The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat interacted with noted musicians, writers and cultural activists apart from interacting with RSS volunteers on the first day of his four-day Dehradun visit on Tuesday. In addition to discussing aspects of Uttarakhand’s culture being lost, he also stressed on the importance of joint family, stressing that it is the grandparents who instill stronger cultural values in children. Stating that every family should talk about its ancestors and great personalities of the nation at least once a week, he said that an attempt should be made to talk in the mother tongue at home.
Briefing the media in the evening, the RSS Kshetra Prachar Pramukh, Padam Singh said that during the morning Bhagwat met about 15 noted musicians, writers and cultural activists. He first informed them about the RSS, the reasons for its creation, its aim and various activities. Talking on the subject of strengthening villages, Bhagwat cited the examples of some prosperous villages and opined that people should congregate in their native villages once a week. People congregating in their villages should dwell on the forests and land being the real wealth and how to work collectively to protect this wealth. Through means like voluntary labour and collective efforts people should make their village prosperous. Stating that many villages have become prosperous in this way, Bhagwat stressed that the nation will really prosper only if the villages prosper. The society will have to view nation as paramount and rise above personal ambitions and advance in a collective manner, he stressed. Bhagwat said that the RSS is working towards facilitating the development of an egalitarian and exploitation-free society with a system that is bereft of pride and selfishness.
Those with whom the RSS chief interacted on Tuesday included Padma Shri recipient Jagar singers Basanti Bisht, Pritam Bhartwan, folk singer Sangeeta Dhaundiyal, Akhil Garhwal Sabha head Roshan Dhasmana, Jaunsari artiste Nandlal Bharti, Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha chief Padam Singh Thapa, Kurmanchal Parishad head Kamal Rajwar, secretary of Dhaad social organisation Tanmay Mamgai, Kumaoni writer Bharti Pandey, Hindi and Sanskrit writer Buddhinath Mishra, Hindi and Urdu writer Ambar Kharbanda. On Wednesday, Bhagwat will interact with educationalists, students and volunteers of the Sangh.