Know More About the RSS

Shachi Rairikar

These days it is a fashion amongst the Congress and other secular leaders to speak ill about the RSS and the Sangh Parivar. They accuse the RSS of preaching hatred, creating communal tension and dividing the society on the basis of caste and of killing Mahatma Gandhi. Some of them have even called the RSS a snake which should be killed and not fed with milk.

Before spewing venom against one of the most respected organizations in India, these secular leaders should have a deeper perspective of our history. They must know that the court of law had categorically stated in the Mahatma Gandhi murder case that it was the act of an individual and that no organization was associated with it. They must know how their own idols and icons had come to respect the RSS and had praised it.

In 1934, when Gandhiji visited a 1500-strong Swayamsevaks camp at Wardha, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the Swayamsevaks were not even aware of the castes of one another, not to speak of any ideas of untouchability. The visit had left such a deep impression on Gandhiji’s mind that he referred to it full thirteen years later. In his address to the workers of Sangh in Bhangi Colony at Delhi on 16th September 1947, he said, “I visited the RSS camp years ago, when the founder Shri Hedgewar was alive. I was very much impressed by your discipline, the complete absence of untouchability and the rigorous simplicity. Since then the Sangh has grown. I am convinced that any organization which is inspired by the high ideal of service and self-sacrifice is bound to grow in strength.” (The Hindu: 17th September 1947)

When Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar visited Sangh Shiksha Varga in Pune in 1939, he was surprised to find the Swayamsevaks moving about in absolute equality and brotherhood without even caring to know the caste of the others. When Dr. Ambedkar asked Dr. Hedgewar whether there were any untouchables in the camp, the latter replied that there were neither touchables nor untouchables, but only Hindus.

After partition, when the Maharaja of Kashmir was harbouring the idea of retaining Kashmir as an independent kingdom, it was Guru Golwalkar of the RSS whom Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had sent to convince the Maharaja to join India. Shri Guruji flew to Srinagar on 17th October 1947. After discussions with Shri Guruji, the Maharaja finally expressed his readiness to sign the Instrument of Accession to Bharat. Shri Guruji returned to New Delhi on 19th October, and reported to Sardar Patel about the Maharaja’s readiness to accede to Bharat.

After partition, Delhi was in the throes of violence and intrigues by the Muslim Leaguers. When later on Dr. Bhagwan Das, the great savant and a recipient of the Bharat Ratna award, came to know the details of the role of RSS in those crucial days, he wrote on 16th October 1948:

"I have been reliably informed that a number of youths of RSS were able to inform Sardar Patel and Nehruji in the very nick of time of the Leaguer`s intended coup on September 10, 1947, whereby they had planned to assassinate all members of Government and all Hindu officials and thousands of Hindu citizens on that day and plant the flag of Pakistan on the Red Fort and then seize all Hindusthan."

He added:
"Why have I said all this? Because if those high-spirited and self-sacrificing boys had not given the very timely information to Nehruji and Patelji, there would have been no Government of India today, the whole country would have changed its name into `Pakistan`, tens of millions of Hindus would have been slaughtered and all the rest converted to Islam or reduced to stark slavery. Well, what is the net result of all this long story? Simply this - that our Government should utilise, and not sterlise, the patriotic energies of the lakhs of RSS youths."

During the China war in 1962, the Swayamsevaks of the RSS swung into action mobilising support to the governmental measures in general and to the jawans in particular. Pandit Nehru was so impressed that he invited a Sangh contingent to take part in the Republic Day Parade of 26th January 1963. At a mere two days’ notice, over 3000 Swayamsevaks turned up at the parade in full Sangh uniform. Their massive march became the major highlight of the programme. When, later on, some Congressmen raised their eyebrows over the invitation to Sangh, Pandit Nehru brushed aside the objections saying that all patriotic citizens had been invited to join the parade.

WHAT THEY SAID

When I visited the RSS camp, I was very much impressed by your discipline and the complete absence of untouchability.
- Mahatma Gandhi at the RSS rally, Delhi 16.9.1947




In the Congress those who are in power feel that by virtue of authority they will be able to crush the R.S.S. By "danda" you cannot suppress an organization. Moreover "danda" is meant for thieves and "dakus". Using of "danda" will not help much. After all, R.S.S. men are not thieves and dacoits. They are patriots. They love their country.

- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in a public meeting, Lucknow 6.1.1948

Baba Saheb Ambedkar

I am surprised to find the Swayamsevaks moving about in absolute equality and brotherhood without even caring to know the caste of the others.
- Babasaheb Ambedkar at Pune Camp, May 1939

The allegations against RSS of violence and hatred against Muslims are wholly false. Muslims should learn the lesson of mutual love, co-operation and organization from RSS.
- Dr. Zakir Hussain

Yours is a revolutionary organization in the forefront of social transformation taking place today. You alone have the capacity to end casteism and wipe the tears from the eyes of the poor.
- Jayaprakash Narayan at RSS public function, Patna 3.11.1977

The name of RSS is a household word for selfless service all over the country.

- Koka Subba Rao, Rtd. Chief Justice of Bharat, 25.8.1968

RSS has played an honourable role in maintaining Hindu-Sikh unity before and after the murder of Indira Gandhi in Punjab, Delhi and other places.

- Sardar Khushwant Singh in Sunday Column

Dr Zakir Hussain on RSS

Dr Zakir Hussain
President of India (1967-69)

 Dr. Zakir Hussain, told a Milad Mahfil in Monghyr on Nov. 20, 1949: "The allegations 

against RSS of violence and hatred against the Muslims are wholly false. Muslims 

should learn the lesson of mutual love, cooperation and organisation from RSS."

Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan on RSS

 
RSS has been the most maligned and most misunderstood organization in India. Its most critics have developed extremely prejudicial views against it mainly from the motivated false propaganda. One such person was Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayana (JP) who had started off with a strong prejudice against RSS in the forties. But his contacts with RSS workers and leaders made him understand RSS in a positive way, and he started appreciating its work and ideology. He was very much impressed when he found during Bihar famine of 1966 that, for relief work, RSS workers collected the most, spent the least on collection and distributed the collections the best. After that his contacts with RSS grew and his misconceptions disappeared. After the emergency, on Nov.3, 1977, JP addressed a huge RSS training camp in Patna. Following are some excerpts from his speech:
"....RSS is a revolutionary organisation. No other organisation in the country comes anywhere near it. It alone has the capacity to transform society, end casteism and wipe the tears from the eyes of the poor. Its very name is 'Rashtriya', that is national. I am not saying this to flatter you. I believe you have a historic role to play.... I have great expectations from this revolutionary organisation which has taken up the challenge of creating a new India. I have welcomed your venture wholeheartedly. Sometimes I have offered you my advice and have even criticised you, but that was as a friend...There is no other organisation in the country which can match you...The RSS should think over this: how to bring about economic transformation? How to transform the villages? All our leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, have worked for it. You have included Mahatma Gandhi also in your morning prayers and he is indeed worth remembering every morning. This is very good thing you have done. If he had lived a little longer he would have guided us a little more to remove untouchability and other evils from the Hindu society. But the way is clear now and I think that more than myself you can undertake this mission because you are more competent to do it. You think and deliberate upon the various aspects of our traditions, our culture and Dharma constantly."
"This society, its glorious history and the heritage of our forefathers, the sacrifices of the builders of this country and their achievements and the free- dom that we have won - you are the inheritors of it all and it is for you to make the best use of it...Your word has far reaching effect. There is the force of spiritualism and thousands of years of our ancient culture at your back. You are also in the forefront of the transformation that is taking place before our very eyes. The results of this change are also at your disposal...I commend to you the ideals of service, renuncition, sacrifice. I have no doubt that you are already imbued with these ideals and are of self-sacrificing nature and noble conduct. Here is the arena of a vast country open to you. You can accomplish a lot. May God give you strength and may you live up to such expectations."

