Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh
Summary of the
address of Parampujya Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohanji Bhagwat on the occasion of Sri
Vijayadashami – on Saturday 30th September 2017.
We have assembled here
to celebrate the auspicious occasion of this year’s Vijayadashami. This year is
the birth centenary year of Venerable Padmabhushan His Eminence Kushok Bakula
Rinpoche. This year is also the 125th anniversary of Swami
Vivekananda’s historic Chicago speech and 150th birth anniversary of
his renowned disciple Bhagini Nivedita.
The Buddhists of entire
Himalayan region consider His Eminence Kushok Bakula Renpoche as the
incarnation of Bakul Arhat, one of the Sixteen Arhats of Thathagat Buddha. He
has been the most revered Lama of Ladakh in recent times. He played a crucial
role in spread of education, social reforms, eradication of social evils and
awakening of national consciousness in the Ladakh region. In 1947 when Pakistan
army attacked Jammu and Kashmir in the disguise of Kabaili tribes, with his
inspiration youth from Ladakh formed the Nubra Brigade and did not allow the
aggressors to cross Skardu. His remarkable contribution as a member of Jammu
and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, as a minister in the State Government and as
a member of Lok Sabha was always with national perspective. He was the
Ambassador of Bharat to Mongolia for 10 long years. During his tenure in
Mongolia, his contribution to the successful efforts of the local population to
revive the age old Buddhist tradition, after the end of 80 years of Communist
rule, was outstanding. For this, he is still being revered in Mongolia. In
2001, he was conferred with the Mongolian Civilian Award “Polar Star”. He is
revered and exemplary for all of us because of his spiritual wealth, unwavering
national commitment and incessant selfless work in the public interest. Acharya
Bakul manifested the same national vision of Bharat towards global humanity
through his personal and social conduct which Swami Vivekananda had declared in
his Chicago speech.
This national vision is
our heritage. With the objective of awakening this vision only, Adi Kavi
Valmiki chose Maryada Purushottam Sri Ram as the subject matter of his eternal
epic Ramayana. One of the most revered Saint of Bhakti Movement Ravidas Ji
Maharaj, who is also a faith and inspiration for our today’s guest of honour,
also spread the same vision amongst common masses through his deeds and words.
Bhagini Nivedita also undertook the efforts for social awakening and
enlightenment to arise the Hindu society based on the same national ideal. By
relentlessly serving millions of children of Bharat to free them from ignorance
and dearth, she inspired them by awakening their minds towards veneration of Swadharma
and Swadesh.
To awaken the society
towards national ethos and endeavour, it is a prerequisite that our
intellectuals and thinkers get rid of the ill-effects of the colonial thought
and mindset. These ill-effects emanating from the colonial era has engulfed our
minds and made us self-abominating, confused and murky. Bhagini Nivedita’s
successful endeavour of getting integrated with mind, eternal values and Sanskaras
of Bharatiya people, inspite of being born and brought up in European culture
is an inspiration for us all to be one with our eternal national vision and
values.
Rashtra
is not made
artificially. Our existence as Rashtra is based on Sanskriti and
people, which is unique and entirely different from the nation-state
concept rooted in power. Our Sanskriti, that binds us together in a
common thread despite our different languages, regions, sects, religions,
castes, customs, etc; and the source of this Sansrkriti, our eternal
life values that envision humanity as a global family, is our collective
bonding spirit. That life vision of nationhood takes shape through collective
experiences we have gained on this land from the time immemorial, collective
efforts we have taken and collective understanding and realisation of the Truth
obtained from those experiences. The same sentiments resonate in individual,
familial and social dimensions of life. Then only a Rashtra evolves in
the real sense; it gets the recognition of the world; such nation only can make
a meaningful contribution by playing the expected role in global life.
Slowly but surely, we
are partially experiencing this eternal truth in the present condition. Due to
our initiative, there is a recognition and acceptance of Science of Yoga and
our approach towards environment, which gives a feeling of great satisfaction
and pride about our ancient heritage. In response to the activities of Pakistan
on the Western front and that of China on the Northern front,
Bharat’s strong and determined stand has been visible in the incidents like
Doklam, on the borders as well as in international diplomacy. This definitely
makes us realise about our strength and at the same time provides new
international standing to Bharat. In the space science also brave achievements
by our scientists one after another are proving our intellectual power. On
internal security front systems are improving. The infrastructure, especially
related to surface transport, is rapidly spreading even in the bordering states
like Arunachal Pradesh. For the respect and progress of Women various schemes
like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ are also going on. Through initiatives like
Swachhata Abhiyan a sense of duty among citizens is inculcated, ensuring their
participation. Attempts to introduce many small and big systemic reforms and
efforts to fundamentally change the thinking process in certain fields are
kindling new hope among the common masses, at the same time level of
expectations is also ascending. There is a prevalent discussion in the society
on many things that are happening, how that can be further improved and what
else should happen.
