On June 1, 2023, RSS’s Sangh Shiksha Varg, Tritiya Varsh, 2023 ended, followed by the address of Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat at Reshim Bagh, Nagpur. Kadsiddheshwar Swami of Siddhgiri Sansthan Kaneri Math, Kolhapur was present as the chief guest on this occasion. Vidarbha Prant Sanghachalak Ram Harkare and Nagpur Sanghachalak Rajesh Loya were also present on the occasion. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat while addressing the swayamsevaks said that it is the duty of all of us to remember our ancient tradition and accept our Bharatiya culture that accommodates all diversities.
Dr Mohan Bhagwat said, if anyone in the world has done a good job in the financial crisis or in the corona pandemic, it has been done by Bharat. He also said, it is a matter of pride that Bharat got the prestigious G-20 presidency.
“Everyone has to give up something for the sake of affinity. Efforts to make this a habit is the work of the Sangh”, he said.
“Our country is a democratic country, there will be many ideas, many parties, there will be competition for power, but it also has a maryada”. Dr Bhagwat said.
In our country, since ancient times, there has been a culture of coordination among the diversities, he added. “We are not showing our strength to the enemies sitting on the border, but we are fighting among ourselves. We are forgetting that we are one country,” the RSS Sarsanghchalak said.
“Everyone should make efforts for enhancing Bharat’s unity and integrity,” he added. Some religions were from outside Bharat, and we had wars with them, he said.
“But the outsiders have gone. Now everyone is insider. Still, there are people here under the influence (of outsiders) and they are our people…this has to be understood. If there is any shortcoming in their thinking, then reforming (them) is our responsibility.”
When was Sangh Shiksha Varg launched?
Sangh Shiksha Varg was started in 1927 in Nagpur. Back then the session were three-weeks long and were known as Greeshmakaleen or summer varg. A few years later, it got renamed as Adhikari Shiksha Varg. 1950 onwards, it was known as Sangha Shiksha Varg.
During the initial years of the Varg, food was arranged by the nearby houses and the local schools were used as residence for the participants. Nagpur’s Lokanchishala, Dhanvate Nagar’s Vidyalaya (now known as Mill City School) and New English School often served as the venue. None of these schools ever charged any money. To cover for medical expenses, electricity, water, etc. the participants were charged a little fee.
“Our country is a democratic country, there will be many ideas, many parties, there will be competition for power, but it also has a maryada. In our country, since ancient times, there has been a culture of coordination among the diversities ”-Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
The support that Shri Anna Sohani and Shri Martandrao Jog extended to Dr Hedgewar was crucial to the success of Varg. Each day, at the end of the physical drills, Dr Hedgewar would escort all the swayamsevaks to a pond in Chitnispura for swimming. Later, when the number of participants increased, the practice of swimming in the pond was discontinued.
Around 1939, Varg shifted to Hedgewar Smruti Mandir In Reshimbagh (Nagpur). Since then, this has been the fixed venue for Sangh Shiksha Varg. Back then, Dr Hedgewar had bought one-acre land for Rs.700.
Structure of the Programme
The physical and intellectual sessions continued from five in the morning till nine in the evening. Out of this, two to two-and-a-half hours were set aside for physical training. From 12:30 in the afternoon till 5 in the evening, participants rested, participated in discussions and penned down their observations and responses.
Expansion beyond Nagpur
After the success of the Nagpur Varg, in 1934, it was organised in Pune too. The following year, first and second year Varg were also organised at Pune. Keeping the summer vacation in mind, the Pune Varg was organised from April 22 to 2nd June, and from 1st May to 10th June it was organised in Nagpur. Dr Hedgewar would reside in Pune till 15th May and thereafter shift to Nagpur. After Pune, Varg sessions were launched in Nasik. By 1942-43, the number of Swayamsevaks participating in Varg reached around three thousand. Meanwhile, in 1938 Varg moved out of Maharashtra; it was organised in Lahore. Thereafter, as the workload kept increasing, first and second year Varg were started in other provinces too. These days, it is only for the third year training that the swayamsevaks need to come to Nagpur.
Nationwide Expansion
In the 1940 Nagpur Sangh Shiksha Varg, participants from all parts of the country attended the sessions. Unfortunately, a few days after the conclusion of the 1940 Varg, Dr. Hedgewar left for his heavenly abode. During these months, most of the schools and universities are closed for summer vacation. Because the exams are over, the students are free too. That is why these months were chosen to familiarise the youth with the workings of the Sangh. This program has bene in force since the day.
Interruptions in the Tradition
There had been four instances of interruption in the Varg. During the 1948-49 ban; during the days of emergency in 1976-77; in 1993; and in 1991, due to a difficult national situation arising out of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination and Loksabha Elections. In 2020-21, Covid caused yet another interruption.
Earlier the Nagpur Varg used to be a 40-day session, which has now has become a 25-day third-year Varg. Before independence, on a few occasions, it was organised as a 30 day session too. At the moment, while the first and the second year Vargas are organised at multiple venues across the country, the final Varg is held only at Reshimbagh, Nagpur. There are two categories of Varg—the normal Varg comprising 18 to 40 years old participants, and the special Varg comprising 41 to 65 years olds. Those above 65 years are not allowed.
“Our country was a Vishwaguru and to restore it on this post, if there is any organisation which is working continuously and is capable, then it is Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh”
-Shri Kadsiddheshwar Swamiji
Presently, during the 25 day Sangh Shiksha Varg, participants join a full-uniform march-past. The Varg ceremony is organised by the Nagpur city. On the occasion, the Sarsanghchalak addresses the gathering. His address offers a resonant summary of Sangh’s views on contemporary national and international issues. Besides the speech also addresses social issues that concern Bharat and its citizens. The address also serves to provide comprehensive perspectives to the Swayamsevaks.
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