Report of Universal Brotherhood Day  (U.B. Day 2010

Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra (VAK) celebrated the Universal Brotherhood Day on Friday 27th August 2010. The function was held at the Galaxy Hall of MIG Club, Bandra East, Mumbai from 6 to 8.30 pm.

The reception area and the auditorium were beautifully decorated with rangoli giving a colourful and festive look.

Rakhis were tied to all the guests on arrival. After registrations guests were served refreshments.

Shri K. Narassimhan, CEO of CommIT Group was the MC of the programme and conducted the proceedings very professionally by his superlative skills in communication.

Shri Sanjay Kelapure, President of VAK in his Welcome Address highlighted the objectives of the VAK. He mentioned that VAK organises the U B Day every year to foster friendship and goodwill with various consulates and foreign nationals in Mumbai. He concluded that VAK aspires to become a think-tank that wishes to give a Bharat-centric outlook and an alternative viewpoint on international issues.

Shri Vishal Chavda, Coordinator - U B Day 2010 Paper Presentation Competition, informed about the Paper Presentation Competition (PPC) which was held among students of Technology, Management and International Studies from 27 institutions of Mumbai on the topic ‘Challenges to Universal Brotherhood ’. He also introduced the panel of judges viz. Dr. Satish Modh, Dr. Madhavi Pethe and Shri Nitin Raut.

Dr. Madhavi Pethe, Principal of M. L. Dahanukar College summarized her feelings about the competition and also shared her opinion about the views expressed by the participants. “I am happy to note from the views expressed by the participants in the PPC that they too are concerned about the burning issues of today whereas the general perception about the youth is they are self oriented and self focused. One participant has stressed the need for maintaining human bonds and feelings of brotherhood with the help of education and more importantly IT.”

“I am reminded of Martin Luther King’s famous quote that tells that we all are trapped in an inescapable web of mutuality and only by being helpful mutually can we help ourselves.” she concluded.

Shri Ajit Doval and Prof. Vijay Page later distributed certificates and cash prizes to the winners of PPC.

Shri Venkati Muthappa, second year PGDM student from MET who bagged the first prize presented the synopsis of his paper. He felt that the only solution one can think of in the present food crisis is pooling resources available all over the world and providing them to the needy. This is one form of “Universal Brotherhood” where the concern for the fellow human beings goes beyond the territorial boundaries he said. He added that with the quality of appreciating diversity being the hallmark of Indian value system, Bharat can be the front-runner of not only upholding but spreading the value of Universal Brotherhood.

The Keynote Address was given by Shri Ajit Doval - a highly decorated police officer who had an illustrious career and retired as Director, Intelligence Bureau. He started saying that be it the faith based religions or the

science based theories like Darwin’s Theory or Primordial Soup Theory, we are increasingly converging to the idea that the entire living beings including human beings came from the same evolutionary process and hence have same heritage.

“When we talk of Universal Brotherhood as a value system that can end the sufferings, strife and conflicts that we see all around us, we are operating on a presumption. The presumption is that, the cause of the entire conflict is due to the fact that we have forgotten that we are brothers and sisters after all.”

“We believe it is a crisis of knowledge about our commonality, our ancestry and our progeny that is causing this infirmity and if you spread the message of universal brotherhood, this infirmity will cease to exist and if the infirmity ends; that will bring in peace, prosperity and development. As a logical thought it looks very correct.”

“Most of us formulate our ideas based on logical thoughts and not on empirical data. Actually, more of

bloodshed in this world has happened among those who knew each other and not among strangers.” he

exclaimed.”

“River Mother Ganga is pure and we cannot purify it further what needs to be done is just stop pollutants and sewage water getting mixed with it. Universal brotherhood too is a value that is noble but will not succeed until we identify, stop, fight, kill, conquer and succeed over the forces that vitiate the values of universal brotherhood.”

“We have been taught since thousands of years that dharma has to be upheld and adharma has to be eliminated. Therefore the need of the hour is not just to spread the message of universal brotherhood but also to conquer and vanquish the forces that are out to vitiate the values of universal brotherhood” he said.

He narrated the example of Adam Yahiye Gadahn, the US-born media advisor of Al Qaeda who said that the day he converted to Islam all his blood relatives became enemies as they were non-Muslims and hence kafirs. He may be right in having such a view but he questions the very existence and freedom of faith of others he opined.

“Weakness is the greatest provocation for violence and that is why the invaders attacked us so easily, even though we as a nation possessed some of the the greatest virtues including universal brotherhood” he explained.

Referring to the ceaseless overt and covert efforts of Pakistan to destroy and demolish India, he said that the best response from us in the true spirit of universal brotherhood is to increase our defence and nuclear capabilities to the fullest extent but restrain from using it first. However, the preaching and practice of the values of universal brotherhood should come from a position of strength and not from the fear of being defeated or destroyed he added.