For instance, the
determination with which terrorist infiltration and firing from across the
border is being dealt with is appreciated. All security forces, including the
Army, have been given the freedom to do their respective duties. The
provocative actions and propaganda of the separatists is effectively controlled
by curbing their illegal financial sources and exposing their linkages with
anti-national terrorist forces. The positive effects of this strategy are
visible on the ground.
Still, there is an
urgent need to take the benefits of development to the masses in the entire
State of Jammu and Kashmir, including the Jammu and Ladakh regions, without any
discrimination and through transparent and clean governance. The problem of
refugees is still not resolved in the State. For decades together, some
generations are living through this miserable state of refugees for their
decision to be in Bharat and remain as a Hindu. Despite being citizens of
Bharat, they are still far away from the basic facilities of education,
employment and democratic rights, and leading a backward life. This is
happening just because the discriminatory provisions in the state of Jammu and
Kashmir that denied them the fundamental rights. The problems of permanent
residents of state who migrated from the Pakistan occupied Jammu-Kashmir in
1947 and the people who were displaced from the Kashmir valley in 1990 are
remaining as it is. We have to create conditions so that our these brothers can
lead a happy, dignified and secure life like other Indians by availing equal
democratic rights and fulfilling democratic duties, even while remaining firm
and devoted to their religions and national identity. For this just work,
necessary Constitutional amendments will have to be made and old provisions
will have to be changed. Then and then only, the residents of Jammu Kashmir can
be completely assimilated with rest of Bharat and their equal cooperation and
share will be possible in the national progress.
Along with the State and
Union Governments, society also has a vital role to play in this process. The
citizens living in bordering areas are bravely and persistently holding the
ground amidst incessant cross border firing and terrorist infiltration. In a
way, they are also directly fighting with the anti-national forces. They have
to continuously face the insecurity and chaos in their life and livelihood.
Besides the relief from Government and administration, different social groups
also need to establish contact there and should provide with the facilities as
per their ability. In this direction, Sangh Swayamsevaks have already taken the
initiative. With the increased thinking and action on those lines, through
collective efforts of Government and society, better systems can be in place.
The need to take additional efforts in the field of education, health,
livelihood and national values is also realised in the Kashmir valley and the
remote border areas of Ladakh. To attain this goal, the conditions inevitably
demands for constructive connect from the society and different programmes for
awareness, awakening and reshaping the public mind. To eradicate the poison of
alienation and unrest created through the systematic and false propaganda over
the years, the society will have to show the natural affection through these
positive actions. The path for complete resolution of the issue will be
facilitated when the entire society will stand behind the well thought policy
of dealing sternly and strongly with the anti-national forces.
This thought has also become
all the more important when a dangerous game is being played by anti-national
forces by stimulating the unrest, separatism, violence, enmity or hatred
amongst group or local identities on the basis of language, region, sects,
religion etc. Especially in the bordering states, attempts of creating
atmosphere for disrespecting the Constitutional provisions on these lines
are going on. The situation in Bengal and Kerala is known to all. The State
Governments and their systematically politicised administrative systems are not
only apathetic to this serious national crisis but are also lending a helping
hand to the anti-national forces for petty political interests. Information
pertaining to all these anti-national activities reaches to the Union
Government and administration and they must be taking necessary steps to foil
these nefarious designs. But, cross border smuggling including that of cow
continue to be a matter of concern. Nation already has been facing the problem
of illegal Bangladeshi migrants and now Rohingyas who are chased away from
Myanmar have infiltrated and many more are ready to migrate illegally. They are
being driven out of Myanmar mainly due to their continuous violent and criminal
separatist activities and linkages with the terrorist groups. Any decision
regarding them should be taken by keeping in mind that they will definitely be
a threat to national security and integrity. The Government seems to be
thinking on the same line. In such complex situation, success is not possible
without cooperation of the entire society. For the purpose, all the Sajjan
Shakti of these states will have to come forward fearlessly. They will have
to be organised, vocal and active and also make the society fearless, alert and
enlightened.
