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Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Market-based lifestyle has reduced relationships to mere transactions: RSS leader Hosabale
Mumbai, The e-commerce and market-driven lifestyle are weakening social bonds and altering the fundamentals of human relationships, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has claimed. Market-based lifestyle has reduced relationships to mere transactions: RSS leader Hosabale India has never been a land of rigid ideologies which obstruct independent thinking. "Bharat has never lived just for itself, it has always existed for the well-being of the world," Hosabale said on Tuesday. He was speaking at a discussion here on the book 'Integral Humanism: A Distinct Paradigm of Development' by Ashok Modak, published by the Indian Council of Social Science Research. "A market-based, government-oriented life is damaging for society. E-commerce is a glaring example. It has reduced relationships to mere transactions," the RSS leader said. Explaining his concerns, Hosabale said, "If I want to get Modak's book in a village in Tamil Nadu, I can easily order it online. It seems convenient. I pay and they deliver. But is it really that simple?" "Traditional marketplaces were rooted in long-standing relationships. A farmer would borrow from a trader who knew him and his family for years. Will Amazon ever understand or replicate that kind of trust? It is faceless. We are slowly losing the essence of such human connections," he said. In the United States, "society has practically disappeared", Hosabale claimed, adding only individuals and the state are left in that country. "This model of a welfare government and a market-centric life is not sustainable for a healthy society," the RSS leader added. He also raised concerns about the modern world's approach to nature and lifestyle. "We can not live without electricity, but we must think about how to generate it efficiently and integrate it into our lives in a way that respects the environment," Hosabale said. Education should focus on imparting values and not just information, he said, adding that "new knowledge must be created to build a cohesive society." Referring to Modak's arguments in the book, Hosabale said, "The western world view revolves around individual rights, survival of the fittest and exploitation of nature. But we discuss a different approach, one based on compassion, concern and compatibility. A human being is part of society, and society cannot exist without nature." He also lauded Bhutan's 'Gross National Happiness model' as an alternative vision to economic indices. "Human and societal well-being are complementary. Both cannot exist without nature," he said. "A society cannot live in the past alone. People may draw lessons and inspiration from history, but they must also look ahead to the future and live fully in the present. Bharat has never lived just for itself, it has always existed for the well-being of the world," he said. About the notion that India has failed to produce ideologues in recent centuries, the RSS leader said, "We do not accept this claim made by the West. The western civilisation, particularly in Europe, has been the cradle of ideologies like communism, capitalism and feminism. In contrast, Bharat has contributed philosophy." An ideology is a closed system which can not be changed, Hosabale said, adding that it comes in the way of independent thinking. "Bharat's contribution lies in philosophy, which offers light and guidance but encourages each person to find their own path. Buddha, Mahavir and Swami Vivekananda were not ideologues, they were philosophers. Bharat has never been a land of rigid ideologies," he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
E-commerce, market-driven lifestyle weaking human bonds: Hosabale
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Tuesday said e-commerce and a market-driven lifestyle adversely impacted basic human bonds and relationships. He was speaking at a book release function held in Mumbai. According to him, the e-commerce and market-driven lifestyle were detrimental and weakened social bonds, altering the fundamentals of human relationships. The senior RSS functionary was speaking at the launch of the book Integral Humanism: A Distinct Paradigm of Development by Ashok Modak, published by the Indian Council of Social Science Research. According to Hosabale, 'A market-driven, government-oriented life was damaging for society as it adversely impacted human equations. E-commerce is a glaring example. It has reduced relationships to mere transactions.' While underlining the seriousness of such lifestyle and its overall impact on the individual, family and society at large, he said, 'If I want to get Modak's book in a village in Tamil Nadu, I can easily order it online. It seems convenient. I pay and they deliver. But is it really that simple? Earlier, traditional marketplaces were rooted in long-standing relationships. It has special connected. A human bond. Which evoked sentiments. In the past, a farmer would borrow from a trader who knew him and his family for years. Now, such things are unimaginable. Everything is personal, individualistic.' He added, 'Will Amazon ever understand or replicate that kind of trust? It is faceless. We are slowly losing the essence of such human connections.' Hosabale cited how in the United States, society has practically disappeared. Only individuals and the state were left in that country. This disconnect and lack of emotions is worrying. 'This model of a welfare government and a market-centric life is not sustainable for a healthy society,' he said. The senior RSS functionary raised an alarm about the modern world's approach to nature and lifestyle, highlighting changes in living standards, which have over the decades become essential aspects. 'We cannot live without electricity, but we must think about how to generate it efficiently and integrate it into our lives in a way that respects the environment,' Hosabale said. Another significant point he made was that education should focus on imparting values and not just disseminating information. 'The new knowledge must be created to build a cohesive society,' he stressed. Referring to Modak's book, Hosabale said, 'The western world view revolves around individual rights, survival of the fittest, and exploitation of nature. A human being is part of society, and society cannot exist without nature.' The RSS leader lauded Bhutan's Gross National Happiness model as an alternative vision to economic indices. 'Human and societal well-being are complementary. They cannot exist without nature,' he said.
