Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has appealed to Indians to make the country a global leader once again, saying India's rise should not be measured by how powerful it becomes, but by how much it contributes to humanity.
Speaking at the program "Hindu Vishwabandhu - Embracing the World with Friendship" organized by Canadian Hindus for Outreach, Relations and Dialogue (CHORD), Mr. Bhagwat said India's rise meant a united and more independent humanity. He said that India could be called a superpower at one time but it is not. Because of its role and service to the world, India became a "Vishnu Guru", not a "Super Power".
He said that Indian tradition teaches people to see unity in diversity and that diversity itself is a form of unity. He associated this view with "Vasudhaiva Kattambakkam", the world is one family, and people should transcend external differences and recognize a common humanity.
Meanwhile, the Singh chief appealed to the Hindus to come forward for the welfare of the world and to make India a global leader again and said that the world will wake up only when Hindus wake up. He said, "When I say Hindu, the word Hindu cannot be defined by a particular language, a particular way of worship or a particular way of life. These are the diversity of human beings.
Hindus respect and accept everyone, whoever is oppressed anywhere in the world finds refuge in India. Many came to India as invaders from outside, but even today they are Christians here and they are especially Indian citizens along with all the Jews. A very small number of people come here to seek shelter.
Mr. Bhagwat said that the spirit of service is deeply embedded in India's character. India has never denied help to any country in the world and extended its helping hand without being asked. Referring to the forefathers' journeys to India, he said their aim was not to establish political control, but to share knowledge. "Our ancestors traveled from Mexico to Siberia, crossed the Himalayas on foot to reach China, Siberia and Mongolia, and traveled to Southeast Asia in small boats, but they did not conquer or change any country," he said.
Former Canadian Defense Minister Jason Kenney also attended the ceremony. Mr. Kenny welcomed the new momentum in Canada-India relations. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to visit Canada later this year.
RSS wrote on social media about Mr. Bhagwat's visit to Canada, "Based on the eternal Hindu cultural ideal of 'Vasudhayu Katambakkam', which means the world is one family, the 'Hindu Vishwabandhu: Embracing the World with Friendship' program celebrated Hindu identity and heritage. It also stressed the importance of mutual cooperation and collaboration. Society."
Event organizer Naresh Chawda said that more than 2500 Hindus from eight provinces of Canada participated in this event.