On the auspicious day of Vijayadashami, which fell on October 25, 1936, according to the Hindu Panchang, a significant turning point occurred for women in Bharat. It was on this day that RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) founder Dr KB Hedgewar provided inspiration to the prominent educationist, Lakshmi Bai Kelkar. Inspired by Dr Hedgewar, Lakshmi Bai Kelkar established the Rashtra Sevika Samiti in Wardha. The Samiti is dedicated to the service and empowerment of women in Bharat.
It is important to note that while the Rashtra Sevika Samiti operates in harmony with the philosophical principles of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, it is not merely a women’s wing of the RSS. It functions as an autonomous and independent entity, sharing a common ideological and structural foundation with the RSS. Both organisations uphold similar beliefs and organizational structures, but the Samiti tailors its activities to address the unique needs and challenges faced by women. Acknowledging the distinct attributes and roles of women in society, the Samiti seeks to contribute to their empowerment and betterment within the Bharatiya context.
The Rashtra Sevika Samiti focuses on awakening, enabling, and engaging Hindu women through its three core ideals: Matritva (Universal Motherhood), Kartritva (Efficiency and Social Activism), and Netritva (Leadership). Rashtra Sevika Samiti is the largest Hindu women’s organisation, working to uphold Indian culture and traditions.
- The Samiti operates through 5,216 centres across the country, with 875 of them functioning daily. It has a membership ranging from one lakh to ten lakh, and also branches in 10 countries under the name Hindu Sevika Samiti.
- The organisation runs active shakhas where women and girls learn yoga, singing, dancing, cultural values, and even receive military training.
- More than 475 service projects are run by the Samiti to provide self-reliant opportunities for underprivileged girls and women.
- The Samiti emphasizes Hindu women’s role in society as leaders and agents of positive social reform.
Lakshmibai Kelkar: The Torchbearer
Lakshmibai Kelkar, known affectionately as Mausiji, recognised this pressing need. She observed that the progress of the nation would be incomplete without the active participation of its women, who make up half the population. Understanding the gravity of the situation, she realised that women, as the creators and nurturers of society, must shoulder the responsibility for the nation’s revival. After deep contemplation and discussions with the RSS’s founder Sarsanghchalak, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, she founded the Rashtra Sevika Samiti as an independent cultural organization dedicated to Hindu women.
Empowering Women for Nation Building
Mausiji understood that the role of women in the nation is not only unique but also vital. As daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers, women serve as the emotional and moral anchors of their families. When this bond weakens, the family and society become fragile. Thus, it is essential for women to be strong—physically, mentally, intellectually, and spiritually. Through the Samiti, Mausiji sought to equip women with the right perspective towards their duties to family, society, and the nation, instilling in them a deep sense of devotion and pride in Bharat, religion, and culture.
Principles and Guidelines of Rashtra Sevika Samiti
The Samiti firmly believes that Hindus are the national mainstream of this land, responsible for Bharat’s overall progress, inspired by traditions originating from the Vedas. These traditions have been upheld and glorified by great figures like Shree Ram, Shree Krishna, Rana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and Swami Vivekananda. A true Hindu identifies with Bharat’s glory and takes pride in being a child of Bharatmata, willingly surrendering everything for her with joy and devotion.
Promoting this sense of Hindutva is the primary aim of the Samiti. The Bhagawa Dhwaja (saffron flag), a symbol of our ancient glorious culture, is regarded by the Samiti as its Guru. The Samiti has a firm faith that by upholding its ideals and values, the honor, pride, and values of Bharat can be safeguarded.
Discipline (Anushasan) is a cornerstone of the organization, though it is not imposed as a rigid rule but embraced with a familial spirit. The Samiti’s leaders, including the Pramukh Sanchalika, are seen as heads of a large family, and the members accept their leadership and rules as a sacred bond of love necessary for smooth functioning.
Who was Lakshmibai Kelkar?
Lakshmibai Kelkar, originally named Kamal, was born in the Mahal district of Nagpur in 1905. Her father, Bhaskar Rao Datey, was a government servant, and her mother, Yashodabai, was a homemaker. Lakshmibai inherited her deep love for the motherland, organizing skills, and fearlessness from her parents. Her mother regularly read Kesari, the newspaper edited by Lokmanya Tilak, despite it being considered treasonous for government servants at the time.
Lakshmibai married Purushottam Rao, a well-known advocate from the Kelkar family in Wardha. Sadly, she was widowed at the age of 27. Committed to the cause of women’s education, she established the Kesarimal Kanya Vidyalaya, a girls’ school that continues to function to this day.
Her son was Swayamsevak of RSS. She met RSS founder Dr Hedgewar and held several rounds of discussions with him. Following this, she started the organisation and dedicated herself to build a nationwide organisational network.
She led the Sevika Samiti as its first Pramukh Sanchalika until her death in 1978. Today, V Shantha Kumari, a postgraduate in mathematics and former teacher, continues to lead the Samiti as the Pramukh Sanchalika, having dedicated her life to organizational work since 1995.
