RSS plans to spread the shakha network to one lakh places in its centenary year: Dr. Manmohan Vaidya

RSS Sarsanghchalak dr. Mohanrao Bhagwat and Sarkaryawah Dattatreya Hosabale at the ABPS Meeting

Samalakha (Panipat), Mar 12. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has ambitiously planned to increase its daily shakha network all over the country to one lakh places from the current 38,913 places. This was disclosed by the RSS Sah-Sarkayawah Dr. Manmohan Vaidya at a press conference held on the sidelines of the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) the top all-India decision-making body of the Sangh.

The three-day RSS ABPS began here today at Seva Sadhana and Gram Vikas Kendra at Pattikalyana with Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohanrao Bhagwat and Sarkaryawah Dattatreya Hosabale lighting the traditional lamp and offering floral tributes to the portrait of Bharat Mata.

As many as 1,474 Pratinidhis from 34 RSS-inspired organizations across the country are participating in the ABPS meeting, which will conclude on March 14.

Speaking to the media after the inauguration of the ABPS Dr. Manmohan Vaidya informed that the Sangh will be completing 100 years of its existence in 2025. Currently, the RSS is working directly at 71,355 places and striving for social transformation. Over the next year, it aims to expand its direct presence and service activity to about one lakh places across the nation.

He said that Sangh's work and influence saw a big boost after the Covid pandemic struck in 2020. In 2020, as many as 62,491 Shakhas were held across 38,913 places, Saptahik Milan (weekly gatherings) at 20,303 places, and Maasik Mandali (monthly meetings) at 8,732 places. In 2023, all these numbers have seen a significant uptick. Currently, 68,651 Shakhas are being conducted at 42,613 places, Saptahik Milan at 26,877 places, and Maasik Mandali at 10,412 places, he added.

RSS Sah-Sarkaryawah Dr. Manmohan Vaidya and Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar addressing the Press Conference .

From Sangh’s perspective, the country has 911 Zilas (districts), out of which the RSS is working directly and actively in 901 Zilas. Similarly, the RSS holds Shakhas in 88% of the 6,663 Khands, and 26,498 of the 59,326 Mandals, he said.

As many as 1,300 additional Shatabdi Vistaraks, besides the regular Pracharaks and Vistaraks, have set out on a 2-year mission to expand the RSS’s work and activities during its centenary year, Dr. Vaidya said.

The noble thoughts and value systems that emphasize that the whole society of India is one, that all are equal, all are my own, and that I have to give something to the society emanate from the RSS’s Shakhas, the Sah Sarkaryavah highlighted.

Such is their dedication that the Swayamsevaks spread RSS service activities by taking time out of their daily work and contributing to social change even if it entails spending money from their own pockets. The RSS Shakhas are centers for character building. Individuals who attend daily Shakhas imbibe great values, and later play a critical role in social transformation by awakening nationalist thoughts and taking the society along, he added.

He informed that the RSS has been able to sharpen its appeal in society, and now more and more people are getting drawn to it. People are searching for the RSS and seeking to join the nationalist organization through the digital medium. Between 2017 and 2022, the RSS received a whopping 7,25,000 applications to join I online. Importantly, most of these applicants were aged 20 to 35 years, looking to join the RSS with the aim to serve society.

The presence of women participants reflected the nature of importance the RSS accords to women empowerment

The country’s youth are displaying a keen interest in the RSS’s daily Shakhas as well. Of the total, 60% are Vidyarthi Shakhas (student shakhas). In the last year, 121,137 youths have received the Sangh’s Prathmik Shikshan. Over the next year, the RSS aims to hold 109 Shikshan Vargas (training camps), with 20,000 Swayamsevaks likely to participate, he said.

Elaborating on the Sangh Shikshan (training), Dr. Vaidya said that Swayamsevaks in the age group of 15-40 years participate in the Pratham Varsh Shikshan (first-year training), those in the 17-40 years attend the Dwitiya Varsh, and the Tritiya Varsh is meant for those aged between 25 years and 40 years. The RSS organizes special training camps for Swayamsevaks aged above 40 years.

The Pratinidhis (Representatives) drawn from all over the country at the ABPS meeting

This is the 2550th Nirvan year of Bhagwan Mahavir, 200 years of the birth of Arya Samaj founder Swami Dayanand Saraswati, and 350 years of the coronation of Shivaji Maharaj. Resolutions pertaining to these events would be passed in the Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), he added. A resolution would also be passed keeping in mind the ongoing Amrit Kaal of India’s Independence, he said.

RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar accompanied Dr. Vaidya on this occasion.