Shri GuruDakshina Karyakram

We had Shri GuruDakshina karyakram last Sunday (December 6th, 2009) in Azad Shakha. I know that this is surprising for the readers from Bharat as in Bharat we do GuruDakshina on the GuruPoornima day only. But here in USA, we celebrate GuruPoornima on the GuruPoornima day but we do GuruDakshina in the winters. This is because most of our swayamsevak visit Bharat in the summer due to holidays in the schools. In Sangh, we do all of our activities as per the availability and ease of everyone. We don't see any particular Muhurt, date, time etc. So if we do GuruDakshina in the winters, we do just because the ease of everyone. This is just like VijayDashmi karyakram. We do Path Sanchalan as per the convenience of not only the swayamsevak and karykartas, but also for the convenience of the people in the society. During VijayDashmi we have many different programs in our society which celebrated for many days. Ramleela, Durga Pooja, Garba etc are all different examples of this great festival. During that time organizing a Path-Sanchalan on mass level is not an easy task, not only for the swayamsevak, but also for the general public and the administration. And that's why do PathSanchalan on any other day than actual VijayDashmi. Similarly, we must do GuruDakshina once in a year and the month really doesn't matter.

This was my first offshore GuruDakshina and it was very special for me. It was special not only because I was participating in Shri GuruDakshina some 10000 miles away from my original place, but also as this was my first family GuruDakshina. Its a really very good experience when you see that your immediate family members are also with you and they are also doing same kind of offering with similar sentiment. I must say that I was not alone there with family, but this was something unique and new for me as we normally don't have similar kind of arrangments in Bharat.

The sentiment of a swayamsevak is also very different and unique when s/he does the GuruDakshina. Take an example of a person going to a temple. In most of the cases, we know that a person goes to a temple with some desire in his mind. Some wants a good job, some wants a house, some has desire for a son or daughter etc. The person will go to the temple, will do all pooja, path etc and with that desire in the mind he will do his offering.

"I'll do a Bhandara/Langar if I get a job".
"I will offer 100 gm (or may be KGs) of gold in Tirupati Balaji, if I get another new big house".
"I will do ...., if I get ....".

These are all some example. The desire and offering keeps on changing as per the need of the Bhakt, but the basic structure of the sentence will remain same and the most important part is the if condition. What if Tirupati Balaji dont' see another big house for that Bhakt? will he not get offered 100 gm/kg of gold from that Bhakt? Absolutely not, as the Bhakt had put that if condition. So he will offer the gold only after the house. So if no house then no Gold. Now god has to think. :)

Our swayamsevak is not like that bhakt. S/he may be like that but may be in temple only, not in Shakha and specially not while doing Shri GuruDakshina. We know that every swayamsevak goes to the Param Pavitra Bhagava Dhwaj and do the GuruDakshina as per his/her devotion but never demands anything. That swayamsevak never has that if condition. All s/he knows that s/he has to do the GuruDakshina and that's why s/he is doing. If you donate some money to a temple or any other organization, they may put your name on the donation board. Everyone visiting to that temple or organization will come to know about your name at least. Every time when I visit Shri Krishna JanmBhoomi mandir in Mathura, I can clearly read the name of many people on the donation board who helped to re-build such a great temple. Our swayamsevak is again different and incomparable here. A swayamsevak never ask for any receipt and s/he never ask that where his name will be displayed? And, after this when our swayamsevak goes to a temple and do some offering, I am sure that even god also think themselves lucky by accepting offering from such a great Bhakt.

So, this year also I saw real Bhakt doing Shri GuruDakshina with family. I think close to 35 or 40 families participated in the Karyakram.

Please enjoy the photos and videos of this karyakram here :
1. http://picasaweb.google.com/rss.dhananjay/ShriGuruDakshina2009?feat=directlink
2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/goelajay/sets/72157622950953950/
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYvdR_cXxKc
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKYEAStOqS8

My first Sevika Varg in New England Vibhag

New England Vibhag organized a Sevika Varg on December 5th, 2009 in Burlington, Massachusetts. Some 30 Sevikas pariticipated in the varg. Ma. Alka Tai (Sahkaryavahika of Rastriya Sevika Samiti) was also available all of the time in the varg.

The varg started with games. We played different types of games which involved lot of physical activities and of course all sevikas enjoyed a lot. After that there was Sharirik which was taken by Ma. Alka Tai and we tuned it with the song "Chandan hai is desh ke mati".
Post lunch there was a small workshop on "Balanced diet" in which we discussed the advantage of Indian food and what all we should eat to have a balanced and healthy diet. We also shared some recipes. After that we had a session of Pad-Vinyas.
The Pad-Vinyas session was followed by question answer round in which Ma. Alka Tai addressed sevikas concerns. She told about the work done by Samiti in Bharat and suggested the sevikas that how they can contribute here in Unitited Sates. She gave an example of Bhutanese refugees and the work done by Samiti for them. She also talk about development of cultural and family value among the teenagers here in the USA.

