Happy New Year 155,521,972,949,112 !!!

If at the beginning of English year, we wished each other by saying “Happy New Year 2010”, then for this Hindu New year, the corresponding phrase will translate to above!

Surprised?? If you had a chance to pay attention to what a person performing any religious rite says in what is called as a Sankalpa, you would find that the person is actually describing the time elapsed since the dawn of Universe. The Sankalpa goes like this:

“Dwitiya parardhe, Shwetavarah kalpe, Vaivasvata Manvantare, Kaliyuge, Pratham Charane, Sarvadhari naam Samvatsare, Chaitramaase, Shukla Pakshe, Pratham tithau, Somvasare, JambuDweepe Bharat Khande, Bharat Varshe Godavaryam Dakshine Tire (Or Gangayam UttareTeere if you are in UP)…..

…. poojam aham karishye”.

 

Meaning:

"Today, the second half of  Brahma's life in Vaivaswat Manvantar and Shvetvarah Kalpa and the first part of Kaliyuga, in the year named Vikruti in the month of Chaitra in brighter half on first date  in the holy land of Bharat in Jambudweep(Asia) at such & such  place on Monday I perform this Yagya/Pooja/etc."

This is of great significance for understanding the Hindu way of counting the age of universe. Here is the short glimpse.

The calculation of total time measured by Hindu calendar can be easily accomplished by replacing the terms used in the above sankalpa by the respective numerical equivalents. Yes, Dwitiya parardhe, Shwetavarahkalpe, Vaivasvata Manvantare, Kaliyuge, Pratham Charane etc terms signify some time associated with them.

Time Elapsed        (In Years)	Head	Notes
5,111	Kaliyug	Total duration of Kaliyug = 4,32,000 years
38,88,000	Satya, Treta and Dwapar Yugs	Satya, Treta and Dwapar are 4,3Yug respectively. and 2 times of Kali
11,66,40,000	27 Mahayugs	1 Mahayug = Satya + Treta + Dwapar + Kali Yug.
1,85,06,88,000	6 Manvantars	1 Manvantar = 71 Mahayug + 1 Satya Yug.
17,28,000	Satya yug at the beginning of Kalpa	1 Kalpa = Brahma’s Half Day
155520,00,00,00,000	50 Years of Brahma	1 Brahma’s Year = 360 Brahma’s Days 1 Brahma’s Day = 2 Kalpas 1 Kalpa = 14 Manvantar + 1 Satya Yug (= 1000 Mahayugs)
155521,97,29,49,111	Total

The coming year is 5112 in Kaliyug and is named “Vikruti”. So Happy New Year 155 521 972 949 112 !!! 

Sounds like you are telling your age in microseconds or may be number of trees in this world, Isn’t it?

So lets just say, “Happy Vikruti year 5112!!”

Now lets also take  a look into Indian Time Measurement System

Purans and Vedas and other ancient scriptures talk of some "time systems". But this knowledge has been lost and tainted over the centuries. How/ Why ? First, because of the antiquity of these magnificent treatise' ; Second, innumerable attempts have been made by foreign invaders , again and again- for centuries, to wipe out this knowledge; third, Indian culture had a lot of openness which encouraged new ideas and information to be added to the already existing "database". Finally, a lot of knowledge contained in these ancient texts was encrypted so that if it were to fall into "wrong" hands it could not be easily interpreted. So if today some one wishes to interpret it- they better be smart !!

Now a days there is concerted effort to restore and decipher this knowledge- by some Indian scholars around the world. And that is helping us in understanding our glorious past. Let us support them (these scholars) - at least let us listen to them ! Let us give them a chance to present "our" case ! Let us encourage them !! It will go a long way in restoring our pride and it will bring to us a sense of gladness and respect about our past and heritage. We were glorious !! An understanding of the past can only help us in doing it again !!

Lets get back to the subject. How accurate was this time system ? Was it scientific ? Sadly, to prove that we compare it to the modern system. We will not divert too much by comparing them both. But to give an example, Indians in ancient times had calculated the time period for a cycle of creation of our universe till its destruction as 8 .64 billion years. Interesting , because that is what the modern scientists claim too- based on their scientific calculations. Ancient Indians had defined larger time cycles too. How?

Lets start from the beginning since we are talking about time ! But according to Indian philosophy there is no beginning (or end) !! When we say beginning, it means beginning of "a" cycle. In the beginning there was only Divine Energy. This energy is referred to as "Brahman" ( this brahman has nothing to do with the caste system ! ).This Brahman or the energy takes three shapes- that of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer.

There is only a sea of water and in that sea is an Egg, and from that Egg emerges Brahma. The Egg is referred to as "Hiranyagarbha"- the golden womb or egg. This is the first step to all creation. During Brahma's day there is creation, at night there is destruction or "pralaya". What does Brahma's day mean ?

