Union Culture and Tourism Minister addresses International Saraswat Mahasammelan
The Sunday Mail
Jodhpur. Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India’s Sanatan culture has remained in continuous flow for thousands of years. The role of the Brahmin community in its preservation has been historical and decisive. Despite numerous invasions, social challenges, and intellectual distortions, Indian culture survived because the Brahmin community guided society in the right direction through its knowledge, penance, spiritual practice, and sacrifice.
Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the International Saraswat Mahasammelan on Sunday, Union Minister Shekhawat said that Saraswat is not merely a surname, but a symbol of a great civilizational tradition associated with the Saraswati River. Although the Saraswati River may have physically disappeared, its stream of knowledge still flows in Indian traditions and social consciousness. He said that the Saraswat Brahmin community, which flourished on the banks of the Saraswati, made knowledge the foundation of life and contributed significantly to various fields such as education, administration, social organization, and trade across the country.
Shekhawat said that when civilizational displacement occurred after the disappearance of the Saraswati River, the Saraswat Brahmins neither took up arms nor demanded power. Instead, they held aloft the lamp of knowledge and strengthened traditions, education, and social order in different parts of the country. From North India to West India, Konkan, Goa, and South India, wherever the Saraswat community went, it strengthened the social and cultural fabric.
Union Minister Shekhawat said that today, India is going through a period of cultural renaissance. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is moving forward in the direction of development while preserving its heritage. At such a time, it is the responsibility of society to remember its historical role and connect the coming generations with traditions, balance, and national consciousness. He said that both Parliament and society are platforms for discourse, where dialogue and deliberation should take place. He appealed to the youth to connect with their cultural roots and play an active role in nation-building. *The Saraswati River will flow again*
Shekhawat said that he believes that just as India is once again going through a period of cultural renaissance, we are moving forward with determination to revive our cultural values. With the blessings of all of you, I had the privilege of working on and formulating a plan to revive the Saraswati River for almost five years under the leadership of the Prime Minister. I can say with full confidence that in the coming years, in the coming decades, the Saraswati River will flow again, and the day the Saraswati flows again, the cultural sun of India will rise once more and illuminate the entire world.
*The Brahmin community has fulfilled its duty in every era*
Union Minister Shekhawat said that if we look at the history of the Brahmin community, it becomes clear that this community has fulfilled its duty in various forms according to the circumstances. When the opportunity arose to give, the Brahmin became Rishi Dadhichi. When it came to receiving, he became Sudama. When the time came to test, the same Brahmin appeared as Rishi Bhrigu. When it was necessary to guide society through asceticism, he became Kapil Muni. When it was necessary to suppress arrogance, he appeared as Agastya Muni. When the question of protecting Dharma arose, the same Brahmin became Adi Guru Shankaracharya. When the responsibility of policy-making came, he became Chanakya. When the time came to lead, he became Atal Bihari Vajpayee. When rebellion was necessary to protect the country, he became Mangal Pandey. When it was necessary to walk the path of revolution, he became the one who fired the shot, Chandrashekhar Azad, and when it was necessary to organize society, the same Brahmin appeared as Dr. Keshavrao Baliram Hedgewar.
Ghanshyam Ji had left the Lok Sabha ticket for me
Recounting an anecdote, Shekhawat said that Ghanshyam Ojha Ji is sitting here. In 2014, when it was being decided who would get the ticket for Member of Parliament in Jodhpur, both Ghanshyam Ji and my name were being considered. It was certain that one of us would probably be chosen. I went to Ghanshyam ji, my elder brother, and made a request to him. I said, “Brother, I am 15-20 years younger than you, and if you get the opportunity, I think the path will remain open for me as well.” But the words Ghanshyam ji spoke to me that day, along with his blessings, I believe, represent the highest manifestation of Brahman (the ultimate reality) in action and conduct. Therefore, if anyone can sacrifice their own happiness and rights for the happiness and advancement of a friend, it is only and only a Brahmin who can do so.
