Friday 28 November 2008
Saturday 22 November 2008
Report of 2007 - 2008 in pictures
Swami Vignyananand ji addressing
Varsha Sahal
Shri Yashwant Sinha addressing at U.B. Day 2007
Friday 21 November 2008
Annual Report 2007 - 2008
Pradeergh Baithak
The VAK meeting held in Wada on 1st April 2007 was a landmark event because no such brainstorming had been done since the formation of VAK. All the participants took very active part in the discussions that went on for the whole day.
Shri Ravi Kumar ji was present as special invitee. He inaugurated the proceedings with an account of Sangh activities around the world and summarized that to have a successful and long lasting organization we need 4 things –
• Lofty vision
• Far sightedness
• Easy working method, adoption of successful ideas of other organizations
• Strong and dedicated team of volunteers
A Draft vision statement was adopted in the meeting that was as follows: ‘To become a leading think - tank in the field of international affairs in Mumbai and disseminate an alternative and independent world view with Bharat-centric view point’.
There was near unanimity that there was a critical need for a think tank that would articulate alternative view points especially on subjects relating to international affairs. It was felt that equal importance needs to be paid to building up an organization, even if small or compact that would carry forward these thoughts in the society.
There was a session about strengthening and building the organization of VAK. The session also discussed the two annual programmes viz. Universal Brotherhood Day & Laxmanrao Bhide Memorial Lecture. It was felt that we need dedicated small teams to work for months to make them really successful.
It was felt that one of the prime ways of strengthening the organization was to have well structured monthly get together where new persons could be invited individually. It was explained that both Paschim and Purva have their monthly get together organizing groups. It was also felt that we need to devise our meeting so well that we can absorb new people who come with some expectations about our organization.
It was felt that the monthly bulletin should be restarted as a method of reaching out.
The crucial session about finance was handled by Bimal ji. He felt that we could divide the expenses and financial requirements of VAK in two parts viz. day to day running of the organization and large programmes like U B Day and LBML etc. He suggested that instead of life membership of Rs. 1000/- alone, we could start a yearly contribution also from members and well wishers.
Shri Bimal ji suggested that we should publish lectures etc. that VAK organizes. As a starter he asked VAK to print a booklet on Late Laxmanrao Bhide lecture by Ma. Shri Sudarshan ji and also sell its Audio CD.
Visit of Swami (Dr.) Vigyananand ji
Swami Vignyananand ji is a scholar and pracharak of Vishwa Hindu Parishad in charge of overseas work. VAK organized two programmes for him.
1. A get together of VAK karyakartas with families on 10th June at Dadhichi Bhavan, Santacruz East.
2. Shri Sandeep Singh took special initiative and organized a lecture in Navi Mumbai IT Park that was attended by over 100 IT professionals on 14th June 2007.
Varsha Sahal
A full day family varsha sahal was organized for VAK members on 15th July 2007 to Deobandh, a remote village in Mumbai – Nasik Highway, where a tribal welfare project has been successfully set up since three decades. Shri Vinayak Dixit had made all necessary arrangements for interaction with committee members and sight seeing of the kendra. In all 30 members attended the sahal and everybody enjoyed the trip and appreciated the work being done among the vanavasis.
Universal Brotherhood Day 2007
U. B. Day was organized on 31st August 07 at C. K. Naidu Banquet Hall, CCI, Churchgate in association with GOPIO (Global Organization for People of Indian Origin).
Shri Yashwant Sinha, M.P., Former Union Finance & Foreign Minister, was the Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address on the topic: “1-2-3, Nuclear India – Towards new horizons?” Shri Balakrishnan, Political Editor, Times of India, Mumbai was the Guest of Honour on the occasion. Shri Satish Agrawal, eminent industrialist, presided over the programme.
Dr. B. B. Singh – LLM, Ph.D & D. Sc, Scientific Advisor to BARC and an authority on Nuclear Science, gave special inputs about the proposed 123 Agreement. The programme was attended by over 120 participants including 15 from IIT, Powai. The audience listened in rapt attention and anxiety as the topic was a very hotly discussed issue at that time. M/s Kisan Group had sponsored the programme fully.