Physically, one "God" year or day is not equal to one man year or day. Why is that? Its not to confuse us- I hope !! A thought here. I feel that a year for us is defined by our Solar system with Sun being the center of the system. But other solar systems, in the same universe, will have a different Sun's , and obviously their "day" and "year" will not be equal to ours. So the common/constant unit will be "Gods" time scale ! Thus there is a God time scale and there is a Man (earth) time scale. Lets crunch some numbers now.

"Nimesh" is the time it takes to blink an eye. This is the smallest unit of time (similar to seconds). Fifteen Nimesh add up to one "Kashth". Thirty Kashth's equal a "Kaal", and thirty Kaal's make a "Muhurt". Thirty Muhurt's sum up to a "Ahoratr". One Ahoratr constitutes a day.
Thus there are thirty Muhurts in a day (or in one Ahoratr) – fifteen each for day and night. A God Ahoratr (day) equals one man year. The first six man months- when Gods have their first half of a day is called "Uttar Yaan" and the next six man months - when Gods have their night is called "Dakshin Yaan".

Three hundred and sixty human years equal one God year. Thus 12,000 God years equal 4,320,000 man years. This is a "Maha Yug".

There are four major Yugas or periods/eras. Satya Yug, Tret Yug, Dvapar Yug and Kali Yug. Satya Yug lasts 1,440,000 man years; Tret Yug for 1,080,000 ; Dwapar Yug for 720, 000 and Kali Yug for 360,000 man years. In addition ,there are other time periods between these four Yugas. These periods are referred to as "Sandhyamsh" and they last for 720, 000 man years. Adding up the four Yugas and the Sandhyamsh we get a total of 4,320,000 man years or a Maha Yuga.

Hold on , there is more !! But do these numbers sound too large and too vague ? Thats what we tend to feel/ think till we realize that they can carry so much truth. Ignorance never carries an answer. At least not the truth. One "Manvantr" equals seventy one Mahayugas. Thus there are 296,720,000 man years in a Manvantr. One "Kalp" equals a thousand Mahayugas. Thus there are 4,320,000,000 man years in a Kalp. One Kalp corresponds to one Brahma day ! Thus there are 8,640,000,000 man years in one day/night of Brahma. Between the time he opens his eyes- to start all over again. Time between creation and destruction.

That is a count of 8.64 billion years !! It is the same as calculated by present day science !! But even the present day science cannot divide this time period as done so, poetically and scientifically, by our ancient scriptures. Is this a coincidence ? A lucky guess by ourancestors ? ....You guess!!

How do we calculate our festivals ? It does not fall on the same date each year! Indians use Lunar calendar for these calculations. A lunar month has 28 days. But there are only 12 defined months(Maas): Chaitr, Vaishakh, Jyeshth, Ashaad, Shravan, Bhadr-pad, Aasvin, Kartik, Maargsir, Pushya and Magha.

There is a problem here, these 12 months add up to 48 solar weeks, and an year has 52 solar weeks ! Physically- the year is after all defined by the Sun ! The concept of "Adhik Maas" is applied here. Every year one month (four weeks) is added to make it 52 weeks. This year the extra month is Adhik Jyeshth. Thus there are 8 weeks of Jyeshtha Maas- Adhik and Niji (real Jyeshtha).

There are 2 weeks in a lunar month, comprising of 15 days each (equalling 14 Sun days). They are: Poornima/Amavasya, Padyami, Vidiya, Tadiya, Chaturthi, Panchami, Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, Dashami, Ekadashi, Dvadashi, Trayodagi and Chaturthi. These name may vary depending on language and region.

By the way- why are we celebrating the year 5112 today ?
Logically- because Kali Yug began 5111 years ago !! Also, Kalyug began the day after Lord Krishna took maha-samadhi! That day was exactly 36 years after the advent of Mahabharat !

To see the depth of knowledge possesed by our ancestors, as early as 4000 years ago, following are quotes from Atharva Veda:  

"Sun has been pronounced as the determining factor of TIME (KAAL – GANANA)".
-Atharva-veda-II/13/2-38

"Sun rises under the command of TIME (KAAL) and it sets in under the same command".
-Atharva-veda-II/19/54-1

"The Day is caused by the presence of Sun in one part (of the earth), while the Sun is traveling in the other half (of the earth) during the night".
-Atharva-veda-II/13/2-43

{This indicates that the ancient Indian scholars had knowledge of the fact that earth is round. }

"He (Sun) created one month by thirty days and nights and one year by thirteen months (one extra month)."
-Atharva-veda-II/13/3-8

