‘Only Indian philosophy, concept sustainable’
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Oct 2: Maintaining that supreme sacrifice made by former Jana Sangh president, Dr Shyama Prasad Mookherjee bore fruit after 70 years with the annulling of controversial Article 370, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief, (Sarsangchalak), Dr Mohan Bhagwat today made it clear that mere change in system is not enough unless and until mindset of people gets changed.
Dr Bhagwat, who is on the four days tour of J&K was addressing a gathering of prominent citizens and intellectuals at Gen Zorawar Singh Auditorium in Jammu University here this afternoon. The RSS chief said the abrogation of Article 370 was mere a change in the system and the entire country felt pleased with this change. “But mere change in system is not enough as we have to change our mindset also,” he asserted.
He said the entire world looks towards India at present when it faces the crisis like terrorism and extremism because “we believe in a philosophy which is different than others and which leads to peace, brotherhood and prosperity of mankind on this globe”. He made it clear that both terrorism and extremism also came to India from outside.
In a philosophical over one hour long lecture, Dr Bhagwat said Indian people belonging to different sections of society have a common civilization and culture and he stressed that for overall national interests and its unity we have to sacrifice our personnel interests. “This has been what ancient Indian culture and traditions taught us from thousands of years’’, he added.
He said nothing is above nation (Rashtra) and one should work selflessly for the nation and welfare of its subjects.
The RSS chief said that it was the Indian philosophy which gave the concept of unity in diversity to world and the people showed from times immemorial how unity can be maintained in diversity.
“We believed in oneness and one nation and nurtured the concept of Vasudev Kutambkam meaning entire world is a one family. We propagated this concept and philosophy for centuries together and it was only after the Western invaders came to India including Sikander the environment deteriorated in this country”, he added.
Contrary to Indian philosophy of Vasudev Kutambkam, universal brotherhood and peace they believed in struggle for existence and survival of fittest. In India, several generations have sacrificed themselves to preserve its ancient culture, civilization and traditions, he added.
He said despite having diversity we are still united. “Our oneness comes from the shared cultural heritage and not merely because of blood relationship”, Dr Bhagwat added saying that it is our duty to carry forward this concept to coming generations.
“India has a rich legacy of past and we don’t aspire to become a world power but the Vishaw Guru which we had been in past as we think of universal peace and prosperity of mankind. This is the basic difference between us and the rest of the countries”, he added.
Asking people to identify themselves their culture and history, Dr Bhagwat regretted that we forgot our original identity and that is the root cause of the conflicts we are facing at present. Giving example of Western countries, he said United Kingdom is united because of English language while United States is united because of economic interests. He said UK will remain united till English language is there. Unlike this India is a Rashtra (nation) but not because of language, race or business but because of a supreme concept.
Dr Bhagwat said India was one of the most developed country in terms of economic power and many Western economists have acknowledged it that India was an economic power from first century to 1700 century. He said world has now coined the word sustainable development which has been the Indian concept from ages together.
The RSS chief said the consumerism should not be the purpose of life but our motto should be sustainable development and welfare of all. Though people of many diversities live in India but they always believed in the concept of unity.
He said history is witness that the Arab nations came into existence on the name of Islam and these nations can’t guarantee the world peace because they also kept their own interests in view always and in comparison to that Indian philosophy is peace and well being of all.
He said “Indian philosophy and civilization dominated the world prior to Christianity and Islam came into existence and no one in the world objected our concept of life and living because our philosophy was deep rooted in spirituality. Though we have different ways of worship but still we are united as a nation”, he added.
Dr Bhagwat said he recently visited some cities in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu where he saw the people from different States of India have come to settle and they are living in peace and complete harmony ensuring “Sabka Saath and Sabka Vikas’’.
He said the concept given by Western world or socialists is not sustainable while the Indian philosophy and concept of humanism is to sustain for generations together and it is the only way for the betterment of the people all over the globe.
RSS North Region Sangchalak, Viyas Ji and senior functionary Dr Gautam Mengi were on the dais with Dr Bhagwat.RSS Sarkarivah Dr Gopal Krishan was also present on the occasion.
Earlier during the day, Dr Bhagwat met the RSS office bearers and discussed the prevailing situation in the twin UTs of J&K and Ladakh with them in the light of abrogation of special status of erstwhile State.
The Sangh office bearers briefed him on the prevailing situation in the two UTs and gave him a complete feedback prevailing situation.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
