Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, in Majuli today.
By Nava Thakuria*
Guwahati: Unity is not uniformity, but it is unitedness, said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat while addressing the Purvottar Sant Manikanchan Sammelan 2023 at Uttar Kamalabari Satra in Majuli river island today.
In the presence of 104 spiritual leaders belonging to 48 Satras (Vaishnavite monasteries) and 37 different religious institutions and sects from the entire north-eastern region of India, the RSS chief reminded that all Indians have the same ancestors and they possess the same values, which need to be taken forward even adhering to diversities.
Organised after a long gap (since 1966 Jorhat Sant Sammelan), the religious congregation aims to pursue coordination, goodwill and harmony among all the different Sanatan spiritual traditions and communities.
With a unanimous call for mutual cooperation among all stakeholders, Sarsanghchalak Bhagwat asserted that the people of India need to try hard to make the society self-reliant through service, education, healthcare and employment.
He analysed that like every person has a particular nature, every nation has its own unique way of life, and the nature of a nation is derived from its culture. “The Bharatiya (Indian) culture is reflected through Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti (the Upanishad statement describes that truth is one, but it’s reflected differently). The all-inclusive tradition exists only in Bharat,” Bhagwat asserted, adding that in today’s crucial timing, India has to stand firm to give this message of peace and coexistence to the entire world.
“There is a great need for national awareness in families to upkeep Bharat’s eternal spiritual values and time-tested customs. All Dharmacharyas and Maths, as well as temples, have to work hard while conveying this great message and Bharat’s best spiritual values to the new generation,” he commented. He also added that, like Assam’s 15th century great saint-scholar, philosopher, and creative genius Shrimanta Shankardev brought social reforms to the society, every Indian has to eliminate social evils through benevolent behaviour.
The conference was attended among others by Janardan Devgoswami of Uttar Kamalabari Satra, Chittaranjan Maharaj from Tripura Shantikali Ashram along with Satradhikar Prabhus from Auniaati Satra, Dakshinpat Satra, Garhmool Satra, Sundaria Satra of Barpeta.
Pramukh Bhonte from Namsai Buddha Vihar and Pramukh Mahant of Parshuram Kund of Arunachal Pradesh, Daloi Shri Puramon Kinjin of Meghalaya’s Jaintia hills, Rajashree Bhagyachandra Foundation of Manipur, Jheliang Rong Hararkka, Bodo Bali Batho Samaj, Lakhiman Sangh, Kargu Gamgi Samaj, several prominent leaders from Shrimanta Shankardev Sangh, Assam Sattra Mahasabha, were also present on the occasion.
*Senior journalist
