NEW YORK: “In America one word is discussed pluralism, for Bharat it is unity in diversity which is in our DNA. Every nation has a destiny to fulfill. What is the destiny given to Bharat? Bharat is there to realise, and from time to time make the world realise this unity in diversity. We are one, and due to diversity, that oneness is decorated. So, diversity has to be celebrated, has to be respected, has to be accepted. And at the same time, we must keep in mind this feeling of oneness,” said RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat at the ‘Universal Oneness Celebration’ at Madison Square Garden, New York on August 29, 2026.
“We are here to celebrate the oneness. It is very apt that we have gathered here in New York to do that. And I have come here from Nagpur in Bharat to share with you today’s joy and today’s spirit, he said.
“Nations are not merely geographical entities. In the design of this universe, nations have to carry out a duty. Swami Vivekananda said, Every nation has a message to deliver. Every nation has a mission to accomplish. Every nation has a destiny to fulfil”, he said.
“Many times, we may think that how can we say that we are one? We appear different. So many nationalities, so many languages, so many religions, so many styles of living. We appear different. We are different. Scientifically we learn how we are different. How are we different? Each of us has to take his meal separately. If I am not hungry, it doesn’t mean you are not hungry. If I have satisfied my hunger, if I had my lunch, that doesn’t mean you had your lunch. You have to lunch separately. You have to earn separately. You have to spend separately,” he said.
“Human beings can think, and that is a quality. That is a blessing but in what way you think, that is important. Thinking human beings who know right and wrong have the responsibility for sustaining the entire world. If you think in the right way, you go nearer to God. If you think in wrong way, you go nearer to animal kingdom. Nar karni kare to nar ka Narayan ban jaaye, (When a human performs noble deeds, a human can become divine). The direction is important. And the man who shapes his life according to the right direction becomes a responsible citizen of this kingdom of God,” he said.
More than 6,000 people from 39 US states, 853 cities, 250 students from various universities, 250 organisations have attended the ‘Universal Oneness Celebration’.
The gathering brought together participants from 85 cities, with nearly 200 organisations partnering for the programme, according to event organisers.
The scale of participation from different parts of the United States has been a key feature of the programme, which has drawn representatives of Hindu-American organisations, temples, yoga groups and cultural organisations. The event is being organised during the RSS centenary year and has the support of 135 Hindu-American organisations, according to organisers.
“This event is a celebration of the Indian philosophy ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which is that the world is one big family,” they said.
The programme has been planned with interfaith, cultural and spiritual components, with organisers positioning it around themes of unity, service, dialogue and harmony.
The programme also includes cultural and spiritual presentations, including an a cappella performance by Indian-American youth and the chanting of hymns.
Ahead of the event, digital billboards featuring Dr. Mohan Bhagwat were also displayed at Times Square in New York.
The programme was organised by the AHEAD Forum, with participation and support from Hindu-American organisations across the United States.