RSS was never anti-minority says K T Thomas,Former Supreme Court Judge, Addressing Gurupooja Programme At Kochi While sharing Dias with Sri Mohanji Bhagwat

Courtesy : http://haindavakeralam.com/HKPage.aspx?PageID=14436&SKIN=K Respected Mohanji Bhagwat, other respected men on the dais and respected members of the audience,  I was wobbling in my mind as to whether I should speak in the language in which the proceedings were being conducted thus far or in a language in which my speech would be understood by our honorable guest. I have chosen the latter. Because, if I speak in English, in a State like Kerala where the literacy rate is so high, the audience will be able to follow and our honorable guest will also be able to follow. I deem it as a real honor and privilege that I am invited to preside over this highly venerated function, Guru Pooja. You know from my name that I am a Christian. I was born in that and I practice that religion. I am a Church-going Christian. But my advantage is that I learnt many things about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. I developed an admiration for this disciplined core of this country as early as 1979 when I was posted as Additional District Judge of Calicut. The Principal District Judge was Mr. A.R.Sreenivasan. Anyone who knew him will agree that his honesty was hundred percent, his integrity was transparent, his scholarship was unparalleled and his commitment to the country was unquestionable. Above all, the discipline he followed in his life was also very admirable. On his retirement, I took over as the Principal District Judge. But immediately Mr. A.R.Sreenivasan became a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. We used to communicate and converse many things. That occasion gave me the advantage of jettisoning many things which the smearing and simmering propaganda made by interested persons outside about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Such notions could be eliminated from my mind. I became a real admirer of this organization.  I regard many things on the objectivity point of view. Prejudice is a weakness of human being. Human being is not prepared to accept a thing without objectivity. When objectivity is applied, the smearing propaganda earlier that RSS is responsible for the murder of Mahatma Gandhi, appears to be unjust and uncharitable. I learnt more about it. Of course, the mere fact that the assassin happened to be once upon a time a member of the organization cannot make the disciplined organization responsible for the murder of the Father of the Nation. Had it been so, can you say that the entire Sikh community of India is responsible for the murder of Indira Gandhi? Can it be said that merely because Jesus Christ was crucified by Roman soldiers at the orders of a Roman Judge, that the whole Roman people at that time committed the murder of Jesus Christ?  There should be objectivity in approaching these things. And I, therefore, went and read the judgment of Justice Khosla in the Mahatma Gandhi assassination case and I found that the learned judge of Punjab High Court has completely exonerated Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as not having anything to do with the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. I say that this smearing campaign must end in this country. Otherwise it will really be unjust on the part of anyone. With this approach, I have seen this organization from a distance. I happen to travel with the predecessor of our honorable guest today. Mr.Sudarsanji was with me in the train from Chennai up to my home town station. We could communicate many things that time. It is amazing to learn about his great scholarship and how he insisted on a simple living. And I found out that this is a hallmark of the members of this organization. Simple living and high thinking. And thereafter, I want to tell you, that for every Christmas he used to send me a Christmas greeting card which contains a quotation from the Gospel of the Bible and a precept from Bhagavad Gita. I used to reciprocate in the same way as he did.  For me, it gave me an opportunity to learn more and more about this organization. And the best test in my life about this organization is during the dark months of Emergency when Indira Gandhi declared Constitution suspended – on the major portion – and when the whole country became benumbed before the whip swished by Indira Gandhi. The only non-political organization which worked fearlessly in the subterranean sector was the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh with the result that this country that is Bharat could be liberated from the pangs of a dictator. We owe very much to this organization for sacrificing many lives and many of the pleasures in life for regaining what our leaders had gained for this country, namely, the fundamental rights of this country.  Now I am disturbed in seeing that for the sake of vote banks, the security of the nation is compromised in many regards. Article 19 of the Constitution is a catalogue of freedoms for the Indian people. But every such freedom is restricted to one thing - that is reasonable restriction of a common factor - that is the security of the State. The Constitution makers were very insistent that primordiality should be given to the security of the State because we have to live in the State. When I come across with many official activities - governmental and political - where the security of the State is given less prominence than the vote bank, I am really disturbed. That is a matter in which the country should stand unanimously and uniformly and with a strident voice declare that we will not tolerate such a policy to be followed.  The propaganda that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is anti-minority is a baseless propaganda. After all, what is a minority? I have realized that according to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, whatever religion you belong to, you must be a full patriot. Your faith is immaterial. Whichever faith you follow, only insistence for you is that you shall not have any extra-territorial loyalties. I also realize that no one is entitled to tell somebody that ‘my’ religion is better than ‘your’ religion and therefore abandon ‘your’ religion and join ‘my’ religion. No person who has any knowledge of the fundamentals of his own religion can say that. The basic precept of one’s own religion is that the other religion is not only equally important but multiplicity of religions sometimes is a gift of God to mankind because all religions have got weaknesses. And in order to replenish the weakness of one religion some benefits are given to the other religion. It is a country where a composite culture has been created; where faith is immaterial but your loyalty, your commitment and your patriotism is most important. I have a different concept about minority. I use to speak out this aspect on many platforms for which I had received more brickbats than flowers. Who is a minority in this country? - Only that section which has got minus features. Minority is discernable from Article 29 of the Constitution where any section of India can be a minority. It can be based on culture, script, language, etc. Any section which is suffering from any disadvantage can be a minority provided they are numerically less. Faith - wise minority recognized in Article 30 is only for one limited purpose. That is for conducting educational institutions without the steamroller-majority rolling over them. If a person is able to read Article 29 first, as a student of Constitution I will tell you, it does not envisage a minority based on religion or faith. When it comes to Article 30, this word religion is meant only with regard to the educational institutions. I was a member of the 11 Judges’ bench of the Supreme Court first, which could not complete the argument in TMA Pai case. The point of view which emerged among the majority of judges at that time was that the education which is envisaged in Article 30 should only be secular education and not professional education. When we put this to Mr. Fali S Nariman, the great lawyer became angry and he said that it is an aspect which has been concluded long, long ago and the word education will cover anything even beyond, much beyond secular education. Unfortunately our bench could not complete the arguments and hearings and the judgment could not be delivered. Many years later, after my retirement, an 11 member bench was formed and there also Fali S Nariman addressed arguments and finally the verdict came accepting that education in Article 30 means education at any level.  I am mentioning this for another purpose. That great lawyer who really is the author of this concept of the plenary meaning of the education has written an autobiography wherein he confessed that “today I intensely regret having adopted that attitude towards education.” The whole disaster in this country in the field of education is on account of pioneering that aspect in this country which the Supreme Court accepted unfortunately. I wanted to mention this in some august place. I have chosen this assembly for bringing to notice that the education in Article 30, even according to the great lawyer who once pioneered this argument, is that it should be limited to the secular education. So, that is the only area where religion has something to say about minority. Otherwise, in a big country like India, minority should have nothing to do with faith. Faith could be changed by anybody. That was exactly what happened when a medical college was started by one Palaniappa Gownder in Tamil Nadu. Later when he found that because of some new legislation he will get more benefits, he converted in to Christianity and became Deivasahayam and he is continuing the medical college now. Anyone can change religion like that.  You are making a law based on a faith! In a secular nation, in a secular republic like ours, that shall not happen. In a secular republic, religion shall not be your identity but your being an Indian shall be your identity.  That is what precisely Zakir Hussain, when he became the Rashtrapathi of India, said. He was congratulated by TVR Shenoy, the journalist. Zakir Hussain was a great scholar. He was a Vice Chancellor. When TVR Shenoy approached him and told him “Rashtrapathiji, I congratulate you because it is a great victory of secularism in India.” Zakir Hussain asked him in what way it is a victory of secularism. Shenoy said that a Muslim became the President of India is a great victory of secularism. Zakir Hussain looked at him and smiled. TVR Shenoy asked “Why Rashtrapathiji, you are smiling at me?” He answered – “Shenoy, I smiled hearing your notion about secularism.” He said, and mark the next sentence – “Secularism will be achieved in India only on that day when you do not know my religion!”  My dear friends, take it from me – secularism has nothing to do with religion in this country. You should not know my religion in the same way I shall not bother about your religion. That is your faith. And whatever way you acquire it or develop it – it is your private matter. This is something very much I learnt during my travel with Sudarsanji from Chennai to Kottayam. He insisted on that. He told me that – “Sir, you can be a pious Christian” I asked him in what way he knows that I am a pious Christian. “That is a different matter”- He said. “But we are only insisting that whatever be your faith, your primary commitment must be to this nation, to this country.” On that matter I very much admire - I am a great admirer of this organization.  The discipline exhibited everywhere - and even today - the manner in which the flowers were offered to the Dhwaj gave me the real impression that discipline has given real impetus to your working and performance. Discipline is needed for a nation and discipline is fundamental to the growth of a nation. Whichever nation has grown, you can see discipline is inculcated in the citizens. I think, on that matter, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is a model to me also.  Thank you very much.

