“Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Dr Hedgewar envisioned a Hindu society in Bharat—one that would lead the world, a society free from discrimination and selfishness, rooted in equality, and liberated from exploitation. Let us build that very society and move forward on the path of making Bharat a Vishwaguru”, said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak, Dr Mohan Bhagwat, at the inauguration of the newly constructed RSS prant karyalaya ‘Keshav Bhawan’ in Kanpur’s Karawalo Nagar on April 14.
Pointing out that it is our good fortune that today, on Babasaheb’s birth anniversary, we are inaugurating Keshav Bhawan, Dr Bhagwat said: “When Dr Ambedkar came to the Sangh shakha in 1934 in Karad, near Satara in Maharashtra, and news was published at that time in the newspaper Kesari, (originally run by Tilak), it published a small report in three lines mentioning that Dr Ambedkar gave a speech at the shakha, and in it, he said: ‘Despite differences on some issues, I look at the Sangh with affinity.’ This feeling of affinity stemmed from two reasons. Dr Hedgewar and Dr Ambedkar both had immense affection and commitment towards the society. And the work of both was aimed at evoking that same sense of deep connection in society, eliminating selfishness and divisions. Their work continued through their volunteers, and even today, we continue on that path.”
Describing Bharatvarsha as the home of Hindu society, and therefore, Hindu society is responsible for it, RSS Sarsanghchalak said, “Those who call themselves Hindu will be questioned about the good and bad of this country; accountability lies with them. The Sangh does not run like other institutions; it operates through the strength of its swayamsevaks. For the work of society, it seeks support from society. What happens is made possible by the annual contributions (Guru Dakshina) of swayamsevaks. Today, the condition of swayamsevaks is such that they can build such an office. When you go inside this newly built karyalaya, you’ll realise that whatever is needed for this prant has been built—measured and precise, not more than necessary. Because we do not believe in luxury,” he said.
“When you see this office, you’ll realise it meets the necessary standards. But there was a time when such a building couldn’t even be imagined. Where was the Sangh office then? In the homes of the karyakartas. And when there were no swayamsevaks, even when Dr Hedgewar stood alone, where was the Sangh? In the life of Dr Hedgewar himself. Because the Sangh is a sentiment. The Sangh is a way of life. That life and that feeling adapt according to time, place, and circumstance. Sometimes, it remains so subtle that it is invisible. Sometimes, it grows like a massive banyan tree that everyone can see,” he further said.
Dr Bhagwat also unveiled a portrait of Dr Ambedkar at the newly built karyalaya. The RSS office in Kanpur was first established in 1978 in Gandhi Nagar.
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