SAMVAD

Pausha Krishna 12, Vik.Samvat 2074, Yugabda 5119: 16 December2017


1. FESTIVALS: Paush Purnima

2. Rashtrapati ji confers 3rd ICCR Distinguished Indologist award on Professor Hiroshi Marui

3. 'ASHOK SINGHAL: STAUNCH AND PERSEVERANT EXPONENT OF HINDUTVA'

4. Social service is not business – Suresh Bhayyaji Joshi

5. VICHAR MANTHAN UK

6. OCKHI CYCLONE: RSS STORMS IN

7. UNESCO RECOGNISES KUMBH MELA AS INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

8. Angkor Wat Crowned the Best UNESCO World Heritage Site

9. New bharatiya students' union launched at High Commission of BHARAT in UK

10. Ram Setu, not a myth; it's man made: claims Science Channel show

11. Business leaders pledge support of Rs 500 Cr for 'Namami Gange Mission'

12. Dalai Lama encourages young minds to value 'Ancient bharatiya Knowledge'

13. Labourer's son junks US job, IIM to join the Army

14. Bharatiya CAs in great demand as UAE looks to implement VAT

15. Ancient Oc Eo artefacts on exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City

16. BHARAT SIMPLIFYING FOREIGN POLICY FOR COMMONERS

17. 46k bharatiyas got US citizenship in 2016, second only to Mexicans

18. Yuba City swears in nation's first Sikh woman as mayor

19. FIRST BATCH OF SC-ST PRIESTS READY TO TAKE CHARGE AT TIRUPATI TEMPLES

20. IIT-D DEVELOPS INDIGENOUS BREATH ANALYZER

21. BHARATIYA-ORIGIN SOUTH AFRICAN FREEDOM FIGHTER LALOO CHIBA DIES AT 87

22. Utah Lawyers, Bhutanese Refugees Team Up For Temple

23. bharat to embrace good economic growth: #GDP to rise 7.2% in 2018, 7.4% in 2019

24. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN & FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Article:

RSS IT Milans - Small steps, impressive achievements


1. FESTIVALS: Paush Purnima, January 2 this year, marks the beginning of Kalpwas (the period of austerity), which is done throughout the month of Magha. Devotees believe that a holy dip in sacred river Ganga and Yamuna on this day frees the soul from cycle of reincarnation and the person is detached from all the bad karmas committed in this birth and previous births as well. Thousands of devotees can be seen in Haridwar, Dashashwamedh Ghat at Varanasi and Triveni Sangam at Prayag. Shakambari Jayanti is also marked on Paush Purnima and Devi Shakambari, who is an incarnation of deity Durga, is worshipped on this day. -GoTop

 

2. Rashtrapati ji confers 3rd ICCR Distinguished Indologist award on Professor Hiroshi Marui: Rashtrapati, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, conferred the 3rd ICCR Distinguished Indologist Award on Professor Hiroshi Marui of Japan on November 27 at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Speaking on the occasion, Rashtrapatiji said that Professor Marui has spent over 40 years working on Bharatiya philosophy and Buddhist studies. Many of his acclaimed publications and research papers are considered a final authority on several subjects the world over. As President of the Japanese Association of Indian and Buddhist Studies, he has made a significant contribution to Indology in Japan. -GoTop

 

3. 'ASHOK SINGHAL: STAUNCH AND PERSEVERANT EXPONENT OF HINDUTVA': Uparashtrapati Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Ashok Singhal was an exemplary individual who selflessly dedicated himself as a Pracharak and served the society for over six decades. Releasing the book 'Ashok Singhal: Staunch and Perseverant Exponent of Hindutva' authored by Mahesh Bhagchandka, in New Delhi on December 7, Uparashtrapatiji said that the book elucidates life, philosophy, vision, ideas of Shri Singhal, one of Bharat's tallest leaders committed to ideals of Hinduism. Besides Swami SatyamitranandGiri, founder, Bharat Mata Mandir, Haridwar and Bhayyaji Joshi, Sarakaryavah, RSS who spoke at the occasion, many other dignitaries were present on the occasion.Uparashtrapatiji said that despite being asked by many in Congress party to join the freedom struggle under leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, Singhal chose to side with Dr. K.B. Hedgewar's Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh and dedicated his entire life to Sangh. -GoTop

