“What is life if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?” 
—W.H. Davies

In our daily rigmarole, we forget to observe and appreciate the good work done by noble souls around us. Even the mainstream media, which happens to be the prime source of information about the developments around us, doles out only the gory details, giving us the feel of living in kalyug. But all is not lost and gloomy as vested interests would like us to believe. There is a glimmering ray of hope in the form of a dedicated battalion of Bharatvasis who contribute to the betterment our Motherland in their own unique, subtle way, away from the material trappings of glitz, glory and glamour. This book is a collection of such bravehearts and their way of saying ‘Maa tujhe Salaam’ through their noteworthy work. Put together by a veteran journalist, Shri M.G. Vaidya, known for his incisive mind, sharp wit and insightful understanding of Bhar-
atiya way of life, Mera Bharat Mahan is a tribute to all such unknown and unsung heroes, who make true Bharat. Let’s appreciate them, emulate them and pray for their tribe to increase. 

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Contents

Preface — Pgs. 5

Foreword — Pgs. 6

Translator’s Note — Pgs. 7

Acknowledgements — Pgs. 13

1. Swaroop Vardhini — Pgs. 17

2. ‘Nandan Van’ in Stones — Pgs. 21

3. From Manipur to Maharashtra — Pgs. 23

4. Girish Prabhune — Pgs. 27

5. Thakre Maharaj — Pgs. 31

6. Brahma dev — Pgs. 38

7. ‘Nyishi’ Tribe — Pgs. 41

8. New Vanaprasth Ashram — Pgs. 45

9. Maraada: Attack and Counter Attack — Pgs. 49

10. Vasant Rao Tare — Pgs. 53

11. ‘Rugna Mitra’ (Friend of the Sick) — Pgs. 57

12. What is that Soil, Which Makes  Resolutely Assiduous and Courageous People? — Pgs. 61

13. World Veda Session — Pgs. 67

14. A Peculiar ‘Sahyadri’ — Pgs. 70

15. Sewa Dham Vidya Mandir — Pgs. 76

16. Social Justice Court — Pgs. 80

17. Niru Lantern — Pgs. 82

18. Fragrance of Humanism — Pgs. 85

19. Bhagavadgita in Tihar Jail — Pgs. 90

20. Vidya Bharati — Pgs. 95

21. A Sage of Learning — Pgs. 100

22. International Cooperation Council — Pgs. 107

23. Jhansi ki Rani, and Her Tank — Pgs. 110

24. Mangala, A Dalit Sarpanch — Pgs. 113

25. Bank of Mothers’ Milk — Pgs. 117

26. I.I.T. Kanpur Stunned the World of Science — Pgs. 119

27. Gift of Buddhism — Pgs. 122

28. Chennamma, The Queen of Kittur — Pgs. 127

29. Subramanian Chandrashekhara — Pgs. 131

30. Deshonnati — Pgs. 133

31. Maan Bamaleshwari Bank for Women — Pgs. 138

32. For Social Harmony — Pgs. 140

33. Ganesh Poojan in a Foreign Embassy — Pgs. 144

34. A Social Renaissance — Pgs. 146

35. ‘Adarsh-Gram: Sanskar-Gram: Sanskrit-Gram’ — Pgs. 148

36. Want to meet the M.L.A.? Go to Hospital — Pgs. 152

37. Hospital in Siachen — Pgs. 154

38. Frikshon Lingdoh — Pgs. 157

39. Welcome Dawn of Desirable Change — Pgs. 160

40. ‘Shegaon’: An Ocean of Bliss — Pgs. 166

41. ‘Dhagevadi’: A Pilgrimage of Labour — Pgs. 172

42. Chait Ram of Baripada — Pgs. 176

43. Chamanlal — Pgs. 180