Guwahati: Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram is making remarkable efforts to ensure the holistic development of Vanavasis, commented RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale on 29 December 2024, adding that the organisation has been working towards the complete development of these communities in sectors such as education, healthcare, and self-reliance. Vanavasis are an integral part of Bharatiya dharma, and Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram has been tirelessly working for years to nurture and preserve the prevailing dharma in Vanavasi regions.
The anniversary celebrations of Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram were held in Bhagyanagar of Telangana, where Hosabale attended the event as a distinguished guest. In his address, Hosabale highlighted that Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram was striving to bring Vanavasi communities from diverse regions such as Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan on to a common platform. This initiative has awakened self-confidence among these communities, making them realise that they, too, are integral to Bharat and should participate in the nation’s development process.
He commended the Ashram for instilling the necessary capabilities, self-confidence, organisational strength, and resolve to contribute to the nation’s growth among vanavasi communities. There should be a grand initiative to connect people living in cities, villages, and Vanavasis; otherwise, everyone will become engrossed in their own activities. Instead, everyone has a responsibility to think about others as well.
There is an ancient saying, “Haindava: Sodara Sarve” – all Hindus are brothers and sisters, sharing the same blood. A month ago, the Lok Manthan program was held in Bhagyanagar and was inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu. During the inaugural ceremony, the President reiterated that urban, rural, and Vanavasi people are all Bharatiyas, as Hosabale recalled on this occasion.
He stated that there are more than 10 crore Vanavasis in Bharat. The identity of Bharat is tied to the Ramayana and Mahabharat, and the introduction of Bharat is also interconnected with them. He said that Bharatiya culture and civilization took shape in forests, woodlands, and along riverbanks. Hence, Vanavasis play a significant role in the evolution of our culture, and he emphasized that it is impossible to shape the history of the nation without narrating the history of Vanavasis. He concluded that Indian culture is inseparable from forests and that Vanavasi culture is intertwined with every discussion of culture and traditions, adding completeness to it.
Vanavasis have been living in harmony with nature, worshipping it as a divine entity for thousands of years. He praised their efforts in protecting nature while fostering civilization, allowing culture to flourish. Despite doing so much, they have never destroyed nature. In contrast, modern humans are destroying nature for their comfort, but Vanavasis continue to conserve it, he noted. He explained that they safeguard water, land, forests, and animals, building their happy and contented lives around this preservation.
They have crafted the several items necessary for their lives, prepared medicines for healthcare, created various weapons and tools for survival, and even developed numerous instruments, he said. Despite all this, the Vanavasis never destroyed nature. By harmonising with nature and preserving culture and civilisation, the Vanavasis are guiding modern society. Therefore, Hosabale emphasised, all sections of society owe their gratitude to the Vanavasis.
Indian life cannot thrive by rejecting forest life and Hosabale pointed out that all people living in cities and villages depend on forests for their livelihoods. He pointed out that every essential item a human needs in daily life comes from the forests. While we consider it our right to take from the forests, he emphasised, it is equally our duty to serve those who depend entirely on forests for their livelihood. Hosabale noted that the Kalyan Ashram has been performing this very task for many years.
Kalyan Ashram works for the service of Vanavasis with a focus on three key aspects: their existence, self-respect, and development. Hosabale mentioned that the Ashram strives to ensure that these people have a role in the development of Bharat. He described this effort as a form of penance and called upon villagers, urban people, and others to contribute their share of help and cooperation. He emphasised that we are all citizens of Bharat, and this should not just be a statement but something that comes from the depths of our hearts. He cautioned that there are forces working under the guise of service, attempting to separate Vanavasis from their culture and roots. He also mentioned that under the pretext of development, efforts are being made to destroy forests, which puts the lives of Vanavasis in jeopardy.
In the presence of prominent citizens namely Dr Kurassam Padmaja, MD of Medical and Health Sciences, Bhagwati Baldwa, CMD of Ixoreal Kartikeya Group of Industries, Dr Nagu, All-India Vice-President of Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, Acharya Apka Nageswara Rao, a member of the Telangana region’s executive committee and Tadipalli Sivarama Krishna, Dakshin Madhya Organising Secretary of Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, Hosabale emphasised that it is our collective duty to protect Vanavasis and everyone should awaken this message in their hearts.
