Youth Should Take Inspiration from Ashok Singhal’s Life: Amit Shah

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 27th Sept: The birth centenary year of former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ashok Singhal was inaugurated at a ceremony at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sunday, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah as the chief guest. The event was organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Ashok Singhal Foundation.

The ceremony marked 100 years since Singhal’s birth and featured tributes to his contribution to Bharatiya culture, spiritual traditions, the organisation of Hindu society and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The VHP had earlier announced that the centenary year would be marked by programmes across India and abroad, including seminars, public meetings, service initiatives, exhibitions and awareness programmes.

Addressing the gathering, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “Shri Ashok Singhal ji dedicated his life to the nation, society and the preservation of Bharat’s cultural heritage.”

Shah said Singhal’s contribution to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and his lifelong commitment to cultural resurgence would continue to be remembered.

He said the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Ashok Singhal Foundation were undertaking a significant initiative by commemorating his birth centenary and taking his life, values and contributions to a wider audience, particularly the youth.

“These celebrations are an important opportunity for the younger generation to understand the ideals that guided Shri Ashok Singhal ji and draw inspiration from a life devoted to the nation and society,” Shah said.

He expressed confidence that the centenary initiative would help carry Singhal’s legacy and message to future generations. News reports from the event also recorded Shah describing Singhal’s life as an inspiration for young people and highlighting his association with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Hindu traditions and the Sangh.

Hosabale recalls Singhal’s firmness and sensitivity
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, speaking on the occasion, said Singhal possessed a rare combination of firmness in conviction and sensitivity towards the suffering of others.

“Once he took a decision, he remained steadfast and would focus not on whether a task was difficult, but on finding the path to accomplish it,” Hosabale said.

He said Singhal’s contribution extended across several spheres, including the work of the RSS and VHP, initiatives related to Bharat’s cultural heritage, social service and the preservation of traditions.

Hosabale said Singhal was not merely a person who held strong convictions but also had the ability to translate those convictions into organised and sustained action.

Swami Paramanand Giri highlights responsibility towards society
Param Pujya Yugpurush Mahamandaleshwar Swami Paramanand Giri Ji Maharaj said the responsibility of protecting the country’s heritage and strengthening society rested with its people.

“This is our country, and it is our responsibility to protect all that belongs to it,” he said.

He called for continued vigilance towards society and Dharma, sustained efforts for national development and contributions towards making the country stronger and more progressive, describing these as part of the ideology associated with Ashok Singhal.

Ceremony begins with Vedic invocation
The ceremony opened with a shankhnaad and the chanting of Vedic mantras by 100 ritwiks, reflecting Singhal’s association, as described by the organisers, with the Vedic tradition, Indian knowledge systems and spiritual consciousness.

A major highlight of the programme was the release of the coffee-table book “Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram Ke Divya Padchinh” (The Divine Footprints of Bhagwan Ram).

The publication presents the life-values, ideals and cultural influence attributed to Bhagwan Ram and their continuing relevance to society.

A replica of the ‘Shri Ram Stambh’ was also unveiled and put on display during the ceremony.

Shri Ram Stambhs digitally launched
The event also witnessed the digital launch of the Shri Ram Stambhs, which are planned to be installed along the Ram Van-gaman Path in Ayodhya district.

According to the organisers, the initiative seeks to connect the public with the memory of Bhagwan Ram’s journey and with the cultural and spiritual sites associated with it.

The VHP had announced ahead of the ceremony that the Shri Ram Stambhs would be digitally launched as part of the year-long birth centenary programmes.

Exhibition showcases Ashok Singhal’s life and work
A special exhibition focusing on Ashok Singhal’s life was also presented at Bharat Mandapam.

The exhibition featured photographs, documents and other material covering his spiritual values, organisational work, role in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement and association with Indian culture.

The VHP and Ashok Singhal Foundation had earlier announced the exhibition as one of the central features of the birth centenary inauguration.

Alok Kumar: Centenary year to carry forward his ideals
VHP International President Alok Kumar said Ashok Singhal’s life continued to serve as a source of inspiration for Indian culture, spiritual consciousness and devotion to the nation.

“Pujya Ashok Singhal ji’s life remains a living source of inspiration for Indian culture, spiritual consciousness and selfless devotion to the nation,” Kumar said.

He said the centenary was not merely an occasion to remember Singhal but also an opportunity to carry his ideals, spirit of service and commitment to Bharat to coming generations.

The VHP has announced year-long programmes across India and other parts of the world as part of the centenary observance. According to the organisation, inaugural programmes are being held at 47 prominent locations between September 27 and October 4, followed by programmes involving service, social harmony, public awareness, seminars and exhibitions throughout the year.

The Delhi event marked the formal launch of the centenary year at Bharat Mandapam, with Amit Shah attending as chief guest and Dattatreya Hosabale as the special guest.