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Diversity is natural and unity is Truth
While addressing “Universal Oneness Celebration” at Madison Square Garden in New York, on August 29, organised by the American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD Forum), RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat Ji, during the keynote address, said, “When we say America, the United States of America, one word is often discussed frequently: pluralism. And when we say Bharat, another word, another phrase, is discussed: unity in diversity. For Bharat, this unity and this diversity, both are in its DNA. Nations are not merely geographical entities. In the design of this universe, nations have to carry out a duty”.
Talking about Bharat’s vision of the world, Sarsanghchalak ji said, Every nation has a destiny to fulfil. What is the destiny given to Bharat? Bharat is there to realise, and from time to time make the world realise this unity in diversity. We are one, and due to diversity, that oneness is decorated. So, diversity has to be celebrated, has to be respected, has to be accepted. At the same time, we must keep in mind this feeling of oneness. Nations are not made by just geographical boundaries. As Swami Vivekananda said, every nation has a message to deliver, a mission to fulfil, and a destiny to reach.
“There are two tendencies. One tendency is: live and let live. Another tendency is: live, and let only those live who obey us. Those who say, “If you obey us, we will protect you”- protection is raksha in Sanskrit, in Hindi. So, those who protect only those who obey are Rakshasas. And there are others who say, “No matter whether you obey or not, hear me or not, what is your opinion, what you think about me, or how useful you are to me-these are very minor things. The major thing is that we are all human beings. We have to sustain life, and so we have to live with fraternity,” added Sarsanghchalak ji.
While emphasising a sense of belonging, he said, “In spite of different bodies and everything being different, there is something within that is same. We belong to each other”. He further said that the principle, which unites everything, which upholds everything, which doesn’t cause a rift -let not that happen- and which balances everything, which is the middle path, that is Dharma.
Raising the issue of our commitment to protect the environment, Sarsanghchalak ji said, Why do we celebrate Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc. nowadays? Because we remember our duty towards them. We remember our duty towards the environment. Before you eat, there has to be agriculture in the world. That is why you can eat. If farmers stop farming, what will you eat? You are wearing your clothes because there are mills, labourers are working, and cotton-growing farmers are still there. We owe everything to someone else. So, we need to give back, he added.
Eemphasising Bharat’s global role, Sarsanghchalak ji said, “Human life is given to give this knowledge to everybody and live that knowledge for our own liberation, for the betterment of the world. That is the mission Bharat has to accomplish. That is the message Bharatiyas world over have to give by their own example, not by preaching, by practice. That is the destiny of Bharat”.
For the Bharatiya diaspora, he talked about loyalty towards Karmabhoomi but living a sustainable life as per the values of Janmabhoomi – that is the expectation of Bharat.
“We are united in oneness and decorated by diversity. Diversity is natural and unity is Truth. We celebrate diversity as the decoration of oneness,” said Sarsanghchalak ji.
As Raksha Bandhan was celebrated at the beginning of the address by eminent speakers, on this issue he said that taking responsibility for others will liberate you, as the message of binding reflected in Raksha Bandhan.
Notably, before the address, Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwatji presented a call for action resolution of 200 religious leaders. 180 religious leaders from 30 countries announced a five-point action plan to take responsibility for the future. One World One Humanity ‘call for action’ resolution commits to stand for the dignity of any community threatened with humiliation or violence.
Global religious leaders rejected the use of religion to justify hatred, humiliation, dehumanisation, or violence. Before the beginning of the address by leaders, Rakshbandhan was celebrated, where everyone tied Rakhi to each other as a gesture of oneness. 250 Organisations came together to make this event successful. About 6000 delegates from 39 states and 850 US cities, and from 29 countries, participated in the universal oneness celebration.