 

4. Social service is not business - Suresh Bhayyaji Joshi: RSS Sarakaryavah Suresh Bhayyaji Joshi said that social workers should try to build a better society by solving the problems of the poor and the needy, with love, compassion, and dedication. "We need social service organisations to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, and to build a better society. We need to change the image of social work which is now being seen as a business in several cases. Social service organisations should work selflessly and should win the faith of the society," he said. Addressing a public meeting on the second day of the Rashtriya Seva Bharati's state-level 'Seva Sangam' programme at Hubbali, Karnataka. Bhayyaji Joshi noted that social service is not a thing to be taught, but only its techniques and mechanism can be learnt. Those who are deprived of basic facilities due to the caste system, or the tribal people who consider themselves as Hindus and as children of Bharat Mata should be helped on priority. We have to try to solve their problems, and to bring positive changes in their life, he added.The KLE Technological University (KLETU) Vice-Chancellor Ashok Shettar, Y Satish, Sundar Laxmanan, Pavitra Gowda, Govindappa Goudappagol, and others were present. -GoTop

 

5. VICHAR MANTHAN UK: Young swayamsevaks in UK (highly educated, born and brought up in England) organise Vichar Manthan every quarter.  This quarter's Vichar Mantahn was organised on the evening of 1st December at the Bharatiya High Commission at London. It was a seminar on Capitalism, Socialism and "Indianism" 

Dr Jamie Whyte, an economist and the Labour Party member Andrew Harrop advocated the merits of capitalism and socialism respectively arguing why their economic theories are better and how they will serve the mankind, again better than any other policies and frameworks.

Shri Dattatreyaji Hosabale's (Sah Sar Karyawah, RSS) refreshing thoughts based on Late Shri Deen Dayalji Upadhya's thinking added new dimensions to political economy. He said only market forces, demand & supply rules championed by other economic theories are inadequate, insufficient to satisfy and uplift human beings' needs, wants and welfare. 

The dimensions of universal ethics and spirituality need to be shrouded to the economic theory to make it holistic, taking care of humanity.  This "Indianism" needs to be based on "Dharma" - not religion.  The equilibrium has to be maintained in the relationship of Individual - Society (Country) - Nature - Creator. Only pursuit of materialism will destroy resources, ecology and balance. The program concluded with a lively Q & A session. -GoTop

 

6. OCKHI CYCLONE: RSS STORMS IN: Severe cyclonic storm Ockhi struck several parts of South Bharat killing many people and destroying properties. Originating near Sri Lanka on Nov 29, the storm increased its intensity by Dec 1. Many parts of coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka were hit. Volunteers of the RSS were involved in relief and rescue operations during Ockhi cyclone that hit the southern parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Swayamsevaks began their rescue work much before the storm turned severe. They toiled day and night at Kanyakumari which was most hit, to rescue stranded civilians.

Kanyakumari witnessed torrential wind and rain unleashed by Cyclone Ockhi after 25 years ravaging the southern-most tip of Bharat. According to sources, around 10 lakh banana trees, one lakh trees, were uprooted and the roads were blocked. Communication lines were disrupted. RSS volunteers immediately acted upon the situation. With the aim of clearing the approach routes as the first step, the volunteers formed around 100 teams and spread out to different areas. These teams cleared the uprooted trees and other obstruction on the roads with the aid of government machinery. Several areas were flooded after the relentless rains. The areas in and around Suchindram was the most affected. Around 4200 houses in 21 villages were surrounded by flood waters. Immediately, upon the receipt of the distress call, swayamsevaks in teams arrived at the location and rescued thousands of people. Swayamsevaks toiled day and night and ensured the people are relocated to safer places.

