Mangalore Feb 3, 2013: RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat addressed mammoth gathering of Swayamsevaks at’ Mangalore Vibhag Sanghik’.
Following is an excerpt of his speech on the occasion.
“Today’s event was planned asthe ‘bhauddik’ for Swayamsevaks. But the purpose of such huge Sanghik is to involve many thousands together as our work has also increased manifold. Today is the Birthday of Swami Vivekananda as per the Hindu calendar. There are lot many similarities between the vision of Swami Vivekananda and the mission of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. People watch and see the work of Swayamsevaks and understand the work of the Sangh.This is not a ‘shaktipradarshan’ (Power display) as was reported in few newspapers. This Sanghik is for the ‘atmachintan’/introspection of the Swayamsevaks. This is as per the guidance of Swami Vivekananda who impressed upon the need to introspect upon oneself and see how we can move forward as per his words and the direction he has provided.
Swami Vivekananda toured the nation on barefoot and understood the wealthour nation had. He also witnessed the travails of the citizens in person. He toured the world and understood other countries and hence understood as to how India can contribute to bring back the balance that was lost in the world. One of the most important teachings of Swami Vivekananda was never to think of oneself as inferior. It was true that westerners used to look down upon India and Indians.But it was only India which had showed the worldthe importance of peace and prosperity to all. It is because of this that we should feel proud that we are Bharateeyas and proudly proclaim that we are Hindus. We should act as per his words ‘Utthishta Bharata’ and wake up the entire nation. Swami Vivekananda won the hearts and minds of the people in the west due to his address at Chicago. Indians the world over held their heads high due to this achievement of Swami Vivekananda. Through his travels and speeches, Swami Vivekananda showed that, we Indians too have many things that we can offer to the world. He said do not fear for the problems and condition we find ourselves in. Solutions to the problems are not found by running away from them. But face the problems and find a solution he had told.
I rememberan event in Kashithat was narrated by Swami Vivekananda. He was chased by a group of monkeys when he was at Kashi. He ran for a long distance till it got dark. A Sadhu coming in the opposite direction asked Swami Vivekananda to stop and turn around and face the monkeys. He did as told and turned around and faces the monkeys. The monkeys too turned around. He came a few steps forward; they too ran a few steps. He chased the monkeys the monkeys ran away. We Hindus too should face the problems boldly and the problems will similarly run away. First we should remove the fear, differences and selfishness amongst us.To accomplish this we need to offer ourselves completely to unite this vast nation and help it achieve the pinnacle of glory. Swami Vivekananda said that everyone of the crores of Bharateeyas, be it a Brahmin, a Dalit or a Chandal, everyoneis our brother and sister. We should put all our efforts to unite our nation. We should see Lord Shiva in all our brethren. We should achieve this through Seva and hard work. Through this we can see a developed India and a peaceful world too.
We should consider every being, every object in this nation as ours. If only we are powerful we can face the world. No work is possible without power. Even Swami Vivekananda has said this several times. Swami Vivekananda repeatedly said that strong, willing and unselfish youth are required to build this nation. But along with power, there also needs to be value based society. Swami Vivekananda dreamt of starting an organization that will impart selfless and service-oriented education to the youth and thus create youngsters who will serve the society without any differences. Though Swami Ji did not live long to realize this dream of his but it seems that hewas talking about the work of RSS. When a Swayamsevak goes to a shakha he goes to serve his motherland. At a shakha we take the vow of collective effort to serve our motherland. Swami Vivekananda had said worship your motherland forthousand years keeping aside all other gods. Don’t we at RSS laud our Motherland by singing ‘Namaste sadaavatsalemaathrubhoome’ every day? We are a Hindu nation and RSS is a part of it. As we say in our prarthana’Hindu Rashtrangabhoota’ – we are part of this Hindu nation and hence we have given ourselves for the sake of the glory of this Hindu nation. What we have is the knowledge gained over thousands of years and we have to strive to protect this. Work of RSS is in the form of Swami Vivekananda’swishes and words. We ask those qualities in ourselves to serve this Hindu nation which Swami Ji wanted the youth to inculcate. Power and inherent values is due to which the world will respect us. The power we aspire is not for detrimental or destructive causes but to assert ourselves to protect our culture and Dharmabut without opposing anyone or excluding anyone in the process. RSS is walking on the path which Swami Vivekananda has shown through his wisdom.
It is because of this we have to follow Swami Vivekananda’s words. Just by attending such eventsour work will not be over. But we have to act on the words we hear at such events. We also have to engage the entire society in our work. We should not buckle down under unfavorable circumstances but strive forward towards our goal. We should work for the unification of the entire Hindu society. We need to decide the best tool to create such a society. For the last 87 years Sangh is involved in this process. We have made small progress towards our goal. We need to give our entire lives for the cause of safeguarding our Hindu culture, Dharma and wisdom gained over thousands of years. We also need to unify every section of the Hindu society without any differences. What started as a small stream 87 years ago today has become a large river. But now it is the responsibility of each one of us to take people on either of the banks along with us and strive to reach the goal of a attaining a glorious Bharat. We need to move forward with the hope that we will unite the entire society in this process.
If we do this we may become the most glorious nation in the world in the next 20-25 years itself and provide the right direction for the whole world and become a ‘Vishwa Guru’ to enable the creation of a harmonious world. To realize the dream of Swami Vivekananda, I hopeeach of us realize our responsibility and start working towards it. I end my few words with these observations.”
Shri.Sudhir, RSS Saha Pranth Pracharak translated the speech of Shri.BhagwatJi into Kannada on the occasion.
Absolutely fantastic speech.Such words can be motivation to make better Human being,better Nation and a better World.Really i believe RSS has the capability and vision to fulfill Vivekananda’s dream.
Just 2 things to say in this occasion-
1.Please present clearly how can Minorities can mingle with the concept of Hindu-rashtra without abandoning their faith.
2.There are some concerns on RSS view on cultural points specially on Western culture which i think,it must not look like too hostile about it.
Param Pujya Bhagwatji ko Pranam
Vande Mataram,Bharat Mata ki Jay
Oh what a wonderful speech.Rare nowadays, but very badly needed guidance by Mohan Bhagwatji, for our sleeping society. I think media has to continuously project the good work done by the RSS rather than playing into the hands of politicians to malign it. Recently I had an occasion to visit one School for Special Children run by RSS social wings. There I found even children belonging to minority community. But medias most of the time project them as villains of the muslim community. If anybody want to see himself, please visit Roman & Catherine Lobo School for The Blind near Chilimi and Chetna School near Venkataramana Temple, both in Mangalore.
In reply to Bipul’s queries, may be i aint cent percent right. But still:
1. Hindu is not a religion but a Way of Life. So called minorities respecting Hindu way of life and leading that way is more than enough. Respecting Bharath Matha and a yogic life be it honoring any god is a true Hindu.
2. Any culture isnt bad. But each culture should have its own individuality and independency. And not influenced by the other. A small gap of a window could be open to trade good customs in between. Our culture is very rich when compared to any other. And diluting it with the influence of any other culture is less acceptable.
Dhanyavad.