Bharat does not have diverse cultures. It has a culture that celebrates diversity. Sangh does not want to create an organisation in the society, infact, it wants to organise the entire society, Dr Manmohan Vaidya stated during the book launch event in Bhagyanagar on July 24, 2024. He was speaking at the book launch of the highly anticipated biography, ‘Man of the Millennia: Dr Hedgewar’. The biography, penned by N H Palkar, and published by Suruchi Prakashan delves into the life and legacy of Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The Chief Guest, Dr Gnaneswara Rao Nitta, Professor & Principal of DRK Institute of Science and Technology, graced the occasion along with the keynote Speaker, Dr Manmohan Vaidya, Akhila Bharathiya Karyakarini Sadasya, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and Dr Gopal Reddy, President Samachara Bharati.
Dr Gopal Reddy, President Samachara Bharati, said he’s fortunate to be present in the function that launches the biography on the founder of RSS, Dr Hedgewar. Many of us are witness to many disintegrating and anti-social forces like naxalism, emergency etc, we require to gather nationalistic forces to counter the false narratives. He informed the audience on the initiatives and works of Samachara Bharati that are aimed at ideation, generation, and dissemination of nationalistic content in various forms.
Samachara Bharati manages the portal Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Telugu monthly Lokahitham, it organises media workshops, and has also organised Golkonda literary festival both Telugu and Hindi editions separately.
Sri Ayush Nadimpalli, Secretary, Samachara Bharati, in his introduction of the biography stated that the book has 570 pages, published in 1966 in Marathi, written by his contemporary Sri Narahari Palkar. The English version was published by Suruchi Prakashan which has 650 titles to its credit. The biography is a comprehensive account that not only chronicles Hedgewar’s journey but also provides a deeper understanding of the ideological roots of the RSS. It is an essential read for those interested in the history of India’s nationalist movements and the evolution of its socio-political fabric. Sri Ayush quoted a few key statements of Doctor ji – ‘first act and then speak’, he also wondered how an organisation which has seeped into the minds of Swayamsevaks can be banned. The biography also presents several events from the life of Doctor ji, as he was deeply engrossed in the work of nation-building. At the same time, he shared his love and affection with all Swayamsevaks.
Book Launch : Man of The Millennia Dr Hedgewar by N.H (Nana) Palkar launched by @ManmohanVaidya ji, Akhil Bharathiya Karyakarini Sadasya @RSSorg @SunilAmbekarM @ayush4bharat @samacharabharat @hindueshop pic.twitter.com/vyVxSWGJPf
— VSK Telangana (@vskts) July 24, 2024
Dr Gyaneshwar Nitta, in his address stated that Dr Hedgewar was a great visionary and founded the RSS in 1925, almost a hundred years ago, and spoke about his contributions to India’s cultural and socio-political landscape. He emphasised the relevance of Hedgewar’s vision and how his foundational principles for the RSS have influenced generations.
While reading the book he felt that during the freedom struggle, even as many stalwarts were involved in how to get independence, Dr Hedgewar was thinking in lines of how to develop the nation and take it forward after independence. He left the Congress party and dedicated his life in shaping patriotic Swayamsevaks who would go on to work for the nation.
The book is available on HindueShop and Amazon
The biography of Dr. Hedgewar ji originally written in Marathi by Shri N. H. Palkar, a devoted Pracharak has now been translated into English by Sri Anil D Nene. This is by far the most authentic biography of the great seer. Order link : https://t.co/V0iMOMU21o
— Hindu eShop (@hindueshop) March 2, 2024
At Amazon
Dr Manmohan Vaidya, Akhil Bharat Karyakarini Sadasya, RSS, in his insightful address elaborated on the idea of Sangh and its formative years, and the life of Dr Hedgewar. He emphasised how Doctor Ji’s thoughts were beyond his contemporary times, and he was not hesitant in adopting the modern methods that can help in achieving the goals. He stated that Dr Hedgewar’s leaving the Congress, and the foundation of RSS were well thought- out actions. He was very clear that RSS wasn’t about building just another organisation, but focused on the organisation of the society as a whole. He dedicated his life, efforts and time in organising the Hindu society. He also started the practice of Swayamsevaks contributing to the organisation as a Guru Dakshina. Most Swayamsevaks were just students those days, they would contribute by undertaking some work. Sister Nivedita, the disciple of Swami Vivekananda, was the first person to prepare a model flag for the nation as early as 1902. Maharshi Dadhichi’s bones were used to make the vajrayudha, signifying a life of values and sacrifice. The vajra symbol in yellow was used in the saffron flag in 1906 Congress Calcutta session. Dr Hedgewar participated in the 1921 non-cooperation movement, later founded the RSS in 1925, he was made sarsangh chalak in 1929 by other Swayamsevaks. Military band, directions and commands including the uniform were used as modern means to enthuse and inspire the Swayamsevaks. RSS made many efforts to study and understand our nation’s own history, ancestry and identity.
As Rabindranath Tagore says in his Swadeshi Samaj, ancient Bharat was never a welfare-state of the European kind; only Judiciary, foreign affairs, national security were the responsibility of the state/kingdom, whereas the affairs of the society including agriculture, commerce etc were always handled by the society, independent of the king or state. He said to see the same unity in diversity is a unique quality of Bharat. Just as Ramakrishna Paramhansa said ‘Yes, I saw and know the God’ similarly Dr Hedgewar stated that ‘Bharat is a Hindu rashtra (nation)’. Swami Vivekanand stated that India’s conception of a society is beyond that of tolerance, it’s of acceptance. Hence there’s no conversion of people among various religions. He said there’s no word for exclusivism /exclusion in Indian languages.
India has a culture that celebrates diversity. Both men and women have the same divinity, we need to realise that potential by manifesting the divinity in us, it’s personal to each of us. Our connection to the nation, our practice to work for the nation in our everyday lives is defined as Hindutva. Every person has to become nationalistic.
London’s Sunday Guardian in May 2014 when PM Modi took over said ‘its the day when the British finally left India’. It is to be noted that the underlying changes within the society resulted in Modi becoming a PM, and not the other way round. The seed that was sown in 1925 is yielding this ‘progressive unfoldment’, from that point of view, it is fitting that the book is named “The man of the millennia”. From the standpoint that Bharat has solutions, we should move the nation towards “Bharat is the solution”. Sri Raghunath proposed the vote of thanks. Smt Rajeswari Buddhiraju anchored the program. The book launch was attended by a large diverse audience, including prominent intellectuals, academicians, and members of various cultural and social organisations.
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