Sevabharathi Tamil Nadu has sent 1,050 plastic mats, candles and Mosquito mats to cyclone-affected Kanyakumari district. The large consignment contains these relief materials was dispatched to the affected areas in the presence of Chennai Mahanagar Sanghachalak Sri Kalyan Singhji and Sevabharathi Tamilnadu President Sri Rabu Manohar. -GoTop

 

7. UNESCO RECOGNISES KUMBH MELA AS INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE:   Kumbh Mela has been recognised by UNESCO as an "intangible cultural heritage of humanity", a tweet by the international organisation said.

The Intergovernmental Committee for the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage under the UN body inscribed Kumbh Mela on the "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" at its 12th session in Jeju, South Korea. "A matter of immense joy and pride for India," PM Narendra Modi tweeted.

Kumbh Mela, considered the world's largest congregation of religious pilgrims, joins new elements from Botswana, Colombia, Venezuela, Mongolia, Morocco, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates on the list.

The Kumbh Mela, held in Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik, represents a syncretic set of rituals related to worship and cleansing in holy rivers. The inscription of Kumbh Mela was recommended by the expert body which examines in detail nominations submitted by Member States.

The Committee also took note of the fact that knowledge and skills related to Kumbh Mela are transmitted through the Guru-Shishya parampara (teacher-student relationship) by way of saints and sadhus teaching their disciples about traditional rituals and chants. -GoTop

 

8. Angkor Wat Crowned the Best UNESCO World Heritage Site: Angkor Wat of Cambodia came out on top of the list of the best UNESCO world heritage sites.Taj Mahal in Agra, Bharat, won the second place followed by Great Wall, China; Machu Picchu, Peru; Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil; Sassi of Materia, Italy; Auschwitz, Poland; Old City of Jerusalem, Israel; Historic areas of Istanbul, Turkey; and Historic Krakow, Poland.

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 square kilometers including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings, listed as a World Heritage Site in 1992. -GoTop

 

9. New bharatiya students' union launched at High Commission of BHARAT in UK: Indian National Students Association of UK (INSA UK) was formally launched in London on 6th November by Lord Karan Bilimoria and Ambassador Dinesh Patnaik, the acting High Commissioner of Bharat to UK. This is the second union for Bharatiya students in the UK, the first being National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) launched 5 years back. NISAU include Bharatiya MP Shashi Tharoor as one of their patrons.INSA was founded in 2016 with the vision to make every Bharatiya student in the UK feel at home when away from home. Currently Bharatiyas make the second largest diaspora of students with approximately 40,000 Bharatiya students in UK and there is a huge demand for the kind of voluntary service based actions undertaken by INSA.Lord Karan Bilimoria said, "The UK's international scholars go on to become world leaders with one in ten global heads of state educated in the UK. British universities are the jewels in the crown yet the number of Bharatiya students coming to study in the UK has halved in the past five years."-GoTop

 

10. Ram Setu, not a myth; it's man made: claims Science Channel show: What on Earth show on the Science Channel in the US has proved the existence of the historical engineering marvel of 5076 BCE 'Ram Setu' between Bharat and Sri Lanka. It has said that such a manmade structure may actually exist rapping the claims of mythology.

A promo released by the channel suggests that the bridge - also called Adam's Bridge - may not be a natural formation and may have been built by humans. "Are the ancient Hindu myths of a land bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka true? Scientific analysis suggests they are," says text accompanying the promo.

Citing images from a NASA satellite, the show claims that investigators have found a line of rocks 30 miles long between Sri Lanka and Bharat.The stones in the image are sitting on a 'sandbar', which occurs in areas with shallow water. As geologist Erin Argyilan explains, sand could accumulate between the land masses. An analysis of the rocks found on the seabed shows that they predate the sand, Rose adds.

