Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghachalak, RSS
With strong and positive mind we can overcome corona pandemic: Dr. Bhagwat
There is no denying the fact that the situation around us is very difficult. The corona pandemic has swallowed the dear and near ones of many. There are black clouds of grief and sorrow hovering over the society. But there is a silver lining to these black clouds and this silver lining is the strength and positivity of our mind with which we can surely overcome this corona pandemic, said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohanrao Bhagwat today.
He was delivering the concluding lecture in the five-day series “Hum Jitenge – Positivity Unlimited” organized by the Covid Response Team (CRT) from May 11. The CRT engaged prominent personalities from religious, social and industrial spheres of our nation to instill positivity and commitment to fight with this pandemic. Earlier, Sadguru Jaggi Vasudeva, Jai Acharya Praman Sagarji Maharaj, Sri Sri ravi Shankar, Azim Premji, Nivedita Bhide, Shankaracharya Vijayendra Saraswati of Kanchi Kamakoti, Padma Vibhushan Sonal Mansingh, Sant Gyandev Ji Maharaj and Sadhvi Ritambhara Didi participated in this series. All of them emphasized having a strong mind and cultivating positivity to overcome this pandemic threat.
Addressing the concluding session of this five-day lecture series, Dr. Mohanrao Bhagwat mentioned that the earlier speakers have stressed very clearly the importance of having a positive attitude to keep oneself in proper condition of body, mind and spirit to successfully defeat the corona pandemic. He said that there is no denying the fact that the situation around us is very difficult. The Covid-19 pandemic has threatened the very existence of the human race. However, we had faced many such situations in the past and had overcome them with our determination, commitment and positive attitude. Viewed against those difficult challenges of the past, the present corona pandemic threat is not that serious and we can easily overcome this with the strength of our minds and positive attitude, he said.
Dr. Bhagwat in his inspiring words exhorted the people to understand the seriousness of the situation and face it boldly. Whatever situation is there, we have to fight with it the way we can, he said adding that the RSS swayamsevaks are serving the society in whatever possible way they can to emerge victorious in this war against the virus. The most important thing is our mind; he said adding that if our mind gives in we will not win this war. To avoid this we have to keep our mind strong and unshakable by adopting various ways like Yoga, Pranayam, Suryanamaskars etc. We have to keep our body ‘corona negative’ but mind positive to overcome the pandemic threat, he said.
In such trying times we have to show the unity of the society and stay away from mudslinging. Unitedly we can defeat this pandemic. We must help the needy sections of the society by whatever way we can, keeping ‘Thy need is greater’ principle in mind, Dr. Bhagwat said. He further said that the situation is not of despair and frustration, but to fight to win. We will not allow ourselves to be overtaken by this frightening situation. He quoted the example of RSS Founder Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar who lost his parents on the same day in the Plague pandemic when he was barely in his teens. But he digested this shock and plunged himself to ameliorate the condition of the people of the nation. He developed a selfless love for the society that inspired him to dedicate his life for the wellbeing of the society. Such examples are our perennial sources of inspiration, he said.
We are believers in the life and death cycle. This cycle goes on endlessly and therefore, such pandemic-like threats do not deter or distract us from our mission to serve the society, he added. Quoting Winston Churchill, who won the war against Germany during World War II, Dr. Bhagwat referred to some lines inscribed on the wall in Churchill’s office. The lines read: “Please understand that there is no pessimism. There is no place for defeat, they just do not exist”. With this positive attitude Briton won the war under Churchill’s leadership by defeating the enemy who was far superior, mighty and well-equipped. The British accepted the threat as a challenge and defeated the enemy. Similarly we also have to accept this corona pandemic as a challenge. Once we do that, even the third wave of the pandemic strikes it will wither away.
Quoting the example of ‘Samudra Manthan’ he said that emergence of valuable stones, and the terrible poison did not deter the process of churning the ocean till the nectar was obtained. We need such unshakable determination to win over the current pandemic threat, Dr. Bhagwat said. Showing the unity of the society is of utmost importance at this hour of crisis, he said exhorting the people to stay away from mudslinging at each other. We must stand united to fight the pandemic and defeat it. He gave the example of PPCR, an initiative of Pune people to combat Coronavirus threat. Such examples should be followed all over the country, he suggested. We must move ahead on the basis of collectivity, he added further.
Remaining alert is another prerequisite to win the war. We need to remain alert, and move ahead with determination and courage, he said. We can give more time to our families and surroundings; follow the covid protocol laid down by the government and remain alert to avoid any accidents in the future. People are not coming forward for the fear of corona or delay the treatment. Therefore, massive public awareness creation is must along with public education and awareness about health issues. We can support those who are engaged in such activities and extend our cooperation in this mission.
Dr. Bhagwat also attracted the attention of the people towards the economy of our country. He said in the situation where people have lost their jobs, businesses collapsed and earnings affected, we should help them in whatever way we can. We must take care to see that our economy does not get disturbed due to this pandemic, he said. This is the litmus test of our courage. We must remember that ‘success is not final; failure is not fatal; Courage to continue is the only thing that matters’, he concluded exhorting the people to show this courage in the present trying situation with a confidence that ‘Hum Jitenge’ ‘We shall win’ this fight against the pandemic.