The varg ended with the Boudhik from Alka Tai in which she told us how we can incorporate sangh in our daily life and how to extend the work of samiti.

This was the first time i had attended any varg and it was a good learning and fun experience. Looking forward for more such varg wherein i can participate, learn and share my experience.
-Swati

ISRO's G. Madhavan Nair to head IAA

Bangalore: India's top space scientist G. Madhavan Nair has been elected president of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) at its general assembly in South Korea, the Indian space agency said Monday.

Nair, chairman of the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has been vice-president of the IAA for four years prior to taking over the prestigious post Sunday at Daejeon in South Korea.


As an independent organisation of distinguished individuals elected by their peers for their outstanding contributions to astronautics and space exploration, the Paris-based IAA organises conferences and collaborates with other partner societies.

Nair, who is also secretary of the department of space, has been responsible for design, development and operationalisation of the indigenously developed polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV).

During his four-decade long association with the space agency (ISRO), Nair held various positions, including director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the Liquid Propulsion System Centre at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

Under his chairmanship since 2003, ISRO has successfully launched 25 missions, including India's maiden lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 in October 2008.

Vijay Dashmi Utsav celebrted by New England Vibhag (HSSUS)

Today New England Vibhag celebrated Vijay Dashmi Utsav in Billerica, MA. More than 150 Swayamsevak from all five shakha participated in the program. As usual the program was very good and all Swayamsevak who participated in different activities, performed really very well.
The utsav started at sharp 3 PM with Dhwajarohan (flag hoisting) first. Ghosh vadak played Dhwajaropanam on Vamshi (flute). It was, then, a series of different Sharirik pradarshan. First Baal Swayamsevak performed Surya Namaskar. They did all 13 Surya Namaskar with mantra. It was actually a competition between all shakha. Then Geet, NihYuddha, Bhoomi-Vandan, Ghosh, Rachna, Samta etc. different pradarshan.
Ghosh vadak also performed very well. They played different rachna and Pratyekshik. It was very impressing. Ghosh is in early childhood here, despite of that it was a terrific performance. During my last visit (in 2007) I saw only few vamshi vadak here. After two years when I attended Sambhag Ghosh varg (April 2009) I didn't saw any of those vadak but I observed new vadakas. I was a bit disappointed that Ghosh is not rising, but I think I was wrong. I can say that Ghosh is in a good shape in New England vibhag. In fact all of the vadak, who performed today, were from a single shakha. That means we have one shakha which can be considered as Ghosh Shakha. We can start a Ghosh Kendra from there.
At the end of the karyakram we got a chance to listen Shri Yello Ji. The bauddhik was also very good and right for the attendees of this karyakram.
... and no doubt the Halwa(shira), Idlee, Upma was very delicious.

Don't forgot to see the photos and the videos of this karyakram.

Flood Relief and Rehabilitation Activities undertaken by “RSS and Seva Bharathi” Paschim Andhra Pradesh

RSS being the largest non governmental organization in India , With its dedicated nationalist volunteers located each and every corner of affected areas, responded swiftly to help the needy before anybody including government could reach these areas. It has been proved once again that RSS stands for Ready for Selfless Service. Despite the non availability of resources and funds, Sayamsevaks raised above the expectations to serve the needy in these disastrous times.

RSS initiated the process of bringing together and collaborating with various NGOs and individual philanthropists for an coordinated effort to use the resources in the better manner.

First Phase of Relief Operations:

They started distributing food packets brought by their fellow volunteers from the neighboring villages and Districts. RSS has supplied food packets to over one lac families in three districts for past 3 days reaching the interior rural areas of Karnool and Mahaboob Nagar. Since the connectivity to Karnool has been cut off, Material is being brought in from Anantapur, Kadapa, Nellore and Raichure of Karnataka

RSS started the relief camps in Karnool town in Saraswati Sishu Mandir and G Pulla Reddy Engineering College. Supplied thousands food and water Packets to the Karnool town from here.

Volunteers from Adoni went Mantralaya cleaned Mantralaya temple and cleared the Dead Bodies of Cows of Goshala and other animals. Many of the dead are the Piligrims to Mantrala Temple . Swayamsevaks(volunteers) has removed these bodies and handed over to the police.

In Hindupur, Sangh is running 5 food preparation and collection centres to support immediately on 3rd October to be sent to Karnool Districts.

In Anantapur, Swayamsevaks started a food collection centre with an intention of sending 10,000 food packets. With an overwhelming response from the people of Anantapur, the centre could prepare 50,000 packets and other material worth 5 lacs sent for the needy in Karnool district.

In Dronachalam(Dhone), Swayamsevaks sent 50,000 food packets and 1 lac water packets for Karnool.

