CHICAGO : A traditional welcome with Kalash, Tilak, and Swagath Mantras was performed by the temple priest Pt. Yogesh of Hindu Mandir, Grayslake, a far west suburb of Chicago on the evening of Friday, 28 Aug for president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Ashok Singhal and the members of VHP of America (VHPA), Chicago Chapter.
Past President of the temple, Dr Harsh Kumar whole-heartedly welcomed Shri Singhal along with the VHP dignitaries, guests and the audience to the function. Dr Prabhakar Joshi, a long-time Patron Member of VHPA, explained the inception of VHP which happened in 1964 and his association with Ashok Ji since 1967. He also mentioned about the ‘Award for Excellence’ established by the Joshis under VHPA.
Dr Savita Joshi narrated a few courageous and devotional Rathayatras especially the Rathayatra to Ayodhya Ram Mandir by the Pracharakas of RSS especially with Ashok Ji, Guru Ji, and Dr Hegdewar Ji. Later, a leading general secretary of VHP, Prashat Hartalkar explained the VHP’s educational and awareness creating projects that are going on currently in every corner of Bharat.
Rajesh Ji chanted melodiously the prayer ‘Ekaatmataa Mantra’ and Yashaswini Desai recited an inspirational Desh Bhakti ‘Sangh Song’ which created an enthusiastic and devotional atmosphere in the auditorium. The lamp was lighted by Shri Ashok Ji, Prof. Prabhakar Ji, Dr Hursh Kumar, Shri Jitendra Diganvker Ji and Dr Shamkant Sheth Ji the President of VHPA, Chicago Chapter while temple priest was chanting Ganesh and Jyoti Mangal Mantra.
Savita Joshi, Geetha Patil, and Yashaswini tied devotional Rakhi to Shri Singhal and other on the stage and obtained their blessings.
Shri Ashok Singhal delivered a thought-provoking lecture on the theme of celebrating Raksha-Bandhan as, ‘A Complete Universal Collective Raksha-Bandhan of Hindus and Hindutva’. He pointed out the reason that the autocratic rulers like the British, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, Mongolians, Mughals, and others ruled and looted Bharat for several decades and destroyed Bharat’s precious treasures like the temples, historical sites, libraries, ancient cultural life, and great Sanskriti.
Now, it is the time for all of us to wake up to revive and maintain our great Hindu culture and heritage which is unparalleled to any culture in the world for its history, humanity, spirituality, richness, true love, world peace, oneness in diversity, science, technology, medicine, silk, and fragrant spices, he said.
For that matter, Hindus all over the world need to bond with unbreakable bandhan and maintain the Hindu Unity in the world.
He also encouraged the audience to join the VHPA and render their ‘Svayam Seva’ to build a ‘Shanti Priya, Sundar, Swachcha, Shaktiyut, Arogyamaya Mahan Bharat.’ The 92 year old Singhal Ji mesmerized the audience with his very inspirational, powerful speech. A sumptuous Maha Prasadam sponsored by Manoj Bhatt and Dr Harsh Kumar was served to all the attendees of the function.
Manoj Bhatt and Dr Shamkant Sheth hosted the function while Dr S. Sheth offered vote of thanks to the temple president, Board Members for organizing such a wonderful function and kitchen committee for their delicious Prasadam, and the audience for brining gorgeous grace to the function.
Geetha Patil
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