Since its inception, RSS has been leading at the time of crisis as the forefront torch bearer whether it was working on relief and rehabilitation during natural calamities or emerging situation like the present crisis over COVID19
-Niyati Sharma
1. RSS has established 180 kitchens and has been distributing almost 1,20,000 food packets every day
2. Kitchen established by Sewa Bharati with Jhandewalan Trust in Delhi serves thousands daily during lockdown
All over the world Covid-19 has reached to a draconian condition. In such a horrendous crisis, society is bleeding in various forms. India is also fighting against the spread of Coronavirus. In this pandemic, one organization which is constantly acting as a savior for the needy is Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). RSS is a social organsiation primarily working to strengthen society. Seva or Devotional service to the motherland is it’s core.
Since its inception, RSS has been leading such crisis as the forefront torch bearer whether it was working on relief and rehabilitation of the society in Orissa Cyclone (1971), Andhra Pradesh Cyclone (1971), Bhopal Gas Tragedy(1984), Gujarat Earthquake(2001), Indian Ocean Earthquake(2004), Uttrakahand Flood (2013) and now CoronaVirus Pandemic.
RSS, the largest non profit organization int the world, marked it’s vibrant presence at Anand Vihar Railway Terminal by managing thousands of migrants who had to flea to neighboring states mainly Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. RSS established a kitchen service to provide food services and other basic necessities to these hopeless people.
As of today, RSS has established 180 kitchens and has been distributing almost 1,20,000 food packets every day. In addition to this RSS affiliated Sewa Bharti, has made a “Rashan Kit” which includes all the necessary items available in the kitchen. The “Rashan kit” includes 10 kg wheat, 5 kg rice, 1 kg toor dall, , half a litre of cooking oil, 500 grams of salt, 1 kg each of onions and potatoes, tea leaves and spices totaling upto 1,22,468 kits.
RSS with its pan India approach, extended it volunteer efforts from Kanyakumari to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) unifying people from different communities and demonstrating an excellent example of brotherhood. Khalida Begum from J&K recently donated 5 lakh rupees to Sewa Bharati which she saved for Hajj demonstrating example of selfless service.
RSS is setting up a perfect example of social engineering to think about humans, and animals as well. RSS volunteers have been regularly providing food to stray dogs, pigeons, birds and other pet animals at 447 places.
Sewa Bharti, another arm of RSS is working through 973 organizations in 602 districts of the country. Voluntary service for needy has always been a high priority task for Sewa Bharti. RSS believes to serve all the communities and cross the boundaries of the nation for social upliftment of society. Therefore, keeping this in mind RSS volunteers distributed 2,500 kg flour, 1,250 kg rice and other essential food items to nearly 1,000 sex workers in Delhi’s GB Road area.
Our Hon’ble Prime Minister has constantly emphasized that the senior citizens must be taken care as they are most vulnerable to this deadly disease. RSS, therefore, has started an initiative for care and protection of senior citizens. The initiative is called “Each One, Adopt One”. Under the initiative, families in the neighborhood adopt one senior citizen and provide them with medicines, vegetable, fruits, milk delivery and other necessities. The aim is not only to extend help but also not to forget the social interaction which built the root of our society. The emphasis is on “Physical Distancing” rather than “Social Distancing”
Looking beyond self, RSS is setting up a perfect example of social engineering to think about humans, and animals as well. RSS volunteers have been regularly providing food to stray dogs, pigeons, birds and other pet animals at 447 places. RSS has provided 75,000 kg cow fodder to around 20 Gau Shalas.
RSS has issued helpline numbers to public for food and other essential commodities which includes Sewa Bharti Helpline, Student Helpline, Divyang Helpline, Digital Helpline, North East People Helpline and Blood Donation Helpline service. The volunteers all across districts have been assigned to take calls. Volunteers in 32,000 colonies of 30 districts in Delhi are assigned to take calls. On an average the helplines receive around 5,000 calls each day. This also includes monitoring and feedback team keep a check on aunthenticity of information. To encourage Digital use and to keep a check on fraud calls RSS has launched an App named “Utkarsh”. The App helps in maintaining the record of the call received and services delivered.
As Swami Vivekananda said “To serve Humanity is to serve God”.For Sangh, Samajik Samrasta or social harmony is a Sangh Samskara. RSS has stood in these hard times and utilize this as an opportunity for service and sharing compassion with society . The spirit of universal brotherhood is deep rooted in the value system of RSS.
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