KASHI: At a Pramukh Jan Samvad Sangosthi organised by Kashi Mahanagar on the occasion of the RSS Centenary Year, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini Sadasya Dr Manmohan Vaidya said the Sangh is an organisation of the entire society, and bringing the entire society together with a sense of oneness is the essence of Sangh work. The Sangh is Bharat’s ‘self’.
He said Bharat’s identity is spiritual, and this is what is called Hindutva. The Sangh works towards social awakening, social transformation and nation-building through individual development. Participation of every section of society is essential in this work.
He said, “We cannot say that we do not have time.” Just as a fish lives in water, we live within time. Therefore, everyone must contribute to social work.
Explaining the concept of Dharma, Dr Vaidya said that in Bharat, Dharma does not mean religion in the Western sense. Giving to society is charity, while returning to society what we have received from it is Dharma. Dharma does not divide; rather, it binds and unites society.
Dr Manmohan Vaidya said that in Bharat, the term ‘religion’ may refer to a form of worship. Seeing unity in diversity and oneness amid plurality is the inherent Dharma of Bharat. When an individual becomes Dharma-oriented and society is based on Dharma, the nation becomes strong.
Highlighting the economic prosperity of ancient Bharat, he said that according to the book World History of Economics, Bharat accounted for 33 per cent of the global economy between 1 AD and 1700 AD. Bharat held a prominent position in the world in leather, metal, perfume and textile industries.
He said women managed industries within their homes, while men travelled outside to sell goods. Control over household wealth remained with the woman of the house, which is why women were traditionally called Griha Lakshmi.
Referring to KM Munshi’s book Pilgrim to Freedom, Dr Vaidya said Bharat’s exports were higher than its imports. Temples in Bharat served as centres of prosperity and social welfare. Speaking about the position of women in Bharat, he said women had traditionally enjoyed a status equal to men.
During the question-and-answer session, responding to a question, he said Bharat is the only nation in the world that continues to move forward with two names. He cited the example of Burma, which adopted Myanmar as its name after independence.
He said that unless we decide who we are, we cannot determine our priorities. The habit of rejecting our own identity had long been accepted in Bharat in the name of progressive intellectualism. However, the atmosphere has now changed.
He said the word ‘Bharat’ is increasingly being used in official communication in place of ‘India’. The need is for society to accept the use of the word ‘Bharat’ in everyday life. Then, there will be no need to say ‘India, that is Bharat’.
Presiding over the programme, Sunbeam Education Group Director Deepak Madhok said education is the principal protector of the nation. Dr BR Ambedkar described education as the milk of a lioness. Serving Bharat through education should be the sole aim of every individual.
At the beginning of the programme, girl students of Nivedita Shiksha Sadan sang the national song Vande Mataram. Kashi Vibhag Sanghchalak Prof Jayaprakash Lal and other dignitaries on the dais jointly lit the ceremonial lamp.
