tunes based on Bharatiya Raagas, which were praised by the chief guest also. They presented the model of Chandrayaan which attracted the attention of the audience. Prominent among those present at the function were Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Rashtra Sevika Samiti Pramukh Sanchalika Vandaniya Shantakka, Pramukh Karyawahika Seetha Annadanam, Swamini Brahmprakashananda, industrialist Satyanarayan Nuwal, Nitin Khara, District Collector Vipin Itankar, Raje Mudhoji Raje Bhosale and popular television artist Prajakta Mali.
Leave a Comment