{ It is called LOND YEAR in Indian Calender these days}

"TIME (KAAL) created the past and the future (and also the present)."
-Atharva-veda-II/19/54-3

The Atharva-veda (Book II. Kanda-12, Sukta-1 and SHLOKA-36) Mentions that there are six RITU (seasons) in one year, such as:
- Greeshm (Summer)
- Varsha (Rains)
- Sharada (Season after Rains)
- Hemant (Early Winter)
- Shishir (Cold season)
- Vasant (Autumn)

"The earth is possessed of GRAVITATIONAL FORCE (GURUTVAKARSHAN) and it rotates around the Sun".
-Atharva-veda-II/12/1-48

"The earth revolves around its own axis"
-Atharva-veda-II/12/1-37

 

Note - This post is based upon different email and contents available throughout the web. Special thanks to Chetan Jee to forward such a valuable mail.

HSS US National Yuva Varg 2010

Makar Sankranti (Jan 14), the apparent movement of the Sun northwards, the time of the year signifying movement towards light, positivity and energy in the life of an individual as well as the society. The whole country is engulfed in the wave of the Suryanamaskar Yajna. What better time could have been chosen to hold the 3rd national Yuva Varg?

The third National Yuva Varg was held from Saturday Jan 16th morning to Monday Jan 18th noon at the Bill Frederick Park, in the beautiful city of Orlando, FL. The varg started on Saturday morning with brief ice-breakers followed by context setting. The tone was set for the varg by mentioning the 4 C’s that yuvas need to develop - Clarity, Camaraderie, Conviction and Commitment. This was followed by an excellent presentation on “Integral Hindu World View” by Saumitra ji Gokhale. The presentation very nicely described the holistic Hindu world view and how it can provide solace to the mankind engulfed number of problems – individual, social and environmental. Everyone was then divided into 4 ganas for the next Churcha session on the recent Newsweek article titled “We are all Hindus now” by Lisa Miler. The churcha covered many points on the validity as well as implications of the article’s claim about the gradual movement of mainstream Americans towards a more pluralistic view of social as well religious life (as advocated by the Hindu thought). Lunch followed. First session in the afternoon was pre-varg reading review and discussion on the sampark activity that everyone had to do before the varg.

Latter part of the afternoon saw 6 different shakhas running in parallel depicting various campus shakha scenarios in US e.g. swayamsevak graduate students only, mixed undergraduates, graduates and young professionals and so on. Shakha sankhya varied from 7 to almost 20. The goal of this session was to give everyone an experience of different scenarios on University campuses in which our yuva shakhas operate. This was followed by a lively churcha on model shakha experience, feedback, standardization of certain protocols, activities in shakhas, metric for a good yuva shakha etc. A lively bhajan session followed where everyone lit a diya to make a big OM in front of the God’s deity. Dinner followed.

First session after dinner was titled “Invading the Sacred”. First part of this session covered the sorry state of affairs and the inherent negative bias present in the Hinduism studies in academia in US. Balu ji put forth a very nice presentation on the topic corroborating his points by citing various passages from the book. The next part of the session was a presentation on misrepresentation of Hinduism in Political Science studies (and in general in the social arena) by Sidharth Dave ji. Yashwant ji Pathak very nicely summarized the whole session by stressing the need to come together strategically to counter the biases. The last session wascreative skits based on shlokas from various scriptures by yuvas divided into different groups. The condition that they are not allowed to talk during the skits made it even more interesting and enjoyable.

While most yuvas retired to sleep after the long day of activities, a baithak of the yuva pramukhs followed where different items relating to the yuva vibhag were discussed (e.g. integrating yuva work with rest of the Sangh work, making a yearly calendar of events, pravas planning, contact lists, role of yuva pramukhs etc.). Follow-up baithaks were done next day morning during breakfast, where all the yuva karyakartas from each sambhag sat in respective groups and discussed the points covered in the yuva pramukhs baithak (customized to each sambhag).

Sunday morning started with Ish Chintan, yogasanas and pranayam. The first session after breakfast was a series of presentations on various yuva vibhag projects i.e. Tattva, Yuva for Sewa, Speaker on Campus and Bhutanese Refugee Empowerment (especially addressing how youth can contribute). This was followed by a churcha on “How to increase our reach on university campuses” conducted in 3 different ganas. Many useful ideas were discussed on how to bring more people to our activities, interacting with other students groups on campus, utilizing various resources on campus, and creating an overall meaningful impact on campus. A separate session was conducted for all the high school seniors on “What to expect on college campuses as a Hindu and as a Sangh karyakarta”. This session gave many good pointers to all the high school goers on what to expect as they move on to college life in another less than a year. Lunch followed.