Volunteers from Nandikotkur went into the villages which went under the water and rescued 45 families and brought them to the safety and gave them food.

Gadwal, A relief Camp is being conducted at TTD Kalyana Mandapam. Food packets are being supplied to 200 Villages.

In Hyderabad , 2000 Swayamsevaks are going around and collecting the funds, food and material which needed for flood affected. Two collection centre are established at State HQ of RSS and Keshav Memorial School . Every Day 4 truck loads of food material, 2 trucks loads of other immediate necessities to flood affected areas. 200 volunteers rushed to the flood affected areas to involve in the hygiene and sanitation work from the city.

Sri Raghavulu, All India Secreatary VHP, visited affected areas and met the volunteers involved in the work in Karnool,

Sri T V Deshmukh , State President of RSS and State Organizing Secretary of Seva Bharati Sri Vidwan Reddy have visited Gadwal relief Camp and met the volunteers working in Mahaboob Nagar.


Second Phase of Relief :

We have surveyed the affected areas of Mahaboob Nagar District and found that 58 Villages are badly destroyed and 16,000 families of many other villages are devastated. The immediate requirement of these families to be settle down to their daily chores is to have their daily necessities. Hence we are planning for supplying the kits to 5000 families which will enable them to start off their living. Each Kit will consists of Kitchen utensils, food grains and material of daily use.

In Karnool District, still 250-300 villages are still under water hence the survey is not yet completed. As far as Karnool Town is concerned, is slowly returning to normalcy. Around Karnool Town 29 villages have been severely affected. We surveyed and serviced 20 villages around Karnool Town .

We are planning to undertake similar steps to supply daily life supporting kits to the people to start their daily routine once we have the final statistics.

Third Phase of Relief :

RSS already initiated planning for rehabilitation devastated people and reconstruction destroyed villages. We identified various means of rehabilitation of people like supplying them implements required for their occupation. In this process, RSS is having coordinated effort with many other voluntary, social, cultural and spiritual organizations.

Some Organization currently working with RSS in Flood Relief and Rehabilitation process:


1. Vande Mataram Foundation
2. Gayatri Pariwar
3. Help for Needy
4. Sanskriti Foundation
5. Bharati Vikas Parishad

Appeal:

RSS is calling all of you to come forward to join in this service to the humanity.
Send the cheques or Cash in the Name of Seva Bharathi

Online transfer of funds can be done to Seva Bharathi A/c No: 630501065297, ICICI Bank, Himayat Nagar Branch, Hyderabad . You can also draw a cheque/draft in the name of Seva Bharathi and post/courier it to below address



SEVA BHARATHI

H No:3-4-228,Opp Jain Mandir

Lingampally, Kachiguda, Hyderabad 50007

Mob: + 91 9701226830, +91 9849262868

[Please note that all contributions to Seva Bharathi are tax-exempt under 80G.]




Hereby, we are giving a few statistics Till 5th of October for the record :

Material Sent to Karnool Town


1. Chapati Pack @ 4 Nos - 5 Lacs
2. Buscuit Packets - 1 Lac
3. Pulihora / Yellow Rice Packs - 1 Lac
4. Bread Packets - 1 Lac
5. Water Packets - 3 Lac
6. Food Packets from Karnataka - 1 Lac


Relief Work Done At Karnool


1. Medical Camps Conducted - 3 Nos
2. People in Relief Camps - 15,000 Nos
3. People Rescued from Flood Water - 1000 Nos
4. Villages Destroyed - 29 Villages
5. Villages Reached - 20 Villages
6. Cows Killed in Gosala in Mantralaya - 60 Cows



Material Supplied to Palamur/ Mahaboob Nagar


1. Pulihora/ Yellow Rice - 15,000 packs
2. Jowar Rotis - 4,000 Packets
3. Chapatis - 5,000 Packets
4. Water Packets - 3 Lacs Packets


Material Sent from Anantapur


1. Rice - 200 Quintals
2. Tur Dal packet @5kg - 2000 Packets


Volunteers working at various places

Palamur/ Mahaboob Nagar - 900 Members
Karnool - 600 Members
Nandyala - 150 Members

Material supplied from Bhagyanagar to Palamur/ Mahaboob Nagar



On 3rd October 2009



1. Bread, Biscuits, Water packets - 2 Trucks
2. Water Packets - 90,000 Packets
3. Woollen Bed Sheets - 110
4. Roti Packets - 600
5. Pulihora/ Yellow Rice - 1,000 Packets
6. Biscuit Packets - 16,500 Packets
7. Bread Packets - 10,500 Packets



On 4th October 2009


1. Water Packets - 1,80,000
2. Bread Packets - 33 Cartons
3. Biscuits - 11 Cartons
4. Medicines - 7 Cartons
5. Bread from Kukatpally - 1 Truck



