In the light of recent comments by the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat about the work of Mother Teresa, there has been a wide spread criticism among people and electronic media.
The so called “liberal and secular” Hindus are at the forefront of this criticizing exercise. This criticism is the result of ignorance among people about their own religion. They sing songs of praise for Christian missionaries but have they ever tried to know what great work is done by Hindu Organisations and Hindu people in general?
We do not demean the work done by other organisations but there is a great need to make people aware about work done by Hindu organisations. According to Hinduism “Daan” is a virtue of generosity. In Hinduism, it is believed that Daan leads to one of the perfections - the perfection of giving - dana-paramita. It means unconditional generosity, giving and letting go.
Support of Daan in Vedas and Hindu religious texts
Rig veda has the earliest mention of Daan. Rig veda compares Daan to satya i.e. truth.
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, in verse 5.2.3, states that
This verse directs human beings to learn three cardinal virtues - self restraint, charity and compassion for all life. Bhagavad Gita also describes the importance of Daan in verses 17.20 through 17.22. Hinduism gives special significance to Go Dana - donation of a cow, Bhu Dana - donation of land and Anna Dana - Giving food to the poor and needy. Al Biruni, the Persian historian, who visited India for 16 years from about 1017 AD, mentions the practice of charity in his records. He wrote
“It is obligatory with them (Hindus) every day to give alms as much as possible.”—Tarikh Al- Hind, 11th century AD.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is a charitable, educational and volunteer Hindu nationalist non-governmental organization. It is the world's largest voluntary NGO. It follows the principle of selfless service to the nation. The RSS was founded 89 years ago in 1925. Its founder was Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. It has 50,000 shakhas to spread its ideological beliefs.
Role played by RSS at the time of partition
The RSS played a very active role in independence movement. At the time of partition of India when millions of Hindus and Sikhs fled Pakistan to find refuge in India, the RSS played an active role in helping these people. The RSS arranged for food, medicines, shelter, tents etc. During partition it was the RSS that helped organise over 3,000 relief camps for the refugees from Pakistan. The RSS participated in movement to decolonise Dadra and Nagar Haveli, which was ruled by Portuguese colonists.
Accession of Jammu and Kashmir
In 1947, Pakistani troops reached the borders of Kashmir and all the efforts of political leaders had failed. At this time, Sardar Patel directed the RSS chief M.S. Golwalker to use his influence to prevail upon the Maharaja to accede to India. Guruji rushed to Srinagar to resolve the delicate matter. A meeting between Guruji and Maharaja Hari Singh was arranged. This historic meeting was successful and the Maharaja sent the accession proposal to Delhi. In this way the RSS played a vital role in accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India.
Role at the time of India-China war of 1962
During the Sino-Indian War in 1962, the contribution of the RSS was immense. Swayamsevaks from the whole India assembled in the northeast of India to help the army and local people. Their enthusiastic contribution was recognised by the whole nation when then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru invited the RSS to take part in the Indian Republic Day parade of 1963.
1984 Anti Sikh riots
Noted journalist Khushwant Singh was openly critical of the RSS. But at the time of Anti Sikh riots in Delhi the RSS was instrumental in helping Sikhs in large numbers when murderers went on rampage to kill them. This help of the RSS was later acknowledged by a critic - Khushwant Singh. The RSS was the only organisation that came to help Sikhs when In Rajiv Gandhi’s words “A big tree fell and the ground had shaken”.
Sewa activities
Whenever there is any need of relief work in country, the RSS is at the forefront of such work. The RSS has helped people in natural disasters like the Tamil Nadu Tsunami, the Gujarat earthquake, the Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand floods, the Bhopal gas tragedy and Assam riots. The disaster relief provided by the Sangh in Jammu and Kashmir floods was enormous. The Hindu organisations organized free medical camps in the flood-hit state and provided medical aid to around 1,400 patients in different areas of Jammu district. Around 2,000 kg of cattle feed was distributed among villagers for their livestock and it was assured that cattle feed for one week would be supplied in Hamirpur village of Akhnoor free of cost. The activities of the Sangh are spreading to distant parts of the nation. The Sangh welcomes even people other than Hindus who join the Sangh.
Work in education sector
Samvedana Rehabilitation Centre has been set up for the rescue of handicapped children. This organization enables them to lead a normal life by boosting their confidence. With the coming together of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Jankalyan Samiti and Vivekanand Medical Foundation & Research Centre, the Samvedana Rehabilitation Centre for Physically Handicapped was started at Latur. The RSS has started many hostels in many parts of our country for students to provide them free accommodation and educational facilities. Various Bal Sanskar Kendras, primary schools, secondary schools, night schools, libraries and residential schools are run all across India. The RSS runs 27,000 Ekal Vidyalayas in remote tribal areas where more than 8 lakh socially deprived tribal students are enrolled.
Role of Arogya Rakshaks
Arogya Chetna Shivirs are organized in various parts of India. The Arogya Rakshaks are rendering primary health services in remote villages of the nation, where people do not have any access to health facilities. They provide people the basic health care facilities and essential medicines that too free of cost.