ABPS Resolution 2: Defeat Chinese Designs against our National Interests and Security

The Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha expresses serious concern over the growing multi-dimensional threat from China and the lackluster response of the Government of Bharat to its aggressive and intimidator tactics. Casual attitude and perpetual denial of our Government in describing gross border violations by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army as a case of ‘lack of common perception on the LAC’, attempts to underplay the severe strategic dissonance between the two countries and failure to expose the expansionist and imperialist manouvers of China can prove fatal to our national interests.

The ABPS cautions that the growing civilian and defence ties between China and Pakistan are a matter of grave concern to our national security. Presence of the 10,000-strong Chinese Army in Skardu ( PoK) in the guise of construction works and repairs to Karakoram highway is a serious issue as it allows China to encircle Kashmir . Other issues of concern that best exemplify Chinese’ assertiveness include its offer to export one – Gigawatt (GW) nuclear plant and transfer of ballistic missile technology to Pakistan thus precipitating potential nuclear conflict in the region.

The malafide intentions of China are conspicuous in a number of recent developments. It has falsely charged Bharat of occupying 90,000 sq. km of its territory (including Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim); It is excluding the state of J&K from Bharat in its maps; It is also excluding 1600 KM-long border in J&K from the LAC on the Tibet-Bharat border; It has initiated issuing paper visas for Bharatiya  citizens from J&K besides citizens from Arunachal Pradesh. The Chinese troops entered Gombir area in Demchok region last year and threatened the civilian workers to stop construction work. In November 2009, a road project under Centrally-sponsored National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in Ladakh, was stopped after objections were raised by the Chinese Army. Infact, it is China which has encroached upon our territory inside the LOC in that region and constructed a 54 km long road for military purposes.

The ABPS sees potential danger from the Chinese machinations in our North East. Its continued claims over Arunachal Pradesh shouldn’t be taken lightly as it has set its eyes not only on that state but on the entire North East. Recent expose’ in a leading Bharatiya weekly about the extent of the involvement of China in arming, encouraging and funding insurgent groups like the NSCN should awaken us to this danger. Besides NSCN insurgents other insurgent groups in the North East like the NDFB, ULFA etc also get patronage from China. It is also a matter of serious concern that the ISI too is operating in cahoots with China in this region. The A.B.P.S. expresses concern over the growing number of cases of Chinese spies being arrested in different parts of the country.

It is well-known that the weapons from the Chinese government weapon manufacturers find their way to the Maoists and other terrorist groups in Bharat through illegal weapon ports like Cox Bazar in Bangladesh. Fake currency also is being pumped into Bharat from China. The ABPS wants to draw the attention of the Government and people to the occasional publications in the officially-controlled Chinese media about dismembering Bharat into 20-30 pieces.

Penetration of Chinese goods into Bharatiya  market is affecting our manufacturing industry adversely besides posing a serious challenge to our security, health, environment and strategic concerns. The ABPS wants the Government to tackle this issue of China’s penetration into our system through trade and commerce with utmost seriousness. All citizens should refrain from using Chinese products as an expression of patriotism.

The ABPS wants to draw the attention of our government and countrymen to the threat from China in the form of diversion of river waters in the South Central  Tibetan region. In the process it would be robbing lower riparian states like Bharat, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand of their right to the waters from rivers like Brahmaputra and Sindhu which originate from Kailash – Manasarovar in Tibet. Joint mechanism established in 2007 between Bharat and China to oversee water related issues remain dysfunctional mainly due to the utmost secrecy maintained by China in its water management plans. Two of our states i.e. Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh were hit by flash floods and it was suspected at that time that these floods were due to some form of interference in the river flow by the Chinese. Our engineers were not allowed to inspect the upper streams of the river by the Chinese government. The ABPS warns the government that unless the issue is addressed immediately the situation may lead to serious crises between the two countries.

The ABPS urges our Government to take note of the expanding military and diplomatic might of China not only in the immediate neighbourhood but also in the strategically important regions like Africa and the West Asia. China’s 3.1 million strong  Army is being rapidly modernized with newer weapons and technology. It has built all-weather roads and extended railway network along Tibet, Nepal and Bharat border. China today is a formidable player in the Indian Ocean region. It is establishing contact with all kinds of renegade dictators in the world including the North Korean and Sudanese dictators. Its strategic experts are propounding such disdainfully dangerous theories like Preventive Use of Nuclear Weapons suggesting that China should reserve the right of first attack against any nuclear power with nuclear weapons as a preventive measure.

In such a challenging scenario the ABPS calls upon the government to:

1.        Reiterate the Parliament’s unanimous resolution of 1962 to get back the territory acquired by China to the last inch.

2.        Take effective measures for rapid modernization and upgradation of our military infrastructure. Special focus should be on building infrastructure in the border areas. Towards that, constitution of a Border Region Development Agency should be considered which would help prevent the migration of the people from the border villages.

3.         Use aggressive diplomacy to expose the Chinese’ designs globally. Use all fora including ASEAN, UN etc for mobilizing global opinion.

4.         Disallow Chinese manufacturing industry free run in our markets. Prohibit Chinese products like toys, mobiles, electronic and electrical goods etc. Illegal trade being carried out through the border passes must be curbed with iron hand.

5.        Follow strict Visa norms and maintain strict vigil on the Chinese nationals working in Bharat.

6.         Restrict the entry of Chinese companies in strategic sectors and sensitive locations.

7.         Mobilize the lower riparian states like Myanmar, Bangladesh etc to tell China to stop their illegal diversion of river waters.
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Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha-2011 - Anuual report presented by RSS Sarakaryavah (General Secretary) Sri Suresh Joshi

Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha-2011

March 11, 12, 13, Puttur- Karnataka

Anuual report presented by RSS Sarakaryavah (General Secretary) Sri Suresh Joshi

It is but natural to remember all those great personalities who awakened the spirit of affection, feeling of commitment to one’s duty and total devotion to goals and ideals dear to all of us; but who are no more with us.
Respected Kalidas ji Basu, a renowned legal luminary, a great pillar of strength for Sangh work from its inception in Bengal, one whose guidance through his incisive thinking in many difficult situations benefited our karyakartas has left us. Shri Shaligram ji Tomar, who nurtured A.B.V.P. for years in Madhya Bharat left behind his earthly existence after fighting many physical ailments since last few years. Prachar Pramukh of Nagpur city, Shri. Vijay ji Patki, whose father was a close associate of Parampoojaneeya Doctor ji, was seriously injured in a road accident. All efforts to save him proved futile and he departed from this world. A sunny personality with every ready smile, Shri Somasunderji who was vibhag pracharak of Andhra Pradesh, prant boudhik pramukh and looking after Sanskrit Bharati work currently was suffering from Cancer for some time. He has also departed from this world. Past Sanghchalak of Brij prant respected Krishna Sahay ji passed away at a ripe old age.
Former Sanghchalak of Delhi prant respected Satyanarayan ji Bansal, who played a crucial role in many social service projects, passed  away in old age after prolonged illness. Recently, Senior Pracharak Shri. Arvindrao Chauthaiwale, Seva Pramukh of V.H.P. departed us due to Sevier heart attack. Shrimati Sudesh Malik ji, karyavahika of Rajasthan region of Rashtra Sevika Samiti and Shrimati Usha Jain ji founder member of Matrishakti Seva Nyas of Agra founded under the auspices of V.H.P., also left for their heavenly abode in the past year. Resident of Vidarbha Shri Babasaheb Takwale, who was General Secretary of A.B. Kisan Sangh and used to guide farmers with his deep study of agriculture, had played a major role in growth of Kisan Sangh; as also senior swayamsevak of Jalandhar, Shri Balkishen Vaid who was also former Boudhik pramukh of Punjab prant, and Shri Satya Raju, former head of Sewa karya in Andhra are also no more with us. We always used to receive blessings for our work from Parampoojneeya Shankaracharya of Karveer Peeth (Kolhapur) Vidyashankar Bharati, who departed from this material world.  Shrimati Sumatitai Sukalikar, who had a special place in Maharashtra’s political life due to her highly respected words and actions, also left behind her memories and left us in this flow of time.
A great poet Shri Uttam Muley who had made a place for himself with his impressive writings in Dalit literature and contributed greatly to maintain harmony and co-operative spirit in the society; Shri Vamanrao Nimbalkar recognized as a creative writer also left this world. One of the best ‘shahir’ from Mumbai, Vitthal Umap ji completed his life’s journey on the stage at Deeksha Bhoomi, Nagpur itself while performing his play. Shri Prabhakar Panshikar who had carved a niche for himself on Marathi stage and gave pleasure to thousands of his fans in Marathi theatre merged back into the five elements. A rich voice that carried deep emotions that enraptured the hearts of millions of souls with his rich devotional songs, shastriya sangeet, great singer, Eternally shining Sun of music, Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi left behind his musical voice for us and passed into eternity. Well known personalities of Gujarati music Shri Dilipbhai Dholakia ji also departed from this world. Highly energetic spokesperson for Swadeshi philosophy and life style, leader of Desh Bhachao movement, a person who could arouse unrivalled support for Swadeshi movement, Shri Rajeev Dikshit was snatched away from us by cruel fate in prime of his life.
Resident of Gorakhpur and former Governor, Shri Mahavir Prasad, top leader of Congress Shri Karunakarn, senior literature and former Chairman of A.B. Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, Shri Subhash Bhende; Founder of Sadvichar Parivar and an ever dedicated person to humanitarian work Shri Haribhai Panchal are no more with us. Famous industrialist of Gujarat, Shri Pranlal  Bhogilal who always used to support us in various activities and had earned respect due to his social activities; as also Shri Ishwarbhai Patel who worked in the field of sewa and social harmony with inspiration from Mahatma Gandhiji completed their live’s journeys.
These great souls are the ones who led an exemplary ideal life of purity and transparency even as they trod the self chosen path of duty, firm in their faith for the ideals for which they lived.
We shall feel surcharged with energy by simply remembering such noble souls. We shall never be able to see them again through our physical eyes. They shall always live in our memories.
We express our deep condolences for our brethren who departed from this world due to accidents that took place during Sabarimala yatra and natural disasters, or died due to violence perpetrated by terrorists and Naxalites, and we pay our homage to noble departed souls.
Overview of Activities
Sangh Shiksha Vargas were organized at 70 places all over Bharat between May to June 2010 like every year. Camps for Pratham Varsh (First Year) were held as per programmes decided by respective prants (states) and Dweetaya Varsh (Second Year) camps were organized at Kshetra (Zonal) level. Camps in South were planned on the basis of languages. Second Year training camps for senior swayamsevaks  were organized at four places all over Bharat, viz. Kanyakumari, Delhi, Ranchi and Vadodara.  Triteeya Varsh (Third year) training camp was held in Nagpur as usual.  There was no special third year training in the last year. This will be organized in the winters this year.
11556 swayamsevaks took part from 7230 places in the First Year Camps, 2678 swayamsevaks participated from 2087 places for the Second Year; 497 participants from 370 places for special Second year (for seniors), and 877 swayamsevaks from  788 places took part in Third Year training camp. 63741 swayamsevaks from 24530 places participated in the Prathamik  Shiksha Vargas all over Bharat.
Retired Chief Secretary of Assam state, Shri J. S. Rajkhowa, was the Chief Guest in the concluding ceremony of the Third Year.
As per information available, at present 39908 shakhas are active in 27078 places all over Bharat. Sangh work is also going on through 7990 Saptahik Milans (Weekly get-togethers) and 6431 Sangh Mandalis at different places in Bharat.
Critical analysis of quantitative aspect of Sangh work was done during the meeting of   A. B. Karyakari Mandal in Jalgaon in October 2010. There was constructive discussion about the causes of growth or lack of growth in different places. We have received information about some good experiments. It was felt that qualitative analysis should also be done along with quantitative analysis.
Tours of Parampoojaneeya Sarsanghchalak
The core message in the tours undertaken at Kshetra level by Parampoojaneeya  Sarsanghchalak was about ‘karyakarta’.  Interactive programmes with discussions and questions-answers  sessions organized by Sampark vibhag with renowned influential celebrities in small groups in Mumbai, Surat, Sambhajinagar, Bhuvaneshwar, Sambalpur, Dhanbad etc. proved to be great success.   A programme, called ‘Samvad’ witnessed the presence of 165 influential leaders from all walks of social life in Pune.
During the tours of other A.B. adhikaris under programmes organized at national level, constructive discussions were held about work among College students, growth at ‘Nagar’ level and quality of work.