He gave a detailed account of how in 2001, USA enlisted our support in their fight against terror and after our sincere efforts of building Afghanistan’s infrastructure like schools, bridges and roads and also sending our troops along with other countries, we have been left out from the group of countries that will decide the future of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of forces in July 2011 due to a secret deal with Pakistan.

According to him the deal ensures the West from being not targeted by jihadi groups and Pakistan being given a freehand to have their say in deciding who will rule Afghanistan. This will put us in a more vulnerable and difficult position he added with a worry.

He explained that Universalism and Nationalism do not go together and so, along with having a universal outlook, we should take utmost care to uphold our national interests too. Everything that will come in the way of national interest should be defeated by all means and this has been uttered by no less a person than Lord Krishna he said.

He felt that in our pursuit of preaching our noble values of universal brotherhood, we simply cannot and should not ignore to build our fighting capabilities as it is most essential for our very survival. It is only to establish righteousness and only to establish universal brotherhood that we need to be ever prepared to fight for it he concluded.

His speech was a perfect blend of logic, caution and motivation.

The inspiring, interesting and captivating Keynote Address was followed by an interesting Q/A session.

On how to deal with China

“China’s comprehensive nationl power is three times that of ours and in the next 50 years we cannot equal it unless a turmoil happens in China. This is the reality and we have to accept it. The best strategy will be to develop our missile technology. China’s comprehensive national power will be in jeopardy if its economic installations are targets of our missiles. If China understands that our missiles are of sufficiently long range as to target the most sensitive economic installations there, it will think twice before taking any step in Arunachal Pradesh. We also have to identify those critical areas in economy where we can beat them. IT is one such sector but they are fast catching up. We can also have an edge over them in Banking and Insurance sectors.

Though our manufacturing sector cannot match theirs’ in size we however have a greater goodwill with the international trade community. Therefore we can only achieve some success over them by challenging them with superior missile technology and in critical economic areas”.

On the effect of abrogation of Article 370 in solving Kashmir issue –

“Pakistan’s military as well as political leaders have clearly stated that even after a amicable solution of Kashmir we will have scores to settle with India. Abrogation of Article 370 will send a strong message to Pakistan as well as the people of Kashmir that we consider it as a totally integral part of Bharat and want to give them the same status as other states. For 60 years we have kept them in docks. When we send a strong

and clear signal to Pakistan and the separatists that Kashmir is not negotiable, things will settle in a few years”.

On sending our officers to mercenary schools in US for special training –

“We have the best police training facilities that are second to none. Our police and para- military forces are not restrained by training or equipment but by having to confront a situation where they have to minimize the collateral damage and political fall-outs”.

On the relevance of conventional armies and warfare from India’s perspective –

“There is a doctrine that all strategic weapons are for enforced budgets and wars will be fought only by conventional means. The fourth generation warfare is a very difficult one because the enemy is within the civil society and the civil society has to be protected”.

He also answered questions on biological warfare and promulgating common civil code.

Prof. Vijay Page, Director General of MET Institute of Management in his presidential address complimented VAK for organizing the event every year to foster friendship and harmony. Though it was a small step it is a significant one he added. He felt that through the forums like these a beginning is made by the society to unite as one and cherish the values of Universal Brotherhood. He said brotherhood means conformity to a commonly held righteous path and a path to success at a nation-state level.

The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Shri Vidyadhar Phadke, Treasurer of VAK and the dignitaries were presented with VAK mementos.

The programme came to a close with the reciting of shanti mantra by Aditya Pandey.

The event was sponsored by M/s KisaN Group of Companies who have been sponsoring the event since 2007 and co-sponsored by M/s Geeta Shipping and Clearing Services.. We are very grateful to them for their generosity and commitment to support a social cause being pursued by VAK.

The programme was attended by 150 distinguished audience from various walks of life ranging from students to CEOs and included 65 who attended for the first time.

The highlight of the programme was that despite heavy rains through the day invitees had resolved to attend the function in a good number. Another was that the programme commenced and closed on time.

Report 4th Lakshmanrao Bhide Memorial Lecture

Report of 4th Lakshmanrao Bhide Memorial Lecture

Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra (Centre for International Studies) organized the 4th Lakshmanrao Bhide Memorial Lecture on Friday 15th January 2010 at the Alkesh Dinesh Mody Auditorium in Kalina Campus, Vidyanagari, Mumbai.

The function was presided over by Shri Ashok Goel, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Essel Propack Ltd and also Chairman of Uttan Vividh Laksheee Shikshan Sanstha of Keshavsrushti.

Shri K. Sital, social worker, industrialist and publisher of Hong Kong was the Chief Guest who received the Bharatvanshi Samaj Bhushan Puraskar from VAK for his distinguished leadership & outstanding services in the areas of publishing, networking, social justice, trade and promoting social coexistence and harmony among the People of Indian Origin spread across the whole world.

Shri Dattatreya Hosabale, Sahsarkaryavah of RSS delivered the memorial lecture on the topic – ‘Facebook generation’s face-off with global challenges’

Ms Mamata Vora did a fine job by effectively conducting the entire program as the MC.

