RSS Gen Secretary Shri Bhaiyyaji Joshis US visit

7/31/2019 RSS Gen Secretary Shri Bhaiyyaji Joshis US visit

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RSS Sarakaryavah Shri. Bhaiyyaji Joshis tour to the

United States6th August to 20th August 2012

A Report

Hindus living outside of Bharat should maintain their identity and values. But we

Hindus have a universal message and a mission. So, Hindus should unite and be strong

not only for themselves but for the welfare of the whole world. These were the

inspiring words and guidance from RSS Sarakaryavah Shri Suresh ji (Bhayyaji) Joshiwhile talking to Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) karyakartas in the United States. His

two-week long first trip to the United States started on 6th August 2012. Shri Bhayyaji

traveled to many cities including Houston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles,

Washington DC and New York. He also visited a Sangh Shiksha Varg (HSS training

workshop) of Midwest region held in Indiana and guided the participants there,

majority of whom were American-born Hindu youths.


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In Houston, a dinner meeting of prominent Hindu community leaders was hosted on

the occasion of Shri Bhayyajis visit. In this well attended meeting, Shri Bhayyaji gave

an overview of the accomplishments of RSS in the past eight decades. He gave a very

touching account of how Sangh swayamsevaks in Bharat are working selflessly for

decades together to create social harmony (samarasata). He narrated many examples ofefforts by swayamsevaks, individual as well as collective, to remove caste

discrimination and bring social justice. Bhayyaji mentioned how the RSS has created a

feeling of national unity in the midst of regionalism, casteism and the tribal-non-tribal

divide in Bharat. He also said that Sangh has been successful in bringing to the national

stage many important issues such as Kashmir, the Northeast and religious conversions.

Later in a very lively interaction, Shri Bhayyaji answered many questions asked by the

audience about Sangh position on anti-corruption movements, Assam riots etc. In his

concluding remarks he appreciated the concern that Hindus in America have for the

affairs of their Motherland. While urging the audience to be loyal and contributing

citizens of the country of their adoption, he also congratulated them for actively

maintaining their values and being the cultural ambassadors of Bharat. In his

concluding remarks, Shri Ramesh Bhutada, HSS national sah sanghchalak (vice

president), thanked Shri Bhaiyyaji Joshi for sharing his thoughts.

Gatherings of swayamsevaks and sevikas were organized in every city where Shri

Bhayyaji visited. While addressing swayamsevaks and sevikas, whether in Chicago, San

Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles or in New Jersey, Shri Bhayyaji stressed that being a


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swayamsevak is not merely about the externals. Being a swayamsevak means having

certain qualities. First and foremost is selflessness. Being swayamsevak means having

purity of character, both personal and social. A swayamsevak should have a strong and

uncompromising commitment towards the cause of Sangh. Most importantly a

swayamsevak should constantly strive to become a good Hindu, to practice Dharma, tolive for others and keep away from materialism. Shri Bhayyajis guidance to

swayamsevaks was to keep away from arguments but to be constantly active in making

Hindu society faultless, self-reliant and dynamic. He conveyed his message very

effectively to swayamsevaks of all age-groups through his simple language, practical

examples and a very positive approach.

In San Francisco Bay Area, environmentalists Sam Bower, belonging to Green Museum

and Pancho Ramos Stierle belonging to Service Space met with Shri Bhayyaji. Both ofthem are also involved in community farming at Oakland. Another environmentalist

Prakash Hegde too presented his views on the environmental issues. Ashish Goyal

shared his experience working in the area of energy efficiency and solutions. There was

a hearty exchange of thoughts, ideas and activities in relation to the environmental

concerns. All of them agreed that along with proper governmental policies, the view of


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humanity towards nature also needs to change. Shri Bhayyaji spoke about the idea and

success of the Vishwa Mangal Go-gram Yatra. All the activists were very happy to listen

to Shri Bhayyaji. They resonated with his comment that the idea of Vasudhaiva

Kutumbakam, the whole world is a family, should be promoted.