As a system, guarding
borders and ensuring internal security is the responsibility of armed forces,
paramilitary forces and police machinery and they have been doing this with
full vigour, commitment and sacrifice since our freedom. However at the Government
level, there is need to expedite the process of equipping them with adequate
resources, improving their internal communication and coordination with the
intelligence agencies, taking care of them and their families, ensuring
national self-reliance in military hardware and providing enough manpower and
training to these forces. The direct interaction of Government with these
forces needs to be improved for this purpose. There are expectations from the
society also of more affinity and respect towards our soldiers and their
families. Besides right policies, in tune with
national interest and ethos and in the
direction of fulfilling the expectations and requirements, the need for
organised and virtuous society with clear understanding of our national pride is
also seen in every walk of life. It is also required that the administration should internalise the core of those
policies and have the necessary mentality
for effective implementation.
The same conclusion can
be drawn on the economic front. For controlling corruption, bringing speedy
economic development, introduction of welfare schemes to the last person
standing, like Jan Dhan, MUDRA, Gas Subsidy, agricultural insurance etc and
some bold decisions are taken at the government level. Yet, the requirement of
an integrated and holistic policy, which will take into consideration the
diversity and various requirements of the nation; will address the needs of
industry, trade, agriculture and environment together, will safeguard the
interests of all from big, medium and small industries, to small retailers,
farmers and landless labours, is very much felt. The compulsion to move on the
currently accepted global policies and standards, even if they are faulty,
artificial, create a mirage of prosperity, cause erosion of morality,
environment, employment and self reliance; can be understood to a certain
extent. However it is also universally being recognised that all these policies
and standards need a rethinking and nation specific unique models of
development should evolve. Our Niti Ayog and economic advisers of the States
will have to come out of the same old economic ‘isms’, and will have to
integrate the most up-to-date economic experiences with the ground reality of
our nation. This process will have to systematically consider the national
ideals, traditions, needs and resources together. People will also have to
relentlessly insist on buying the Swadeshi products while fulfilling
their day to day needs and doing other purchases.
The Government schemes
and policies are made sincerely for the welfare of common people. They should
also encourage the people to be entrepreneurial and active. A system should be
in place to gather the realistic information from all the sources about the
execution and impact of these schemes while percolating down to the lowest
level through the administrative system. There is an enduring confidence in the
sincerity of the Government, decisive nature to make the necessary
transformation, integrity and character of the people in important position and
their diligence. If this fortune that we have got as a nation after so many
years has to deliver, then the above mentioned points will have to be taken
into consideration.
Despite being faulty, the parameter of Gross Domestic Product is
still used to measure the health and progress of economy. Employment, that is
work for every hand and enough remuneration for sustainable livelihood is a
major consideration for us. On these parameters, the biggest contribution is
made by the small, medium and handicraft industry, retail or small
self-employed businesses, cooperative sector and agro and agro-allied sector.
They are also our security net during the ups and downs in the global trade and
economic earthquakes. The roots of our family system are still strong and women
are also contributing in family income by doing small business activities at
home. Sometimes this is also called as informal economy. The level of
corruption is also low here. Crores of people get jobs or employments through
these sectors. Most of the people standing in the last line of the society are
also from these sectors. While reforming and cleaning the economic systems,
although some tremors and instability is expected, it should be kept in mind
that these sectors should feel the minimum heat and ultimately they should get
the maximum strength. Due to the values enshrined in our traditions many
Governmental institutions, voluntary organisations and big industrial
corporations, even before the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility was
prevailing, are striving for improving the life of these people, enhancing
quality of their products as well as skill sets and facilitating market access
for them. Synchronizing all those efforts can be one of the directions to go
ahead. Altogether, our dream of presenting a model of Antyodaya at
domestic level and that of balanced, sustainable and dynamic economy at the
global level is not possible unless our economic thinking is not based on
decentralising economic production, restraining consumption, increasing
employability, conserving energy, securing environment and taking the
individual on righteous path. While moving ahead from the present economic
condition this fundamental point should be remembered. There are many
provisions at the Union and State levels for the benefit of deprived sections
of the society like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Nomadic Tribes etc.
Those benefits should reach to everyone from these sections. Government and
administration should be alert and sensitive to this. There is a need for
urgency with care on the part of government agency and sensitised cooperation
from the society in this regard.
In our country,
industry, business and agriculture have not been considered as competing but as
complimentary sectors. Agriculture is the large sector in Bharat. Our farmer,
who is by nature, feeds not just his family but the entire nation, is in pain
today. He is depressed after facing the onslaught of floods and droughts,
export-import policy, meagre pricing, mounting loans and losing everything once
the crop is ruined. There is a growing sentiment that the new generation will
either become urban educated unemployed or working in farms will disrupt the
education that will force them to be in villages that are without any
facilities. Resultantly, villages are getting empty and burden on the big
cities is increasing. Both are facing the crisis of development. The problem of
criminalisation is growing in the cities. Appreciable schemes like crop
insurance are being introduced, soil testing and e-marketing for agriculture
products are also useful steps in this direction. Yet, Union and State
Governments should be more vigilant to ensure effective implementation of these
schemes on the ground. The measures like loan waivers are also signs of
sensitivity and goodwill of the governments but these temporary measures are
not solution to the problem. New technology and traditional non-polluting
methods should be amalgamated for farmers so that they can do farming with less
investment and without getting into debt trap. New technology also should be
adopted only after ensuring through proper testing that it does not have any
adverse long-term impact on the health of soil, environment and human beings.
