Dr Manmohn Vaidya, the second in command and Akhil Bharatiya Prachara Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was quietly in New Zealand last week, accompanied with Saumitra Gokhle, the international coordinator of Hindustan Swayamsevak Sangh NZ.
Speaking at a symposium Emerging Bharat and the rise of Bharat’s influence around the World organised by the HSS NZ at the Balmoral Temple, Sandringham, on Sunday, November 19, Dr Vaidya asserted “India is not just a country; rather it is a way of life-based on spirituality.”
Dr Vaidya was sharing his thoughts about the idea of Bharat (India), which he argued was much broader in scope and essence, than what many tend to relate with contemporary India.
“Bharat is a Jeevan ka vichar that views and practices the inclusive vision of oneness in the world.
“The history of Bharat giving refuge to Parsis, Jews, Syrian Christians is a telling testimony of a worldview that has spirituality as its foundation,” Dr Vaidya said.
“We don’t say all are one; rather we say all is one.
“India is not a culture of diverse cultures, but India has a culture that celebrates diversity,” Dr Vaidya emphasised.
The organising committee behind the successful organisation of this event involved the members of HSS NZ especially, Dinesh Pahuja, Hanumanth Rao, Shrish Apte, Shrikant Bhave and Pravin Patel.
Sardar Prithipal Singh (of Kolmar Gurudwara, Papatoetoe) was the chief guest of the event, which was also attended by local MPs - Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Dr Parmjet Parmar - along with former MP Mahesh Bindra.
The newly appointed Honorary Consul of India, Bhav Dhillon and Bhiku Bhai Bana of New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) were also present at the event.
The event ended with many other guest speakers sharing their thoughts on the theme of emerging India and the need of connecting global Indian diaspora with this rising India story.