Stock available at various relief camps as of today



1. Bleaching Powder - 1500 Kgs
2. Candle Boxes - 2500 Nos
3. Match Boxes - 2500 Nos
4. Glouses - 500 Nos
5. Biscuits -
6. Bread -
7. Rice - 400 Quintals
8. Tur Dal - 10 Quintals




Kits Planned for Distribution for Phase II of Relief :


1. Kitchen Utensils

Utensils/ Plates covers -3 Nos, Spoons – 3 Nos, Tumblers – 2 Nos, Plates – 2 Nos

2. Food Grain and spices package

Rice – 10 Kgs, Tur Dal – 1 Kg, ½ Kg Imily, 1/ Kg Mirch Powder

3. House Hold set

Mat – 1 No, Bed Sheet – 1 No, Candles and Match box set

And Transport

Total cost per set – Rs 1,200/-





Village totally destroyed/ Viped out - 58

Families Affected Badly - 16,000

VijayaDashami

Today is VijayaDashami.
So here's the question why we celebrate VijayaDashami?
Most people give you two reason :
1. Victory of Lord Rama.
2. Victory of Durga Mata

A swayamsevak will give you a third reason :
3. Foundation day of RSS.

When I searched the net today, I found two more reasons :
4. End of Agantwas of Pandvas, and
5. Kaut's Gurudakshina.

Both stories are also very interesting. The last one is a good example of Guru and Shishya.

Happy VijayaDashami!!

Family Camp at Jagannath Dham, NY

Last weekend we had a first Family Camp in Jagannath Dham. Totals nine families from Shakti shakha and Azad shakha participated in this two days camp.
Jagannath Dham is a beautiful place in NY upstate. Its a 78 acre land with a great scenic view.

The camp started on Saturday (8/22) with the shakha. We had some new and very energetic games. We also practice a bit of Danda. After that kids created the Ganesha idol with the clay. These idol we used next day for Ganesh Puja. At the same time, adults participated in the Baudhik.

We, then went to see the Gaushala of Steve and Linda. Steve and Linda has 7 cows, 2 horses and many other farm animals. In Steve words "There are some 7 million cows killed everyday in this country so my each cow represents 1 million cow." We had a good time with Steve and family. They know more about Sri Gita than I do. Steve had been to Bharat and visited many places including Vrindavan, Mathura, Delhi, Mayapur, and Kalkota. He was more than happy to spend time with us.

After the lunch we visited a nearby place called Grand Canyon of the East. Yes, we visited Letchworth state park. This was a nice place, three waterfall at same place. We all had a very good time there.

After the dinner we had a very good and entertaining programs. Swayamsevikas presented a skit on the marriage of a swyamsevak and swayamsevika. Kids also performed different dances.

Sunday morning we celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi. It was a Samuhik puja. All the kids performed the puja along with their parents. There's a small pond in the Jagannath Dham. We did Ganesh Visarjan there only. The swayamsevikas played YogChap during Ganapati Visarjan.

After that we all moved to our home -- a 470 mile drive.

Enjoy the photos here.

.. and the video of a skit here.
***

Madan Lal Dhingra

The centenary of Madan Lal Dhingra's martyrdom falls on 17 August 2009.

India won freedom due to the blood and tears shed by hundreds of nameless revolutionaries and their families who braved British barbarity and faced death. The struggle for freedom was carried out not only in India, but also abroad, by people such as Shyamji Krishnavarma, Veer Savarkar, Madam Bhikaji Cama, Barrister Sardar Singh Rana, Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, Sardar Ajit Singh, Lala Hardayal, Rasbehari Bose, Raja Mahendra Pratap and Champakraman Pillay. In this illustrious list of fiery patriots, Madan Lal Dhingra stands out for his sheer courage and supreme sacrifice. Madan Lal Dhingra went to the gallows on 17 August 1909. The centenary of his martyrdom is an occasion for us to remember his immortal saga.

Madan Lal Dhingra was born on 18 September 1883 in Amritsar. His father was an eye specialist and Civil Surgeon of Amritsar. Madan Lal was the sixth of his seven sons. Two of Madan Lal's brothers were doctors, two other brothers were barristers. Madan Lal was married and had a son. If he had desired, he could have lived a life of luxury. But he chose to be a martyr for India's freedom struggle.

Madan Lal Dhingra studied for Diploma in Civil Engineering at University College, London from 1906-09. He was very closely associated with Savarkar while in London. Together, they hatched the plan to assassinate Sir Curzon Wyllie who was Dhingra's personal acquaintance.