Tribute to Ma. Ramprakash ji Dhir
VAK produced a 20-minute documentary film titled ‘Bhavatu Sabba Mangalam’ based on an exhibition with similar name. This exhibition has been held for the past 50 years by senior Sangh pracharak Ma. Ramprakash ji Dhir in Myanmar (Burma) and some other countries. The exhibition portrays the life of Gautama Buddha and the spread of Buddhism in the whole of S. E. Asia in the last 2600 years.
The exhibition was erected at the Hall of Vakola Welfare Association from 6th to 15th of August 2007. Ma. Ramprakash ji was felicitated at a grand function held on 28th October 2007 at Raheja Architecture College Hall, Juhu. The attendance was over 350 including a delegation of 15 from Myanmar. This programme was jointly organized with Brahma Bharati Sahyog Parishad.
Funds from Vishwa Niketan, New Delhi
Vishwa Niketan, New Delhi approached us in December 2007 to work in close cooperation for commonly held objectives of respective organizations. VAK has agreed to work as contact point and facilitating office for Vishwa Niketan and would also help organize visits of its members and scholars within or outside Bharat as and when required. VAK would host some programmes for the scholars of Vishwa Niketan. Similarly, Vishwa Niketan would offer its good offices for coordinating visits by scholars or providing other support for other activities where a local support is required. In consideration of Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra’s active support in terms of providing office space, communication facilities, travel arrangements for pravas of Sangh adhikaris, reception for visitors from Vishwa Niketan and all other related activities, Vishwa Niketan has agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra on a regular basis.
Lakshmanrao Bhide Memorial Lecture 2008
VAK and Uttan Vividhlakshee Shikshan Sanstha, Keshavsrushti jointly organized the 2nd Lakshmanrao Bhide Memorial Lecture on 4th January 2008 at Alkesh Mody Auditorium, Kalina Campus, Mumbai. The programme commenced with a documentary film on Lakshmanrao Bhide portraying vividly his tireless efforts over four decades in uniting the Hindu community spread in various countries and continents. Shri Mukund Chitale, Chairman of Keshavsrishti presided over the function. Shri Surendra Sharda of Canada read a message for the occasion sent by Ma. Jagdish Shastri ji. Dr. Shankarrao Tatwawadi ji, Vishwa Vibhag Samyojak, introduced the two books that were released by Shri Mohanrao Bhagwat that evening viz. ‘Moving Spirit behind Global Hindu Cause’ and ‘Memoirs of a Global Hindu’. The former is an English translation of the book on Bhide ji released a year ago. The latter, the memoirs of Ma. Jagdish Shastry ji, is the story of growth and expansion of Sangh work outside Bharat in the last 6 decades.
Dr. Satish Modh, President of VAK briefly detailed the aims and objectives of VAK and explained the idea behind the Bharatvamshi Samaj Bhushan Puraskar.
Ma. Mohanrao Bhagwat, Sarkaryavah of RSS, honoured Swami Aksharananda by presenting him a shawl, sreefal, plaque and cheque for Rs 51000/-.
After a short presentation on Swami Aksharananda and his work in Guyana, Swami ji delivered the Keynote Address. He thanked VAK for selecting him for the award but said he considered it was given NOT for his personal achievements at all but his collective achievements along with others. Speaking on ‘Challenges before Global PIO Community’ he cited the recent Malaysia crisis and said that the Hindus there are conducting a vigorous effort for self-preservation and dignity. He also reminded about the severe security threat faced by Hindus of Kenya.
He declared that no group or organization civic or governmental has understood and addressed the problems of the PIOs as best as Sangh.
Ma. Mohanrao Bhagwat in his address said that the overseas activities of Sangh were not started by some national debate and resolutions but by swayamsevaks who went abroad out of the need they personally felt in organizing the Hindu community there.
