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New York: On the occasion of the centenary year of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Sangh chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat's tour to America has started. During his tour, he will attend the 'Oneness Celebration' event held at the famous Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York on Saturday, August 29. According to organizers, more than 5,000 delegates from 39 US states and about 850 cities are expected to attend the event.

Bhagwat will address the topic of mutual harmony, world brotherhood and unity in this program. Apart from this, he will also interact with representatives of different social and professional sectors of America along with people of Indian origin. These include youth, businessmen, people associated with social and intellectual fields.

The program will start at 2 pm according to American time.

The 'Oneness Celebration' program will run from 2 pm to 5:30 pm US time. According to Indian time, this program will run from around 11:30 pm on 29th August to 3 am on 30th August.

This global contact campaign organized in the centenary year of the Sangh is being considered important in the political, social and intellectual fields of India and America. Through the programme, an attempt is being made to put the ideas to Indian culture, social harmony and world brotherhood on the global platform.

RSS said – the event is being organized in the spirit of open dialogue

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has said that the Sangh chief's program in New York has been organized in the spirit of open dialogue. Senior Sangh official Sunil Ambekar said that people interested in knowing about the Sangh have been invited to join the discussion.

Ambekar said that the 'Universal Oneness Celebration' organized in New York is a gathering of people belonging to different religions, cultures and faiths, in which Sangh's Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat will interact with the people.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed disagreement

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has expressed his disagreement regarding Bhagwat's program. He has said that he does not support the RSS chief's proposed program at Madison Square Garden.

However, Mamdani also said that the event is a 'private' event and as such the New York City administration probably does not have the authority to cancel it.

The same MSG where PM Modi made his historic address in 2014

The Madison Square Garden where Mohan Bhagwat will take the stage on Saturday has a special place in the political, religious, sports and entertainment world of America.

It was in this arena that Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first public program in America after winning the elections in 2014. The arena with a capacity of about 22,000 people was packed to hear Modi, who arrived in New York for the high-level meeting of the United Nations.

US President Donald Trump also made a grand comeback in New York in 2024 at Madison Square Garden. Apart from this, Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush was selected as the presidential candidate at his parties' conventions here.

Republican and Democratic Party conferences have also been held

The Republican Party held its national convention at Madison Square Garden in 2004, and the Democratic Party in 1976, 1980, and 1992.

Located about ten blocks south of Times Square in the heart of New York City, this arena is spread over an area of ​​approximately 76,000 square meters. Its specialty is that it is built over the Pennsylvania Station in New York. Pennsylvania Station is one of the busiest transit hubs in the United States, offering long-distance train, commuter rail, and subway services.

From sports to politics and music in one arena

Madison Square Garden is also known for its multi-purpose capacity. According to the need, ice rink for hockey, basketball court, political stage, arrangements for religious programs, boxing and wrestling ring and concert stage can be prepared here.

The home games of the New York Rangers ice hockey team and the New York Knicks basketball team also take place here.

MSG has witnessed performances by many of the world's most famous music artists. Artists like John Lennon, George Harrison, Elton John, Lady Gaga and Led Zeppelin have performed here. Victoria Beckham and the Spice Girls have also performed here.

MSG is also very important from safety point of view

Madison Square Garden has been hosting major political and high-profile events, so there are tight security arrangements here. Depending on the nature of the event, modern technology is also used for identification and security checks of people entering.

Mohan Bhagwat's address on such a global platform during the centenary year of RSS is being considered important in order to convey the Sangh's views on Indian culture, social harmony and world brotherhood to the international audience.