Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said India was on the verge of becoming world leader as people were transforming and changing, but in the process citizens of India should remain rooted with their culture and traditions.
During a book release function of Goa governor Mridula Sinha held at Samanvay Bhavan in Bhopal, Bhagwat emphasized on women empowerment and also on remaining in touch with the tradition of India. Sinha has written a biography of Mandodari, the wife of demon king Ravana of epic Ramayana.
Bhagwat said, "Conditions are becoming favourable for India to emerge as world leader because of policies of our government. To change is not a tough task but to change while retaining originality is important."
"With the change, I am also seeing the bad behaviour with women. The ill-treatment of women and so-called lower caste people (Shudras) in the name of culture and traditions is wrong. I have seen many great persons behaving unjustly with women in the name of religious scriptures, but it is wrong. They never understand the real meaning of our scriptures. Neither anyone reads them thoroughly nor do they try to understand the real meaning. People should change themselves. We have to maintain our limits while behaving with women. Had Raavan listened to his wife Mandodari, he would have avoided being branded as a villain" he added.
Bhagwat also gave example of Goddess Sita as a powerful woman. "Once she had to undergo trial by fire but when Ram asked her again to do so, Sitamata strongly said that she took the trial once because it was her duty to support her husband but she had performed all her wifely duties well and did not have to prove herself repeatedly. She preferred to disappear into the womb of the earth after this," Bhagwat said.
{{/usCountry}}Bhagwat also gave example of Goddess Sita as a powerful woman. "Once she had to undergo trial by fire but when Ram asked her again to do so, Sitamata strongly said that she took the trial once because it was her duty to support her husband but she had performed all her wifely duties well and did not have to prove herself repeatedly. She preferred to disappear into the womb of the earth after this," Bhagwat said.
{{/usCountry}}On the occasion, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Loksabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan were also present as guests.
Chouhan and Mahajan praised the effort of Mridula Sinha. Chouhan also invited her to write some other books in MP.