By Hemang Palan

It is believed that the Sanskrit word "Ram" (राम) is often translated to mean "pleasing," "charming," or "enjoyable." In some ‘Advaita’ Vedanta inspired texts, Rama connotes the metaphysical concept of Supreme Brahman who is the eternally blissful spiritual Self (Atman, Soul) in whom yogis delight non dualistically. The root of the word Rama is ram- which means "stop, stand still, rest, rejoice and be pleased".

Religious and spiritual leaders of Sanatana Dharma strongly believe that Lord Ram alone is the father, mother, brother, well-wisher and everything for a soul that can be classified as a true Ram ‘Bhakt’ or an ardent devotee of Lord Rama.

Such devotees of Lord Rama met in Mulund suburb of Mumbai on January 14, 2024 on Sunday in a meeting facilitated by ‘Mulund Bunt Samaj’. The ‘Bunt’ are an Indian community who historically have inhabited the districts of coastal Karnataka in South India. The Bunts speak Tulu and Kundagannada languages, and Shetty is a common surname in the Bunt community.

This meeting held in Mulund on Sunday was attended by the leaders of Mulund-based Bunt community, and also the esteemed members of Gujarati, Marathi and South Indian communities residing in Mulund-Bhandup-Thane suburbs. These ‘Ram Bhakts’ have announced to organize a grand ‘Rath Yatra in Mulund on January 21, 2024 Sunday as a mark of respect to the inauguration of a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya as the consecration (Pran-Pratishtha) of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya town is scheduled to  take place on January 22, 2024.

This meeting held in Mulund was attended by many ‘Bunt Samaj' leaders including Dr Satyaprakash Shetty and Dr Surendra Shetty. A prominent RSS functionary of Mulund, Mr Ajit Soni too was present at this meeting.