Vishwa Hindu Parishad – the name itself conjures images of the Ram Temple movement, Bajrang Dal volunteers sporting bandanna on their foreheads and battle cries of ‘Jai Sri Ram’, thanks to the one sided media projection of the organisation’s activities.
Founded on 29th August 1964, on the auspicious occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, the objective of the VHP is to organise- consolidate the Hindu society and to serve – protect the Hindu Dharma.
With the blessings of the Hindu religious leaders and the active involvement of the society at large, VHP, over the last five decades, has emerged as a strong, effective voice of the silent and pious majority community in the country with its presence in lakhs of villages, towns and localities across Bharat.
As the organisation often labelled as extreme right wing celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year, it is important to recall that one of the most significant yet least highlighted activities of the organisation has been its service projects spread across the length and breadth of the sub continent.
With the triple mantras of Seva or service as the foremost quality of human life, as an act to make oneself pure and perfect and as an essential duty to the nation, Dharma and society, innumerable selfless volunteers of the Parishad are engaged in the field of health education, self-empowerment, rural education etc.
The statistics pertaining to VHP’s service activities are mind boggling and would put to shame the highly publicised, immensely rewarded and hugely funded projects of semitic missionaries who engage in nefarious activities including terrorism and conversion under the garb of service.
As on June 23, 2014, VHP is running a total of 826 projects in the field of education alone which includes 203 Balwadis, 199 Bal Sanskar Kendras, 114 primary schools, 44 secondary schools, 27 senior secondary schools, 18 residential schools, 76 hostels for boys and girls, four night schools, 40 coaching centres, 58 libraries, nine Sanskrit and Ved Pathshalas and 34 other educational projects.
Its educational activities are inspired by a mission to restore/rediscover a civilized society with a robust character. VHP looks at education as a primary requirement for the eradication of poverty and a must for uprooting superstition and their effects on the society. It firmly believes that intelligence and character are the twin goals of true education.
Realising that the health care system and health awareness in the country is not well developed to benefit most people, 809 projects have been undertaken in the field of medical services, which include among others 14 hospitals, 110 dispensaries, 554 mobile dispensaries, 19 ambulances, 29 medicine collection centres, nine Panchgavya medical centres etc.
Poverty, the VHP believes, is one of the root causes of many a social evil. Thus, with a view to empower the poor, underprivileged and downtrodden, the VHP is operating 345 self-reliance projects which include 116 sewing centres, 36 computer centres, 160 women self-help centres, and six animal husbandry centres.
Over the years, the organisation has also emerged as the voice of the voiceless, running 42 orphanages, 14 legal help centres, two working women hostels, two women rescue centres among others.
This apart, the organisation is involved in organising medical and health camps from time to time, tree plantation drives, drinking water centres, rural development, construction of temples, help during natural calamities, Sanskrit conversation classes, assistance during religious pilgrimages and other social activities.
In fact, it is simultaneously engaged in about 2900 Seva projects being run by selfless volunteers of Seva Vibhag, Matrushakti/Durga Vahini, Dharma Prasar and Gram Shiksha Mandirs.
With a view to involve the public at large in its Seva projects, VHP has initiated several schemes such as adopting a child for a year, adopting a project for a year, donating food grains, donating educational material and participating in building and expansion programmes.
And the community has responded with ample vigour, making all of VHP’s projects a grand success.
VHP’s activities are not confined to the cities or rural areas alone. In India, millions of Girijans (Vanvasis or forest dwellers) live in mountains, valleys and remote forests in stark poverty, compounded by ill health, illiteracy and lack of basic amenities. Many persons and organisations with vested interests are exploiting the weaknesses of these poor tribals and converting them into anti-social and anti-national elements. Deeply concerned over such activities, many citizens inspired by the VHP’s vision are offering a helping hand to protect these vulnerable sections of the society.
One such instance is the Sri Siva Gopal Lunani Valmiki Vignana Kendram or oriental tribal elementary school and oriental tribal high school set up by the Bharathi Sewa Samithi, affiliated to VHP’s Rashtriya Sewa Samvardhan Samiti, in Eastern Andhra Pradesh. The school currently houses 200 students who have been pursuing their education free of cost and supported with free food, books, clothes and shelter.
The list of such selfless voluntary institutions set up by the VHP or its affiliates which cater to the requirements of the poor and needy, ranging from destitute women and orphans to physically challenged across the country is endless. There are also the innumerable cow shelters, free food distribution camps, tuition classes for the brilliant and deserving students.
VHP’s activities have inspired generations of Hindus to work selflessly and contribute liberally for the welfare of the community. Its efforts have immensely contributed to the eradication of social evils in society.
Yet, the portrayal of VHP as a communal organisation reflects the bankruptcy of ideas and ignorance of ground realities. People do not get carried away by this propaganda. In VHP, they see a beacon light to take the Hindu society to glorious heights, spreading peace and prosperity around, thus rejuvenating the ancient civilizational culture and traditions.
VHP looks at manav sewa as madhav sewa (service to humanity is service to God). As it celebrates the golden jubilee of its historic journey, the organisation is determined not to rest on laurels but to tread the difficult path inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s motto, Ärise, Awake and Stop not till the Goal is reached.