Kolkata, 21 December (H.S.): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, during his address in Kolkata, elaborated on the establishment, objectives, and working methods of the Sangh. He said that people know the name of the Sangh, but do not understand its work properly. Even many well-wishers of the Sangh lack accurate information.
The RSS chief said on Sunday that the opinions formed about the Sangh are often based on false narratives spread by third parties. The Sangh's effort is to ensure that people's understanding of it is based on facts, not on rumors and misconceptions.
He clarified that the Sangh was not started for any political purpose, nor was it a reaction to anything. The Sangh was established so that India could be glorified throughout the world and the Indian society, which is destined to become a world leader, could stand at that level.
Dr. Bhagwat said that the Sangh was started purely for the organization of Hindu society. This does not mean opposition to anyone else. Referring to the words of Guruji, he said that even if there were no Christians or Muslims in the world, the organization of Hindu society would still be necessary because society is internally divided.
The RSS chief said that after the failure of the 1857 revolution, the question arose as to how a handful of Englishmen could rule India despite its skilled warriors and intelligent people. At that time, it also became clear that not only independence, but social reform was even more necessary. Along with superstitions and social evils, self-forgetfulness also became our weakness.
He said that the task of reminding Indian society of its identity was primarily undertaken by Swami Vivekananda and Maharishi Dayanand. It was during this period that the personality of Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar emerged, who was a born patriot.
Dr. Bhagwat informed that Dr. Hedgewar's parents died while serving plague patients when he was 11 years old. After that, he lived in extreme poverty, but he was brilliant and always excelled in his studies. According to the vow he took before Goddess Kali, he dedicated his entire life to the service of Mother India.
Bhagwat explained that after ten years of deep contemplation, Dr. Hedgewar founded the RSS on the day of Vijayadashami in 1925. The Sangh was born out of distress over the country's plight and the weakness of society. Its objective is to organize the entire Hindu society.
The Sarsanghchalak said that the Sangh's working method is to bring about transformation in social life by building an organization of nationwide workers through individual development. A Sangh branch means dedicating one hour of the day to thinking about the country and society, forgetting everything else.
Dr. Bhagwat said that Hinduism is not the name of any single method of worship, food, or clothing. Hinduism is not a religion or sect, but a way of life. Anyone who believes in the culture of this land and the motherland is a Hindu. The idea of finding unity in diversity is eternal, and this is the identity of the Hindu way of life.
He said that Hindu society is all-inclusive and wishes for the welfare of all with the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). The Sangh's work is to unite society, not to create a separate, dominant organization within society.
The Sarsanghchalak said that volunteers trained by the Sangh are working in every field of society. Wherever good work is being done selflessly, the Sangh cooperates and works together with society.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