Farmers should get the minimum price with a profit range over his investment so
that he can bear his family expenditure and save some capital for the next
years farming. The purchases of crops based on the support price will have to
be ensured by the Government. Organic farming, mixed farming and farming with
cow-based animal husbandry should become a new trend. The chemical farming that
is poisoning our food, water and soil and also increasing the expenditure of
farmers should be slowly done away with.
When we talk about the
farming with less capital, organic in nature, naturally the point is raised
that the large number of farmers in our country are small land holders, without
any irrigation facility. For such farmers, cow-based farming is the easiest way
out for poison free and less capital intensive agriculture. Therefore, Sangh
Swayamsevaks, Saints of all sects, other voluntary organisations and
individuals are running the activity of cow protection and promotion. In our Sanskriti,
cow is an article of reverence. Cow protection is also included in Directive
Principles of our Constitution and many states ruled by different
political parties at different times have formulated laws regarding the same.
The utility of Bharatiya breed of cow is scientifically proven now with the
nutritional value of its milk that contains A-2, the medicinal value of
cow-dung and urine for human being and animals and agricultural value with use
in developing fertilisers and pest controllers that improve the soil health and
save us from side effects. Many researches are also going on in this direction.
The cow smuggling has emerged as a serious issue in all states and especially,
on the Bangladesh border. In such a scenario, activities of cow-protection and
cow promotion become more valuable. All these activities are undertaken by the
activists within the legal and Constitutional framework. After inquiries in the
recent incidences of violence and atrocities, it has become amply clear that
these activities or the activists were not involved in those acts of violence.
On the contrary many activists who were peacefully involved in cow protection
were attacked and killed; this issue is neither discussed nor being inquired.
It is unfair to link the cow protectors or entire activity of Cow protection
with violent incidences or communal feelings without knowing or neglecting the
facts. Many followers of Muslim faith are also involved in the activity of cow
protection, cow promotion and management of gaushalas. Some of them told me
that the nefarious campaign going on against the cow-protection unnecessarily
creates tension among the people of different religions. In such a situation,
cow-protectors and promoters who are piously involved in the activity should
not worry or get distracted with the well intentioned statements by highly
placed persons in the Government or remarks made by the Supreme Court. People
who are criminals and involved in violent activities should be bothered about
that. Vested interests are misinterpreting these statements to influence the
larger public opinion. The government and administration should stay away from
such misinterpretation and should ensure that the criminals get penalised and
the innocents are not troubled. The legal and virtuous work of cow-protection
and cow-promotion will go on in the interest of the people and will increase in
coming days. It will also be the apt answer to the situation.
Irrigation system is
another important prerequisite for successful farming. We have to
comprehensively think about the scientific management of the entire amount of
water resources received every year. In the areas of poison-free farming and
water management, Government has already taken the initiatives regarding water
conservation, water protection, river cleaning, ensuring continuous flow of
river water, rejuvenation projects and tree plantation etc. At societal level
also many people are undertaking non-governmental and effective programmes on
water management. Drives such as Rally for Rivers are also going on
connecting water with tress and jungles. At some places, appreciable steps are
being taken to authorise dwellers of forest villages with the responsibility of
protecting and maintaining jungles. This is a positive sign. There is hope that
these efforts collectively will bring in a new prosperous model in agriculture
and environment.
In the national
resurgence, collective endeavours of society are more important than the
governmental and administrative efforts. In this perspective, education system
is important. During the colonial period, foreign rulers brought in many
disastrous changes in the education system, curriculum and management. Creating
the sense of inferiority in Bharatiya social mind was the main objective behind
that. Education will have to get rid of those impacts. New education policy
should be carved out in such a manner so that education becomes affordable and
accessible even to children and youth living in remote jungles and villages. The curriculum should remain free of all kinds of ‘isms’ and instead should be based on
knowledge of seeking truth, leading to comprehend our nationality and national
pride. This education should inculcate the qualities of self-confidence, desire
for excellence, knowledge, studiousness and hard work in each and every student
along with the values of character, politeness, sensitivity, discretion and
responsibility. Teachers will have to bond with the students and educate them with their own
example. Even the atmosphere in educational institutions should be conducive to
this. Right kind of infrastructure, along with equipments, libraries and
laboratories will have to be created. To end the commercialisation of
education, Government schools and colleges should be run with a certain minimum
quality. Many experiments are being done in the society; they will have to be
taken into cognisance. Proper livelihood for the teachers will have to be
ensured. I am making this repetitive assertion in the hope
that the long-awaited Education Policy which will
radically change the education system will be presented to the country as soon
as possible.