“Over the last two generations, organizations inspired by Sangh have succeeded in uniting the Hindu society of various countries in different organizational names and kindled in them pride for Hindu culture and given them a sense of proper identity and security” he said.
He recalled the message given by Lakshmanrao Bhide ji at the First Training Camp held for swayamsevaks of vishwa vibhag in 1990 at Bangalore. “The First phase work was mainly aimed to make overseas Indians know their identity. The Second phase was oriented towards organizing them and making them known as a cultured and potential society. The thrust of the third phase is to have RSS of various countries that will transform the whole society as per the ancient call of vasudhaiva kutumbakam and krunvanto vishwamaryam for the good of all”.
He said he agreed with Swami ji’s point that the PIO community of the whole world would feel a sense of pride and security ONLY when the Hindus of Bharat will get organized. The only guarantee for a harmonious and peaceful world lies in the message of rishis of Bharat ‘vasundhara parivar hamara’.
A resolution on the current crises in Malaysia and Kenya was adopted that appealed to the respective governments to provide security for life and property of PIOs there at all cost.
The attendance was over 350. Uttan Vividhlaksyee Shikshan Sanstha had sponsored the programme fully and has agreed to do so every year. Shri Vinayak Dixit, Treasurer of VAK contributed Rs 51000/- towards the Bharatvamshi Samaj Bhushan Puraskar that was awarded to Swami Aksharananda. We express our sincere gratitude and special thanks to him for this noble gesture. We have thus commenced a new initiative to honour an eminent PIO social worker for their outstanding community service. The award will be given every alternate year.
Visit of Russian Indologist
Dr. Valareiy Kashin, a Russian scholar in Oriental Studies, paid a visit to Mumbai to study about the unknown role of Sangh and other nationalist organisations in the freedom struggle of Bharat. He was taken to Savarkar Sadan, Keshavsrushti and other places by Shri Anil Vartak and he also met Dr Ashokrao Modak, Shri Vinay Sahasrabuddhe among others. He addressed a small group of VAK members on 1st March 2008 at Utkarsha Mandal, Vile Parle East. He compared the democratic set up of Bharat and Russia and gave a brief report about the Presidential elections in Russia. He also answered questions from VAK members about the socio-economic issues of Russia.
Parivarik Holi Milan
A parivarik holi milan for Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra members along with family and friends was held on 21st March 2008 at Asmita Vidyalaya Jogeswari East. The attendance was 36. Shri Jagdish Samant, Secretary of Asmita Trust gave a brief account of the various activities of the Trust. A simple puja was also performed with Shri Mukesh and Sow. Arundati Padhya taking the role of yajman. The puja was done in an eco-friendly way and colorful flower petals were showered in place of color powder. All the members offered havan samagri to the bonfire and chanted shanti mantra.
Visit of Shri Vedamurthy of Malaysia
Shri Vedamurthy self exiled leader of HINDRAF (Hindu Rights Action Force) visited Mumbai on 26th March 2008 to participate in various programmes coordinated by VAK.
A protest meeting was held outside Malaysian Consulate in Mumbai and a memorandum was submitted to the authorities asking to uphold democratic principles and stop human rights violation against the hindu community in Malaysia. A Press Conference was held at Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh where about 20 journalists were present.
He also addressed VAK members at VITA, Vidyanidhi, Juhu and answered queries about the Malaysia Scenario.
Publication
VAK obtained ISBN registration in January 2008 and we have up to now published 3 books.
‘Memoirs of a Global Hindu’ is a sort of autobiography of Shri Jagdish Shashtry ji, who commenced the first shakha outside Bharat aboard the ship S.S. Vasna while on his maiden voyage to Kenya in September 1946. The book has been edited by Shri Ratan Sharda. This book was released at the 2nd LBML by Ma. Mohan ji Bhagwat.
‘Business of Freedom’ is the maiden venture of Shri Sandeep Singh as a writer. He is a member of VAK since 2007 and has brought many professionals closer to VAK. This book has been highly recommended by many kendriya sangh adhikaris. Shri Ratan Sharda has edited this book too.