Special Mentions
Ghosh Varg:
Training workshops or camps were organized at state level by Ghosh vibhag in some states. 2363 swayamsevaks took part at 13 places. National Ghosh Varg was held in Lucknow which saw presence of 298 swayamsevaks.
Nav Chaitanya Shivir:
A special camp was held for College students and other young swayamsevaks of Merut prant in Merut. There were 2247 participants from all over the state. The trainees had come from 644 places, 416 colleges and 89 hostels. Highlight of the camp was that there were 1061 new entrants. Programmes were conducted in such a way that they would arouse a sense of responsibility for the society and nation in the youth.  Camp participants expressed firm resolve about issues like Water management, environment, blood donation, eye donation etc. This was the achievement of this camp.  Karyakartas of Merut prant had begun preparatory work from July 2010 for this camp with various programmes to make this camp a big success.
Workshop conducted for College and University teachers in Punjab:
Special exercises were undertaken in Punjab to improve participation of College students and teachers teaching in colleges and universities in Sangh work. Small group meetings were organized in all districts and efforts were done to see that literature about Sangh is studied, and students begin attending local shakhas.
Poojaneeya  Sarsanghchalak’s programme was organized as a part of this exercise in October 2010 in Amritsar.  Many directors, vice-chancellors, deans, heads of departments and principals were present in this workshop to make it a success. Total number of participants was 248 and a plan for follow up action is in place. Mailing of e-bulletin twice a month has begun.
Vishal Sanchalan (Grand parade) in Malwa prant and other programmes:
Malwa prant had organized sanchalan (parade) programmes at district/vibhag level for extending its mass contact and expansion of Sangh work. Sanchalans (Parades) were conducted in 5 places in the prant that saw participation of 43600 swayamsevaks. Public programmes of physical drills were conducted at 3 places in which 2077 swayamsevaks participated. Winter camps saw 10387 young swayamsevaks’ participation.
Support to Narmada Samajik Kumbh by Mahakoshal prant:
A detailed plan was made for the entire prant to seek co-operation from society at large. Heads for districts, gatnayak pramukhs and gatnayaks were nominated. A programme was chalked out that each gatnayak would contact a minimum of 20 households and get support for the kumbh in form of one kg rice, half a kg of pulses and donation of One rupee.  This mass contact programme was undertaken in 27 districts of Mahakoshal prant in 214 places through 641 shakhas. In all 21593 swayamsevaks contacted 502674 families and collected 386 tonnes of food grain.
Special achievement of the programme was that swayamsevaks were able to invoke support from the families and households at different levels of society. As a follow up, plans are afoot to conduct workshops for introducing Sangh in small villages, inculcating family values through various programmes and Bharatmata poojan. Plans are also afoot to send greetings on the occasion of Varsh Pratipada (Hindu New Year).
Relief work for flood affected families in North Karnataka:
Floods in North Karnataka last year resulted in destruction of large number of villages and displacement of thousands of families. Relief material for 180 villages with the help of 2400 swayamsevaks was arranged immediately. It was resolved to build 1680 homes in 9 villages for rehabilitation under the auspices of ‘Sewa Bharati’. So far, 130 houses have been handed over in 2 Villages.  Handing over ceremony of houses in Sabbalahunasi village of Bagalkot dist. was done at the hands of Poojaneeya Sudarshanji in the presence of Shri Govind Karnol Minister of Karnataka state government.
Meeting for Social Harmony in West Maharashtra:
644 brethren from 66 communities in 11 places came together in West Maharashtra for Social harmony meetings.  These meetings were organized in the presence of A.B. Sewa Pramukh Shri Sitaram ji.  There was a special Bharatmata Poojan in Talegaon of Pune district on 26^th January. It saw participation of organizations of different castes, linguistic groups and educational institutions. 1498 citizens participated in this programme.
His Holiness Shankaracharya’s programme in  Devgiri prant:
Missionary activities are going on for past many years in Navapur tehsil of Nandurbar district adjoining Gujarat state. There would be objections to any kind of Hindu religious programmes. A five day Padyatra of His Holiness Shankaracharya of Karveer Peeth walk was organized in such an area.  4000 tribal homes were contacted in 20 villages during this walk. Tribal get-togethers were held in 3 places.  Participation of matrishakti (Woman), in great numbers in these programmes was noticeable.
Kashmir Merger Day:
Public programmes were organized on October 26, the day on which Kashmir was merged with Bharat. 2491 programmes were organized in 2018 places that saw presence of 99380 women and 308708 men. Apart from this, programmes were also organized in 8917 shakhas at 7603 places in which 179809 young swayamsevaks and 72466 school going swayamsevaks took part.
Follow up action on Vishwa Mangal Gau Gram Yatra:
A national level three day conference was held at Kanyakumari for the organizations working in the field of Rural upliftment. 154 karyakartas including 27 sisters from 65 organizations participated in this conference.
In the same way, Akhil Bharatiya Gram Vikas Varg (National Rural Development Workshop) was also held at Deendayal Dham in Farah of District Mathura. 188 active karyakartas from all prants involved in rural development took part in this workshop. Poojaneeya Sudarshan ji was present in this workshop. Guidance from experienced experts on varied subjects like water, earth and forest conservation, environment, bio-diversity, cottage industry, village health etc. was received. Renowned Gandhian Padmashri Shri Kutti Menon ji was specially present in this workshop.
Meeting of Mahila (women) karyakartas of Sewa Vibhag:
A special meeting was organized in Nagpur to discuss the projects run by women karyakartas and for women. 127 karyakartas from 15 prants took part in this meeting. Ideas were discussed about an independent initiative to bring together and co-ordinate such women oriented projects. It was felt that some more activities also need to be taken up about various problems faced by women.
Dharna programme
Hindutva is being tarnished with terms like Hindu terrorism, Saffron terrorism etc. Efforts are also being made to drag Sangh into this controversy. Public resentment against this kind of politics must be exhibited; with this objective a programme was chalked out to offer ‘dharna’ in all the district centres of Bharat on 10^th November. This programme was widely successful across Bharat though it was taken up at a very short notice.
Almost one million, to be more exact 10,58,438 citizens were present in 750 places for this dharna. Participation in big numbers by mothers and sisters, well organized and disciplined way the dharnas were offered were the highlights of this programme. Highest number of participation of 25000 citizens in Jabalpur. At a short notice, success of programme shows the feelings within the society about the subject. This programme has raised the self confidence of karyartas in a big way.
Press Conferences
A programme had been chalked out at the meeting of A.B.  Karyakari Mandal held in Jalgaon, to conduct press conferences at state centres. 3492 journalists were present in 224 places. Approach of media  to these press meets was positive. By giving requisite coverage to these press conferences, media has shown sensitivity and respect to the popular feeling.
National Scenario
Decision on Ram Janmabhoomi by Allahabad High Court
Decision handed down by Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court on 30^th September is an acceptance of the faith and belief of Crores of Hindus. Legal system of our country has not only kept their feelings in mind but has based its decision on all the facts available to it in this regard, thus respecting the sentiments of the people.
Some vested interests had tried to generate a tense atmosphere before the ruling. But, restraint and calm that different communities and groups have shown after the decision was made public is in tune with the culture and traditions of this country. But, Hindu society desires that all sections of the society should come together to build a grand temple for Lord Ram and present an ideal example of amity and goodwill.  Enthusiastic participation of people in large numbers during the Hanumat Shakti Jagaran programmes conducted all over the country is an indication of this feeling. These programmes took place at 11467 places and attended by 63,78,680 people of which 21,22,669 were women.
Now, there is a need to pass a law in the Parliament with consensus of all law makers to clear the way for temple construction.
Terrorism
Thousands of innocent people, police and military personnel have been killed mercilessly during the continued Jihadi terrorism in last two decades.  National security is sought to be destructed time and again. Not only Bharat, but the whole world community is suffering from terrorism.  But, it is unfortunate that anti-Hindu forces in our country are trying to weaken the efforts to counter Jihadi terrorism by labeling the Hindu community as terrorist by citing a few incidents.
Instead of assuring security to patriotic Hindu organizations, holy saints and centres of faith of Hindu society, these people are trying to create confusion about these forces in the minds of common people. With a selfish urge to remain in power or capture power, policies are being framed to pander to some communities while closing eyes to the anti-national and terrorist forces. So called leaders consider Hindu organizations to be even a greater danger than the elements fomenting Islamic terrorism. They are not even shy of sharing such views with foreign powers.
But, we are sure that Hindu society can see through this conspiracy. It will foil all such attempts to manufacture falsehood and create confusion, and will co-operate wholeheartedly with the efforts towards nation building in future.
Worrisome situation in Jammu & Kashmir
