Mohanji Bhagawat in Chennai

Mohanji Bhagwat in Chennai

The first ever visit of Shri. Mohan ji Bhagwat to Chennai on 15 and 16 August after assuming the responsibility of Sarsanghachalak was marked by an enthusiastic reception given by Chennai citizens, an in-depth interaction with the elite class of Chennai and a ‘Sadbhavana’ meeting with prominent figures of various Hindu communities. He also addressed a press conference. On 15th August, Shri. Mohan ji Bhagwat made it a point to attend the Independence Day function of a school of Vivekananda Educational Society.

A grand public reception

A reception committee was formed to welcome Shri. Mohanji Bhagwat. Distinguished men from various walks of life like R Anbalaganar, president, Tamilnadu Fishermen’s Forum; Dr Avvai Natarajan, former Vice Chancellor, Tamil University, Thanjavur; T Devanathan, managing director, WIN TV; Dr D Janardhana Reddy, chief cardiovasacular surgeon, Vijaya Hospital, Chennai; M V Cunniah Chetty, educationist, Chennai; Prof A Kanakaraj, chairman, Jaya Educational Trust; Dr J S Rajkumar, chairman, Life Line Group of Hospitals, Chennai; V R Venkatachalam, chancellor, Sri Ramachandra university, Chennai; Sri Vishwanta Kakkan, president, Dr Ambedkar Makkal Sabai; M K Unnithan, industralist, Chennai and Dr M.L Raja, State president, RSS, North Tamilnadu were the members of the reception committee. Justice Kumar Rajaratnam former Chief Justice, High Court of Madhya Pradesh was the president of the Reception Committee.

On 16 August, a grand Public Reception was held at Sri Ramachandra Medical University ground, Thiruvanmiyur in which Justice Kumar Rajaratnam, the President of the Reception Committee presided. The program was scheduled to be held at 5.30 p.m. However, right from 4.00 p.m., it was a sight to see Swayamsevaks in Poorna Ganavesh and general public including large number of women-folk reaching the site. Saffron flags and colourful arches were there throughout the surroundings to welcome the Swayamsevaks and others. After Sarsanghachalak’s Pranam and Dwajarohan, there was a demonstration of Vyayam-yog by Swayamsevaks followed by singing of Sanghik Geeth.

Justice Kumar Rajaratnam handed over a Bronze Nataraja idol as a Memento to P.P.Sarsanghachalak on behalf of Citizens of Chennai. In his address, the Justice expressed that he was under the impression that RSS link was weak in Tamil Nadu, but after seeing the massive gathering, he was re-assured that the RSS have grown from strength to strength in Tamil Nadu. He further added that today, our nation faces a great threat not only from our neighbors but also a greater threat from inside. We require constant vigil to protect oursleves. Therefore, he suggested to the union government to make military training compulsory to young men and women aged between 18 and 20 to empower unity of this country.

P.P. Sarsanghachalak in his address said that he was overwhelmed by the Public Reception given by the Citizens of Chennai. He spoke at length about ‘Hinduness’. He stated that the pursuit of happiness cannot be successful without the integral, holistic view of life of Bharateeya tradition. Traditionally we see unity in diversity, as against unity by uniformity. Hindutva is also basis of unity of Bharat, fountain head of capacity and capabilities of Bharateeyas, hallmark of our national identity and panacea for problems of humanity. Hindutva is non-opposing, non-reactionary and therefore not communal.

RSS does not work for RSS’s sake

Ma Sri Mohanji further stated that RSS does not work for RSS’s sake. It works to create a mighty, prosperous and homogenous Hindu nation – Bharat. This is necessary for world peace and prosperity. Swayamsevaks have formed various organizations to carry on more than 1,50,000 service activities in the society. All such organizations are independent and autonomous. It is the swayamsewak who always and anywhere belongs to RSS. Sangha out of its own wish is apolitical but definitely national and will have a say whenever necessary. RSS is famous but not well understood. He said sangha can be correctly understood only by participation and direct experience. He therefore, appealed to the gathering to join the Sangh and work for the nation.

Swayamsevaks in formation

Despite uncertain weather conditions, more than 5000 Swayamsevaks in uniform and about 7000 citizens attended the function.

Earlier, Sri V R Venkatachalam, Chancellor, Sri Ramachandra Medical (deemed) University hosted high-tea at the guest house situated in the venue to PP Sarnghachalak and select dignitaries attending the public reception.

The Independence Day

At the commencement of his 3 day tour, on 15th August, Shri. Mohanji was the chief guest at the 63rd Independence day function celebrated at the GK Shetty Vivekananda Vidyalaya Junior College, Ambattur, Chennai and hoisted the National Flag. Dr D K Bhat presided over the function. Mohanji also released the school magazine “Viveka Vahini” during the function.

The press conference

The Press Meet was held on 15th in Sangh Karyalaya in which 23 representation from Print & Electronic Media including leading English/Tamil dailies viz., The Hindu, The New Indian Express, Dhinathanthi, Dinalmalar, Dhinamani etc., and channels like NDTV, Times Now etc. were there. The Press coverage, the next day, was very wide and on the whole very positive.

Shri. Mohanji termed the reports about what happened in his meeting with Shri Advaniji as baseless.”I met Advaniji recently. We were discussing many things. But I have not issued any directive on that day,” he told reporters.

On the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, he stressed the necessity of rehabilitation and end of discrimination to the Tamils in the island nation. “All displaced Tamils have to be rehabilitated. They should be given full relief materials.”

Interaction with prominent citizens

A Dinner get together for the Committee Members of the reception committee and also for some prominent personalities was arranged in which Justice Vallinayagam, Dr. C.M.K. Reddy, Sr. Advocate T.V. Ramanujun – to name a few – participated. In the interaction, subjects like conversions, concern about the overall growth of Sangh in Tamil Nadu, absence of due publicity to Sangh work were raised. After elaborating on Sangh views and action plans for all these issues, Shri. Mohanji appealed to the Elite to come nearer to Sangh emphasizing that Sangh could be only experienced by being part of it

‘Sadhbhavana’ Baithak

As a follow up of ‘Sadhbhavana’ Meetings held during P.P. Guruji’s Centenary Celebrations, a Sadhbhavana Meet was organized on 16th August in which there were representations from 25 Communities. Some of the participants expressed their genuine grievances of social isolation, untold insults faced by their Communities. They were of the opinion that these factors are responsible for families getting converted to either Christianity or Islam. They also expressed that there are still individuals and families which are firmly rooted in Hindu way of life, but cautioned that unless some concrete efforts are not taken by Sangh and like minded organisations it would be very difficult for them to resist the tremendous pressure of conversion. P.P.Sarsanghachalak appealed to them to remain united and also establish contacts with the families already converted so that they can be taken back to our fold. He assured that the local Sangh workers of respective areas would strive for removal of social isolation and see to it that the self-respect and honour of all communities are protected. Ma. Sri K. Suryanarayana Rao, Senior Pracharak and Ma. Sri R. Vanniyarajan, Kshetra Sanghachalak also addressed the Community leaders earlier.

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