Deccan Herald
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
E-commerce, market-driven lifestyle damaging human relationships: RSS leader Hosabale
India has never been a land of rigid ideologies which obstruct independent thinking, he said, speaking at a discussion here on the book 'Integral Humanism: A Distinct Paradigm of Development' by Ashok Modak, published by the Indian Council of Social Science Research.
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kashmir rail link: ‘For us it's not just a moment of pride but a historical event'
More than five decades ago, an assembly member from Baramulla, Peer Shamus u din, had raised a question in the assembly seeking efforts for a direct railway link between Baramulla and the rest of the country. Today, his son, who is in early 60s, has seen his dream being fulfilled after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express connecting Katra and Srinagar. With this Kashmir has now all-weather Railway connectivity with the rest of the country. Not only the government, political leaders, business community, and even the common man termed this as a historical event. 'My father was an assembly member from Baramulla (1965 to 1971). He had raised this question in the then legislative assembly that Baramulla and Srinagar should get a train connectivity with the rest of the country. That time it looked like an impossible thing. But today when PM Modi flagged off the train from Katra, I saw the dream of my father and many Kashmiris being turned into a reality. For us it's not just a moment of pride but a historical event,' said Peer Jalaludin, former Baramulla mayor and a senior PDP leader. A senior government officer, Shabir Ahmad, who boarded the first train, said everybody who was in the train couldn't hide their emotions. 'All praised the country's leadership for accomplishing this great task despite many impediments. Now Kashmir will have all-weather train connectivity with the rest of the country,' he said. Shazia Akthar, a women entrepreneur, termed the railway connectivity a biggest gift from the Government of India. 'This will help all the sectors in Kashmir whether it's tourism, handicrafts or horticulture. It could be a gamechanger in future,' she said. On Thursday, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah had termed this a landmark day for J&K. 'Tomorrow is a landmark day for J&K when, finally, the valley will be connected to the rest of the country by a railway link to be inaugurated at the hands of the PM,' he wrote on X while posting breathtaking pictures of railwayline on social media. Nayeem Showkat, former assistant professor at central university, who is currently doing post doctorate fellowship at Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, this train has been a major development in the region's communication landscape. 'As a communication student, I have always considered the train to be a foundational medium of mass communication and connectivity,' he added. Leaders all praise for the move Former J&K chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the launch of Vande Bharat Express. 'This long-awaited step promises ease for commuters and boosts connectivity in our region,' she said. Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari, who is also a prominent businessman of J&K, termed the inauguration of the Vande Bharat train by the Prime Minister a historic milestone and the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream. 'This train service from Katra to Srinagar will not only reduce travel time by several hours but also ensure all-weather connectivity for Kashmir with the rest of the country for the first time. This improved connectivity is a big step towards progress and economic growth. I extend warm greetings to the people of Kashmir and take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Government of India for turning this uphill task and long-cherished dream into reality,' he said. Fruit growers upbeat The Valleys fruit industry which contributes to 8% of J&K's GDP are upbeat on the all-weather connectivity via railway from Srinagar to the rest of the country and termed the decision as a historic and transformative moment. 'This new railway segment will reduce the travel time and enhance all-weather connectivity, besides providing safe, economical and efficient mode of transport for all,' said Bashir Ahmad Bashir of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association. 'We want the introduction of a separate train from Delhi to Srinagar and a goods train which could boost the economy of UT.' The government also in a message termed it a big moment for Jammu & Kashmir and India's infrastructure journey. 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicates the world's highest railway arch bridge, the Chenab Bridge to the nation. This engineering marvel, taller than the Eiffel Tower, is part of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link that connects Kashmir to the rest of India year-round. With the launch of Vande Bharat trains to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and Srinagar, this project boosts tourism, trade and opportunities for youth. From 36 tunnels to 943 bridges, this is India's boldest step yet in transforming connectivity in the Himalayas,' the message released on social media and local newspapers read.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
SASTRA conducts national conference on diabetes, Parkinson's disease
Trichy: SASTRA University conducted a national conference on 'Mantras and Medicine: Managing Diabetes with Parkinson's Disease (M3DPD-2025)', by bringing traditional knowledge systems and modern medical research together to address the growing challenges of diabetes and Parkinson's disease (PD). The event, held in association with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) on Wednesday, focused on exploring the therapeutic potential of vedic chanting , siddha medicine , and herbal interventions like costus igneus (commonly known as the insulin plant), alongside advancements in biomedical diagnostics and artificial intelligence. Ramachandra G Bhat, vedic scholar and former vice-chancellor of S-VYASA University, Bengaluru in his inaugural speech emphasized the relevance of veda-based therapies and ecological healing for chronic illnesses, especially neurological and metabolic conditions. S Venugopalan, professor, department of Oriental Studies and Research, SASTRA University, underlined the necessity of integrating scriptural wisdom with evidence-based medicine for holistic well-being. More than 50 scholarly papers were presented, ranging from ethnobotanical studies, cell line research, clinical trial methodologies, and philosophical perspectives on healing, involving researchers from India and abroad. As part of the initiative, blood screening camps were already conducted in rural parts of Tamil Nadu, identifying over 42 patients with diabetes and Parkinson's for clinical study.
