“Bharat will emerge as a Vishwa Guru only if each organ of our nation develops to its full potential and stays healthy. With our service and dedication, we must ensure that every segment of our society gets stronger and the entire world becomes one united family. And to make this a reality, the spirt of service must becomes our national mission. All our endeavours should be to this end,” said Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, while delivering the inaugural address at Rashtriya Sewa Sangam 2023, a three-day convention of the Rashtriya Sewa Bharati, organised at Keshav Vidyapeeth, Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Dr Mohan Bhagwat urged that people must look past their problems and challenges and present the world with shinning testimonies of devotion, wisdom and duty. This company of volunteers—a noble force—should work together as a strong union. This will ensure that we reach our goals easily.
Sarsanghchalak reminded the audience that the spirit of service has been a part of Bharatiya culture since time immemorial. The spirit of service is based on empathy. Although empathy is seen in the larger animal kingdom too, but only humans are capable of translating it into action. Such actions produce compassion. Referring to the G20 summit he argued that compassion should be made integral to international relations too.
Sarsanghchalak further added that at times duty and service may lead to vanity. But if the spirit of service persists, excessive pride disappears. Stressing on this continuity he suggested that we should believe that whatever is mine, it’s for the good of others. I am a part of the rest, and everyone is a part of me. Through our acts of selfless service, we should try to convince people about our philosophy. This should be our primary objective. It is only with this approach that every wing of the society will become independent and none in the country will languish as backward and powerless.
He underscored how the Swayamsevaks have been dedicated to service right from the time Sangh was established. Each human being is has a mind for service. It just needs awakening. Through our acts of service, we are trying to ensure that the society becomes healthy at the earliest. But before that, we must become healthy ourselves. If anyone lags behind in our society, it doesn’t bode well for us. The way to social progress lies in the belief that all are equal—the belief that we must empower the weak. He pointed out that our country has a community of nomads who also fought for our Independence. These bravehearts refused to surrender. The nomads did not lead a settled way of life and were in the habit of wandering. The British did their best to erase their identity. Unfortunately, their situation remains unchanged even after Independence. They lack Voter Identity cards, ration cards and even domicile. The Sangh is working for their upliftment too.
“Strong, prosperous and self-respecting Bharat is the guarantee for the world peace”-Dattatreya Hosabale, Sarkaryavah, RSS
Speaking on Missionaries, Sarsanghchalak emphasised that Indians should prioritise national service and national security over everything else.
“The Missionary practice always tried to circumscribe the efforts of Indian culture, but there has been several instances where the Indian saints proved them wrong,” Dr Bhagwat said. “Strong, prosperous and self-respecting Bharat is the guarantee for the world peace, said Dattatreya Hosabale, Sarkaryavah, RSS, while addressing concluding session of Rashtriya Sewa Sangam.
On the occasion, Ajay Piramal, the chairman of the Mumbai-based Piramal group, suggested that his organisation too is dedicated to the spirit of service as highlighted in Bhagwat Gita.
Sant Balayogi Umeshnath Ji also addressed the gathering. He emphasised the importance of social harmony along with the spirit of service. He suggested that acting in the spirit of our Sanatani culture, we must bring the oppressed and the deprived closer to ourselves. To make his point, he referred to the example of Mata Sabri and Kewat. Akhil Bharatiya Sah Sewa Pramukh of the RSS, Rajkumar Matale, presented the concept note of the convention. He referred to the maxim propounded by Nanaji Deshmukh— ‘don’t live for yourselves, live for those who are yours’. He added that as conventions such as this, the collective spiritual energy increases manifolds, which in turn inspires us to perform noble deeds.
During the inaugural session, the guest also released Seva Sadhna Patrika. This issue of the patrika focuses on self-reliant Bharat. The event was attended by several well-known public figures, leading social workers and spiritual leaders of our country. These included Bhaiyyaji Joshi (member Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini), Sah Sarkaryavah Mukund CR, Vishvaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwaranand ji Maharaj and the found of Vishwa Jagriti Mission Sudhansu ji Maharaj.
Notably, the three-day event concluded on April 9 with the resolution of ensuring a “Self-reliant society and self-reliant Bharat”. Around 3,000 representatives from over 800 voluntary organisations across Bharat, including Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Ladakh, took the pledge of self-reliant and prosperous Bharat.
