Dainik Pratyaksha had published a series on the ‘Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’ which was written by Rameshbhai Mehta. These articles featured in the column ‘Chaalta Bolta Itihas’ (A living history). This series was then published in the form of a book in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and English and the book launch ceremony was held on Saturday, 29th April 2017 at Dinanath Mangeshkar hall in Vile Parle, Mumbai. “I have seen the selfless work carried out by the Sangh. Inspite of this, it faces criticism, which I felt was not fair” said Dr Aniruddha D Joshi during the ceremony. “That’s the reason why this series was published in Dainik Pratyaksha. Rameshbhai Mehta took this work to fruition with immense love”, added Dr. Aniruddha D. Joshi.
Drawing attention towards few facts Dr. Aniruddha Joshi stated that there has been an outcry about destruction of the ‘Bharatiya culture’. But the roots of Bharatiya culture were so deep and its values so immortal that no one could destroy it. Clothes, fashion could change but that wouldn’t change the Bharatiya culture. He also stated that Bharatiya culture never felt the need of any external paraphernalia. Bharatiya culture is imbibed equally in the minds of all Indians. Thus, in spite of many invasions and mountain-load of difficulties, Bharatiya culture stands tall. Further he pointed out that standing in front of Shree Ganapati we all perform aarti of Shiv Shankar, Panduranga and Durga Mata. This is because we accept that they all are one. We do not require books to understand this, and this is the biggest strength of Bharatiya culture.
He further added that Golwalkar Guruji and Dr. Hedgewar had never differentiated in Mata Jagadamba and Bharatmata, and that Golwalkar Guruji’s thoughts not only act as guide but also prove to be the constitution for the Sangh. Dr. Aniruddha Joshi emphasized that attention has been put on increasing the number of Shakhas; likewise priority should also be given to enhance them qualitatively.
The Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Ram Naik urged everyone to read the foreword for the book penned by Dr. Aniruddha Joshi on the very day of the release. He further read out two paragraphs from the foreword and said that Rameshbhai Mehta had put forth the journey of the Sangh right from its origin to the year 1996. He also urged Rameshbhai to also take up the task of bringing the Sangh’s further journey to the readers in the form of a book. Rajyasabha MP and Chairman of Essel Group, Dr. Subhas Chandra claimed the Sangh to have become synonymous with nation’s virtues and gave references of Sangh’s officials who worked without any expectations of honours and gains.
Hon’ble Union Minister, Nitin Gadkari expressed his disappointment saying that misconceptions have been spread widely among society about the Sangh. He further said that though the supporters of the Sangh are committed to socio-economic equality and harmony, the society was poisoned with negative propaganda against them. These misconceptions being a challenge for the Sangh, the Swayamsevaks have to strive hard to ward-off this negativity through their conduct. Gadkari also stated that the Sangh was performing tireless work in all fields but has fallen short to reach out to the society through the media. Yet the results in the field of education, healthcare and personality development inspired by the thoughts of the Sangh will keep manifesting themselves. Expressing his faith Nitin Gadkari said that the qualitative development of the country will happen proportionally to the expansion of Sangh’s work.
Expressing gratitude, the book’s author, Rameshbhai Mehta said that Dr. Aniruddha Joshi had inspired him to write the history of the Sangh. Subsequently before writing the Sangh’s history Rameshbhai chose to write our country’s history which is not disheartening but rather glorious.
Expressing his concern he mentioned that though this was true, the history written by foreign invaders was being presented to us. And therefore it was necessary that we must pass on the legacy of our true and real history in the hands of our next generation, added Rameshbhai Mehta.
Meanwhile, the Sarkaryavah of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Bhaiyyaji Joshi was supposed to be present at the function. But for medical reasons he was unable to attend the same. In his absence Dr. Satish Modh read out the message that Bhaiyyaji Joshi had sent.
