Shri Guruji Janma Shatabdi celebrations gave ample chances for the variety of events for the organisers. Right from children essay competitions, quiz contests and singing to the level of national seminars involving highly-placed intellectuals and other media stalwarts, the general reaction was ?Is this the same RSS people who are doing this?? The way in which intellectual activities were conducted, people were very much impressed by the openness and willingness of the RSS functionaries to convey their ideological message. In fact many of the intellectuals got corrected of their version of Hindutva movements. They realised how the Sangh has been branded by vested interests. Prof. Chiranjib Sen of IIM (B) speaking at a national seminar, said, I wondered about the reception of the difference of opinions in this seminar.
When RSS top brass listened about the deficiencies of their own activities as told by mediapersons, it was a new insight.
Director General of Karnataka Police, Dr. Subhash Bharani who is also one of the think tanks of the Dalit movements in Karnataka, expressed confidence in RSS in resolving the issue of inequality. ?I have great regard for your organisational capability, dedication and discipline. You can bring the change. That is our hope,? he said.
Krantikari Jain Muni Shri Tarun Sagarji said at Tumkur Hindu Samajotsava that Shri Guruji is not just dwiteeya Sarsanghachalak, he was adwiteeya Sarsanghachalak. At the same function Dr. Shivakumara Swamiji, the 100 year-old sannyasi said that he has drawn inspiration from Shri Guruji when he visited the Mutt in 1950s.
Another important aspect of the celebration was Muslims have come closer to RSS. They have came forward and extended their invitations to masjids prior to the function. They felicitated Hindu leaders and gave their respects. They said not to consider a Muslim in general a terrorist. They also claimed that they don'thave any dispute with RSS and they very much respect the RSS. This was the same case in Madhugiri, Arasikere, Harihara, Bagepalli, Mangalore and other places.
This is the way in which the whole atmosphere has turned out by the celebrations of Shri Guruji birth centenary. People are putting more confidence in the concept of Hindutva and its organisations.
At 88 places in Karnataka Dakshina province more than a million participated in Hindu samajotsava. Among them 2.65 lakh women participated. At 210 places 14,500 people took part in social harmony meets. In different kinds of 31 intellectual programmes 4,000 people participated. At five universities including 306 girl students total of 986 students participated.
