New York, August 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
More than 5,000 people from 39 US states are expected to attend a ‘Universal Oneness’ event featuring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday, organisers said.
The programme, scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. local time, is expected to draw participants from 85 cities, with more than 200 organisations partnering for the event, spokesperson Priya Samant said.
The gathering is being organised around the Indian philosophical concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, or the idea that the world is one family.
“This event is a celebration of the Indian philosophy ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which is that the world is one big family,” Samant said.
She said the programme would bring together people from different backgrounds and promote peace and harmony despite differences.
The event will feature interfaith, cultural and spiritual elements and is being held during the weekend of Raksha Bandhan, which Samant described as a festival symbolising protection, care and bonds between people.
An a cappella performance by Indian-American youth and the chanting of hymns are also scheduled.
Samant said registration had received an overwhelming response and was subsequently closed. She added that the programme would be available online for those unable to attend in person.
Indian-American community members associated with the event said its message of unity was particularly relevant amid conflicts and divisions around the world.
Dr Avinash Gupta said the gathering reflected what he described as the “timeless philosophy of our ancient Indian culture, that the world is one family”.
Ankur Vaidya, who is associated with the programme and volunteers with the Federation of Indian Associations, invited members of the wider American community to participate.
“Inclusiveness, wellbeing for all is the message that the programme intends to give,” Vaidya said.
Addressing criticism of the event, Samant said people in a free society were entitled to express their views, while stressing that differences could be addressed through dialogue.
“Dialogue does not mean endorsement, listening does not mean agreement, and understanding does not mean abandoning your differences,” she said, adding that “oneness does not mean sameness”.
The RSS was founded in Nagpur in 1925 and is marking its centenary this year. It describes itself as a volunteer-based cultural organisation focused on character-building, social service and national development.
Bhagwat has served as the RSS Sarsanghchalak since 2009. The Madison Square Garden programme is part of his visit to the US and is intended to present the Indian philosophical idea of a shared global family to an international audience.
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