On 01 July 1909, Dhingra went as planned to a meeting at Imperial Institute. After the meeting was over, Curzone Wyllie seemed ready to leave. Dhingra now approached Curzon Wylie under the pretext of talking to him. The two opened the glass door and left the hall. As they reached the landing, Dhingra lowered his voice as if he wanted to discuss something confidential. Curzon Wylie brought his ear close to Dhingra. Sensing the opportunity, Dhingra removed the Colt revolver from his right coat pocket and pumped two bullets at point-blank range. The time was 11.20 pm. As Curzon Wyllie reeled, dhingra fired two more bullets. A Parsee doctor Cawas Lalkaka tried to come in between but Dhingra fired at him as well. However, Dhingra's attempt to shoot himself failed and he was overpowered.

After his arrest, the Police Officer asked Dhingra, "Do you want us to inform any of your friends of your arrest?" Dhingra cleverly replied, "There is no need. They will know about my arrest in tomorrow's newspapers." The Police were trying to find out if they could implicate any of Dhingra's friends. He proved a match for them. Dhingra was taken to Walton Street Police station.

When produced before Mr Hoarce Smith the Magistrate of Westminster Police Court, Dhingra said, "I do not plead for mercy; nor do I recognise your authority over me." Dhingra was committed to the Sessions Court. Dhingra bluntly asked the Court, "...If the Germans have no right to rule over England what right have the English got to rule over India ?" During the trial Indians were not allowed inside the Court.

Martyrdom!

It was 17 August 1909. Several Indian youth had mournfully gathered outside the gates of the prison. They were however denied entry inside. Entry was also denied to the waiting journalists. At the stroke of nine, Madanlal Dhingra began his last journey to the gallows. A Christian preacher named Hudson walked up to him to say the final Christian prayer for him. But Dhingra turned him away saying that he was a Hindu. The Deputy Under-Sheriff of London Metcalf read out the death warrant to Dhingra in the presence of Deputy Governor Hales of Pentonville prison and asked him the usual questions. But Dhingra ignored their questions and walked calmly to the noose. His bravery left the accompanying offcers dumb-founded. Officer Pierpoint stood at the hangman's noose waiting for Dhingra. Dhingra smiled at him and ascended the steps to the platform. He himself placed the noose round his neck. Soon thereafter, the wooden platform underneath was withdrawn.

The Times, London of 18 August 1909 reported on page 7 column 2, " Shortly after 9, death was announced. Pierpoint was the executioner. An application for leave to have the body cremated was refused and it will be buried in accordance with the usual custom, within the walls of prison."

After Dhingra went to the gallows, the Times, London wrote an editorial (24 July 1909) titled 'Conviction of Dhingra'. The editorial said, "The nonchalance displayed by the assassin was of a character, which is happily unusual in such trials in this country. He asked no questions. He maintained a defiance of studied indifference. He walked smiling from the Dock."

Last statement:

As desired by Gyan Chand Varma, Sardar Singh Rana , who was then in Paris, published Dhingra's last testament on a postcard along with his photograph. Savarkar in turn sent a large number of these copies to India. Madanlal Dhingra's final statement was as inspiring as his actions. Titled "Challenge" it read as follows:

Challenge


"I admit the other day; I attempted to shed English blood as an humble revenge for the inhuman hangings and deportations of patriotic Indian youths. In this attempt, I have consulted none but my own conscience; I have conspired with none, but my own duty.
"I believe that a nation held down in bondage with the help of foreign bayonets is in a perpetual state of war. Since open battle is rendered impossible to a disarmed race, I attacked by surprise; since guns were denied to me, I drew forth my pistol and fired.
"As a Hindu I felt that a wrong done to my country is an insult to God. Her cause is the cause of Sri Ram! Her services are the services of Sri Krishna! Poor in health and intellect, a son like myself has nothing else to offer to the Mother but his own blood and so I have sacrificed the same on her altar.
"The only lesson required in India at present is to learn how to die and the only way to teach it, is by dying ourselves. Therefore I die and glory in my martyrdom! This war of Independence will continue between India and England, so long as the Hindu and the English races last (if the present unnatural relation does not cease!)
"My only prayer to God is: May I be reborn of the same Mother and may I redie in the same sacred cause, till the cause is successful and she stands free for the good of humanity and the glory of God!"


-Vande Mataram-



Madan Lal Dhingra's coffin was exhumed on 12 December 1976 in the presence of Natwar Singh, then Acting High Commisioner for India. This coffin too was flown back to India.

Madan Lal Dhingra lives on in the hearts of his country men. Humble salutations to his memory!

India Day 2009 in Boston

IAGB celebrated India Day 2009 in Boston. It was a mega event and I guess, aprox 15000 people attended the program.
The program started at 4 PM and next 4 hours was full of masti.

HSS also participated in few of them. First one was Rashtra Ki Jai Chetna Ka Gaan Vande Matram performed by Swayamsevakas. The next one was performed by the sevikas. It was an amazing performance. They performed dance on YogChap on the geet Janani Janmbhoomi Swarg Se Mahaan hai.

After that there was a series of non-stop dance and music performance.

Enjoy the photos here

I will publish the videos as well shortly.

