RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the Indian community at Madison Square Garden in New York, speaking about Bharat’s unity in diversity, the responsibilities of the Indian diaspora and the relationship between material success and spiritual well-being.
NEW YORK, US — RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said Bharat unity in diversity is deeply ingrained in the “DNA of the people of Bharat” while addressing the Universal Oneness Celebration at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. He compared the US concept of pluralism with Bharat’s principle of unity in diversity, saying both unity and diversity are intrinsic to the people of Bharat.
Key Highlights
- Mohan Bhagwat said unity and diversity are ingrained in the DNA of the people of Bharat.
- He said Bharat has a role in realising and helping the world understand the principle of unity in diversity.
- Bhagwat urged the Indian diaspora in America to remain loyal to their karmabhumi, or place of work.
- He said material happiness is temporary and discussed the importance of spiritual thinking.
- Bhagwat said career success should not be measured only by earnings and highlighted the importance of distribution.
Bharat unity in diversity is central to Bhagwat’s message
Speaking at the Universal Oneness Celebration, Bhagwat said different terms are commonly associated with the United States and Bharat when discussing diversity. According to him, “pluralism” is frequently discussed in the context of the US, while “unity in diversity” is the phrase most often associated with Bharat.
“For the people of Bharat, both this unity and this diversity are ingrained in their very DNA.”
Bhagwat said Bharat’s role was to realise the principle of unity in diversity and, from time to time, help the world understand it. He said unity does not require diversity to disappear and argued that differences should instead be celebrated.
“We are one. And due to diversity, that oneness is decorated. So, diversity has to be celebrated.”
Bhagwat speaks about the Indian community in America
The RSS chief also addressed the responsibilities of Indians living in the United States. He said members of the Indian community have a duty towards their karmabhumi, referring to the country where they live, work and earn.
“You are in America. You live in America. You earn in America. So you are America, and you should behave true to America.”
Bhagwat described Bharat as the janmabhumi, or place of birth, of the diaspora. He said members of the community could contribute to Bharat if they wished to do so after fulfilling their responsibilities towards their karmabhumi.
He also said nations should not be viewed simply as geographical entities. Citing Swami Vivekananda, Bhagwat said every nation has a unique destiny and a specific duty to fulfil.
Material happiness cannot provide lasting satisfaction
Bhagwat also spoke about the limits of material happiness. Using the example of doughnuts, he explained that a person may enjoy having them in abundance but can eventually lose interest before developing a desire for them again.
“The doughnut is the same. What changed?”
He used the example to explain his view that material happiness does not necessarily provide permanent satisfaction. Bhagwat said the way people think influences their spiritual direction.
“If you think in the right way, you go nearer to God. If you think in the wrong way, you go nearer to the animal kingdom.”
He also spoke about the connection between human beings despite differences in bodies, clothing and forms of worship. Bhagwat compared humanity to beads connected by a single thread and said the Atman connects everyone and is the source of permanent happiness.
Individual, society and environment should progress together
Bhagwat stressed the need to maintain a balance between individual progress, societal development and the environment. He said societal advancement should not require the suppression of individuals.
“It is not that societal progress will happen only when individuals are suppressed.”
His remarks placed individual development, social progress and environmental considerations within the same framework, rather than treating one as separate from the others.
Bhagwat says success should not be measured only by earnings
Bhagwat also discussed money, careers and material success. He said the importance of a career should not be assessed solely by how much money a person earns.
“How much we earn is not important. How much we distribute is important.”
He clarified that material success is not rejected in Indian philosophy and referred to Artha and Kama as important Purusharthas associated with material life, alongside the pursuit of higher goals.
At the New York event, Bhagwat therefore touched on several themes, including Bharat’s unity in diversity, the responsibilities of Indians living abroad, spiritual well-being, material happiness and the need for balanced progress among individuals, society and the environment.
Sonu Yaduvanshi is a Senior Content Specialist and Digital News Editor at The Nation Bulletin with over 5 years of editorial experience. He specializes in government recruitments, competitive exams, public policy, and national affairs, focusing on source-verified reporting and factual clarity for readers.