First session in the afternoon was by Dr. Srikumar Rao, who is one of the leading experts on the topic of “self management based on the principles in Bhagwad Geeta”. Dr. Rao very eloquently conveyed the idea that source of happiness lies within rather than in the outside world. And it is not the kind of work or the environment that brings contentment to oneself, but rather it is the attitude with which one handles the external impulses. This was followed by a flag finding mission demonstrating the need to work in teams rather than competing with each other.

Shakha followed in the evening. The atmosphere was startling with everyone wearing Hindu YUVA t-shirts right before the shakha and shouting the naras at the top of their voices. Samata, Dand and Niyudh were conducted in 3 different ganas. Everyone then participated in a Kho-Kho session which was thoroughly enjoyed by one and all. Shakha was followed by the formal inauguration of the 3rd anniversary edition of the Youth Magazine Tattva, by Dr. Anoop Reddy, a prominent physician from Tampa. Hindu YUVA brochure was also released during this session by Florida vibhag sanghachalak Ma. Brahmaratan ji Agarwal. Bhajan session followed.

The session after dinner was on various challenging situations faced by Sangh karyakartas (primarily focusing on pracharak life) and how they successfully overcame them. Vijay Simha ji, Yashwant Pathak ji and Yashwant Belsare ji shared the experiences from their personal lives while working full time for Sangh. These narrations threw a completely new dimension of the Sangh work in front of the yuvas, especially since many of these challenges may not be present in the US scenario. The last session for the day was the campfire where everyone sang and danced to the tune of the upbeat Sangh songs. Before retiring to bed, ice cream was served which resulted in informal chit chat session among the yuvas, despite the fact that it was past mid night already.

Monday morning, first session was the suryanamaskar competition since the varg fell right on the first weekend of the starting of the nationwide Suryanasmkar Yagna followed by breakfast. In the last formal session of the varg, Yashwant ji Pathak summarized. This was followed by a boudhik on need to give lifelong commitment to the Sangh work by Ma. Ved Prakash ji Nanda, sanghchalak of USA. Nanda ji illustrated his point nicely by citing many examples from the lives of pracharaks who dedicated their whole life for the cause of the society.

At this juncture, it was time to leave for many of the yuvas (especially for those who drove from as far as New York, Boston and Cincinnati). For those whose flights were later in the day, a creative session was conducted on designing a monopoly board based on the four pillars of the Sangh work – shakha, baithak, abhyas varg and sampark. It was suggested later that the currency for this board game could be Suryanamaskar counts! This was followed by lunch and wrap up.

Vyavastha was handled well with all the arrangements of rides, food and logistics taken care of in a timely fashion. Overall, the varg was a rejuvenating experience for all the yuvas. The sessions addressed a variety of aspects including challenges as well opportunities present in front of the yuva work, increasing the clarity, and having a deeper conviction. Informal activities and breaks provided a good source of bonding between all the yuvas. Everyone left motivated to increase their commitment to Sangh work and carry forward the vision that Doctor ji had put more than 85 years ago.

The pictures from the yuva varg can be found at http://www.hssus.org/gallery/v/SEAST/yuvavarg2010/

Here are some of the highlights from the varg:

1. Total sankhya of 62 including Adhikaris and special guest.
2. Attended by 54 yuvas from 22 different campuses across the country.
3. 15 vibhags were represented.
4. About 66% were second generation swayamsevaks and sevikas.
5. About 35% were sevikas (all second generation).
6. Enthusiastic participation by the yuvas in the Surya Namaskar Lehar on Saturday Jan 16 morning (exact counts still need to be compiled).
7. Third anniversary edition of Youth Magazine Tattva was inaugurated by Dr. Anoop Reddy during the varg.
8. Dr Srikumar Rao, who has been a faculty at Columbia Business School, Hass School of Business (Berkeley) and London Business School, was present for the latter half of the varg

Thanks to Madhumita Jee to provide me this writeup to publish on my blog.

NetaJi Subhash Chandra Bose

Today is the 113th Birthday of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He was born in Cuttak (Odisa) on January 23, 1897. His father was Shri Janakinath, who was an advocate and his mother was Prabhavati Devi. I don't want to go with all of the details today as all of us knows about Netaji. What he did and what place he has in our history. Following is the wiki page for Netaji where you can get more detail about his life, his contribution and achievements. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netaji_Subhash_Chandra_Bose

What I want to put here is one of his wonderful and inspiring speech, knows as "To Delhi, To Delhi". Netaji delivered this speech at a military review of the Indian Nation Army in July 5, 1945. The speeach is copied form a website.

---

SOLDIERS of India's Army of Liberationl!