My experience with Shakha

After coming to USA, my wife also started attending shakha regularly. She came a bit more closure to Shakha Karya and here's her view...


After coming to USA it was the first time i attended Shakha. My husband is associated with Shakha since his childhood but i can in contact with it after my marriage. In India there are seperate shakha's for men and women and unfortunately i had never been to Sevika Samiti there. The good thing i liked about the shakha's here is that its a family shakha so when you go out there is nothing to worry about. In India i am sure i will have problem going to samiti because first if transport facility is not good in place where i am staying i will have to depend on my husband to drop me and secondly i am not sure that every time i go to samiti my husband will be able to manage our kid for almost 3-4 hours. I have seen in India wife's complaining about their husbands that they spend most of there time in shaka and Sangh activities. but if there is a family shakha i m sure they will love it as they get to spend more time with there family and its a nice outing, meeting so many different people and ofcourse most important learning about our culture. further if we all go to same place together the level of learning is same and it will help in building a healthy environment at home after all its the mother who has the maximum influence on kids so first she has to understand the importance of it.

Here when i went to shakha i saw small children knew all 13 mantras of surya namaskar and sang the sangh prarthana in sanskrit so well. They are made to learn about our culture, epic of ramayana and mahabharta, great personalities, holy rivers etc all in form of games and kids they really enjoy it. i was amazed seeing how much effort these people put in so that their kids know about our culture and values. i would like to narrate a small incidence. On mothers day in our shakha parents were made to sit together and the children washed their parents feet, took ashirwad and offered them fruits just to show their gratitude towards them....

Some quotes about RSS

Kapur Commission Report, Vol. 1, Page 165

"...RSS as such were not responsible for the murder of Mahatma Gandhi, meaning thereby that one could not name the organization as such as being responsible for that most diabolical crime, the murder of the apostle of peace".
"It has not been proved that they (the accused) were members of the RSS which shows that they (the accused) were believers in a more violent form of activities..."

Saba Naqvi Bhaumik, Outlook, Feb 12, 2001

"Literally within minutes RSS volunteers were at the scenes of distress. Across Gujarat, the (RSS) cadres were the saviors. Even as the state machinery went comatose in the first two days after the quake, the cadre-based machinery of the Sangh fanned out throughout the state. Approximately 35,000 RSS members in uniform were pressed into service."

K. Srinivas, District collector of Ahmedabad

“"This is an old tradition in the RSS. To be the first at any disaster strike: floods, cyclone, drought and now quake. In Kutch, too, the RSS was the first to reach the affected areas. At Anjar, a town in ruins, the RSS was present much before the Army and took the lead in finding survivors and fishing out the dead."

India Today, Feb. 12, 2001

"It is conceded by even their worst detractors that the RSS has been in the forefront of the non- official rescue and relief (operations). This has led to an upsurge of goodwill for the Sangh"

Khushwant Singh

"RSS has played a honorable role in maintaining Hindu-Sikh unity before and after the murder of Indira Gandhi in Delhi and in other places"
"It was the Congress(I) leaders who instigated mobs in 1984 and got more than 3000 people killed. I must give due credit to RSS and the BJP for showing courage and protecting helpless Sikhs during those difficult days."

High Court of Mysore, The State of Karnataka Vs Ranganathacharya Agnihotri, writ No. 588/1966

"Prima facie the RSS is a non-political cultural organization without any hatred or ill will towards non-Hindus and that many eminent and respected persons in the country have not hesitated to preside over the functions or appreciate the work of its volunteers. In a country like ours which has accepted the democratic way of life (as ensured by the Constitution), it would not be within reason to accept the proposition that mere membership of such peaceful or non-violent association and participation in activities thereof, will render a person (in whose character and antecedents there are no other defects) unsuitable to be appointed to the post of a Munsiff."

Is RSS for a HINDU bharat or a SECULAR bharat?