However, does process of
learning take place only in schools? Don’t we get lessons of honesty and
fairness, right human conduct based on compassion and sensitivity in the words
and actions of our own family members, parents, other elderly people and people
in our neighbourhood? Isn’t our minds and thinking getting shaped by the
festivals and other activities, movements and initiatives we undertake in the
society? Isn’t our media, especially the internet media impacting our thinking
and actions? The game of Blue Whale is a classic example of this. To save our
innocent kids from these vicious circles, family, society and governments will
have to take the effective steps.
The recent incidences of coming
on streets for every small reason, citizens resorting to violence showing
insensitivity and disrespect towards duties, laws and the Constitution, taking
benefit of such situations by the anti-social criminal elements and
anti-national forces who want to disturb the faith, integrity and peace in
society, all these are the direct outcomes of degrading moral values and sense
of responsibility in the society and unrest in social sections or selfish
politics played around it.
The family and society
should also impart the values of virtuous personal and social conduct to the
new generation. The selfish politics thrives on differences, unrest and
conflicts cropped up in the society due to evils of exploitation, inequalities
and insensitivities. This is the direct result of absence of Samarasta.
Along with the Sangh Swayamsevaks, many organisations and individuals are
already working relentlessly through their selfless connect and service and
trying to create the atmosphere of justice, empathy and Samarasta.
However, to achieve the desired results, entire society will have to get rid of
the contradictions of evil practices and conduct and imbibe the virtues of
cognate and egalitarian behaviour. We all will have to commit ourselves and be
active after refining all aspects of our life with this approach.
In recent years, many worrisome
examples of disintegrating family system and social travesty are seen. These
are the signs of degrading moral values in our families and society. Therefore,
we will have to expedite the work of moral awakening at familial and societal
levels. All of us will have to introspect and rectify the systems of personal,
familial and social conducts. In an independent and aspiring nation, all
aspects of civil life reflect these national sentiments. In this regard,
Bhagini Nivedita says:
“The Samaj is the
strength of the family: the home is behind the civic life and the civic life
sustains the nationality. This is the
formula of human combination. The essentials of all four elements we have among
us, in our ancient Dharma. But we have allowed much of their consciousness to
sleep. We have again to realize the meaning of our own treasure.”
Therefore, in the present
condition, the organised, qualitative and disciplined march of the society is
as much necessary as the formulation of policies based on Bharatiya
values by the Governments and an honest transparent and flawless execution of
the same by the administration. The Eternal Bharat is reincarnating
itself with the requirements of new age. All virtuous people with their efforts
in various fields are ready to welcome it. Now social preparedness is the need
of the hour.
Since 1925, Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh is striving for this. While entering the 93rd year
of its inception, Sangh is trying build a nation-wide conglomeration of
Karyakartas (activists) who have the clear understanding of our Rashtra,
who are daring enough to articulate that with the same clarity, who are
cherishing the devotion for this sacred and unified motherland and sensitive
and affectionate towards each and every member of this family, the courage and
sacrifice of our ancestors is the foundation of whose heart, and taking this
nation to the pinnacle of its glory is the only inspiration of his collective
aspirations and actions. This work is continuously growing. Sangh Swayamsevaks
are active in each and every walk of national life and they are inculcating the
Sanskaras through their presence. Swayamsevaks active in many allied
organisations and institutions are running more than one lac, seventy
thousand projects and serving the deprived sections by taking the society
along. The complete picture of organised and virtuous society through the
environment created by these efforts will eliminate the flaws of divisions,
egocentric attitude, idleness, self-abomination etc. This is the unique and
unparallel way of integrating and organising the
society. The participation of all of you is necessary in this process. The
right policies based on our ethos, excellent
implementation and cooperation of all Sajjan Shakti and on the basis of
that organised, industrious and integral social conduct is the fourfold
combination that can lead to the manifestation of Bharat as an
all-prosperous Vishwaguru in coming decades. This kind of conducive
atmosphere is experienced everywhere, it is our duty to quickly seize this
opportunity.
II Bharat Mata Ki Jai II
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