Today is the proudest day of my life. Today it has pleased Providence to give me the unique privilege and honour of announcing to the whole world that India's Army of Liberation has come into being. This army has now been drawn up in military formation on the battlefield of Singapore, which was once the bulwark of the British Empire.

This is not only the Army that will emancipate India from the British yoke, it is also the Army that will hereafter create the future national army of Free India. Every Indian must feel proud that this Army, his own Army, has been organized entirely under Indian leadership and that when the historic moment arrives, under Indian leadership it will go to battle.

There are people who thought at one time that the Emrpire on which the sun did not set was an everlasting empire. No such thought ever troubled me. History had taught me that every empire has its inevitable decline and collapse. Moreover I had seen with my own eyes, cities and fortresses that were once the bulwarks but which became the graveyards of by-gone empires. Standing today on the graveyard of the British empire, even a child is convinced that the alnmighty British empire is already a thing of the past.


When France declared war on Germany in 1939 and the campain began, there was but one cry which rose from the lips of German soldiers--"To Paris, To Paris !" When the Brave soldiers of Nippon set out on their march in December 1941 there was but one cry which rose from their lips-"To Singapore. to Singapore !" Comrades ! Soldiers ! Let your battle-cry be-"To-Delhi To Delhi ! " How many of us will individually survive this war of freedom, I do not know. But I do know this, that we shall ultimately win and our task will not end until our surviving heroes hold the victory parade on another graveyard of the British empire, the Lal Kila or Red Fortress of ancient Delhi.

Throughout my public career, I have always felt that though India is otherwise ripe for independence in every way, she has lacked one thing, namely an army of liberation. George Washington of America could fight and win freedom, because he had his army. Garibaldi could liberate Italy, because he had his armed volunteers behind him. It is your privilege and honour to be the first to come forward and organize India's national army. By doing so, you have removed the last obstacle in our path to freedom. Be happy and proud that you are the pioneers, the vanguard, in such a noble cause.


Let me remind you that you have a two-fold task to perform. With the force of arms and at the cost of your blood you will have to win liberty. Then, when India is free, you will have to organize the permanent army of Free India, whose task it will be to preserve our liberty for all time. We must build up our national defence on such an unshakable foundation that never again in our history shall we lose our freedom.


As soldiers, you will always have to cherish and live up to the three-ideals of faithfulness, duty and sacrifice. Soldiers who always remain faithful to their nation, who are always prepared to sacrifice their lives, are invincible. If you, too, want to be invincible, engrave these three ideals in the innermost core of your hearts.


A true soldier needs both military and spiritual training. You must, all of you, so train yourselves and your comrades that every soldier will have unbounded confidence in himself, will be conscious of being immensely superior to the enemy, will be fearless of death, and will have sufficient initiative to act on his own in any critical situation should the need arise. During the course of the present war, you have seen with your own eyes what wonders scientific training, coupled with courage, fearlessness and dynamism, can achieve. Learn all that you can from this example, and build up for Mother India an absolutely first-class modern army.


To those of you who are ofiicers, I should like to say that your responsibility is a heavy one. Though the responsibility of an officer in every army in this world is indeed great, it is far greater in your case. Because of our political enslavement, we have no tradition like that of Mukden, Port Arthur or Sedan to inspire us. We have to unlearn some of the things that the British taught us and we have to learn much that they did not teach. Nevertheless. I am confident that you will rise to the occasion and fulfil the task that your countrymen have thrown on your brave soldiers. Remember always that officers can make or unmake an army. Remember, too, that the British have suffered defeats on so many fronts largely because of worthless officers. And remember also that out of your ranks will be born the future General Staff of the Army of Free India.


To all of you I should like to say that in the course of this war you will have to acquire the experience and achieve the success which alone can build up a national tradition for our Army. An army that has no tradition of courage, fearlessness and invincibility cannot hold its own in a struggle with a powerful enemy.


Comrades ! You have voluntarily accepted a mission that is the noblest that the human mind can conceive of. For the fulfilment of such a mission no sacrifice is too great, not even the sacrifice of one's life. You are today the custodians of India's national honour and the embodiment of India's hopes and aspirations. So conduct yourself that your countrymen may bless you and posterity may be proud of you.


I have said that today is the proudest day of my life. For an enslaved people, there can be no greater pride, no higher honour, than to be the first soldier in the army of liberation. But this honour carries with it a corresponding responsibility and I am deeply conscious of it. I assure you that I shall be with you in darkness and in sunshine, in sorrow and in joy, in suffering and in victory. For the present, I can offer you nothing except hunger, thirst, privation, forced marches and death. But if you follow me in life and in death, as I am confident you will, I shall lead you to victory and freedom. It does not matter who among us will live to see India free. It is enough that India shall be free and that we shall give our all to make her free. May God now bless our Army and grant us victory in the coming fight !