There's a question from one of the viewer of my youtube videos that "Is RSS for a Hindu Bharat or a Secular Bharat". I replied him and also thought to post that reply here.
First of all be aware of two facts. First, Hinduism is not a religion but it's a way of living life. It's actually a Dharma and Dharma is something which one should adopt. Dharma has a very big meaning, its not limited. Everyone has a Dharma and they are bound to follow that. Hindusm follows a Dharma which is directed great ancient Rishi/Maharshi of BharatVarsh. It's only Hindu who says "Vasudhaiv Katumbkam" (all world is our family). We have respect for all and we even see god in every person, tree, plants, living and non-living things. Hindu Dharma is not based upon a single person and his views. While on the other hand, a religion is actually a way of living life (like Dharma) but it's always directed by a single person and his views. In the English, there's no same word for Dharma, but one can consider religion to something nearest to the meaning of Dharma. So the word Secular is in context of religion. But if you think from Dharma point of view, there's no place of Secular world as Dharma never allows to interfere in any other's way of worship. So this means Hindus are Secular by default.
Second, RSS believes in BharatVarsh and working in a direction to get the past glory again. In this journey. RSS is only fixing some of the bad practices in the Dharma and societies. We just want to make it pure again at it was before 2000 years. But in all this exercise, we don't want to make harm of anyone for no good reason. RSS do respect other religions (as Hindu Dharma never taught to make harm for a worshiper following any religion). There are several examples where RSS helped other religion followers too. I know about Charkhi-Dadri mid air plane crash where RSS was first one to help the crash victims. After the relief work, local Muslim residents invited RSS karyakartas to appreciate their help and they said that we were in a wrong impression about RSS. This is not only example there are many other. But the one who do conspiracy to make harm of BharatVarsh and the great Hindu Dharma, we won't let him to that. We won't repeat the mistake of Maharaja PrithviRaj Chauhan, but we will teach them a lesson.
RSS really don't care about so called religion. Sangh only believes in Bharat and Bhartiya Sanskriti.
At the end, I'd also like to mention that we never called ourselves Hindu, as we are only people form ancient time. It's the other religions who gave us this name and this name not given fro our god who we worship but for this country where we live. So any one who live in BharatVarsh and believes in it's great culture, he is a Hindu. No matter what way of worship he follows.
AaSindhoSindhu Paryanta, YasyaBharatBhumika,
MatriBhuPitriBhuPunyaBhushchaiw, Sabai HinduRitSmritah.
That means, the land from the Sindhu river area till the Indian ocean is knows as Bharat and one who believes that this land is his mother land he is the Hindu

Hindu Heritage Day 2009

VHP America, New England Vibhag organized Hindu Heritage Day today at Marlborough. This was one of the best public program I ever attended. I don't have the exact number of people who attended the program but I think this could be near to 1000. I also met with some families who never contacted by VHP or HSS or any other organization. They just noticed the posters or pamphlets in some grocery store and then attended the program.

It was a four hour long program, mainly all cultural activities the young or little children. The program started at sharp 4 PM with the shankhnaad and the Deep-Prajalanam. Then the balas presented the Ekta-Mantra and song - Vyakti-Vyakti me jagayen...
And then it was a long series of several cultural dances - BharatNattayam, Kuchipudi etc. All of them were really nice and it's hard to say that which one was the best. I was just thinking about the all hard work done by the balas for the preparation and presentation of the dance.

Several Bhutani refugees also attended the program. These Bhutani refugees are the Hindus who forced to left the country by their own king, just because they are not ready to adopt Buddhism. They are Hindus and wanted to be Hindu only, and that's why they are in the United States as refugees. HSS, VHP, Sewa Intenational are together working hard to provide all necessary help to these Bhutani brothers in order to settle their life in United States. The youngest of them is of six months and the oldest is more than 100 years.

We also enjoyed delicious food at the food stalls. Many other stall of different stuffs like - traditional ornaments, books, exhibitions etc were also there.

Here's the link of the photos of this program.

Hindu Heritage Day 2009

HSS US Ghosh Varg

The serene and typically quiet environment of Panchavati Ashram in New York became filled with Ghosh Naad during the North East Sambhag Ghosh Varg samarop program held on April 26, 2009. Sixty swayamsevaks, sevikas and shishu/bala representing all six vibhags had gathered at the ashram during the weekend for Ghosh Varg. This was the second ghosh varg in the sambhag, the first one being in April of last year.

The purpose of varg was to advance the quality of vadan, learn new rachana, and understand the importance/sanctity of ghosh. Apekshits (participants) for the varg included those who knew how to play at least 1 rachana. The thrust areas during the varg were playing rachana with Shuddha-Swara and learning how to incorporate ghosh for inculcating qualities of a swayamsevak and strengthening Shakha.

The varg included 5 sessions for learning rachana in small groups, 6 sessions for practicing ghosh together and 5 sessions for practicing sanchalan, formation and ghosh-dand. Other sessions, such as a discussion on how to practice ghosh outside shakha and varg, sharing experiences from those who participated in path-sanchalan in Bharat, presentation on karyakarta who contributed for the development of ghosh, and a video of ghosh-varg in Bharat, not only served as well-needed breaks between practices but also enhanced understanding the relevance of Ghosh in Sangh. The presence of senior vadaks, those who participated in ghosh in Bharat, contributed significantly to the success of the varg.

Additionally, there was a vibhag-wise baithak to discuss what ghosh activities can be conducted in shakha and the vibhag during the next year. Playing Dhwajaropanam in shakha, teaching ghosh either during shakha or before/after shakha, holding vibhag ghosh vargs, and introducing ghosh during family camps, kishor sanghiks, utsav, etc were some ideas generated in the baithak.