A consensus regarding complete and final merger of Kashmir with Bharat has been arrived at many a times since 1947, but situation in Jammu-Kashmir remains a cause of worry.  Infact, the root cause of Jammu-Kashmir problem is weak and indecisive policies of the central government. We have not been successful in achieving integration and sense of oneness in social, mental, economic and  political sense in Jammu-Kashmir as we have done in other states of our country inspite of providing grants worth lakhs of crores of rupees for various projects and plans, sacrifice of more than one lakh innocent citizens and thousands of jawans of police and army during last 63 years.  Various political parties are strengthening the forces of separatism directly or indirectly to fulfill their vested political interests. Conspiracy to remove all Hindus from the valley by forcing more than 4 lakh indigenous Hindus to run away from Kashmir, armed incursions from across the border, open support by ISI and terrorist commanders of Pakistan to leaders of active separatist organizations and training the youth, providing them with arms etc.; are all forms of undeclared war against Bharat. Having failed to fulfill their objectives through terrorism, they have changed their tactics now. Agitational terrorism is but a new form of terrorism.
Anti-national forces are striking their roots deeper with time. Separatist forces are engaged in anti-Bharat propaganda by organizing seminars in capital city of Delhi and other cities.
The real truth is that these anti-Bharat agitations are limited to only 5 out of 22 districts of Jammu-Kashmir. Gujjars, Bakarwals, Shias, Kashmiri Sikhs and Pandits, various refugee groups in Jammu, Dogras, Buddhists and nationalist Muslims are not part of this separatist movement. But, atmosphere being created all around is as if entire Jammu-Kashmir wants to secede from Bharat. Actually, less than half of the population from only 14% of the state’s area is part of this agitation. By using women and boys to throw stones at security forces anti-national groups spread across Bharat are trying to create an atmosphere with the help of media as if all the citizens of the valley want independence or ‘azadi’.
Negation of complete merger of Jammu-Kashmir with Bharat by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, claiming Jammu-Kashmir to be a disputed territory, creation of such an environment by interlocutors of the Centre  and open support to them by Central government and Congress leaders indicates that separatists, State and the Central government have embarked upon such a path to strike some agreement. It is difficult to imagine what kind of pronouncements would have been made had Indian Army and other nationalist forces not exerted pressure. Terming Jammu-Kashmir as a political problem and reversing its merger that began in 1953 when Dr. Mukherjee sacrificed his life and Praja Parishad conducted a historic agitation;  there are now talks about formulae of autonomy, self-rule etc.
Bogey of ‘Human Rights violations’ is being raised by citing a few incidents. It is extremely important that morale of Armed forces is kept high by maintaining their special powers. This is the only way that security of common people would be assured.
It is call of the times that strong action be taken against separatist elements and nationalist forces be strengthened. People in different states of the country must pressurize state and central governments in an organized manner. This is the only way that unity of the nation would be secured. Jammu-Kashmir should also have the same sense of unity with Bharat like other states. Keeping in mind the activities across the border, only solution to achieve this is abrogation of article 370, system of separate constitution and separate flag be scrapped and treating it like any other state. The right solution to this problem is to establish a sense of one country – on people – one nation.
Atrocities on Rabha Hindus
Incidents that took place on the first day of Christian New year near the border areas of Assam and Meghalay are a pointer to us about the dangers that we would face in future. Garo and Rabha communities are living together for many generations with cordial relations. They celebrate their festivals and follow their traditions happily together. Both the groups have been staying together respecting each others’ sentiments and respecting each other’s faith and beliefs. With increase in conversions to Christianity and a large section of Garo tribes converting to Christianity, there is a widening chasm between Garo and Rabha tribes.  With failure to convert people of Rabha community to Christianity these differences have widened further, resulting in an atmosphere of intolerance. Despite this Rabha community had been co-operating in the programmes organized by Christian missionaries. After Meghalaya got the status of a State, political influence of Garo community became stronger, resulting in increase in Missionary activities. This is the reason behind current atmosphere of confrontation, violence and terror between Garo and Rabha people. Combined efforts of separatist elements, Bangladeshi infiltrators Muslims and some political leaders have generated a situation of conflict. This is the atmosphere that led to the horrible incidents in the initial weeks of January.
Conflicts between Dimasa and Karbi, Dimasa and Jemi in the past few   years  are a manifestation of activities of such anti-national forces. Violence of January 2011 reminds us of such incidents that took place earlier too. So called secular lobby is only exposing its pseudo-secularism by turning a blind eye to these facts.
Meghalaya government does not have courage to get to the root of the issue and is trying to pass it off as a result of misunderstandings. Nearly 30000 Rabha brethren from 30 villages have become homeless. There is an urgent need for their permanent rehabilitation and security.
Hindus have faced serious security concerns wherever they have become a minority in North East.  Assamese, Bengalis and Hindi speaking groups have been forced to flee from Shillong region of Meghalaya  earlier too.  They have been forced to live their lives as refugees in other states since last 13 years. 40000 Riyangs, who follow their own faith, were also forcibly displaced. It is critically important to defend the traditions and faiths of various tribes in this region.
Corruption: A Challenge
Various studies expose the terrible extent of corruption. Increasing consumerism has led to lust for self-aggrandizement, resulting in urge to accumulate wealth through unethical and illegal means. This is the root cause of this problem of corruption.  There is a strong tendency to misuse constitutional positions. We are witnessing devastation of constitutional system due to this mentality. Unfortunately, there are question marks about the safety of the people who are opposing this and trying to clean up the system. It is extremely important that there should be serious thinking by the policy makers of the nation, economic experts and social thinkers about the effect on fiscal system and economic stability resulting from black money and corruption and methodologies to create a healthy system. Serious efforts must be made to bring back illegal wealth stashed away in foreign lands.
Increasing support from the common people to agitations being organized by different groups and organizations gives us a clear indication about the public opinion in this regard.
Positive signs of Hindu awakening
Maa Narmada Samajik Kumbh
Maa Narmada Samajik Kumbh took place in February 2011 in Mandla. This Kumbh has manifested extra-ordinary power of the society. Maa Narmada Samajik Kumbh was organized to awaken the people against social problems and efforts to weaken the Hindu society. This festival saw participation of 415 different scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and 400 other social groups from 4000 villages of 1179 tehsils from 336 districts. It is estimated that nearly 30lac pilgrims took part in the Kumbh during these three days. Presence of Revered Shankaracharya Vasudevanand Saraswati ji Maharaj, Revered Satyamitranand ji, Sadhvi Ritambharaji, Revered Asaram Bapu and many other saints and sadhus made this kumbh a great success. Other important dignitaries like Parmpoojaneeya Sarsanghchalak Shri Mohanrao Bhagwat, Chief of Rashtra Sevika Samiti Vandaneeya Pramilatai, Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Shri Shivraj Chauhan and Dr. Raman Singh were also present in this programme. The highlight of this festival was the co-operation of common people and the state government for this programme.
Vishwa Sanskrit Pustak Mela (World Sanskrit Book Fair)
Prestigious Sanskrit institutions came together to organize Vishwa Sanskrit Pustak Mela. This fair was conducted with the help of 14 Sanskrit Universities,  National Sanskrit institute, Akhil Bharatiya Sanskrit Pustak Prakashan Sangh and Sanskrit Bharati etc. from 7 to 10 January 2010. This is the first time in the chequered history of Sanskrit that such a programme was organized.
128 publishers exhibited their publications at this fair. Specialty of this fair was that only Sanskrit books and books about Sanskrit were show cased.  12 lakhs books worth 4 crore were sold in this period of 4 days. 4 lakhs people visited the fair. An exhibition titled ‘Gyanganga’ (Traditions of Bharatiya Knowledge) was a major attraction of this fair, and left even well versed citizens in awe.
7146 delegates from 26 states and 12 countries were present in the fair. 310 Sanskrit books were released on this occasion which was a record by itself.
Vishwa Sangh Shivir
Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra organized a camp in Pune from 29 December 2010 to 3 January 2011 in Pune, that saw enthusiastic participation of 330 brothers, 152 sisters and 35 children from 35 countries. Shri Jagdish Shastriji who had initiated the Hindu organised work outside Bharat was also present in the camp. Discussions were held about status of Hindus staying outside Bharat, spreading and publicizing Hindu Sanskriti, organization of Hindu conferences at different places etc. Delegates were also given information about various types of activities being conducted in Bharat. Concluding valedictory public function was held in the presence of famous industrialist Shri. Abhay Firodia and Shri. Bhausaheb Chitale. Parampoojaneeya  Sarsanghchalak ji addressed the august gathering. 15000 distinguished citizens participated in this function. Brethren from overseas enjoyed the cultural programmes presented by local groups and a  drama titled ‘Shiv Rajyabhishek’ about coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Appeal
We undertake a critical appraisal of our Sangh work even as we review the current social and political scenario from time to time. This is how we traditionally work. Keeping in mind the challenges that we face and expectations of the society, we have to increase our velocity and strength in a sustained manner. It is necessary for us to keep focus on strengthening our organization and systems and increasing the strength of our karyakartas.
Here we recall the words of Parampoojaneeya Sri Guruji. He had said, “World today understands only one language – language of strength. A nation can progress and maintain its position only on the basis of strong foundation and immeasurable strength. We must proceed on this path of duty with great effort with this sentiment. Even an ordinary person can be completely successful in attaining one’s goal in life with this resolve.”

