Kolkata, 03 October (H.S.) : The 11th 'Karmayogi Jugalkishore Jaithalia Memorial Lecture' was organized on Saturday at the Oswal Bhawan Auditorium under the aegis of Shri Burrabazar Kumarsabha Pustakalaya. The central theme of this year's memorial lecture was Role and Contribution of Youth in the Vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The event was presided over by prominent thinker and former editor of Panchjanya, Prof. Baldevbhai Sharma, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Joint General Secretary (Organisation) Shiv Prakash delivering the keynote address. Senior income tax consultant Sajjan Kumar Tulsyan attended the session as the guest of honour.

Addressing the gathering as the keynote speaker, Shiv Prakash paid tribute to Jugalkishore Jaithalia, recalling his pivotal role in strengthening the organisation alongside veteran leader Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi. Expressing deep concern over contemporary global developments, Shiv Prakash cautioned that deliberate attempts are being made by foreign powers to misdirect Indian youth and incite domestic instability. He asserted that several developed nations are wary of India's rapid rise, fearing that a stronger India would surpass them on the world stage.

Invoking the philosophy of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, Shiv Prakash emphasized that India does not seek to become an imperialistic superpower that dominates other nations, but rather aims to guide humanity as a 'Vishwa Guru' (world teacher). He noted that dominant powers often export conflict, whereas Indian values focus on harmony. Recalling Swami Vivekananda's historic address at the Chicago Parliament of Religions, he reiterated that while hatred and conflict are transient, eternal values of righteousness, mutual respect, and love will endure.

Highlighting the transformative potential of the youth, he underscored that the direction of society is ultimately shaped by the energy and conviction of its younger generation.

In his presidential address, Prof. Baldevbhai Sharma described Jugalkishore Jaithalia as an exemplar of India's intellectual and spiritual traditions, whose life continues to inspire public service. Sharma cautioned that if the youth of any country loses its cultural anchor, that nation's future remains uncertain. He stressed that realizing the goal of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) requires educating the younger generation about India's civilizational ethos, heritage, and underlying unity in diversity. He noted that instilling these core values is an urgent collective responsibility that cannot be overlooked.

Speaking on the occasion, BJP MLA Vijay Ojha characterized Jaithalia as a rare personality who seamlessly combined the roles of social worker, thinker, author, and nation-builder. Ojha noted that his tireless commitment to reaching the marginalized earned him the title of 'Karmayogi', adding that Jaithalia maintained a lifelong tradition of gifting books as symbols of knowledge to everyone he met.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh