RAIPUR: A Virat (grand) Hindu Sammellan (conference) was held at Raipur of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday, December 31. The conference was held in Sonapairi village of Abhanpur and was attended by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat. Sant Asang Dev, the head of Kabir Panth Sanyas tradition, was the chief guest on the occasion, with Urmila Netam of the Gayatri Parivar also invited as a distinguished guest.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr Bhagwat said that Hindu Sammelans have been organised across the country as the Sangh’s work has completed 100 years. He said the Sangh began as a Shakha on a small plot of land in Nagpur and has since expanded nationwide. He added that wherever the Swayamsevaks go in this country, be it in the Kashmir valley, Mizoram, the Andamans, Sikkim, or Kachh, in north, south, east, or west, the Sangh’s work and Swayamsevaks are there.
Dr Bhagwat said that Dr Hedgewar took forward the Sangh through great hard work, and the organisation has since grown significantly through the sacrifice and hard work of numerous Swayamsevaks who aimed for the holistic development of the Hindu Rashtra by protecting the sacred Hindu Dharma, Hindu culture, and society. That is why the workers decided to engage with the public and raise awareness, he said.
He noted that when we think of Hindu society, we see many factors, such as the situation in Bangladesh and declining household values, as mentioned by other speakers at the program. “In every field, there are challenges and it is being widely discussed as well, though discussing challenges will not benefit, and solutions should be discussed,” he added.
Dr Bhagwat stated that, whatever challenges we face, whether in our personal lives or in the nation, the solutions lie with us alone.
“If we stays fine than no challenge has the capability to engulf us. He said that the society should see how ancient is our country and what great views and knowledge we have. We always gets the company of Sants. No society in the world today has such great Sants. Hence one should not only listen to the Sants but also carry their views with them and act accordingly,” he said.
He emphasised that five things need to be done and urged everyone to follow them strictly. He said that, first, one should remove any differences and act as if everyone were their own. He added that one should have friends in every sect of the Hindu society, noting that while the Sangh consider every Hindu as one, the world categorises them in many types on the basis of caste, language, religion, etc.
Speaking about Samajik Samrasta, Dr Bhagwat said that one should interact daily and have friends with individuals from each section of society, without differentiating on the basis of caste, language, or financial status. He urged everyone to consider every Bharatvasi as their own.
Talking about Mangal Sanvad, Dr Bhagwat stated that discussion and dialogue can save people from addictions. He noted that household dialogues have stopped. He urged everyone to do Bhajans, have joint dinners and sit and talk about one’s family history and traditions at least once a week.
He said one should also discuss Bharat and Hindu Dharma, which is above sects and communities, noting that there are characters in our country’s tradition who have lived like this and sacrificed their lives. He stressed that we should reflect on whether we are idealising such characters. He added that one should also reflect on how much time they contribute to society and the nation.
The Sarsanghchalak also cautioned about rising concerns about environmental change and global warming, stating that one should begin by saving water, restoring old water resources, and implementing water harvesting. He stressed that everyone should stop using single-use plastics and grow vegetables at home.
Dr Bhagwat further emphasised the need for ‘Swa’. “We are people of Bharat, not of Europe and America, China or Japan, the Middle East or Australia, hence we should speak in our own language,” he said.
He stated that one should speak in one’s mother tongue at home and also learn the language of the region where they reside. He noted that all the languages of Bharat have the same roots.
Dr Bhagwat further stressed the importance of prioritising Bhartiya attire, stating that Bhasha, Bhusha Bhajan, Bhavan, Bhraman, and Bhojan should be one’s own. He also urged everyone to procure Swadeshi products. He added that we should be self-sufficient and live with Swabodh.
He further appealed to everyone to strictly follow the constitution and laws, asserting that our own people enacted them. He said that the constitution reflects the ‘Manas’ of our country and guarantees freedom of worship. He urged everyone to study the preamble, fundamental duties, directive principles, and fundamental rights, noting that these reflect how Dharma should be practised. He added that laws are enacted in accordance with the constitution and should be strictly followed by everyone.
He emphasised that by following these five principles, we will gain the strength to overcome challenges in our personal lives, society, and the nation. He said that the Swayamsevaks will come to you with this message, and that one can move forward with them, as this is the way to one’s own welfare, the country’s welfare, and the welfare of the world.
Addressing the gathering earlier, Urmila Netam said that society today lacks organisational unity and that families were once more united. She noted that family unity is lacking today, and as a result, children are being misguided. She asserted that the children today need to be taught values and morals.
She said there is a need to raise awareness among youth about culture and values. She cautioned that youths today are attracted to narcotics and inclined more towards foreign culture and foreign attire.
Speaking about the significance of women in society, Netam said that if women become aware, society will change. She appealed to women to teach values and morals to children and to emulate Arjun, Abhimanyu, and Bhagwan Ram.
Sant Asang Dev too stresses the need for organisational unity during his address. He said that our saints have taught us that human birth is precious, and a lot of people are misusing their lives by indulging in narcotics and non-vegetarian foods. Mentioning about the lynching of Deep Chandra Das in Bangladesh, Asang Dev said that Hindus should be united and should not differ with each other on caste lines. He emphasised the need for harmony and love in society.
Asang Dev also paid tributes to Guru Ghasi Das and Gahira Guru, noting that the state has a large number of followers of the Kabir Panth. The programme was also attended by Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai and other senior BJP leaders.