‘Ramayana around the World’ is a collection of interesting and unknown anecdotes as well as firsthand information shared with readers by Vishwa Vibhag Sah Samyojak Shri Ravi Kumar ji.
The VAK meeting held in Wada on 1st April 2007 was a landmark event because no such brainstorming had been done since the formation of VAK. All the participants took very active part in the discussions that went on for the whole day.
Shri Ravi Kumar ji was present as special invitee. He inaugurated the proceedings with an account of Sangh activities around the world and summarized that to have a successful and long lasting organization we need 4 things –
• Lofty vision
• Far sightedness
• Easy working method, adoption of successful ideas of other organizations
• Strong and dedicated team of volunteers
A Draft vision statement was adopted in the meeting that was as follows: ‘To become a leading think - tank in the field of international affairs in Mumbai and disseminate an alternative and independent world view with Bharat-centric view point’.
There was near unanimity that there was a critical need for a think tank that would articulate alternative view points especially on subjects relating to international affairs. It was felt that equal importance needs to be paid to building up an organization, even if small or compact that would carry forward these thoughts in the society.
There was a session about strengthening and building the organization of VAK. The session also discussed the two annual programmes viz. Universal Brotherhood Day & Laxmanrao Bhide Memorial Lecture. It was felt that we need dedicated small teams to work for months to make them really successful.
It was felt that one of the prime ways of strengthening the organization was to have well structured monthly get together where new persons could be invited individually. It was explained that both Paschim and Purva have their monthly get together organizing groups. It was also felt that we need to devise our meeting so well that we can absorb new people who come with some expectations about our organization.
It was felt that the monthly bulletin should be restarted as a method of reaching out.
The crucial session about finance was handled by Bimal ji. He felt that we could divide the expenses and financial requirements of VAK in two parts viz. day to day running of the organization and large programmes like U B Day and LBML etc. He suggested that instead of life membership of Rs. 1000/- alone, we could start a yearly contribution also from members and well wishers.
Shri Bimal ji suggested that we should publish lectures etc. that VAK organizes. As a starter he asked VAK to print a booklet on Late Laxmanrao Bhide lecture by Ma. Shri Sudarshan ji and also sell its Audio CD.
Visit of Swami (Dr.) Vigyananand ji
Swami Vignyananand ji is a scholar and pracharak of Vishwa Hindu Parishad in charge of overseas work. VAK organized two programmes for him.
1. A get together of VAK karyakartas with families on 10th June at Dadhichi Bhavan, Santacruz East.
2. Shri Sandeep Singh took special initiative and organized a lecture in Navi Mumbai IT Park that was attended by over 100 IT professionals on 14th June 2007.
Varsha Sahal
A full day family varsha sahal was organized for VAK members on 15th July 2007 to Deobandh, a remote village in Mumbai – Nasik Highway, where a tribal welfare project has been successfully set up since three decades. Shri Vinayak Dixit had made all necessary arrangements for interaction with committee members and sight seeing of the kendra. In all 30 members attended the sahal and everybody enjoyed the trip and appreciated the work being done among the vanavasis.
Universal Brotherhood Day 2007
U. B. Day was organized on 31st August 07 at C. K. Naidu Banquet Hall, CCI, Churchgate in association with GOPIO (Global Organization for People of Indian Origin).
Shri Yashwant Sinha, M.P., Former Union Finance & Foreign Minister, was the Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address on the topic: “1-2-3, Nuclear India – Towards new horizons?” Shri Balakrishnan, Political Editor, Times of India, Mumbai was the Guest of Honour on the occasion. Shri Satish Agrawal, eminent industrialist, presided over the programme.
Dr. B. B. Singh – LLM, Ph.D & D. Sc, Scientific Advisor to BARC and an authority on Nuclear Science, gave special inputs about the proposed 123 Agreement. The programme was attended by over 120 participants including 15 from IIT, Powai. The audience listened in rapt attention and anxiety as the topic was a very hotly discussed issue at that time. M/s Kisan Group had sponsored the programme fully.
