New Delhi [India], Nov.14 : Calling for an end to communal and caste divisions across the country, the president of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the women's wing of the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS), Shanta Akka, said there is a need to channelise the energy and aspirations of the youth in a positive and inclusive direction.
"It is imperative today to take the youth towards a positive and inclusive direction, to confront a well planned conspiracy that is being worked out by provoking the youth of Kashmir Valley as well as the youth of the rest of India along the lines of communal and caste divisions," Akka said at the closing session of the three-day RSS Prerna Shivir on Sunday.
Expressing her concern over the growing discord in society, Akka said the RSS must take a pledge to steer the youth away from a materialistic lifestyle and narcotic- products consumption.
"We need to inculcate hope, a purposeful goal and positive values," she said. Praising the youth, she said they are talented, intelligent and ambitious. "As such the role of the family is very important to nurture, develop and channelize them on their path.
Normally, in India, families do provide value-based upbringing," she added. She called upon more than 3000 Karyakartas to stay away from vulgar exhibitionist Lifestyles such as currently seen at weddings, engagements and social-religious ceremonies.
"Serve simple and delicious food, don't waste food and money by showing -off wealth," she advised. The Karyakartas, she said, must invest their time in serving society, the nation and humanity and concentrate on sharing and caring and rise above personal interest.
In her speech, she made a special mention of the women of Latur who have risen above the boundaries of religion and caste to deal with the recent water crisis in the area.
Referring to the global concern over the deteriorating quality of environment, she reminded her audience of the ancient traditions of India which firmly believes that man and nature share their basic units of construction, and both rely on the five elements: water, earth, air, fire and ether.
She pointed out that harming nature is harming ourselves and limited and controlled consumption is the best way to conserve environment.
Shanta Akka pointed out, "Today, discord is evident in society in the form of ideas about man-woman relations.
Men and women are complementary to each other, they are not competitors. Men have to stop treating women as inferior to themselves, or as objects." She added that the Samiti favours the maintenance of traditional values, but change in accordance with the need of the hour is inevitable.
Self-respect, self-confidence, unconditional love and compassion are the natural qualities of women and they are brimming with potential, she said.
Akka expressed her satisfaction over the strides the Indian woman has made in all walks of life and the recognition that has come their way.
"The world looks up to India with great hope, the ancient wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda have found respect globally.
Efforts are on to acquire patents for turmeric and margosa, part of everyday therapy in India. The UN has even declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day. People all over the world are adopting Indian thought in their daily lives," she said. Exhorting women to value and uphold their culture and to contribute to the cause of nation building, Shanta Akka said, "The ancient Indian concept 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam' (the world is my family) and the incomparable contribution of Indian women alone would make India a strong nation and lay the foundation for stable peace across the world.".
Source: ANI
