Technological innovations applied for social transformation
RSS is a progressive in its ideology, attitude and activities. From the use of technology and social media to leverage its message without compromising in its human side to recent change in its uniform testify this fact beyond any doubt
The earlier phases of Sangh was to expand the Sangh shakha footprint country-wide and infuse various dimensions of national life with patriotism and character.
2005 onwards can be termed as the third phase of the progress of Sangh. Sangh continuously benchmarks its progress through the dictum of “Sarva-vyaapi, Sarva-sparshi” . Expansion to all corners of the country and at the same time expanding into all sections of society is critical to meeting the Sangh goal of achieving the pristine glory of our Rashtra. During this phase, Sangh work has expanded into new sections of society through various
initiatives. Sangh swayamsevaks have also engaged in massive public awareness
programs.
One of the key measures of growth of Sangh work is the growth in number of shakas. In the month of March, 2005, it was 48794 and in 2016 March, 56859. In order to ensure the reach of Sangh shakhas among all age groups, four shrenis of shakas were designed.
Sanghathan and Jagaran Shreni: Observing that Sangh shaka work was sometimes getting affected by the movements and challenges before society, a balance was sought to be created whereby the shakha work expands and at the same time swayamsevaks are able to empower and involve society in addressing the challenges. This was done by the creating a loose network. The positive aspect of this was that while swayamsevaks have addressed challenges, there has also been an impressive growth of shakhas. Period bewteen March 2015 to March 2016 saw an increase of 5000 shakhas.
Shreni Kaarya: Mandali to milan to shakha has been a strategy of expansion. In March 2016, there were 13784 saptahik milans. In addition to this, in the last decade milans and mandalis expanded among various shrenis including professional students, lecturers, doctors and IT professionals.
Samaskaar Activities at apartments – Balabharati & Balagokulam :
Balagokulam work in Kerala had a tremendous impact. Taking the cue from there, swayamsevaks, have begun running Balagokulam or Balabharati kendras in large apartment complexes and gated communities, and it helped the expansion of Sangh.
Speedening Social Transformation through various activities
Sangh Resolutions on Social Issues: In the past decade Sangh passed staements and resolutions on various social and environmental issues. Resolutions on social harmony, cow protection, eradication of corruption, Education based on Indian ethos, Water policy, FDI in retail, Conservation of Western Ghats, Availability of quality education at low cost , affordable health facilities for all, minority appeasement and its impact on unity and integrity, Utility of yoga for the world, imbalance in
population, National security were passed. And Swayamsevaks started working in this line with like-minded people and organisations to create awareness and models of development.
A few areas of immediate concern were identified where special impetus is being provided by Sangh are following.
Graam Vikas & Gau Seva: The cow and the village are inter-connected. The development of the village is directly dependent on the cow and its progeny. In 2009, Vishwa Mangal Gau Grama Yatra’ is organized to create extensive awareness among people on cow protection and cow-centric agriculture. The movement also focussed on motivating organic farming. More than 8.34 crore citizens belongs to different religious groups participated in this yatra.
Dharma Jagaran: there is a correlation between reduction of Hindu population and the tendencies of Secession in our country. Religious conversion is a nefarious tool that anti national forces are using to break us. When Sudarshanji was the Sarsanghchalak, he drew the nation’s attention to missionary activities in India supported by various churches from across the world. Not only churches Islamic groups also indulged in conversion. Re-conversion of those who have been converted by fraud, force and deceit is an important initiative of the Dharma Jagaran vibhaag. Education converts about their roots is critical in this process.
Samarasta and Saamajik Sadbhaav
Sadbhaav Initiatives: As part of Guruji’s Janmashatabdi utsav, important programs related to Sadbhaav were conducted. Sangh doesn’t make any distinctions among Hindus on the basis of jaati, however jaati forms an important link in the society. Promoting harmony among various jaatis of the nation and thereby enabling each of them to identify with the bigger issues concerning the Hindu society. 1.6 Crores Hindus took the sankalp of “ Mama deeksha hindu raksha, mama mantra samaanata”. Sadbhaav baithaks are now being regularly organised at zilla level.
In February 2011, Maa Narmada Samajik Kumbh organised to awaken the Hindu society. And 415 different scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and 400 other social groups are participated in this festival from 4000 villages of 1179 tehsils belongs to 336 districts. It is estimated that nearly 30 lakh pilgrims took part in the Kumbh during these three days.
Samarasta Initiatives: Untouchability is still prevalent in some parts of our country, hence on the occation of Guruji’s Janmashatabdi utsav, many Samarasta Sammelan’s were organised. Over 13000 sants and 1.8 Lakh social leaders participated in the Samarasata Sammelans.
In his 2015 Vijayadashmi address, Pujya Sarsanghchalak Mohanji Bhagwat exhorted the swayamsevaks to ensure that all Hindus have common cremation ground, access to temple entry and common access to all water bodies. Subsequently, swayamsevaks have engaged in large scale survey and working towards addressing the social inequalities by bringing together various stakeholders.
Kutumb Prabodhan : The basic unit in the Hindu society is the family. It is the unit which sustains the values and social fabric of the Hindu society. The way to build a strong vibrant Hindu society is to ensure that Hindu values are nourished , lived and passed to the next generation through the family. This is the focus of Kutumb Prabodhan, a gati vidhi. This has huge potential to involve mahilas and elders too and we are seeing extensive involvement of all age groups in this work.
Making Appropriate Use of Digital Media and Social Media : Publications by various Sangh prants are known to have immense impact drawing people to the core issues of the nation. With changing times, most of our like-minded publications have taken the digital route.
Facebook and Twitter : During this period, Sangh launched its Facebook page www.facebook.com/ swayamsevaks and it has over 32 Lakh subscribers on its FB page. The twitter handle @RssOrg has over 3 L followers.
Join RSS : The RSS website has a facility for people to express interest to join Sangh The website received over 90000 requests in the last year which was an increase of 240% over the previous year. Each prant has a Join RSS pramukh who contact these people and involve them in various dimensions of Sangh work.
Leaping Forward : The past decade has been an era of involving large sections of society into nation building. Swayamsevaks have also made good use of government initiatives like International Yoga Day and Swachh Bharat to increase people’s involvement and their appreciation for Hindu values and way of life.
The world is undergoing a turbulent phase today. Conflict among nations, environmental imbalance, rampant consumerism, gender and social discrimination are some of the challenges that the world is facing. The Sangh in its resolution passed in the recent November ABPS 2016 meeting passed a resolution about Ekatma Manava Darshan Or Integral Humanism being the
solution for the present global crisis. Understanding the philosophy of Ekatma Manava Darshan and living it in action in our daily personal and social life is important to create a society which will stand as a beacon of light to the world.The Sangh swayamsevaks have a huge role to play in this important phase of Sangh work to build a strong Rashtra and also provide succour and direction to the world.
The writer is a CEO of IT?company in Hyderabad
