Rajya Sabha member Dr Sudhanshu Trivedi at traditional lamp lighting during a special lecture at Lata Mangeskar auditorium in the city on Saturday | FP Photo
Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Pointing out the ideological conflict surrounding national pride and patriotism, Rajya Sabha member and cultural thinker Dr Sudhanshu Trivedi said here on Saturday, “Why won’t those who bow to kings say ‘Vande Mataram’? These contradictions need to be recognized.”
“If the Muslim community is backward, then how has the Waqf Board’s wealth grown? How did the rulers of the country become fakirs?” he asked, criticising political parties for exploiting religious identities for vote bank politics while neglecting real development.
Trivedi was delivering a special address on the topic “Mahavir: The Confluence of Religion and Service”. The Lata Mangeskar auditorium where the event was organized by “Sarthak”, was packed to capacity, with people seated even on stairs and standing outside the auditorium.
“Mahavir, Hanuman immortal symbols of religion and service”
Trivedi, addressing an audience comprising intellectuals, students, saints and public representatives, drew stirring parallels between Mahavir Swami and Lord Hanuman, describing them as “immortal symbols of religion and service.”
He said that while Mahavir showed the world the power of self-restraint, non-violence and inner purification, Lord Hanuman exemplified supreme devotion, fearlessness and selfless service in the path of Dharma. “Those who conquer the world are brave, but those who conquer the self are Mahavirs”, Trivedi said.
He said that Hanuman’s life was a lesson in humility and spiritual strength, urging the youth to embrace service and inner discipline as forms of modern-day Dharma. The lecture was held on the joint occasion of Mahavir Jayanti and Hanuman Jayanti, symbolising a rare confluence of two great ideals—non-violence and fearless service.
Dr Trivedi highlighted the need for both in today’s socio-political scenario. “If religion is self-purification, then service is its social expression,”” he said. “Both Mahavir and Hanuman teach us to merge inner stability with outer action.”
‘Ayodhya surpassed all tourist destinations in India’
Dr Trivedi also celebrated the rise of Ayodhya as a cultural symbol, noting, “For the first time in 2024, Ayodhya surpassed all tourist destinations in India. This is not just about tourism; it is a symbol of cultural renaissance.”
Cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Balyogi Umeshnath Ji Maharaj and several MPs and dignitaries including Kavita Patidar, Shankar Lalwani and Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava were present.