Shri Sanjay Kelapure, President of the VAK welcomed the gathering and introduced VAK and its various activities. He also presented bouquets to the dignitaries on stage.

Dr. Satish Modh, founder member of VAK, introduced Late Lakshmanrao Bhide to the audience as a remarkable pracharak of the RSS who worked silently for over five decades building a network of workers around the world. Narrating a personal anecdote he informed that the energizing words of Bhide ji “Look within you and build your potential” – was like a mantra that changed his professional profile. He went on pursuing academics which made him take Ph D in management and complete law after completing Masters in Engineering all due to Shri Bhide ji’s motivation.

Shri Ashok Goel in his brief address informed that Shri Lakshmanrao Bhide had expressed the concerns of People of Indian Origin (PIO) and had wanted Mumbai to commence a school where the children of these PIOs could develop with ‘global minds in Indian Soul’ and be nourished with values of Indian culture. Uttan Vividh Laksheee Shikshan Sanstha of Keshavsrushti came into existence due to Bhide ji’s motivation and far sightedness he said. The Ram Ratna Vidya Mandir is committed to fulfill the aspirations of Late Lakshmanrao Bhide he remarked.

Shri Ratan Sharda, the founder General Secretary of the VAK, introduced Shri K. Sital the Chief Guest. He informed how Shri Sital had developed skills from the shakha that he attended in Karachi in his childhood and fine-tuned them and transformed himself into a successful businessman and a committed social worker. He listed the various achievements of Shri Sital.

After the introduction the Chief Guest was given the Bharatvanshi Samaj Bhushan Puraskar by VAK. Shri Dattatreya Hosabale presented the plaque and memento; Shri Narasimhan, coordinator of 4th LBML, handed over a cheque of Rs One Lakh and Shri Ashok Goel presented Shri Sital with a shawl.

When Shri Sital took over the mike the first thing he said was that he was overwhelmed with the honor and warm applause which he got from the audience. He had wanted to speak a lot of things but was made speechless due to the warm and emotional reception. He informed that he perceived Shri Bhide ji more as a saint than a mere RSS worker.

“There are about 25 million Indians scattered over the world. These Indians are hard working wealth creators. They pay their taxes regularly. None of them is a terrorist” he said amid thunderous applause. Shri Sital informed that he had traveled to remote countries and has seen hundreds of success stories of PIOs. In order for the larger Hindu community to know about these remarkable Indians he started to document them and bring out directories and profile of 100 global Indian achievers.

He mentioned that the PIOs who were taken as ‘indentured labourers’ to sugar plantations from Fiji to Suriname faced inhuman hardships for two generations but slowly transformed themselves into achievers due to the Hindu values of life, tremendous will power and patient hard work.

Talking about the secret of his success he said that the discipline that he had imbibed in the shakha was the foremost reason. He also spoke of the “apnapan” (cordial atmosphere) in the shakha that lacks in a school or clubs. He adviced the audience to have a sense of humour and enjoy humour.

Shri Vishal Chavda, committee member of VAK, informed about the reasons for VAK to decide to have a web presence and introduced Shri Sunil Mishra who has designed and hosted the website. He then requested Shri Sital to inaugurate the VAK website. Literally the launch was glittery and dazzling.

Shri Dattatreya Hosabale started his address by mentioning that Bhide ji was an embodiment of simplicity and openness and he personified love and affection. He recalled that after assuming the office of General Secretary of WOSY, he had a met Lakshmanrao Bhide who gave him useful guidance and suggestions about the students and youth of various countries.

Speaking on the topic ‘Facebook generation’s face-off with global challenges’ he said there was a digital divide in the youth. All the youth of present day do not have access to primary education leave alone access to the internet he said. Of every 100 students who enroll for primary education only 30 manage to reach up to the 10th Std. he said. More than governments the youth alone have the potential to reverse this and achieve 100 % literacy and spread of education.

He listed the global challenges facing the ‘facebook’ generation of today - climate change, poverty, corruption, terrorism … . The youth have a lot to speak on these topics he said. The facebook generation is disillusioned with the system in most parts of the world. Youth have expectations from society but when their expectations are not met there is anger amid the youth. It was youth power he reminded which toppled the corrupt Sukarno Government in Indonesia in 1968.

The facebook generation does not want to turn its face from global challenges said Shri Hosabale referring to the 45-minute interaction he had with about 50 students mostly from IIT and Kalina Campus before the main programme. He was confident that the youth will take up issues that haunt society.

Ms Divya Ratan Sharda conducted the interesting question answer session that saw many youth participate with eagerness and enthusiasm. Shri Vidyadhar Phadke, Treasurer of VAK, delivered the Vote of Thanks. Ms Shubaga Narasimhan rendered the initial and valedictory vedic prayer.

The audience which was about 400 mainly comprised of about 150 college students and professionals from various walks.