Page 20 - The Indian EYE 091126

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 | The Indian Eye 20

Indians from conflict zones. “Let us awaken as Bharatiyas to
“There are so many instances; it is that destiny and fulfil our duties in
still continuing,” he said. our karma bhumi as well as our jan-
For Bhagwat, such episodes ma bhumi,” he said.
demonstrate that India’s civilisational The sequencing matters. Karma
influence did not historically depend Bhumi comes first.
on conquest. For Indian Americans, that
“Our ancestors travelled from means being committed Americans.
Mexico to Siberia... They crossed the For Indian Canadians, it means being
Himalayas on foot, went to Southeast committed Canadians. Their Indian
Asia through small boats, but they heritage remains important, but it
conquered no country,” he said. should enrich their contribution to
Instead, he argued, they spread their adopted countries rather than
knowledge, astronomy, Ayurveda compete with it.
and civilisational values. At the same time, Bhagwat does
“This is the tradition. This is the not suggest that diaspora members
DNA of Bharat,” Bhagwat said. should sever their emotional or cul-
The message to the diaspora is tural relationship with India. On the
implicit but important: if Indians contrary, he believes their Janma
abroad want to represent India, they Bhumi has given them values that they
should do so through conduct rather should preserve and demonstrate.
than slogans. He argued that Indian civilisa-
tion had historically understood di-
Unity in diversity versity as natural while seeing unity as
At Madison Square Garden, the deeper reality. “There have been
Bhagwat developed the argument many castes, many creeds, many lan-
further, placing the Indian experience guages. Everything is many,” he said.
alongside that of the United States. “Nature, expression of reality, is
“When we say United States of diverse. Diversity is natural. Unity is
America, one word is often discussed the reality.”
frequently. That is pluralism. And RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat during his visit to the ISKCON temple, in New York on For a diaspora living in multi-
when we say Bharat, another phrase is Friday. Minister of Communications and Governing Body Commissioner (GBC) of ISKCON, cultural societies, this is a message
discussed: unity in diversity,” he said. that has particular resonance. In-
“For Bharat, this unity and this di- Anuttama Dasa (L) also present (ANI Photo) dians abroad are negotiating mul-
versity, both are in their DNA.” tiple identities at once — Indian by
The distinction is particularly rel- one, and due to diversity, that one- may differ in appearance and cir- ancestry, American or Canadian by
evant for Indian-origin communities ness is decorated,” he said. cumstances but are united in essence. citizenship and increasingly global in
in North America, which are them- It is this philosophy that Bhag- “Therefore, serving others is our their outlook.
selves deeply diverse. They encom- wat wants the diaspora to embody in duty,” he said. Bhagwat’s answer is not to reject
pass different religions, languages, re- North America. That gives his message to the these overlapping identities but to
gions, castes and political beliefs and From philosophy to service diaspora a practical dimension. The place them within a broader frame-
include both recent immigrants and His visit to the ISKCON temple measure of Indian identity abroad, work of responsibility.
generations of Indian-origin Ameri- in New York provided a more prac- in his formulation, should not simply The diaspora can be proud of In-
cans and Canadians who have grown tical expression of the same message. be participation in cultural events or dia without becoming disconnected
up entirely in the West. During the visit, Bhagwat participat- preservation of traditions. It should from its adopted country. It can pre-
Bhagwat’s argument is that di- also be the contribution Indians make serve Indian traditions without reject-
versity should not be regarded as an ed in a food distribution initiative for to the societies in which they live. ing pluralism. And it can contribute
homeless people and spoke about
obstacle to unity. Krishna consciousness as a means of to India without making that contri-
“Diversity has to be celebrated, A different kind of diaspora bution an obligation at the expense of
has to be respected, has to be accepted. overcoming conflict and division. politics its responsibilities abroad.
“In today’s world, there are so
And at the same time, we must keep in many conflicts, so many dualities. The Bhagwat’s emphasis on Kar- This is also why his distinction be-
mind this feeling of oneness,” he said. only thing that unites is consciousness. ma Bhumi is also notable because it tween Vishwaguru and Mahashakti
He invoked Swami Vivekananda avoids asking the diaspora to operate matters.
to make the larger point that nations That consciousness is Krishna Con- as an extension of Indian domestic India’s rise, Bhagwat argues,
sciousness — we are one,” he said.
have purposes beyond their geo- He argued that recognising an politics. should not be understood merely
graphical boundaries. underlying unity behind the world’s The Indian-origin community in as the emergence of another pow-
“Every nation has a message to North America has become an im- erful state competing for influence.
deliver. Every nation has a mission differences could help create a more portant bridge between India and Its larger contribution should be to
harmonious society.
to accomplish. Every nation has a “Everything is Krishna — if that the United States. Business leaders demonstrate how a diverse society
destiny to fulfil,” Bhagwat quoted have highlighted the diaspora’s role can maintain a sense of unity and
Vivekananda as saying. world reaches every heart, the world in strengthening cooperation in trade, how growing national power can be
will definitely be a better world,” he said.
For India, he said, that destiny is defence, technology and investment. converted into service.
The food distribution activity was
to demonstrate repeatedly that diver- significant in the context of his wider The community is also increasingly That is the civilisational role he
sity and unity can coexist. message. Bhagwat’s speeches have visible in politics, academia and pub- sees for India — and, by extension,
“What is the destiny given to lic institutions. for Indians living across the world.
Bharat? Bharat is there to realise and repeatedly linked Indian civilisation- Bhagwat’s message appears to “Your janma bhumi expects you
al identity with seva, or service. In
from time to time make the world Toronto, he said that human beings be that this influence should be exer- to live the values it has imparted on
realise this unity in diversity. We are cised responsibly. you,” Bhagwat told the diaspora.

www.TheIndianEYE.com