SELFLESS SEWA
The Congress has for long taunted the Sangh Parivar for its alleged non-participation in the freedom movement and the RSS-BJP combine has been at pains to claim that it did, indeed, participate in the freedom struggle and that RSS founder K.S. Hedgewar was a freedom fighter too. The Organiser editorial, “Wandering Wonders” seeks to place second RSS Sarsanghchalak M.S. Golwalkar in the same tradition of “Sadhus” — Adi Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna Paramhans, Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi — who lived like wandering monks, called “Parivrajak” in Buddhism — and worked for the larger good of society.
It says: “Gandhiji… finally established his model Ashram at Wardha in Maharashtra. Shri Guruji (Golwalkar)… toured across India many times, to work for national resurgence. All these people led the life of Parivrajak, literally meaning ‘wandering monk’. They remained in society, for society but still away from society. This tradition of silent reformers is the strength of resilient Indian civilisation. Besides these are silent, known grassroots workers who, if necessary, even after uprooting themselves, nurture the spirit of ‘sewa’. They chose enlightened ascetic life… There is no desire for any recognition. No expectation from the establishment. But this mission ultimately contributes to the mission of nation-building.”
On Golwalkar, the editorial says, “While celebrating Independence Day, we are generally reminded of freedom fighters. We also salute the soldiers on the border who are guarding us day and night. But we should not forget that there are grassroots soldiers also who are selflessly serving the nation. They are the ones who are ensuring percolation of true independence to the bottom. This is our sincere effort to present such living examples of some grassroots soldiers whose mission is working for the nation…”
SENSE AND SANSKRIT
“Promote Sanskrit” is the title of an article written by Vachaspati P. Nandkumar, national general secretary of Sanskrit Bharati. The reason? “It is the most scientific language and represents India in [its] true sense,” the author says. While calling upon people to learn Sanskrit and sign documents in the Devnagari script, he says, “With the help of Sanskrit we can raise the spirit of India, propagate a culture which proclaimed the idea of the world as one family, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.” The author also says, “Let us strive hard to increase the accessibility of Sanskrit. We can raise our self-confidence and can achieve foremost position for Bharat in the future information-centred world by traversing… the path opened to us by the renowned scientist and our former president Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and other patriots. Apart this, we can work in harmony to unite Bharat, in spite of our language, religion, caste and creed being different without losing our knowledge treasure like Vedas and Upanishads.”
SUITABLE STRUCTURES
Panchjanya says in an editorial that “talent and enterprise, instead of being put to good use, have been ignored for decades. Dynastic rule and corruption prevented the emergence of natural and effective leadership of society and love for nation.” It attributes the dearth of trained personnel in various fields to “structural obstructions, stress on English, tardiness of the judiciary”. The country, according to the weekly, needs laws and rules, “suited to India”.
Compiled by Pradeep Kaushal
