Ahilyabai Holkar: A Visionary Ruler Reviving National Consciousness – RSS Joint General Secretary Krishna Gopal

On the auspicious occasion of the 300th year of the birth anniversary of Punyashlok Devi Ahilyabai, a grand program was organized in New Delhi on Thursday, 14 November 2024 by Punyashlok Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar Trishati Samaroh Samiti, Delhi, formed to pay respectful homage to her and to convey her inspirational work to the present and future generations.

Addressing the program, the chief speaker, Joint General Secretary of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Shri Krishna Gopal Ji said that our country came into a terrible crisis in the seventh century. The era of terrible terror started in the 11th century. No temple, no place, mothers and sisters, no one was safe. Hardly any country has been able to face the attack on its culture for 700 years in this way. In such a situation, a boy named Shivaji Maharaj emerges from a small place. With great cleverness, he established a small empire. Hindu Padshahi was established in 1674. Shivaji Maharaj died in 1680. In this short period, he inspired the people immensely. Aurangzeb kept fighting for that small empire for 26 years after his death and finally died in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Shri Krishna Gopal ji said that Holkar of Indore was a part of the great Hindu Swaraj. Many centers were created to run the big empire and Indore was one of them. Like Shivaji Maharaj, the objective of Ahilyabai Holkar was to establish the honor and pride of the destroyed nation. There may be hundreds of states but the nation is one. India is not a state, India is a nation.

Ahilyabai understood that the sense of nation has been destroyed in 700 years. The feeling of self has diminished. To re-establish this national consciousness, he built temples, ghats and religious places etc. at 200 places from his personal funds. This is not a state vision, it is a national vision. The state is a part of the great nation. Therefore, he rebuilt the places of worship of the nation.

There are some rulers in history about whom everyone has nothing but praise. Ahilyabai was one such ruler. Jijabai is the inspiration of Indian women and the next link in this series was Ahilyabai. The sorrow that Jijabai had was in the mind of Ahilyabai. The determination that Shivaji Maharaj had was in the mind of Ahilyabai.

Addressing the gathering, the chairperson of the program, former IPS officer Mrs. Vimala Mehra ji said that we have to learn from Ahilya Mata and take our country and society forward by following the path shown by her.

Dr. Ashok Tyagi, Secretary of Punyashlok Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar Trishti Celebration Committee, Delhi, welcomed the guests on the stage and Dr. Upasana Arora, Chairperson of the Committee, expressed vote of thanks. Shri Uday Raje Holkar, Executive Chairman of Punyashlok Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar Trishati Celebration Committee, Patron of Punyashlok Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar Trishati Celebration Committee, Delhi, Vice Chancellor of Delhi University, Prof. Yogesh Singh, writer Mr. Madhusudan Holkar, program chairperson Mrs. Vimala Kumari (Retd IPS 1978 batch, former Director General - Jail (Delhi) and honorable members of the committee were present.

On this occasion, two books on Ahilyabai Holkar were also released. The guests on the stage were welcomed with a Tulsi plant and Maheshwari sarees installed by Lokmata Ahilyabai. On this occasion, a solo song on Ahilyabai ji and a solo drama by student Aisa were presented. An exhibition of books and paintings on the life of Lokmata Ahilyabai was also organized at the venue.

More than 1000 intellectuals from different walks of life were present in this grand program. In which more than 300 were sisters.

Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar was a great ruler of India, who is known for her love for justice, efficient administration and the work done for the revival of Sanatan. She was born on 31 May 1725 She was born on 20 May 2024 in Chaundi, Maharashtra.

300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar has started from 31 May 2024. Her life is a golden festival in Indian history. Her life journey from a girl from an ordinary family with rural background to an extraordinary ruler is still a great source of inspiration. She was a unique model of work, simplicity, dedication to religion, administrative efficiency, farsightedness and bright character. The true tribute to her would be to move forward on the path of simplicity, character, religious devotion and national pride shown by her.