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While in the Washington DC area, Shri Bhayyaji visited the DC Central Kitchen (DCCK)

along with Sewa International karyakartas. DCCK is a charitable organization that not

only feeds thousands of homeless people daily, but gives job training to rehabilitate

many needy people. Bhayyaji took a tour of the Kitchen to understand their operations.

With his vast experience in seva projects in Bharat he asked many questions about their

functioning and the impact of the DCCK on the people that they serve. Bhayyaji shared

information about similar projects in Bharat with the volunteers and staff of DCCK. He

also congratulated them for their yeoman service to the poor. Bhayyaji also commended

Sewa International karyakartas for working together with such charity organizations to

serve the needy in America.


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Shri Bhayyajis visit to Shanti Ashram in Maryland was also very memorable. Shanti

Ashram was started by Shri Vyasadev (Victor Landa) who is originally from Peru.

Shanti Ashram is an urban ashram involved in teaching Yoga and meditation. The

followers also practice bio-dynamic farming to produce sattvic organic food. Shri

Bhayyaji was very happy to see them practicing agnihotra on a daily basis. He visited

the water and yoga therapy center at the ashram and also the organic food shop. Shri

Vyasadev ji presented some literature to Shri Bhayyaji. While sipping the hot chai with

organic jaggery, Bhayyaji invited Vyasadev and others to visit some similar projects in

Bharat which they heartily accepted.


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Apart from all the meetings and programs Shri Bhayyaji did some sightseeing as well.

Bhayyaji enjoyed the tour to NASA in Houston as well as the various museums in

Washington DC. One very important place he visited was the Fullerton Hall in the Art

Institute of Chicago. This is where Swami Vivekananda gave his famous speech at the

Parliament of Religions in 1893. It was like a pilgrimage for Bhayyaji to visit the hall,similarly the Vivekananda House in Pasedena, CA and the Self-Realization Fellowship

headquarters in Los Angeles started by Paramahansa Yogananda. During his New

York sightseeing Bhayyaji made it a point to visit the Vedanta Society, started by Swami

Vivekananda as early as 1894, and had discussions with assistant minister Swami

Paritushtananda.On Saturday 18th August, the meeting with the Native American Ramapough Lenape

community was quite an emotional one. Shri Bhayyaji was accompanied by Prof.

Radheshyam Dwivedi, President of the International Center for Cultural Studies andother karyakartas. They were warmly welcomed by Chief Dwaine Perry at the

community center near New York. After giving a tour of the sacred ceremonial

grounds, Chief Perry also told about their ongoing struggle to get approval for the

construction of their traditional Long House. Chief Perry said that, similar to Hindus,

they also believe in respect for all paths and lead a spiritual life in harmony with nature.


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Shri Bhayyaji agreed and reiterated the point that this respect for diverse paths only

would lead to a more peaceful world.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA Sanghchalak Prof. Ved P Nanda was present at the

gathering of swayamsevaks in New Jersey. He expressed his gratitude to Shri Bhayyaji

for inspiring the karyakartas through his visit. Prof. Nanda also appealed to all

swayamsevaks to actively participate in the programs commemorating SwamiVivekanandas 150th birth anniversary in 2013. Vishwa Vibhag Samyojak Shri Saumitra

Gokhale accompanied Shri Bhayyaji throughout the tour.


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All in all Shri Bhayyaji Joshis tour to the United States was a great success. It gave a

renewed motivation and clarity of the Sangh philosophy to the HSS karyakartas.

Bhayyaji satisfied the media persons who came to interview him with his candid and

clear answers about the RSS position and various issues. His easy approachability wasliked by all the karyakartas and leaders of various organizations. The families where

Shri Bhayyaji stayed or had meals were impressed by his simplicity and affable nature.

His earnest advice to all those families was to maintain their mother tongue, remain

connected with Bharat and to visit other swayamsevak families informally.

Documents

RSS Gen Secretary Shri Bhaiyyaji Joshis US visit