Bhubaneswar, 15 August (H.S.): “Swatantrata comprises swa (self) and tantra (system). When the system functions on the foundation of the self, true independence is achieved. Bharat is a unique nation; it exists to bring peace and happiness to the world. It exists to share dharma with the world. That is why the Dharma Chakra is at the centre of our national flag. This dharma unites everyone, uplifts everyone, and takes everyone along. Therefore, it brings happiness to all, both in this world (Lok) and beyond (Parlok) . Bharat’s special quality is that it is meant to give this dharma to the world. But to give it, our system must be our own, and it must operate on the basis of the self.”

On the occasion of Independence Day, at a programme organised in Bhubaneswar by the Utkal Vipanna Sahayata Samiti, Odisha, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat hoisted the national flag and addressed the gathering.

He said that along with ensuring happiness, peace, and dignity for everyone in the country, it is also our duty to offer solutions based on our own perspective and the vision of dharma to the problems faced by a faltering world, in order to create a new world filled with peace and harmony. Such a task lies before our independent nation, and for this, we must show the same hard work, the same sacrifice, and the same dedication that our forefathers demonstrated to secure our independence.

In his address, he said that it has been seventy-eight years since independence was achieved. Thinking about how many years it took to attain it, one recalls that the first attempt to break free from British rule was made in 1857, and from then on, these efforts continued in various forms. Armed or unarmed, for three successive generations, people sacrificed their lives, endured imprisonment, and persisted despite changing circumstances. Until conditions became favourable for independence, society and the leaders of that time continued all these efforts.

He said that he himself was born after independence. Seventy-eight years later, we have to consciously remember the efforts made for the country’s freedom because it was earned by our forefathers. We received it effortlessly, but great effort went into earning it, and preserving and strengthening it will also require hard work.

He said that on August 15, 1947, the country became independent. The British left, and the nation came under the governance of our own people. He noted that every five years we elect representatives, and they are our own people. We run our own state and conduct our own affairs. We have become independent, but the reason for which we gained independence was to ensure that everyone in our country enjoys happiness, security, peace, and dignity. The world today is faltering, and even after two thousand years of various experiments, it has not found solutions to its problems. It is our duty to offer the world a way based on our own perspective and the vision of dharma to build a new, peaceful, and harmonious world. Such a task lies before our independent nation, and for this, we must put in the same effort, make the same sacrifices, and show the same dedication as our forefathers did to secure this independence for us.

On this occasion, Odisha (East) Prant Sanghchalak Sameer Mahanti and Utkal Vipanna Sahayata Samiti President Akshay Kumar Bit were present.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda