RSS, world biggest NGO

Free Thinker *

Youth camp by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Manipur Prant on February 18 2018 :: Pix - TSE

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is hitting its century this year. Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar founded RSS at Nagpur, in 1925 on 27 September, Vijayadashami day. Speaking from the rampart of Red Fort the most prominent Parcharak announced that RSS is the biggest NGO in the world — praising its 100 years old nation building endeavors. He also said that the nation is not built by the government alone.

It is built by the efforts of millions of people including soldiers, scientists, seers, saints, singles and others. Farmers, laborers, teachers, organizations and many others are also involved in nation building. He did not mention that the nation is built by politicians.

For the last hundred years the RSS workers have been dedicating their lives to the service of "nation building", "character development" and "welfare of the motherland". The Shalchas are organized to train young men to make them physically, mentally, morally and intellectually strong to take part in nation building.

According to a somewhat reliable source nearly 83000 shakhas are organized almost every day throughout the length and breadth of the country. With the completion of 100 years, RSS is planning to have a series of events including 'Sammelans'. It is also learnt that Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat will address the countrymen on 2 October 2025, from the RSS Headquarter, at Nagpur.

For many years there has been an unending propaganda saying that RSS is a Brahmin Organization and they want to establish Hindutva . Today the ground reality is that RSS has millions of volunteers belonging to dalits, tribals and OBCs. Mind you, the present Pracharak Prime Minister is an OBC . He is a dedicated leader who has sacrificed his entire life for the nation.

He has nothing to lose — he is heading for the Himalayas perhaps towards Kailash ; after demitting office he may like to disappear or live in oblivion. This is purely my conjecture. Perhaps Hedgewar was heavily influenced by the then Hindu Nationalist Vinayak Damodar Sarvarkar . They used the expression like "Hindu Rashtra" ( ignoring the fact that Bharat was/is a Hindu Rashtra).

All the religions which were born here remain part and parcel of the Sanatana Dharma — the eternal belief system. Except for the religions coming from outside — the entire rituals and belief system belongs to Bharatiya Sanatana Tradition. Actually RSS lacks intellectual orators who can defend their preachings and practices effectively.

On their 100th birthday they must do something serious about intellectual empowerment. RSS has already started its centenary celebration but the main event may kick off from August 26 from Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. It will be a 3 day event, titled — "100 years of Sangh Yatra" . In this event , Dr Mohan Bhagwat will be having interactions with various groups representing different sections of the society.

There will be dialogues, discussions and deliberations in 17 subjects including diplomacy, religion, media and academia. Such programs will also be held in other cities of the countries. Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) can be divided into several categories. Their specialization or orientation may differ according to their aim and mission.

Some offer charitable-services, others become activists, and many perform welfare programs. Their focus varies - education, health, environment, economic upliftment or simply welfare. Some NGOs are rural centric, many are urban based but national level NGOs are not many. In our country generally NGOs are registered bodies — as trust, as societies or as companies.

Most NGOs are nonprofit organizations that operate independently of any government control focusing on issues of their interest or choice. Though non —profit org they get funding from international institutions, government agencies, private companies or even from private entities or Billionaires foundations etc.

The RSS, a national NGO working on multifarious aspects of the society is widely misunderstood by the people who have British education and western ideological leanings. Still many people think that this is an organization which works on communal lines. Actually such an impression is created by politics. Actually at present RSS have approximately 6 million volunteers coming from different castes, creed and community.

And they all work together for the country. They are basically involved in organizing the society. Pracharaks and volunteers work day and night in the service of the people and the nation. Their level of dedication can't be fathomed by those looking at them from outside. In order to understand RSS you have to come closer and see what they are upto.

Even after many years of close observation I still can't understand their funding pattern — one Pracharak told me , they do the fund raising once in a year — i.e., on the Guru Dakshina day — I believe him reluctantly . Will one time annual contribution be enough to run such a humongous organization —biggest NGO in the World ? I ponder, the level of contribution must be juggernaut.

BJP leaders might have understood what their top-brass said on 15 August -Sangh remains the omphalos even though the Party has become rich, powerful and having 18 crore members. Fall in line; otherwise the entire Parivar may crumble.