Last week (July 31 to August 5) I saw two unrelated images that got etched in my memory for their ability to convey so much on Indian culture, Indian values and Sanatana Dharma. Let us delve deeper into the images.
Image 1: The first image captures Vasantiben, PM Modi’s younger sister’s heart-warming embrace of Shashi Devi, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath’s sister when Vasantiben met Shashi Devi during a private pilgrimage to Neelkanth Dham in Uttarakhand. Vasantiben, accompanied by her husband, and some relatives was on a pilgrimage to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and the Bhuvaneshvari temple and on her way back met Shashi Devi at her shop. Shashi Devi reportedly runs a shop called ‘Maa Bhuvneshwari Prasad Bhandar’ that sells pooja items. Both Vasantiben and Shashi Devi greeted each other warmly. Incidentally, the families of both PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath stay away from the limelight.
Image 2: The second image captures Lalu Yadav’s warm embrace of Rahul Gandhi at Pandara Park residence of his elder daughter Misa Bharti. Lalu Yadav and his family hosted former congress president Rahul Gandhi over dinner to celebrate Rahul Gandhi’s immediate relief from the Supreme Court in a criminal defamation case over his ‘Modi surname’ remark.
What do the images of Vasantiben and Shashi Devi’s heart-warming embrace and Lalu Yadav’s and Rahul Gandhi’s warm embrace convey? What is their significance? There cannot be more telling contrast and depiction of Indian culture, Indian values and Santana Dharma than the two images described and shared in this post. A stark reminder of the contrast in understanding the soul of this nation. It is important to note that Vasantiben and Shashi Devi are sisters of two most popular and powerful leaders on the Indian political spectrum. In today’s age and time when people flaunt their authority and connections at the drop of a hat, here is an example of two sisters of two most popular and powerful leaders of our nation, leading a simple, and happy life away from the limelight without any qualms of power and authority. Remarkable individuals representing the essence of Sanatan Dharma, the natural and eternal way to live and signifying the essence of simplicity, and Indian values of tyag and tapasya. The second image captures Lalu Yadav hosting Rahul Gandhi over dinner and serving the delicacy ‘Champaran Mutton’ during the holy and auspicious month of Shravan. What one eats in the close confines of his/her home is none of my business? What political heavyweights and public representatives like Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Yadav eat & espouse, while claiming to be devout Hindu, a Shiv Bhakt and a saviour of Indian culture and value system should be everybody’s business! For the uninitiated, Shravan is considered the most auspicious month in the Hindu calendar where a devout Hindu and especially a Shiv Bhakt stops consumption of non-vegetarian food and assumes ‘Satvik’ living. As per the Hindu beliefs and tradition, Shravan is the best month to win the grace of the almighty as the entire cosmos is charged with divinity and magical powers. Lalu Yadav hosting Rahul Gandhi and serving ‘Champaran Mutton’ during the holy month of Shravan and getting it popular pressconveys two leaders far disconnected from the Indian culture and Indian value system. The image also communicates the coming together of two leaders – one on bail and other out of jail on health grounds. Images indeed speak louder than words.
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