Specifically, the 7,000-year-old rocks are sitting on sand that is 4,000-years-old.Geologist Dr Alan Lester believes that the stones were brought from afar and set atop the sandbar island chain.-GoTop

 

11. Business leaders pledge support of Rs 500 Cr for ‘Namami Gange Mission’: Clean Ganga Mission Minister Nitin Gadkari interacted with business leaders in Mumbai on December 8, and appealed to them to participate in the mission to clean Ganga. The interaction was organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga. Speaking on the occasion Gadkari emphasised that cleaning the Ganga should become a peoples’ movement. He informed that a lot of private individuals from across the world have pledged support for cleaning Ganga and have donated generously. He also said that strict laws will be brought in to check pollution of the river.

The support from the business community in Mumbai follows closely after similar success in London recently where Bharatiya  corporates committed overwhelming support for Namami Gange Mission after an interaction with Gadkari at a road show organized by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

The National Mission for Clean Ganga ( NMCG) has sanctioned projects worth about Rs.17,000 crore for Sewerage Management, Industrial Effluents Managements, Biodiversity Conservation, Solid Waste Management, Afforestation, Rural Sanitation, River Front Management, Capacity Building, Development/ Rehabilitation’ of Ghats & Crematoria etc.-GoTop

 

12. Dalai Lama encourages young minds to value 'Ancient bharatiya Knowledge': The Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama addressed over 400 students of Somaiya School, Vidya Vihar. His Holiness interacted with students of Class 5 to 10 and enlightened them about the importance of modern education along with the cultural significance of ancient Bharatiya history. He encouraged students to change their perspective and think differently to bring about a transformation.

The spiritual leader exclaimed mind is the most powerful tool of man. If we sharpen our mind and think differently then we can channelise the potential and ability of our mind to think on a deeper level. He advised students not to accept everything on a superficial level but to figure out the need to go deeper. Young generation is the future of Bharat and ancient history and culture should not be forgotten was the message of the Dalai Lama to the young minds. -GoTop

 

13. Labourer's son junks US job, IIM to join the Army: Barnana Gunnaya couldn't stop his eyes from welling up with tears as he saw his son Barnana Yadagiri in an Army officer's uniform at the Indian Military Academy's passing out parade in Dehradun on December 9.Gunnaya, who till recently used to work as a daily wager earning Rs 100 per day in a cement factory in Hyderabad, didn't even know till a day before the parade that his son was being commissioned as an officer.

"My father is a very simple man. He thought that I was getting into the Army as a soldier. In fact, he told me I was making a huge mistake by leaving a highly-paid software job to join the Army," said Yadagiri, who overcame extreme financial difficulties to become a software engineer from the International Institute of Information Technology in Hyderabad. After refusing a job offer from Union Pacific Rail Road, a US-based company, and saying no to a call from IIM Indore - where he had secured admission after scoring 93.4 percent in the CAT exam - Yadagiri decided to "follow my heart and serve the country."

With his proud parents watching with misty eyes, Barnana received the IMA's prestigious silver medal for standing first in the order of merit in the Technical Graduate Course, which paves the way for cadets with a technical background to join the Army's engineering units. -GoTop

 

14. Bharatiya CAs in great demand as UAE looks to implement VAT: UAE will be introducing Value Added Tax (VAT) from January 1, 2018. This is similar to the GST, which came into force in Bharat from July this year. After UAE, other Gulf countries will also be implementing the new tax. This has led to a demand for Bharatiya experts to help businesses there understand the indirect tax system. Their knowledge of Hindi has become an added advantage for Bharatiya professionals, as many residents of the Gulf are comfortable with the language.

 In fact, Bharatiya professionals find the tax in UAE much simpler than the Bharatiya GST.

Chartered accountants from across the country, including Nagpur, are camping at UAE or making frequent trips there to help a host of clients understand the law. In Dubai alone, hundreds of Bharatiya professionals have got assignments with demand for an equal number still there.