Inquilab Zindabad ! Azad Hind Zindabad !

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Some more quotes :

'...It is our duty to pay for our liberty with our own blood. The freedom that we shall win through our sacrifice and exertions, we shall be able to preserve with our own strength......' Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to the Indian National Army in Malaya/Singapore

'Blood is calling to blood. Arise! We have no time to loose. Take up your arms. There infront of you is the road our pioneers have built. We shall march along that road. We shall carve our way through the enemy's ranks, or, if God wills, we shall die a martyr's death. And in our last sleep we shall kiss the road which will bring our army to Delhi. The road to Delhi is the road to freedom. Chalo Delhi!(On to Delhi!)'.

'I regard myself as the servant of the 38 crores of my countrymen, who profess different religious faiths. I am determined to discharge my duties in such a manner that the interests of these 38 crores may be safe in my hands and every single Indian will have reason to put complete faith in me. It is only on the basis of undiluted nationalism and perfect justice and impartiality that India's Army of Liberation can be built up...Thirty-eight crores of human beings, who form about one-fifth of the human race, have a right to be free and they are now ready to pay the price of freedom. There is consequently no power on earth that can deprive us of our birthright of liberty any longer.

Here are some video links about Netaji
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSyGjun_tgc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-ejuV9PE9A

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious day for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion, fervor & gaiety. Lakhs of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar & Prayag and pray to Lord Sun. It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of the country as Pongal, and in Punjab is celebrated as Lohri & Maghi. Gujarati's not only look reverentially up to the sun, but also offer thousands of their colorful oblations in the form of beautiful kites all over the skyline. They may be trying to reach upto their glorious God or bring about greater proximity with the one who represents the best. It is a day for which Bhishma Pitamah kept waiting to leave his mortal coil.


Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun-God of Hindus begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemisphere. Sun for the Hindus stands for Pratyaksha-Brahman - the manifest God, who symbolizes, the one, non-dual, self-effulgent, glorious divinity blessing one & all tirelessly. Sun is the one who transcends time and also the one who rotates the proverbial Wheel of Time. The famous Gayatri Mantra, which is chanted everyday by every faithful Hindu, is directed to Sun God to bless them with intelligence & wisdom. Sun not only represents God but also stands for an embodiment of knowledge & wisdom. Lord Krishna reveals in Gita that this manifested divinity was his first disciple, and we all know it to be indeed a worthy one too. No Sundays for the Sun, may be because one who revels in its very 'being', the very essence of his own Self, is always in the Sunday mood.

The co-relation of cosmic events with individual life and values is one of the most astounding traits of Hindu Masters. Once this co-relation is brought about thereafter these cosmic events become instrumental to remind us the best which we cherish & value. Of all the cosmic bodies Sun is the most glorious & important, thus every sun-centric cosmic event became very important spiritual, religious & cultural events. On Makar Sankranti day the Sun begins its ascendancy and journey into the Northern Hemisphere, and thus it signifies an event wherein the Gods seem to remind their children that 'Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya'. May you go higher & higher - to more & more Light and never to darkness.

Astrological Significance:

Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti is transition. There is a sankranti every month when the sun passes from one sign of the zodiac to the next. There are twelve signs of the zodiac, and thus there are twelve sankranti's as well. Each of these sankranti's has its own relative importance but two of these are more important - the Mesh (Aries) Sankranti and the most important, the Makar (Capricorn) Sankranti. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn, during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere is known as Makar Sankranti. From this day begins the six-month long Uttarayana, considered very auspicious for attaining higher worlds hereafter. While the traditional Indian Calendar is basically based on lunar positions, but sankranti is a solar event, so while dates of all festivals keep changing, the english calendar date of Makar Sankranti is always same, 14th January. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu Calendar month of Magha. There is another significance of this day, after this day the days start becoming longer & warmer, and thus the chill of winter in on decline.

Religious Significance:

1. The Puranas say that on this day Sun visits the house of his son Shani, who is the swami of Makar Rashi. These father & son do not ordinarily get along nicely, but inspite of any difference between each other Lord Sun makes it a point to meet each other on this day. Father in fact himself comes to his son's house, for a month. This day symbolized the importance of special relationship of father & son. It is the son who has the responsibility to carry forward his fathers dream and the continuity of the family.

2. From Uttarayana starts the 'day' of Devatas, while dakshinayana is said to be the 'night' of devatas, so most of the auspicious things are done during this time. Uttarayana is also called as Devayana, and the next half is called Pitrayana.

3. It was on this day when Lord Vishnu ended the ever increasing terrorism of the Asuras by finishing them off and burying their heads under the Mandar Parvat. So this occasion also represents the end of negativities and beginning of an era of righteous living.

