NAGPUR: “We do not have any argument with anyone. We stay away from disputes. Having a dispute is not in our country’s nature. Being together and fostering fraternity is our tradition,” said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat while speaking at the national book festival in Nagpur on November 28.
Dr Mohan Bhagwat clarified our ‘rashtravaad’ differs from aggressive Western ‘nationalism,’ born from ego fueling world wars; India’s ‘rashtra’ emerged from ego dissolution, fostering unity without conflict. “We are brothers as sons of Bharat Mata- beyond religion, language, or customs,” promoting coordination over strife.
Dr Bhagwat also reflected on the global implications of nationalism, citing its role in causing conflicts.
India has had the concept of globalisation right from the beginning, and it is called ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’ (the world is one family), he said.
“When we say rashtravaad, then that gets connected to the Western idea of nationalism, due to which two world wars happened. The ego of the nation is the reason. But our ‘rashtra’ is not compatible with egos. It has come into existence after the dissolution of egos….people considered themselves one,” he said.
“We are all brothers, as we are children of Bharat Mata, and there is no other human-created basis such as religion, language, eating habits, traditions or states. Despite diversity, we remain united as that is the culture of our motherland,” he said.
He praised ongoing education updates for accessibility and affordability but called for continuous evaluation. To youth: Study nation’s true history from primary sources, not Wikipedia; traditions evolve through scrutiny, avoiding blind acceptance.
Dr Mohan Bhagwat warned against becoming ‘machines ourselves’ with AI’s rise, stressing that technology cannot be halted but must serve humanity’s betterment. “We stay its owners, set its limits- use mobiles as tools, not let them use us,” he said, citing addiction where people endure hours without devices. True AI challenges emotions, demanding preparation for balanced life encompassing body, mind, intellect, and soul.
True satisfaction, he said, comes from helping others, a feeling that stays throughout life, unlike temporary success.
Interacting with young writers at the event, Dr Mohan Bhagwat said the advent of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be stopped, but we should remain its masters and maintain our dignity while dealing with it.
AI should be used for the benefit of mankind, to make humans better, he said.
The Nagpur Book Festival, which began on November 22, is scheduled to continue until November 30 at the Reshimbagh Ground in Nagpur. The event, celebrating a love for literature and learning, features over 300 stalls catering to readers of all kinds from across the city and beyond.