"This is the first time a major levy is being introduced in the Gulf, and businesses need in-depth training to understand the finer points. It will have an impact on the consumers too, as the VAT will be finally passed on," said Pritam Mahure, a CA from Pune camping in Dubai these days. The sectors where many of the CAs are being required include oil and gas, real estate and retail. Oil and gas is the mainstay industry of the Gulf.  -GoTop

 

15. Ancient Oc Eo artefacts on exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City: NDO - An exhibition displaying over 300 ancient Oc Eo artefacts opened at the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Ho Chi Minh on November 29. Flourishing between the first and seventh century, Phu Nam Kingdom covered a large area of the southern plain and hosted the OcEo culture in An Giang Province. After remaining forgotten and buried for thousands of years, traces of OcEo culture were finally discovered in Ba The-OcEo area in An Giang.

In 1944, French archaeologist Louis Malleret carried out excavations at the site, along with his colleagues from the French School of the Far East. They discovered objects offering proof of a flourishing civilisation and well-developed trade with other areas in Southeast Asia. The civilisation produced many handicrafts, including ceramics, as well as the ability to refine copper, iron and tin, along with creating silver and gold jewellery. Statues were also unearthed.

Also on display is a collection of gold, silver and metal currency and jewellery, evidently very popular amongst the OcEo people, along with statues and reliefs of Buddha and Hindu gods such as Ganesh and Vishnu, which illustrate the ancient religious traditions of the southern region. The exhibition is scheduled to run until March 3, 2018. -GoTop

 

16. BHARAT SIMPLIFYING FOREIGN POLICY FOR COMMONERS: In a bid to simplify Bharat's foreign policy and help common people easily understand the achievements and functioning of the Videsh Mantri, the Government is preparing an outreach plan under which it will establish a direct connect with the people, particularly students of schools and colleges through its officers in a more interactive and interesting way. Already Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi and Videsh Mantri Sushma Swaraj have started giving their speeches and media statements in Hindi during the visits of foreign dignitaries.

The MEA will be sending the officers of the Indian Foreign Services (IFS) to various schools to deliver lectures and interact with students of high and middle schools to educate them about the role of the MEA in a common man’s life.

"A lot of people feel that the MEA's main work is to make passport and give visa. Some even do not know this fact. It is important for people to know that apart from making passports, the MEA also does other works and the important role Bharatiya embassies play when people travel abroad. It is also important for people to know how our foreign policy takes shape," said an official. -GoTop

 

17. 46k bharatiyas got US citizenship in 2016, second only to Mexicans: Nearly 46,100 odd Bharatiyas obtained US citizenship during 2016, making them the second largest group, even as Mexicans continued to top the chart. Bharatiyas accounted for 6% of the total citizenship conferred by the US government on 7.53 lakh individuals during the fiscal year 2016 (October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016), according to recent data released by the US department of homeland security (DHS). -GoTop

 

18. Yuba City swears in nation's first Sikh woman as mayor: Preet Didbal made history on 5th December night as the first Sikh woman in the county to be sworn in as mayor. She was appointed as Yuba City mayor by city council. "It's truly a privilege to serve as your mayor," Didbal said during her speech at the ceremony in Yuba City. "I'm feeling overwhelmed but very excited," Didbal said. "This community has just shown me an outpouring of community support and I'm so grateful." As the daughter of parents who emigrated from Bharat to Yuba City in 1968, Didbal is a first-generation American citizen, the first member of her family to attend college and get her master's degree and the first to serve in -- and now lead -- a local government. "I hope it sends a huge message to our young women, young girls, go reach for the stars. Go get it," Didbal said. "You have an equal seat at the table with the men and you can make very big positive impacts in your community." -GoTop

 

19. FIRST BATCH OF SC-ST PRIESTS READY TO TAKE CHARGE AT TIRUPATI TEMPLES: In a sharp departure from tradition, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is ready with its first batch of non-Brahmin priests. The priests, mainly belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe are expected to assume charge soon. About 200 people from Dalit and backward communities have undergone rigorous training for three months as part of a pilot project by the TTD management.

