Vijaya Dashami
Navaratri celebrations are a big part of Hindu culture and is practised across the globe. These festivities end on the 10th day of Ashwin Krushna paksha (Ashwin month) and is callled Viayadashami or Dasara. It signifies the Victory of Prabhu Ramachandra over Ravana, Victory of Durga Mata over Mahishasur, End of Adnyatwas of Pandavas, Kautsa's Gurudakshina and also Simollanghan – crossing the border to gain victories over enemies. Dasha-Hara is the festival of Victory of Good over Bad, God over Devil.
The festival also has a special signifcance in Sangh. It is on this day, 84 years ago, that Dr. Hedgewar pledged to consolidate and re-build the Hindu society and uplift it above the narrow loyalties of caste, sect, province and language. Various gathering are organized to celebrate this event - "patha-sanchalan" or route march being one of them.
In Canada we are welcoming the 85th year of Sangh's journey with a "sports event". Inter-shakha team competitions in Khokho, Kabaddi and Soccer are being held to demonstrate team spirit and strength.
Vijaya Dashami Utsav - A Report
The shakha ekatrikaran program at Vivekananda Shakha was very exciting, especially the khokho competitions. With an attendence of 76, six teams for various shakhas participated. The gripping final played between Vivekananda Shakha and Keshav Shakha teams unfortunately ended in a draw. The 30 min soccer competion played between Madhav Manu shakha was very energetic as well. Due to lack of time, only one Kababbdi match was played between the younger yuva and tarun teams. The younger team demonstrated skill and vigour in playing the game, and at one point, it appeared they would actually emerge victorious. However, pure strengh and experience overcame the tough youngsters and they eventually lost the quite a thrilling match.
A group of about 20 yuva presented a niyuddh demonstration, all which was learnt at the Sangh Shiksha Varg in held July. There after an "amrut-vachan", Swami Vivekananda's words of wisdom was introduced by Divyang Patel. In August, two swayamsevaks from Toronto had been to the USA for 3 weeks as Vistaraks. Kanjan Patel presented his learnings and experience during the trip and how thrilled he was to visit other Shakhas and camps. Shri. Digant Dash, a HSS pracharak (full-time worker), then gave an inspiring bauddhik on Vijaya Dashami. He explained the importance of a combining wisdom (Saraswati), strength (Durgaa) and wealth (Laxmi) in the development of a healthy individual and therefore, a society. Shivaji's shakha food donation drive on the occasion of Diwali was announced as part of their Sewa activity. Vismay Patel graced the greatly successful event as Mukhaya Shikshak.