“Bharat’s Youth Will Overcome All Challenges”- RSS Sarsanghachalak

PUJANIYA MOHAN JI BHAGAWATH'S SPEECH AT MMRI, BI-DECENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

(24 July 2011, Satya Sai Nigamagam, HYDERABAD) 

My speech today is about the youth. There are lots of youths here in this auditorium. Youth, by their very nature, are emotional.  They are usually volatile and are naturally given to sloganeering. Indeed and in fact, that is how youth should actually be.

But, my subject is not about the josh (emotional), but about hosh (cool and collectedness).  Youth should strive till the end and strain to the last of their nerves to achieve their aims. For this, not just youthful ebullience, but fair amount of patience too is needed.  Jet black hair doesn't merely make a youth. A lot of black-haired persons may actually be mentally old and a lot many white-haired could actually be youths in their mental make-up.

For instance, there was an RSS meeting in Assam recently and at the end of the meeting; a large number of our karyakarthas went on a trip to Parashuram Kund.  Parashuram Kund is a place where the river Brahmaputra is nestled amid hills. Even at its slowest, the swirling river can sweep a person away off his feet. One has to climb 300 steps on a steep gradient to worship at the temple.  The kund has freezing cool water. Some of the 'black-haired oldies' preferred to give the climbing up a miss and others refused to even sprinkle the water on their bodies due to excessive chill. But, 87-year-old Sudarshanji, who had recently emerged from surgeries, not just climbed up the 300 steps effortlessly, but also dared to venture into the freezing cold waters. In fact, he had a full-bath there. All this, after a grueling four-hour bus travel on a pot-holed road!

So, youthfulness is an aspect of mental attitude. We are fortunate to have a huge youth force in this country of ours, a force that is young both in age and mental character. While the rest of the world is ageing, India will remain a young nation for the coming 20 to 30 years. My speech is for those who are young in both body and mind.

This speech of mine is also directed towards those who feel that the challenges before the nation are his or her challenges and feel compelled to stand up to those challenges

CHALLENGES GALORE

Even after 64 years of independence, Bharat is besieged by a slew of problems and challenges. Challenges, indeed, will be the there and after all, what is life but for such challenges. Yet, no country in the world is facing as many challenges as Bharat. We have challenges so daunting that they make the weak quiver. We have a long list of problems and these problems have been dogging us for longer periods of time. The problems are indeed daunting. But, we must not allow ourselves to cower and cringe.

EXTERNAL CHALLENGES

Our borders are un-demarcated, not well-defended and porous. There are known enemies like Pakistan, whose anti-Indian intentions are clear and unambiguous. Pakistan keeps up threatening postures so long as India doesn't bare its fangs. Once India becomes assertive, Pakistan will cower. So, Pakistan is not really a problem for us.

But, what we should be worried about are the Chinese intentions. China is using overt and covert means to destabilize and challenge Bharat. The Chinese are worried about Bharat emerging as a future global leader and are shaken by the prospects of Bharat upstaging them in the race for supremacy.  Everyone knows about the Chinese intentions. Even the Government keeps talking about it. But, our borders roads are awful and next to non-existent. On the Chinese side, there are exquisitely laid out roads, missiles are put in place and the supply lines are well-laid out.  But, on the Indian side, even today, the essentials are ferried across through a three-day long back-breaking mule trek through searing cold and chilly winds.

Then, there is the problem of illegal influx from Bangladesh, where our borders are porous and are not fenced.  We, as a nation are utterly unprepared politically and diplomatically to tackle these challenges.

So much for the borders. Now to the situation within the country. Within the country, there is this spectre of terrorism exported by our unfriendly neighbor.  Terror here is orchestrated from across the border and instances are also not lacking of the locals who reach out to Pakistan to become willing partners in destabilizing Bharat.

INTELLECTUAL AGGRESSION

Besides this aggression, there is an intellectual aggression through researches aimed at destabilizing and dividing Bharat. This research, mentored and manufactured abroad, is sought to be foisted on us. So, there is a sponsored terror as also a sponsored intellectual terror.  This is a way to weaken Bharat and is an incipient war against us as physical war is both costly and diplomatically counter-productive.

Thus, we have all kinds of days like the mothers' day and fathers' day as though the parents should be respected one day in an year and be left in the lurch for the rest of the days. If the same trend continues, we would soon be having a respiration day. There is no mention of Rakhi Bandhan, which fosters the spirit of friendship and camaraderie and Sankranti, which enjoins us to be polite. There is a concerted attempt to welcome everything Western and berate everything Bharatiya.

Those, who have a responsibility to set this right, are behaving in a strange manner. For instance, our journalists begin to support azadi when they go to Kashmir. Isn't this strange? Kashmir is an inalienable part of India and there is a unanimous resolution of Parliament to this effect. Yet, there is such talk of azadi. The army is deployed where it should not be and is withdrawn from where it should be deployed. All this is vote politics for sure.

COMMUNAL VIOLENCE BILL

The politicians for their selfish ends are mortgaging national interests and are adopting divisive politics.  The communal violence bill is a case in point. The NAC which has drafted the bill has no constitutional validity. Yet, the draft bill is already hosted on Government websites. This has made parliament, MPs and the constitution irrelevant. The committee members are of doubtful credentials and several of them have repeatedly been upbraided by the Supreme Court. The aim of the bill is to divide the country and set one community against other community in a state of perpetual war. The bill is made on the premise that the majority community alone is the aggressor, while the minority is always the one that has been wronged.

Bharat has been the only country in the world, where both refuge-seekers as well as aggressors have remained at peace and lived side by side with the indigenous people. Our culture is one of assimilation, not exclusion. An attempt is now being made to destroy this character.

LOOT OF BHARAT

The hard-earned money of our people is being robbed and is being stacked in safe havens abroad. When there is a hue and cry, some scapegoats are identified for punishment while the biggies go scot free.  Sources say that the amounts illegally stacked abroad are just enough to pay all our national debts and ensure growth and development for the coming 40 years.  This is truly shocking and mind-benumbing.

FISCAL POLICIES

Are our fiscal policies doing well to the country? Are they ushering in growth? The aspirations are growing and there certainly some benefits and some growth. But, this is jobless growth, which implies that there is bound to be unemployment. The prices are rising as a result of our economic growth, which is essentially inflation-based.

Only 20 per cent of the population is able to reap the benefits of these policies, while the remaining 80 per cent is sliding down into poverty. The rich are becoming richer and the poor are becoming poorer. This is leading to disaffection, violence and large-scale corruption.

I had recently visited Bihar, where I asked the locals about their current situation. They said they were now happy that they did not have to migrate in search of livelihood. What did migration gift them? Hitherto unheard of diseases like the TB and the AIDS! They had lost both their swasthya (health) and swatva (identity) due to migration.

Agricultural lands are being gifted away for industrial units. It is not just hitting the farm sector and food productivity, but a host of farm-based industrial units too are being irreparably hit.  Who will benefit if the farmers are alienated of their lands without being provided with a sustainable alternative? Further, the industrial units are polluting the environs, leading to major catastrophe.

All these are due to our blind aping of the West. Our ancestors had said 'Aano Bhadra Kratavo Yantu Viswataha" (Let noble thoughts come from all sides). But we should also have an idea as to how to use them.

EDUCATION

Education is becoming costlier and has turned into a lucrative business.  While there is 

a spurt in the number of schools and colleges as also is there the rise in the aspiration levels for getting quality education, the access to education is being increasingly narrowed down. The current educational system is touting the toppers and their achievement, leaving behind the countless who could not even pursue their academic dreams.

For every topper, there are 1000s of those who dropped out at the primary level itself and 100s of those who could not make it beyond the matriculation and several who could not go beyond the graduation. Hardly five or six out of 10000 are making it to the final grade.

The ABVP has recently conducted an educational survey in the country. The survey threw up startling results. There was this case of a Chhattisgarh youth who had to leave his engineering course despite a meritorious record. The reason was that his father had already sold out everything to support his elder son's education. Now, his younger brother too is aspiring for higher studies. His father, who could not afford the cost of education for both the sons, asked only one of them to continue studying. Consequently, the elder one had to opt out.

But, what is it that this educational system, churning out? There is no sense of pride about our nationhood. Nor is there an appreciation of our virtues. There are no opportunities for our students. For instance, a youth had a calculator prototype with him. But, could not mass produce and market them as there was a ban on importing one of the components. As a result, he had to give his prototype to a Singapore-based firm, which made them and earned huge profits.