During the samarop program, forty-three vadak gave a ghosh pradarshan (presentation) comprised of 11 rachana in Aanak, Vamshi, and Shankh that they had learned during the varg. The pradarshan also included the formation of Sudarshan Chakra while playing ghosh. Many families who joined for the samarop program noted that the vadan quality and pradarshan had improved from last year. Everyone enjoyed ashirvachan by Swami Sri Madan ji from Panchavati Ashram, and an inspiring bauddhik from Saumitra Gokhale ji, America zone pracharak. He spoke on the important role of ghosh in Sangh work and in society as a whole.

The cozy atmosphere of Panchavati Ashram, affectionate nature of Swami ji, and sumptuous food prepared by Sevika provided the perfect environment for the varg. The theme of remaining green was implemented by bringing our own re-useable plates, spoons, and cups. This helped to increase awareness about how we can actively participate toward sustainability. Though the varg was packed with activities, there was never a lapse in enthusiasm. Playing ghosh together created a high level of excitement and energy that permeated the entire varg. Even after samarop, the varg participants were not ready to put their instruments down and continued playing rachana, singing geet, and enjoying. Everyone left the varg motivated, energized, and ready to spread the joy of ghosh.

Following are the different links of the photos of this varg.

• http://www.hssus.org/gallery/v/NEAST/ghoshvarg_001/
• http://www.hssus.org/gallery/v/NEAST/Ghosh+Varg+2009/
• http://picasaweb.google.com/rss.dhananjay/HSSEastCostSambhagGhoshVarg2009?feat=directlink

Thanks Aprna Ji for this write-up.

1857

भारतीय स्वतंत्रता संग्राम में सन १८५७ की क्रांति का महत्व हम सब जानते हैं|
आज सुबह-सुबह अनायास हीं १८५७ के संग्राम का ध्यान मन में आया और मैंने गूगल पर इस संग्राम से जुरे कुछ चित्र ढूँढने को सोचा| बी बी सी की साईट पर काफी दुर्लभ चित्र मिल गए| सोचा की उन्ही चित्रों को यहाँ पर भी संलग्न करूँ| बी बी सी का धन्यवाद् भी करना चाहूँगा|

यह चित्र लखनऊ के सिकंदर बाग़ का है| इस चित्र को लेने के लिए धरती को खोद कर कंकाल निकले गए


ये कानपूर है| लगभग १००० ब्रिटिश सैनिक और उनके परिवार जनरल व्हीलर के इस छावनी में तीन सप्ताह तक छुपे रहे| नाना साहिब के बहादुर सैनिकों ने पुरे समय इस पर बमबारी करते रहे|
सती चौरा घाट, कानपूर| जनरल व्हीलर की छावनी में छिपे अंग्रेज सैनिक नाव के द्वारा इस घाट से निकलने वालेथे|
एन मौके पे नाना साहेब के सैनिक वहां पहुँच गए और ना जाने कितनों को यमलोक का मार्ग दिखाया|

गंगू मेहतर| इन्हे ८ सितम्बर १८५९ को कानपूर में फांसी दी गयी|
इनपर आरोप था की इन्होने सती चौरा घाट पे काफी अंग्रेजों को मारा था|

१८५७ के विद्रोह के सैनिकों को इस तरह सार्वजनिक रूप से फांसी देना अंग्रेजों के लिए आम बात थी|


अंग्रेजों ने अपने मारे गए सैनिकों की स्मृति में यह स्मारक दिल्ली में बनवाया| ८ जून और ७ सितम्बर १८५७ के मध्य लगभग २१६३ अंग्रेज सैनिक और अफसर मरे गए थे| यह चित्र १८७० में लिया गया|

Varsh Pratipada 2066

This Varsh Pratipada day was unique to me. I got a chance to attend HSS New England Vibhag karyakram, held at Framingham on 28-Mar-09.

People across the entire New England area attended the function. I don't have the exact number of attendees, but the auditorium was well packed. Though most of them were swayamsevakas, I also noticed some new comers as well.

I got a chance to meet swayamsevakas of Franklin shakha after some two years again. It was really good to see Vinayak ji, Dhananjay ji and many other again.

The program was well organized. There was diffeent food stall and I saw the people were really enjoying the delicious home made food.

There were several activities for children as well, like Carom, Blind Folded painting, bow-arrow, basketball, Kanche etc.

The main program started at 4 PM inside the auditorium. All swayamsevakas performed the AadyaSarsanghChalakPranam first and then Dhwajarohan happened. Some swayamsevikas also played Dhwajarohan on flute.

After that, it was all a series of different cultural program by bala swayamsevakas which includes dance, skid, song, Sanskrit Sambhasanam, Kuchipudi etc. All balas did amazing job and they performed well.

The program lasted till 6 PM. Every moment of the program was catching and fun-filled.

Following are some videos of this program.

Click here to enjoy the videos of this great karyakram.