RSS internation shibir kicks off

December 26: The Vishwa Sangh shibir, the six-day international convention of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS by the Shankaracharya ...

December 26: The Vishwa Sangh shibir, the six-day international convention of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS by the Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakshi Peetham at Keshavsrushti, Uttan Bhayander today.There was no cutting of ribbons but the Shankaracharya offered the final ahuti at the on-going yagna after he led a procession of delegates from the main gate to the venue. Held once every five years, the shibir has over500 delegates from all over the world deliberating on 8220;challenges facing Hinduism with the changing times,8221;according to chief organizer Shankarrao Tatwavadi.

For the Sangh Parivar the world is divided along four zones 8211; Australasia, Africa, Europe and the UK and the America. One of the most interesting features was the presence of delegates from Persian Gulf and Pakistan too. 8220;We have decided to keep their identities secret to prevent their persecution on return to their homelands,8221; pointed out Vasantrao Tambe, state prachar pramukh.

What did the delegates have to say? Rajesh Shah 19 from Great Britain said he was very pleased to be there. 8220;This is my first visit to India so it will take while for it all to sink in. I8217;ve heard so many terrible things about India but it seems like a beautiful place,8221; he said impressed with the sylvan greenery around in Keshavsrushti.

Anil Sharda from Canada who keeps travelling to and fro Ahmedabad where he hails from said, 8220;I am glad that things are being organised for Hindus too. It was a tragedy that until now whatever was done was for minorities only.8221; He said the Indian dispora in Canada was very happy with the BJP-led government8217;s performance. 8220;Unlike the erstwhile regimes which only highlighted the negative or exoticised India to unrealistic levels, this government has presented the real India to the world. The respect for the country has grown. We can perceive the difference in the way our community and neighbours treat us now.8221;

Union Home Minister L K Advani will inaugurate an exhibition on Sindhudarshan tomorrow while an exhibiton on scientific developments in ancient India inaugurated by union HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi is drawing crowds that are also buying literature 8212; quite a few works of writer-minister Arun Shourie 8212; khaki shorts and black topis for the convention.