Thane: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday addressed a gathering at Republic Day celebration held at a college in Bhiwandi town, located in Maharashtra’s Thane district. During his speech, Bhagwat emphasized the importance of respecting differences and fostering cohesion to ensure peaceful coexistence.
Bhagwat said that Republic Day is not only a day to celebrate the nation but also an occasion to “remember our responsibilities towards the nation.” His message of unity centered on the need for harmony despite the inherent diversity present in society.
Clashes happening outside Bharat due to diversity, says Bhagwat
Bhagwat highlighted that, unlike other parts of the world where diversity has led to conflicts, India views diversity as a natural and valuable part of life. “Clashes are happening outside Bharat due to diversity. We see diversity as a natural part of life. You can have your own specialities, but you must be good to each other. If you want to live, it should be a cohesive living. You cannot be happy if your family is unhappy. Similarly, a family cannot be happy if the town is facing trouble,” Bhagwat said.
The RSS chief further highlighted the importance of both knowledge and dedication in everyday tasks. Bhagwat shared his perspective on the necessity of combining skill with commitment. He said that being enterprising and enthusiastic about tasks is valuable, but they must be carried out with proper knowledge.
He said, “Being enterprising is important, but you must always do your work with knowledge. Any work done without a proper thought does not bear fruit, but brings trouble. A task done without knowledge becomes the work of a lunatic.”
Bhagwat highlights important of faith in life
Bhagwat gave an analogy to explain the significance of knowledge in any endeavor, comparing it to the process of cooking rice. He said that without knowledge of the correct steps, even the simplest task can be ruined. “If you know how to cook rice, you need water, heat, and rice. But if you do not know how to cook it and instead eat dry rice, drink water, and stand in the sunlight for hours, it will not turn into a meal. Knowledge and dedication are essential,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of faith and dedication in life, giving an example of how simple acts of kindness and hospitality are shaped by these qualities. Bhagwat compared receiving water at a hotel to asking for it at someone’s home, where there is more warmth and care. “If you drink water at a hotel and leave, you may get insulted or dirty looks. But if you ask for water in someone’s home, you are offered a jug full of water along with something to eat. What’s the difference? There is faith and dedication at home. Such work bears fruit,” he said.