Role in Health sector
Various projects in the field of health have been launched by the RSS and Vishav Hindu Parishad. These projects include dispensaries of English medicines, homeopathy, ayurveda, naturopathy and panchgavya (medicinal products from cow urine and dung), mobile medical clinics, hospitals, and ambulances. Trained aarogya sewaks and sewikas are there to provide primary health care. At many places free Vyavyaam shalas (gyms) are set up to promote good health. Medical & Health Camps are organised from time to time. Various hospitals, Mobile Dispensaries and ambulances are also run.
Environment conservation
In the view of need to conserve the environment, the Hindu organisations are planting trees in every village of the nation. Apart from this, people are encouraged to plant Tulsi in their homes.
Employment generation
The Hindu organisations are running self-employment training centres at many places in India. The people, especially women are given useful training in occupations like farming, bee- keeping, agriculture, animal husbandry and sewing. It helps them to supplement their family income.
Social work
Birth sanskar are conducted in orphanages. Mass or group marriages are arranged for those couples whose parents cannot afford to arrange wedding ceremonies. Those who are unable to perform the last rites of relatives due to financial constraints, they are helped to do so. Apart from this, orphanages, Legal Help Centres, Woman Rescue Centres and Working Women Hostels are run to help people. Hundreds of Drinking Water Centres have been set up in India. The help provided by Hindus during natural calamities is indispensable. Various old age homes, inns and community centres are also run. Free food is provided to people taking part in various religious pilgrimages like Amarnath Yatra and Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra. People are given free blankets and medicines. An RSS-affiliated NGO, Seva Bharati, has adopted thousands of children till date irrespective of religion – 65% Muslims rest Hindus, Sikhs and Christians from militancy affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Cow protection
All across India, various goshalas are run to save cows from Muslim butchers. These cows also include non-milking cattle which are easy targets for butchers. The Hindus consider cows pious and donate generously to Goshalas so that these poor animals can be fed and provided medical help when need be. Every year trucks full of cows being sent to butchers are saved by the Hindu activists. The proactive Hindu warriors are working to stop illegal cow transport, cow trading, cross border cow smuggling and cow slaughtering. Now after reading the article we can conclude that if Christians are doing good work then the Hindus are not behind in any way. It is just that the Hindus do not sing songs of self praise. The organisations that are considered Right wing, they have contributed enormously in development of our nation and society. The need is to highlight the work done by them that goes unnoticed in this world of self styled “liberal and secular” people.
The so called “liberal and secular” Hindus are at the forefront of this criticizing exercise. This criticism is the result of ignorance among people about their own religion. They sing songs of praise for Christian missionaries but have they ever tried to know what great work is done by Hindu Organisations and Hindu people in general?
We do not demean the work done by other organisations but there is a great need to make people aware about work done by Hindu organisations. According to Hinduism “Daan” is a virtue of generosity. In Hinduism, it is believed that Daan leads to one of the perfections - the perfection of giving - dana-paramita. It means unconditional generosity, giving and letting go.
Support of Daan in Vedas and Hindu religious texts
Rig veda has the earliest mention of Daan. Rig veda compares Daan to satya i.e. truth.
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, in verse 5.2.3, states that
तदेतत्त्रयँ शिक्षेद् दमं दानं दयामिति
This verse directs human beings to learn three cardinal virtues - self restraint, charity and compassion for all life. Bhagavad Gita also describes the importance of Daan in verses 17.20 through 17.22. Hinduism gives special significance to Go Dana - donation of a cow, Bhu Dana - donation of land and Anna Dana - Giving food to the poor and needy. Al Biruni, the Persian historian, who visited India for 16 years from about 1017 AD, mentions the practice of charity in his records. He wrote
“It is obligatory with them (Hindus) every day to give alms as much as possible.”—Tarikh Al- Hind, 11th century AD.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is a charitable, educational and volunteer Hindu nationalist non-governmental organization. It is the world's largest voluntary NGO. It follows the principle of selfless service to the nation. The RSS was founded 89 years ago in 1925. Its founder was Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. It has 50,000 shakhas to spread its ideological beliefs.
Role played by RSS at the time of partition
The RSS played a very active role in independence movement. At the time of partition of India when millions of Hindus and Sikhs fled Pakistan to find refuge in India, the RSS played an active role in helping these people. The RSS arranged for food, medicines, shelter, tents etc. During partition it was the RSS that helped organise over 3,000 relief camps for the refugees from Pakistan. The RSS participated in movement to decolonise Dadra and Nagar Haveli, which was ruled by Portuguese colonists.
Accession of Jammu and Kashmir
In 1947, Pakistani troops reached the borders of Kashmir and all the efforts of political leaders had failed. At this time, Sardar Patel directed the RSS chief M.S. Golwalker to use his influence to prevail upon the Maharaja to accede to India. Guruji rushed to Srinagar to resolve the delicate matter. A meeting between Guruji and Maharaja Hari Singh was arranged. This historic meeting was successful and the Maharaja sent the accession proposal to Delhi. In this way the RSS played a vital role in accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India.
