: P.O.BOX 5728 SRT NAGAR, NEW DELHI 110055 (BHARAT); Email: [email protected] No. Sm1315/2070 (For Private Circulation Only) Kartik Poornima Vik Samvat 2070. Yugabda 5115 Tel: 91-11- 23684445; Fax: 91-11-23517722 16 November 2013. 1. FESTIVALS: Datta Jayanti, also known as India into an elite club of deep-space pioneers — Dattatreya Jayanti, commemorating the birth day the US, Russia and the European Union — who Dattatreya (Datta), a combined form of the Hindu have tasted a measure of success in sending out male divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. probes to the Red Planet. As the 44.4m Polar It is celebrated on Margashirsh Poornima (16 Satellite Launch Vehicle-C25 carrying the Mars December this year) throughout the country, orbiter in its head, lifted off from the Satish especially Western Bharat. Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Tuesday, Dattatreya was the son of the sage Atri and his it marked the beginning of a 300-day, 780 million wife Anasuya. Though Dattatreya is considered a kilometre long journey to orbit Mars, where, if all form of all the three deities, he is especially goes according to plan, the craft will survey the considered an avatar of Vishnu, while his siblings planet's geology and atmosphere. The lift-off was the moon-god Chandra and the sage Durvasa are just the first of three phases — next month, the regarded forms of Brahma and Shiva respectively. orbiter is expected to break out of Earth's orbit, On Datta Jayanti, people take bath early in the and then somewhere in September 2014, it should morning in holy rivers or streams, and observe enter the Martian orbit. Undoubtedly, the road fast. A puja is performed with flowers, incense, ahead is a challenging one, especially when one lamps and camphor, read the sacred books considers that no other country has succeeded in Avadhuta Gita and Jivanmukta Gita, which its mission to Mars in the first attempt. We hope contain the god's discourse etc. Other sacred texts that Mangalyaan is able to fulfil its mandate this like the Datta Prabodh (1860) by Kavadi Baba and time itself, but the fact that even technologically- the Datta Mahatmya by Vasudevananda Saraswati, advanced countries like China (in 2011) and Japan both of which are based on Dattatreya's life, as (in 2009) have failed, is a sobering thought. We well as the Guru-charita based on the life of must keep our fingers crossed. Narasimha Saraswati (1378−1458), considered an One of the criticisms of Mangalyaan is that it was avatar of Dattatreya, are read by devotees.Bhajans launched on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (devotional songs) are also sung on this day. instead of the more advanced Geosynchronous The temples dedicated to Dattatreya are located Satellite Launch Vehicle. The latter has failed throughout Bharat ; the most important places of twice in previous launch tests in 2010 and many his worship are in Maharashtra and Gujarat like believe that ISRO has made a mistake by rushing Gangapur near Solapur, Narasimha Wadi in the into the mission with the PSLV. But the space Kolhapur district, Audumbar in Sangli district and organisation has strongly defended its decision to Girnar in Saurashtra not wait for a new batch of rockets as that would 2. LET’S CELEBRATE, AND NOT have delayed the project by three years. Others NEEDLESSLY CRIB: from the scientific community, including some The successful launch of India's first spacecraft to senior people previously associated with ISRO, Mars, Mangalyaan, is a huge achievement for the have also disapproved of the project's overall Indian Space Research Organisation and a matter aims, saying that they are vague and will not in of tremendous pride for the country. It ushers anyway further national priorities. 1 But while informed criticisms cannot be wished balanced and tactical approach , which ensures away, what deserves to be summarily rubbished is ordinary citizens to have food , clothing, housing, the argument that a nation which has failed to health, education and hospitality as daily amenities provide even basic amentities to its people, cannot , with a result of which they would not be forced afford to spend enormous amounts of money on to commit suicide. He said, that the economic exploring space. Such an assertion is flawed on policies should be such that there should not be many counts. First, just because some departments any decrease in the country’s monitory fund as have failed to do their job does not mean that well. others should be penalised. Second, contrary to While addressing a question, Shri Bhagwat said what rhetorical critics have claimed, the that the acceptance and credibility of the RSS is Mangalyaan does not carry a huge price tag. At not declining, but growing. On calling nationalism just Rs 4.5 billion, it is a budget