Kalachakra, the wheel of time, has taken a turn. We, once again, stand at the threshold of a new century. As the dawn breaks on the eastern horizon on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (Thursday, March 18, 1999), according to the Hindu calendar, we shall enter the 52nd century of the Kaliyuga, which began at the end of the Mahabharat war. The emerging century throws up new challenges and, of course, new opportunities. The long ages of suffering, it seems, is drawing to an end heralding a new era of hope promising a bright future. In fact the turn of a century is a time for introspection, simhavalokan, to look back and take stock of the situation, and to prepare oneself for the future. This day marks the birth anniversary of founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. The Sangh believes that like individuals, every nation too has a soul and every nation has a mission. Bharat too has a mission to fulfil—a role to play in the comity of nations. Our nationalism is not a mere political notion. Laced with the highest philosophical ideas of the ancient seers, who had soared to a plane much higher than the modern Western materialism, the Hindu thought process does not see conflict between nationalism and internationalism. Hindutva, like many Eastern religious thoughts, is distinguished by its emphasis on experience rather than the word of a book or a messenger's authority. The Western religions emphasised the need for being catholic and therefore grew on the political strength of nation states. This catholicism of religion militated against the spirit of nationalism in the West. Whereas in the context of Bharat, the ideals of Hindutva is not a mere intellectual conformity to an inherited doctrine or metaphysical conversion.
Therefore a Hindu naturally feels at home anywhere in the world. The unique feature of the Hindu is to recognise unity in diversity and appreciate and strive for a harmonious synthesis among nations. So it is imperative that the Hindu should realise his world mission and reorganise himself for it. And it is this task of reorganising the Hindu society that the Sangh has taken upon itself. History has recorded that generation after generation of thinkers and philosophers, seers and sages strived to unravel the mysteries of human nature and propogated the spirit of unity. In these centuries the Hindus, unlike the Western nations and religions, fought no wars, but strove to creating the all-round peace and harmony. A succession of aggressions, long years of subjugation and centuries of toil have not exhausted us; rather they have honed our skills and helped us adapt ourselves to the changing times with our feet firmly on the ground that forms our ideals. Adverse publicity, uncharitable remarks and politicised scheming have never demoralised the Sangh. Both bouquets and brick-bats we received with equanimity. But the moment has not yet come for us to rest on our oars as the noble mission before us remains unfinished. We have travelled well beyond 50 centuries, but we have centuries to go. So, let us gird up our loins and rededicate ourselves to the cause of the nation. Long live Bharat!