Tribute to Ma. Ramprakash ji Dhir
VAK produced a 20-minute documentary film titled ‘Bhavatu Sabba Mangalam’ based on an exhibition with similar name. This exhibition has been held for the past 50 years by senior Sangh pracharak Ma. Ramprakash ji Dhir in Myanmar (Burma) and some other countries. The exhibition portrays the life of Gautama Buddha and the spread of Buddhism in the whole of S. E. Asia in the last 2600 years.
The exhibition was erected at the Hall of Vakola Welfare Association from 6th to 15th of August 2007. Ma. Ramprakash ji was felicitated at a grand function held on 28th October 2007 at Raheja Architecture College Hall, Juhu. The attendance was over 350 including a delegation of 15 from Myanmar. This programme was jointly organized with Brahma Bharati Sahyog Parishad.
Funds from Vishwa Niketan, New Delhi
Vishwa Niketan, New Delhi approached us in December 2007 to work in close cooperation for commonly held objectives of respective organizations. VAK has agreed to work as contact point and facilitating office for Vishwa Niketan and would also help organize visits of its members and scholars within or outside Bharat as and when required. VAK would host some programmes for the scholars of Vishwa Niketan. Similarly, Vishwa Niketan would offer its good offices for coordinating visits by scholars or providing other support for other activities where a local support is required. In consideration of Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra’s active support in terms of providing office space, communication facilities, travel arrangements for pravas of Sangh adhikaris, reception for visitors from Vishwa Niketan and all other related activities, Vishwa Niketan has agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra on a regular basis.
Lakshmanrao Bhide Memorial Lecture 2008
VAK and Uttan Vividhlakshee Shikshan Sanstha, Keshavsrushti jointly organized the 2nd Lakshmanrao Bhide Memorial Lecture on 4th January 2008 at Alkesh Mody Auditorium, Kalina Campus, Mumbai. The programme commenced with a documentary film on Lakshmanrao Bhide portraying vividly his tireless efforts over four decades in uniting the Hindu community spread in various countries and continents. Shri Mukund Chitale, Chairman of Keshavsrishti presided over the function. Shri Surendra Sharda of Canada read a message for the occasion sent by Ma. Jagdish Shastri ji. Dr. Shankarrao Tatwawadi ji, Vishwa Vibhag Samyojak, introduced the two books that were released by Shri Mohanrao Bhagwat that evening viz. ‘Moving Spirit behind Global Hindu Cause’ and ‘Memoirs of a Global Hindu’. The former is an English translation of the book on Bhide ji released a year ago. The latter, the memoirs of Ma. Jagdish Shastry ji, is the story of growth and expansion of Sangh work outside Bharat in the last 6 decades.
Dr. Satish Modh, President of VAK briefly detailed the aims and objectives of VAK and explained the idea behind the Bharatvamshi Samaj Bhushan Puraskar.
Ma. Mohanrao Bhagwat, Sarkaryavah of RSS, honoured Swami Aksharananda by presenting him a shawl, sreefal, plaque and cheque for Rs 51000/-.
After a short presentation on Swami Aksharananda and his work in Guyana, Swami ji delivered the Keynote Address. He thanked VAK for selecting him for the award but said he considered it was given NOT for his personal achievements at all but his collective achievements along with others. Speaking on ‘Challenges before Global PIO Community’ he cited the recent Malaysia crisis and said that the Hindus there are conducting a vigorous effort for self-preservation and dignity. He also reminded about the severe security threat faced by Hindus of Kenya.
He declared that no group or organization civic or governmental has understood and addressed the problems of the PIOs as best as Sangh.
Ma. Mohanrao Bhagwat in his address said that the overseas activities of Sangh were not started by some national debate and resolutions but by swayamsevaks who went abroad out of the need they personally felt in organizing the Hindu community there.
“Over the last two generations, organizations inspired by Sangh have succeeded in uniting the Hindu society of various countries in different organizational names and kindled in them pride for Hindu culture and given them a sense of proper identity and security” he said.