4. The great savior of his ancestors, Maharaj Bhagirath, did great Tapasya to bring Gangaji down on the earth for the redemption of 60,000 sons of Maharaj Sagar, who were burnt to ashes at the Kapil Muni Ashram, near the present day Ganga Sagar. It was on this day that Bhagirath finally did tarpan with the Ganges water for his unfortunate ancestors and thereby liberated them from the curse. After visiting the Patala for the redemption of the curse of Bhagirath's ancestors Gangaji finally merged in the Sagar. Even today a very big Ganga Sagar Mela is organized every year on this day at the confluence of River Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. Lakhs take dip in the water and do tarpan for their ancestors.

We salute such a great devotee & benefactor of his ancestors. One who can express such gratitude to his ancestors, work with tireless resolve to redeem the pride, pledges & resolves of his forefathers, alone possess a personality, which the history reveals to be a true benefactor of the world too. A person who has severed his own roots gets soon rooted out in the flow of time. Moral of the story is to see to it that the roots of the tree of 'our' life are not only intact but nourished well, thereafter alone the tree blooms & flourishes.

There is another spiritually symbolic aspect of this story. The 60,000 cursed son of Maharaj Sagar represent our thoughts, who become dull & dead-like because of uncultured & blind ambition. Redemption of such people is only by the waters of Gangaji, brought down 'to' & later 'from' the Himalayas with great tapasya. This represents dedicated hard work to get the redeeming Brahma-Vidya, which alone enlightens, enthuses & enlivens the life of anyone.

5. Another well-known reference of this day came when the great grandsire of Mahabharata fame, Bhishma, declared his intent to leave his mortal coil on this day. He had the boon of Ichha-Mrityu from his father, so he kept lying on the bed of arrows till this day and then left his mortal coil on Makar Sankranti day. It is believed that the person, who dies during the period of Uttarayana, becomes free from transmigration. So this day was seen as a sure-shot Good Luck day to start your journey or endeavors to the higher realms beyond.

Culture & Festivities:

This festival is celebrated differently in different parts of the country.
Uttar Pradesh:
In Uttar Pradesh, Sankrant is called 'Khichiri'. Taking a dip in the holy rivers on this day is regarded as most auspicious. A big one-month long 'Magha-Mela' fair begins at Prayag (Allahabad) on this occasion. Apart from Triveni, ritual bathing also takes place at many places like Haridvar and Garh Mukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh, and Patna in Bihar.
Bengal:
In Bengal every year a very big Mela is held at Ganga Sagar where the river Ganga is believed to have dived into the nether region and vivified the ashes of the sixty thousand ancestors of King Bhagirath. This mela is attended by a large number of pilgrims from all over the country.
Tamil Nadu:
In Tamil Nadu Sankrant is known by the name of 'Pongal', which takes its name from the surging of rice boiled in a pot of milk, and this festival has more significance than even Diwali. It is very popular particularly amongst farmers. Rice and pulses cooked together in ghee and milk is offered to the family deity after the ritual worship. In essence in the South this Sankrant is a 'Puja' (worship) for the Sun God.
Andhra Pradesh:
In Andhra Pradesh, it is celebrated as a three-day harvest festival Pongal. It is a big event for the people of Andhra Pradesh. The Telugus like to call it 'Pedda Panduga' meaning big festival. The whole event lasts for four days, the first day Bhogi, the second day Sankranti, the third day Kanuma and the fourth day, Mukkanuma.
Maharashtra:
In Maharashtra on the Sankranti day people exchange multi-colored tilguds made from til (sesame seeds) and sugar and til-laddus made from til and jaggery. Til-polis are offered for lunch. While exchanging tilguls as tokens of goodwill people greet each other saying – 'til-gul ghya, god god bola' meaning 'accept these tilguls and speak sweet words'. The under-lying thought in the exchange of tilguls is to forget the past ill-feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends.

This is a special day for the women in Maharashtra when married women are invited for a get-together called 'Haldi-Kumkum' and given gifts of any utensil, which the woman of the house purchases on that day.

Gujarat:
In Gujarat Sankrant is observed more or less in the same manner as in Maharashtra but with a difference that in Gujarat there is a custom of giving gifts to relatives. The elders in the family give gifts to the younger members of the family. The Gujarati Pundits on this auspicious day grant scholarships to students for higher studies in astrology and philosophy. This festival thus helps the maintenance of social relationships within the family, caste and community.