Similarly, I visited a technology museum recently. There I found the bullock cart as an exhibit of technical innovation. I became curious. The organizers had told me that the bullock cart adopted 86 technological innovations.  Unfortunately, we fail to see greatness in such indigenous things. The current system of education does not impart self-respect to the student. There is neither Swa (ownership) nor siksha (education) in our current system of learning.

CAPABLE, BUT BEREFT OF SENSE OF PURPOSE

Further, our society is bereft of a sense of unity and a sense of purpose. Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has pointed out that the very Indians, who revel in breaking law and circumvent rules in the country, become paragons of good behavior and utmost discipline when they go abroad. Why this dichotomy? Though educated, most of us cause traffic jams due to our irresponsible behavior during rush hours. Why is this happening?

Then there are differences that are caste, community, region and language-based. We are divided on the basis of caste. I had recently met an Indian, who had settled in Brazil long time ago. He had shunned several things Indian. But, when I wanted to know about him, he said he belonged to such and such gotra. He had left many things behind, but caste consciousness continues to stay despite the fact that both scientifically as well as historically, the Bharatiyas have been one nation. Even the recent scientific studies have shown that the Bharatiyas have the same DNA since 40,000 years.  Yet, we continue to believe in caste and class. Unfortunately, such differences persist even among the most discriminated castes.

Thus there are several internal, external as well as ethical challenges facing the country. We have the ability to overcome these. Our students are very capable. For instance, the students of the technology museum bagged second prize in technological innovations leaving behind Japan and Korea. This time they are aiming for the first prize. Such is the merit of our boys and girls.

We are also doing well in the realm of sports. The world has recognized Bharat as a great power. In a place like Chitrakoot, we have shown that with the cooperation from the locals, we could harvest three crops where we used to have one crop till the recent past. This has been happening in over 500 villages.

Similarly, we had a poor boy from an interior rural area in our Chhatravaas ( hostel). On seeing our highly qualified Pracharaks, he was inspired to work for the society and became one. He had spent close to 15 years as a full-timer. There is no dearth of such people in our country.

Ours is a young nation unlike the rest of the world, which is ageing fast. So long as we have people young in body and mind, we can achieve everything.  The present era is the era of information. The era that would follow this is the era of knowledge and none but India is better placed to lead the world towards the knowledge society. There is no paucity of talent in our country. We keep hearing of management trainees successfully managing vegetable vending chains and making considerable profits.  We are successful because we have the twin advantage of having a great knowledge base that we inherited from our great culture and also the benefits of modern education. 

We have traditional knowledge systems that handed over Vedas down the generations. We also have knowledge system in the realms of agriculture and technology. We have our own jugad technology that is both innovative as well as indigenous.

The pillar of our strength is the family. The family system offers us social security and is the driving force of our economy. For us, individual is never the basic socio-economic unit. We consider the family as the basic socio-economic unit. We save for our family. It is this saving for the family that has helped Bharat tide over the global economic crisis. Thus, we have several strengths, which need to be augmented.

Bharat is on the throes of a three-fold crisis. They are the crisis of Identity, the crisis of character and the crisis of credibility.

No other country in the world has such a confused and contrite view of one's own self as Bharat. We have a long and continuous tradition of Dharma and identity. But, concerted efforts are on to prevent the future generations from knowing about this great dharma and identity. A society that has no knowledge of its past, will lack self-respect and a sense of purpose.  The crisis of credibility is a natural corollary of the crisis of identity and character.  There is utter loss of credibility. We do not know who we should believe in.

This three-fold crisis is the biggest challenge facing our country. Neither China nor Pak are our problems. Our problem is our loss of character and credibility and the crisis of identity.

I recall an anecdote. There was a rabbit that was mortally afraid of everything. Even when such an innocuous thing as a dry palm leaf comes down, the rabbit scampers back to its home in fear. Fed up with this, the rabbit asked the God to turn him into a big animal like the elephant. The God did accordingly. The elephant had one day tried to venture into waters of a lake. But, it was stalled by a crocodile. Unable to bear this, the animal wanted the God to make turn him into a tiger, which the God readily agreed and did accordingly. This tiger was attacked by a herd of oxen. The animal again approached the God. The God then said instead of asking for metamorphosis over and over again, he could very well have asked for instilling courage in him.

The problem lies within and we fail to notice this. We have problems that are seemingly insurmountable.   But, before taking them on, we should address the inner struggle.

There is this story about Udayana. He is a great warrior and can single-handedly beat back 12000 enemies. At the end of his learning, his guru asked him: "how many people will you fight single-handedly."

"12000 men," Udayana replied

"Come again after six months "

Udayana returned a chastised man.  The same question was posed again. Udayana said he could actually fight only the 27 people who form the inner core group.

"Come again after six months "

Udayana came back promptly after six months. Same query again. This time, Udayana said "I can actually fight with only one person at a time."

Six months later, Udayana came. He was a transformed man. He was asked the same question. This time Udayana said, "Why should I fight against anyone at all?"

The Guru then said. "Your learning is truly over now. You now know everyone is your friend.

KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS

The real strength lies in the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. India has always been democratic and non-violent. There is no place for violence in the society. We should be strong enough to protect ourselves, but should not become perpetrators of violence. Violence and undemocratic means can never become successful. This process should start from within.

One must overcome the crisis of identity and should go into the roots of Indian heritage and understand them. There should be pride about Bharateeya-ness and a sense of ownership about everything Bharatiya. One should rise above the narrow considerations of caste, language, sect, region, language and politics and feel a sense of pan-Indianness.

We should firmly believe that we shall be successful in this great mission where India will fulfill the needs of the world and will overcome all impediments. In fact, this is the only thing that is certain to happen. Bharatiyais the only hope for the battered world as it has Dharma. India is the only country where the body, mind and pleasures are leashed in a balanced manner and individual –society –nature continuum becomes one with God (Vyashti – Samashti –Srushti- Parameshti). All this is achieved through the practice of pursue Arth and Kaam that are firmly leashed in by Dharm and Moksh. The ultimate aim is attainment of complete and everlasting happiness for the whole world. 

This is the divinely ordained duty of India towards the world.

STAND UP FOR THE LOFTY AIM

We should stand up for this lofty aim with self-pride, belief and credibility. One should shun careerism. What is life it we cannot work for the society? Did not Savarkar say that all the great qualities are a mere unbearable wastage if they are not useful for the country? One should live by spending less and less resources while giving more and more for the country. We are here for the country and we are not here for name and fame.  We should strive to do good, encourage the good and try to eliminate bad from the society. There will be crises, but we should overcome them and work actively for the betterment of the society.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a tendency to increasingly lose fighting spirit and dogged determination as we become more and more prosperous.  We should shun this and work actively for the society. One should remember that our work should be both democratic as well as non-violent. Revolution is a myth. There is only an evolution. Even Mao Tse Tung's revolution of 40 years was preceded by a 150-year-long struggle. We should be willing to work with all democratic and non-violent forces. More than my speech, it is the work that we do that will impact the society in a positive manner because actions speak louder.

There was a Bouddha Bhikku who had gone to China to spread the message of Lord Buddha. After preaching the message of Buddha for several years, he decided to bring out a book on the teachings of the master. He then set about collecting the money for publishing the book. Just as he was about to get the book published, the region suffered a massive earthquake and there was widespread destruction. The Bhikku spent all the savings to serve the needy. Later, he again pooled up money. But, again there was a calamity, this time in the form of a massive flood. The Bhikku had again spent the savings in serving the needy. Then he had again pooled up the money and eventually published the book. In the preface, he said this is the third edition of the book. The first two editions were dedicated to the service of the people and represented the teachings of the master in practice. Such should be our spirit when we 

set out for the work of rousing the national consciousness.

Let us remember Swami Vivekananda's call to the nation asking it to stop worshiping all other Gods and pray only Bharat Matha. He had called upon the people to worship the Daridra Narayan (under-privileged, the impoverished and the dispossessed).  Let us strive to protect Jan, Jal, Jameen, Janghal and Janvar of this country and service through the fullest strength of our Jeeva . The situation will surely change for the better. Let's start working.