VSK TN
RSS Sarakaryavah Shri. Bhayyaji Joshi’s tour
to the United States
6th 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) Joshi while 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.
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) Joshi while 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.
In
Houston, a dinner meeting of prominent Hindu community leaders was hosted on the
occasion of Shri Bhayyaji’s 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 of efforts 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.
Houston, a dinner meeting of prominent Hindu community leaders was hosted on the
occasion of Shri Bhayyaji’s 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 of efforts 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 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, to live for others and keep
away from materialism. Shri Bhayyaji’s 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.
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 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, to live for others and keep
away from materialism. Shri Bhayyaji’s 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
of them 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 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.
San Francisco Bay Area, environmentalists Sam Bower, belonging to Green Museum
and Pancho Ramos Stierle belonging to Service Space met with Shri Bhayyaji. Both
of them 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 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.
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.
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.
Shri Bhayyaji’s 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.
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.
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.
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 and other 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. Shri Bhayyaji agreed and
reiterated the point that this respect for diverse paths only would lead to a
more peaceful world.
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 and other 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. 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 Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary in
2013. Vishwa Vibhag Samyojak Shri Saumitra Gokhale accompanied Shri Bhayyaji
throughout the tour.
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 Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary in
2013. Vishwa Vibhag Samyojak Shri Saumitra Gokhale accompanied Shri Bhayyaji
throughout the tour.
All in all Shri Bhayyaji Joshi’s 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 was liked 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.
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 was liked 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.