Emulating the Mahatma’s vision
Gandhiji visited a Sangh camp held near Wardha in 1936. Next day, Dr Hedgewar met him at his ashram. The contents of the long question-answer session and discussion are now in the public domain. Gandhiji also visited a shakha near to his place of residence in Delhi during the tragic days of Partition. He spoke to the swayamsevaks in the shakha. A report on this was published in the Harijan, dated September 27, 1947. Gandhiji expressed his joy over the discipline of the Sangh swayamsevaks and the complete absence of the divisive feelings of caste and creed in them.
Gandhiji, who believed in the swa- based (literally, self-based) reorganisation of Bharat, firmly stood for social equality and harmony and translated his vision into action, setting an example for all through his life. We must perceive, understand and manifest this in our life. On account of this, even those with minor differences of opinion with him also viewed him with reverence.
Every morning, right from its very inception, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has remembered the great personalities of our nation through a practice of reciting a stotra (hymn). In 1963, this stotra was revised by adding some new names. By the time, Poojya Gandhiji was no more and his name was also added. Now, it is known as Ekatmata Stotra. Sangh swayamsevaks recite it every morning and recall Gandhiji’s life of the above-mentioned values.
Remembering the Mahatma on his 150th birth anniversary, we shall take a pledge that we will emulate his sacred, dedicated and transparent life and swa- centric life vision, through which we must inculcate the qualities of dedication and renunciation in our lives to make Bharat the Vishwa Guru (teacher to the world).