"The management is going to appoint SC, ST priests in temples governed by it very soon," Singhal said this is the first time when members from downtrodden sections of the society are being given a chance in the recruitment process for world’s richest temple.

"The demand for reservation for Dalits for the priesthood has been persisting for several decades. Previous attempts to meet the demand have faced stiff resistance from certain quarters. But now we have made it a reality," TTD executive officer Anil Singhal said. -GoTop

 

20. IIT-D DEVELOPS INDIGENOUS BREATH ANALYZER: The researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) have developed a low cost state-of-the-art indigenous version of breath analyzer used to detect alcohol content in blood from one's breath sample.

They developed 'smart alcohol sensors' to be implanted in breathalyzers which are used to detect the level of intoxication of individual suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol. It detects the percentage of alcohol or ethanol in blood by detecting PPM of ethanol/alcohol in one's breath.

The IIT researchers claim that the indigenous variety developed by them is not only cost-efficient but also more 'effective' as compared to alternatives available in the market that are used by the police. -GoTop

 

21. BHARATIYA-ORIGIN SOUTH AFRICAN FREEDOM FIGHTER LALOO CHIBA DIES AT 87: Veteran Bharatiya-origin South African freedom fighter Laloo Chiba died on December 9 at his home in the predominantly-Bharatiya suburb of Lenasia here.The 87-year-old Chiba, a political prisoner on the Robben Island alongside former South African President Nelson Mandela, was hospitalised after a mild heart attack a few days ago, but was discharged later on.The Gujarati-origin stalwart was a former platoon commander in the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC) and was sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment on the Robben Island. -GoTop

 

22. Utah Lawyers, Bhutanese Refugees Team Up For Temple: A coalition of Salt Lake City attorneys known as the "Refugee Justice League" has begun work to help Bhutanese refugees build a Hindu temple. Thousands of refugees came to Utah in 2008 when the U.S. took in about 60,000 people from the South Asia country Bhutan.

The Utah refugees gathered at a Krishna temple for classes, dances and festivals last year. But they say the need their own temple to practice their faith, preserve traditions and pass on their language. More than 300 lawyers have volunteered their services to make the temple a reality. -GoTop

 

23. bharat to embrace good economic growth: #GDP to rise 7.2% in 2018, 7.4% in 2019: United Nations (UN) in its report stated that Bharat's GDP growth remains fastest and is projected to progress by 7.4% in fiscal 2019. The report said, the nation is to benefit from strong private consumption, public investment and gradual reforms undertaken by the government.

"The outlook for India remains largely positive, underpinned by robust private consumption and public investment as well as ongoing structural reforms. Hence, GDP growth is projected to accelerate from 6.7 per cent in 2017 to 7.2 per cent in 2018 and 7.4 per cent in 2019," the UN DESA report said. -GoTop

 

24. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Shri Suresh Soni, sah sarkaryavaha RSS who is on a tour to South East Asian countries will visit Cambodia, Singapore and Indonesia. Shri Dattatreya, sahsarkaryavaha returned from his tour to UK and Europe. Shri Suhas Hiremath, member, Akhil Bharatiya karyakarini will tour Kenya. Shri Saumitra Gokhale, samyojak Vishwa Vibhag and Dr Ram Vaidya, sah samyojak will reach Bharat for various programs. Shri Ravikumar, sah samyojak is touring Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Shyam Parande, Secreatry, Sewa International will join Suresh Soni in the tour.  Visitors: Ramwant Gupta -Fiji -GoTop

 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Let our intelligence dwell on the beloved light of that Creative God-head, the Sun who is the Creator, so that He may endow us with the right intelligence. Rig Veda 3.62.10. -GoTop

JAI SHREE RAM

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RSS IT Milans - Small steps, impressive achievements

Hyderabad. Pictures of Swayamsevaks attending Sangh camps in hundreds always left me in awe. Very recently, I participated in Vijaydashmi Utsav in Bhagynagar in which nearly 10,000 swaymsevaks dressed in the new uniform, marched in sync with the band. That was my first personal tryst with the Sangh's organizational strength. But what will always remain etched in my memory is 32 of us congregating for our Milan’s Dhwaj Pradanutsav.