He recalled the message given by Lakshmanrao Bhide ji at the First Training Camp held for swayamsevaks of vishwa vibhag in 1990 at Bangalore. “The First phase work was mainly aimed to make overseas Indians know their identity. The Second phase was oriented towards organizing them and making them known as a cultured and potential society. The thrust of the third phase is to have RSS of various countries that will transform the whole society as per the ancient call of vasudhaiva kutumbakam and krunvanto vishwamaryam for the good of all”.
He said he agreed with Swami ji’s point that the PIO community of the whole world would feel a sense of pride and security ONLY when the Hindus of Bharat will get organized. The only guarantee for a harmonious and peaceful world lies in the message of rishis of Bharat ‘vasundhara parivar hamara’.
A resolution on the current crises in Malaysia and Kenya was adopted that appealed to the respective governments to provide security for life and property of PIOs there at all cost.
The attendance was over 350. Uttan Vividhlaksyee Shikshan Sanstha had sponsored the programme fully and has agreed to do so every year. Shri Vinayak Dixit, Treasurer of VAK contributed Rs 51000/- towards the Bharatvamshi Samaj Bhushan Puraskar that was awarded to Swami Aksharananda. We express our sincere gratitude and special thanks to him for this noble gesture. We have thus commenced a new initiative to honour an eminent PIO social worker for their outstanding community service. The award will be given every alternate year.
Visit of Russian Indologist
Dr. Valareiy Kashin, a Russian scholar in Oriental Studies, paid a visit to Mumbai to study about the unknown role of Sangh and other nationalist organisations in the freedom struggle of Bharat. He was taken to Savarkar Sadan, Keshavsrushti and other places by Shri Anil Vartak and he also met Dr Ashokrao Modak, Shri Vinay Sahasrabuddhe among others. He addressed a small group of VAK members on 1st March 2008 at Utkarsha Mandal, Vile Parle East. He compared the democratic set up of Bharat and Russia and gave a brief report about the Presidential elections in Russia. He also answered questions from VAK members about the socio-economic issues of Russia.
Parivarik Holi Milan
A parivarik holi milan for Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra members along with family and friends was held on 21st March 2008 at Asmita Vidyalaya Jogeswari East. The attendance was 36. Shri Jagdish Samant, Secretary of Asmita Trust gave a brief account of the various activities of the Trust. A simple puja was also performed with Shri Mukesh and Sow. Arundati Padhya taking the role of yajman. The puja was done in an eco-friendly way and colorful flower petals were showered in place of color powder. All the members offered havan samagri to the bonfire and chanted shanti mantra.
Visit of Shri Vedamurthy of Malaysia
Shri Vedamurthy self exiled leader of HINDRAF (Hindu Rights Action Force) visited Mumbai on 26th March 2008 to participate in various programmes coordinated by VAK.
A protest meeting was held outside Malaysian Consulate in Mumbai and a memorandum was submitted to the authorities asking to uphold democratic principles and stop human rights violation against the hindu community in Malaysia. A Press Conference was held at Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh where about 20 journalists were present.
He also addressed VAK members at VITA, Vidyanidhi, Juhu and answered queries about the Malaysia Scenario.
Publication
VAK obtained ISBN registration in January 2008 and we have up to now published 3 books.
‘Memoirs of a Global Hindu’ is a sort of autobiography of Shri Jagdish Shashtry ji, who commenced the first shakha outside Bharat aboard the ship S.S. Vasna while on his maiden voyage to Kenya in September 1946. The book has been edited by Shri Ratan Sharda. This book was released at the 2nd LBML by Ma. Mohan ji Bhagwat.
‘Business of Freedom’ is the maiden venture of Shri Sandeep Singh as a writer. He is a member of VAK since 2007 and has brought many professionals closer to VAK. This book has been highly recommended by many kendriya sangh adhikaris. Shri Ratan Sharda has edited this book too.
‘Ramayana around the World’ is a collection of interesting and unknown anecdotes as well as firsthand information shared with readers by Vishwa Vibhag Sah Samyojak Shri Ravi Kumar ji.
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