Kite flying has been associated with this festival in a big way. It has become an internationally well-known event.
Punjab:
In Punjab where December and January are the coldest months of the year, huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Sankrant and which is celebrated as "LOHARI". Sweets, sugarcane and rice are thrown in the bonfires, around which friends and relatives gather together. The following day, which is Sankrant, is celebrated as MAGHI. The Punjabi's dance their famous Bhangra dance till they get exhausted. Then they sit down and eat the sumptuous food that is specially prepared for the occasion.
Kerala:
The 40 days anushthana by the devotees of Ayyappa ends on this day in Sabarimala with a big festival.

Bundelkhand:
In Bundelkhand and Madhya Pradesh this festival of Sankrant is known by the name 'Sakarat' and is celebrated with great pomp & merriment accompanied by lot of sweets.
Tribals of Orissa:
Many tribals in our country start their New Year from the day of Sankrant by lighting bonfires, dancing and eating their particular dishes sitting together. The Bhuya tribals of Orissa have their Maghyatra in which small home-made articles are put for sale.
Assam:
In Assam, the festival is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu.

Coastal Region:
In the coastal regions, it is a harvest festival dedicated to Indra.

How to Celebrate:
1. Get up early in the morning, before sunrise, have bath and be ready with water & flowers for the sunrise. Worship the rising Sun, by offering water, flowers with both the hands & then pray with folded hands by chanting the Gayatri Mantra and pray for knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment to rise in the similar way to greater & greater heights. Pray for blessings to live a dynamic, inspired & righteous life.

2. Do tarpan for your ancestors. Offer water to the ancestors while praying for their blessings. Resolve to redeem the pledges & pride of your forefathers. Live life in such a way that wherever your forefathers may be their head is held high by the life & deeds of their children.

3. Have a special session of Meditation, wherein you bring about the awareness of the self-effulgent subjective divinity. Affirm the greatest importance of your spiritual goal very clearly, and pray to God to bless you with the capacity to constantly revel in your true self. May the graph of your rise like the Uttarayana Sun. May there be greater 'Love & Light' in your life & the world.

4. Prepare laddus or other sweets of Til & Gur and offer them to your friends & relatives. See to it that your 'Well-being Prayer for all' gets manifested in action & deeds.

5. Have the lunch of Khichiri. This stands for inculcating simplicity in your life & habits.

6. Give some Daan on this day to someone who truly deserves.

7. Visit your son at his place and give presents to the son and the daughter-in- law. If it is not possible to visit, then organize to send presents to them to express your love & affection to them. Work to properly cultivate the generation, which has to carry forward all the best you cherish & value.

This article is based on an email sent by Saroj Jee.

Happy New English Year!!!

The world celebrated New Year yesterday, but for me it was just a normal day. Yesterday was new year day but not sure what's new in this day. Why English calendar starts on 1st Jan?? Any scienticic reason or it's just that some king wanted to start the new year on his birth Day? and that's why February becomes 2nd month from 12th, January becomes 1st from 11th and December becomes 12 th from 10th. I don't have any prove for this but I have a logic, will see if I can prove this, but certainly not now, some other day, as getting late for a Baithak.

For now, just wanted to mention some facts about our new year (The Vikrami Samvat - The Hindu New Year). The details below is based upon an email which I recived few days back. It has some details and I'm sure you will find them good and logical. So here you go..

Have you been in a neighborhood park during one of these days ? If not, just spare some time, preferably in the morning around seven. You will find plants laden with colorful flowers, trees shedding old, dry leaves and beginning to adorn fresh new ones, and the divine morning breezeenergizing every mind, body and soul. There is transformation for the good all around.
The Mother Nature is at Her cheerful best to celebrate and welcome theupcoming new year.

A new year ? In March ? Yes ! THE HINDU NEW YEAR.

Exactly fifteen days after HOLI celebrations, comes the first day of the HINDU CALENDER VIKRAM SAMVAT named after the legendary King Vikramaditya who ushered in the golden era of the Indian history.

So, on 16th March of 2010 AD, we enter into the first day of the first month i.e. CHAITRA of Vikram Samvat 2067.

This day signifies a NEW AUSPICIOUS BEGINNING in the true sense andnot merely a change of date.

This day was chosen by the wiserly to coronate LORD RAM on the throne of Ayodhya after HE had laid to rest, permanently, the terrorism unleashed by demon king Ravan. In the modern times, Swami Dayanand laid the foundation of the ARYA SAMAJ on this day, to infuse new vitality in the Hindu society.

NAVRATRA celebrations also begin on this very day marked by seven days of fasting---a scientific way of switchover of dietary pattern from winter to summers.

I wish you and your family a Nav Samvat full of peace and prosperity.

Let us resolve to align our New Year festivities with Vikram Samvat and I promise, you aren’t going to be alone----NATURE IS WITH YOU.

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....