Till recently the strength was just four. Even 32 definitely is not a big number but our team effort for sure will stand out. Receiving first cheque was awesome feel, but this experience is something else altogether, said Tygraja RSS IT Milans Karyavah Janki Choudhary, an IIT Delhi graduate. Tygraj IT Milan is one of the 50-odd IT Milans being conducted all across the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

A Milan is awarded its own Dhwaj only after its average attendance consistently exceeds 10 and has more than 20 swayamsevaks with complete Sangh uniform, Keshavpuram Khand Karyavah Sripad Mansabdar said.

Bhagyanagar IT Milans Sah-karyavah Ramkrishna Ponapally said IT Milans - an experiment initiated just 10 years ago - is now leaping forth in all directions. It's all due to numerous karyakarta's like Janaki ji and Sirpad ji across the city who put their soul into the work and regard Milan work as a personal responsibility. Format of IT Milan is not very different from that of any daily RSS Shakha, except that Milans happen weekly. Today, we get people working for all major global and Indian IT companies, including Microsoft, Google, Accenture, IBM, Oracle, Cognizant, Wipro, Infosys etc. The distinct advantage of IT Milans is that it caters to both local as well people who come to the city for work from various parts of the country.

The fact that people from all states attend IT Milan help us understand our Nation, its rich heritage and culture. Our Milans are in fact mini Bharat. "Geet" of all languages are sung in Milans, no wonder it pains us all equally when regional sentiments are flamed in parts of the country in the name of language and culture.

We follow a very decentralized working model where every Milan is free is to take up activities it thinks their locality needs or their swayamsevaks are keen to pursue. Only pre-requisite condition is that work has to be selfless and in larger national interest.

He cited example of Balagokulam. It was started nearly five years ago to help children discover and manifest inherent spark of divinity by connecting them with Hindu culture and traditions, currently it is being conducted in more than 60 communities across the twin-cities.

Nearly 2000 children participate in Balgokulam activities every week. Increasingly large number of women are volunteering to conduct Balgokulam.

Service activities - Milans in and around Gachibowli area run a daily Free-Tuition centre in a slum located near Gopichand Academy. They also succeeded in enrolling nearly 15 of these into to a nearby government school. These students who hail from Odisha, Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh otherwise would have never got into formal education system. Another Milan conducts Free Medical Camps every month in Siddique Nagar, another locality dominated by migrant people who work as security guards and housekeepers in MNCs.

Senior Professionals Mandali - Another lot of Swayamsevaks took it upon themselves to organize monthly meetings for executives who hold CXO level positions in MNCs. Currently two Mandalis are being run and plans are on to start more. Idea is not to leave any strata of society untouched.

Not to be left far behind were women in our extended Sangh Family. Wives of our Karyakartas started weekly Sevika Samiti Milans. Two Milans are now being conducted every week in Gachibowli and Miyapur. They conduct their own Gurupuja Utsav.

Apart from works that have gained institutional shape now, every IT Milans keep conducting various activity like mass awareness programmes on Conversion, Swadeshi, threat posed by China etc. Collectively, we swaysmsevaks put 100's of man hour every week to realize the dream of Param Vaibhav of Motherland.

We also saw a new and a very positive trend of Swayamsevaks leaving cushy corporate job to take up farming as whole-time profession. They are now associated with Gram Bharati and inspiring more people to take up this noble profession.

Our satisfaction lies not in changing the world, but in small achievements like more new Milans getting Dhwaj and they initiating small activities in their locality, which if not anything instill sense of national duty in them. Tiny as you may say, but so is each drop, Ramkrishna poignantly concluded. (ww.vskbharat.com, December 08, 2017) -GoTop


SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN vishwav@bol.net.in www.shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com