Role at the time of India-China war of 1962
During the Sino-Indian War in 1962, the contribution of the RSS was immense. Swayamsevaks from the whole India assembled in the northeast of India to help the army and local people. Their enthusiastic contribution was recognised by the whole nation when then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru invited the RSS to take part in the Indian Republic Day parade of 1963.
1984 Anti Sikh riots
Noted journalist Khushwant Singh was openly critical of the RSS. But at the time of Anti Sikh riots in Delhi the RSS was instrumental in helping Sikhs in large numbers when murderers went on rampage to kill them. This help of the RSS was later acknowledged by a critic - Khushwant Singh. The RSS was the only organisation that came to help Sikhs when In Rajiv Gandhi’s words “A big tree fell and the ground had shaken”.
Sewa activities
Whenever there is any need of relief work in country, the RSS is at the forefront of such work. The RSS has helped people in natural disasters like the Tamil Nadu Tsunami, the Gujarat earthquake, the Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand floods, the Bhopal gas tragedy and Assam riots. The disaster relief provided by the Sangh in Jammu and Kashmir floods was enormous. The Hindu organisations organized free medical camps in the flood-hit state and provided medical aid to around 1,400 patients in different areas of Jammu district. Around 2,000 kg of cattle feed was distributed among villagers for their livestock and it was assured that cattle feed for one week would be supplied in Hamirpur village of Akhnoor free of cost. The activities of the Sangh are spreading to distant parts of the nation. The Sangh welcomes even people other than Hindus who join the Sangh.
Work in education sector
Samvedana Rehabilitation Centre has been set up for the rescue of handicapped children. This organization enables them to lead a normal life by boosting their confidence. With the coming together of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Jankalyan Samiti and Vivekanand Medical Foundation & Research Centre, the Samvedana Rehabilitation Centre for Physically Handicapped was started at Latur. The RSS has started many hostels in many parts of our country for students to provide them free accommodation and educational facilities. Various Bal Sanskar Kendras, primary schools, secondary schools, night schools, libraries and residential schools are run all across India. The RSS runs 27,000 Ekal Vidyalayas in remote tribal areas where more than 8 lakh socially deprived tribal students are enrolled.
Role of Arogya Rakshaks
Arogya Chetna Shivirs are organized in various parts of India. The Arogya Rakshaks are rendering primary health services in remote villages of the nation, where people do not have any access to health facilities. They provide people the basic health care facilities and essential medicines that too free of cost.
Role in Health sector
Various projects in the field of health have been launched by the RSS and Vishav Hindu Parishad. These projects include dispensaries of English medicines, homeopathy, ayurveda, naturopathy and panchgavya (medicinal products from cow urine and dung), mobile medical clinics, hospitals, and ambulances. Trained aarogya sewaks and sewikas are there to provide primary health care. At many places free Vyavyaam shalas (gyms) are set up to promote good health. Medical & Health Camps are organised from time to time. Various hospitals, Mobile Dispensaries and ambulances are also run.
Environment conservation
In the view of need to conserve the environment, the Hindu organisations are planting trees in every village of the nation. Apart from this, people are encouraged to plant Tulsi in their homes.
Employment generation
The Hindu organisations are running self-employment training centres at many places in India. The people, especially women are given useful training in occupations like farming, bee- keeping, agriculture, animal husbandry and sewing. It helps them to supplement their family income.
Social work
Birth sanskar are conducted in orphanages. Mass or group marriages are arranged for those couples whose parents cannot afford to arrange wedding ceremonies. Those who are unable to perform the last rites of relatives due to financial constraints, they are helped to do so. Apart from this, orphanages, Legal Help Centres, Woman Rescue Centres and Working Women Hostels are run to help people. Hundreds of Drinking Water Centres have been set up in India. The help provided by Hindus during natural calamities is indispensable. Various old age homes, inns and community centres are also run. Free food is provided to people taking part in various religious pilgrimages like Amarnath Yatra and Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra. People are given free blankets and medicines. An RSS-affiliated NGO, Seva Bharati, has adopted thousands of children till date irrespective of religion – 65% Muslims rest Hindus, Sikhs and Christians from militancy affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Cow protection
All across India, various goshalas are run to save cows from Muslim butchers. These cows also include non-milking cattle which are easy targets for butchers. The Hindus consider cows pious and donate generously to Goshalas so that these poor animals can be fed and provided medical help when need be. Every year trucks full of cows being sent to butchers are saved by the Hindu activists. The proactive Hindu warriors are working to stop illegal cow transport, cow trading, cross border cow smuggling and cow slaughtering. Now after reading the article we can conclude that if Christians are doing good work then the Hindus are not behind in any way. It is just that the Hindus do not sing songs of self praise. The organisations that are considered Right wing, they have contributed enormously in development of our nation and society. The need is to highlight the work done by them that goes unnoticed in this world of self styled “liberal and secular” people.
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