programme. Not irrelevant to the state, Shri.Bhagwat explained that only is it a fraction of the money that other we all need to understand a fact that other countries spend on space exploration, it is also far countries are benefitting merely by chanting less than what some of the Government's flagship slogans of globalization. He explained further that and shoddily implemented poverty alleviation he does not feel any need of change in the RSS’ schemes cost the national exchequer. Second, the Doctrine and its point of view, but if required they ‘space programme versus social welfare’ debate is will not refrain from reviewing it. “We are not a rehash of the old ‘guns and butter’ debate that concerned about ism, we are only concerned about has long been junked. Finally, the assumption that the truth” says Shri Bhagwat. The RSS chief also space exploration does not deliver benefits to the pointed out that their work is constantly expanding common man, is incorrect. Space research has and the number of branches and the presence of given us technologies that have improved new volunteers is increasing as well. everyday life — predicting weather and natural 4. ABHINANDAN TO DENVER SEWA calamities. These were, for instance, used to save CHAPTER: Colorado was severely affected by lives during cyclone Phailin. the devastating flood which started on Sep 11th (Editorial Daily Pioneer, 7 November 2013) and 12th. Colorado HSS and Sewa Team decided 3. RSS NOT IN FAVOUR OF FOREIGN to help the people who were badly affected. They DIRECT INVESTMENT IN RETAIL: DR. visitied evacuation centers and flood relief camps MOHAN BHAGWAT: RSS believes that the held in Silver Creek and Niwot High Schools and foreign direct investment in the retail sector should helped people to serve the food and their staying not be allowed in Bharat. arrangements. They also visited Twin Peaks Mall During a panel discussion on his Vijayadashmi (FEMA Flood relief center) Mountain View and Speech in the capital Delhi with prominent 9th Ave area Houses to clean up thier basement, citizens, RSS Sarsanghachalak Dr. Mohan remove mud etc and spent around 10 to 12 days to Bhagwat answered many questions and clarified serve the needy people.The efforts of HSS and RSS’s approach on various issues. The tradition of Sewa teams were appreciated by those who were holding a seminar of this kind began last year in helped by them and others. Delhi. He says that the RSS has always believed 5. CITATION FOR SV 150 AT NSW that the quintessential knowledge and new PARLIAMAENT AUSTRALIA: A house technology, which helps in sustaining a good motion moved by MLC David Clarke at NSW lifestyle, that we lack in can be borrowed from Parliament, acknowledging the services of HIndu other countries on our own terms. Council of Australia mentioned about Swami Shri Bhagwat added on further. Mr. Bhagwat said Vivekananda in the words ‘Swami Vivekanada, a that the country’s economic policies require a major figure within the Hindu faith, recognised 2 not only for his enunciation of Hindu values but "We will work with the leader of the world's also for his promotion of interfaith dialogue and largest democracy. There is no question about harmony and his message that there is universal that," a senior US official said when asked about goodness found within all the major faith the prospects of working with an Bharatiya traditions…..’. The motion also lauded the efforts government led by Bharatiya Janata Party's PM by Hindu Council of Australia in commemorating nominee Narendra Modi. the anniversary and commended the Australian Dismissing visa as a non-issue, the official said it Hindu community for its ongoing contribution in was largely a creation of the Bharatiya media and promoting interfaith harmony in Australia and not at all an issue in the US government. particularly in the State of New South Wales. According to another US official "there is not a lot 6. ‘MANGALYAAN SYMBOLIC COUP of angst about him (Modi)" in the US government, OVER CHINA’: Accounts in the American but it is believed that the Administration has media view the successful launch of Bharat’s Mars decided to maintain the status quo on this issue for mission not only as a technological leap for the the very reason that it might be seen as an country, but also one with a distinct potential for a interference in the internal domestic polity of “symbolic coup” over China in the space arena. Bharat. “A successful mission by India’s Mars orbiter 8. SV 150 AT ATLANTA: The United States would make the country the first Asian nation to Hindu Alliance ( USHA ) paid tribute to Swami reach the Red Planet — and provide a symbolic Vivekananda on the occasion of his 150th birth coup as neighbouring China steps up its ambitions anniversary recently at the Sumant Cultural Center in space,” CNN reported.