“On October 2, 2025, RSS is completing 100 years, and in these hundred years Sangh work has expanded across the nation. This work has reached to all sections of society, with people from diverse walks of life participating in various activities of the Sangh”, said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, Sunil Ambekar while briefing the media on the RSS Vijayadashami Utsav 2025 on September 22, 2025.
“The centenary of the Sangh will be completed on October 2 this year (Vikram Samvat 2082). From this Vijayadashami to the next Vijayadashami, the Sangh will observe its Centenary Year. In Nagpur, this year’s that Vijayadashami Utsav will mark the commencement of the Centenary Year. Every year this Utsav is celebrated in Nagpur and across the nation”, he said.
“The Sangh was started in Nagpur itself by Dr KB Hedgewar, who was also from Nagpur. He felt that character-building is extremely necessary, and inspired by this vision he founded the RSS. In his own house in Nagpur, in a small room, along with 17 companions, they all took the resolve to begin this work. In that small meeting, the seed of such a vast work was sown, which later expanded with the dedication of kayakartas”, he further said.
He further informed that that, “when the Sangh’s work was initiated, on April 17, 1926, Dr Hedgewar had convened a meeting, and in that very meeting the name “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh” was decided.
The first shakha was held at Mahal, Mohite Wada, on May 28, 1926, which today is the RSS Headquarters. That shakha was named Mohite Shakha. At present, there are over 83,000 daily shakhas, and about 32,000 weekly milans, he further informed.
Regarding the Vijayadashami Utsav celebrations he said, “Since 1995, the Vijayadashami Utsav has been celebrated at Reshimbagh. Till now, people from various fields have attended the Vijayadashami Utsav as chief guests. This year too, the programme will begin at 7:40 AM, with the address of Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat. Swayamsevaks in poorn ganvesh will participate in the sanchalan in Nagpur and across the nation. Each year, the numbers have been increasing; last year around 7,000 swayamsevaks participated in Nagpur, and in view of the Centenary, this number is expected to rise threefold. Preparations by swayamsevaks for this occasion are in full swing”.
“The programme will include Sharirik Pradarshn, shastra pujan on the arrival of the chief guest, swayamsevaks’ pradakshina and sanchalan, followed by yog aasan presentations and ghosh. Along with this, all the other activities conducted every year will also take place”, he informed.
On the evening of September 27, 2025, path sanchalans will be held from three locations in Nagpur from Kasturchand Park, Yashwant Stadium, and Bharatiya Hockey Ground on Amravati Road. They will begin at 7:45 PM at Variety Chowk.
“Several special guests will also attend, including Lt. Gen. Rana Pratap Kalita, industrialist Sanjiv Bajaj of Bajaj Industries, as well as foreign delegates from Ghana, South Africa, Thailand, UK, and USA. Among them, Swami Shanakanad Giri from Ghana, former Health Minister of South Africa, Thailand’s Royal Priest Bhishma Ransibrahmanakul, and Mr Eda from Indonesia will be present. Many other dignitaries from various fields will also attend”, he said.
Since 1933, guests have been attending the Vijayadashami Utsav. At that time, the chief guest was the Bhonsle Raja, Shriman Fateh Singh Rao. In the years that followed, personalities from the fields of sports, science, and judiciary have graced the occasion. This year, former President Shri Ramnath Kovind will be present as the chief guest, he informed.
The Utsav will be celebrated across the entire nation. Even in Manipur, where the situation had not been favourable, the Utsav will be observed this year with full enthusiasm. Swayamsevaks in poorn ganvesh will participate in this Utsav all over the country.
“The work of the Sangh in last 100 years will be carried to the people through the Grah Sampark Abhiyan during the centenary year across the nation. Hindu Sammelans will be organised nationwide, and special youth programmes will also be conducted by the swayamsevaks”, he said.
On September 28, a special programme by singer Shankar Mahadevan will be held in Nagpur, where he will present Sangh Geets, he informed.
Replying to question, what is Sangh’s greatest achievement in last 100 years he said, “The greatest achievement of the Sangh in society is that when the work of the Sangh was first begun, it felt as if we alone were carrying it forward. But today, faith has been created among the people that Bharat can indeed move ahead. Social transformation is taking place, people are joining us in large numbers, many organisations are associating themselves and working for the nation. This, truly, is the greatest achievement”.
He further informed that, a lecture series will be organised in various cities, similar to the one held in Delhi, it will take place in Bengaluru on November 7-8, in Kolkata on December 21, and in Mumbai on February 6-7. Apart from this, Dr Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale will undertake visits to all prants, where programmes related to the Sangh’s centenary year will also be organised.
Replying to another question on the journey of 100 years of the Sangh and the vision for the next 100 years, he said: “The vision is of a Bharat in which we can take pride, a Bharat that leads at the world level. Such vision is being nurtured by the people of the entire nation, and Sangh swayamsevaks will also contribute in this. For this, the contribution of the whole society is essential.”
The press conference was held at the Smriti Mandir, Nagpur. Vidarbha Prant Sanghchalak, Deepak ji, and Nagpur Mahanagar Sanghchalak, Rajesh Lohiya ji, were also present during the press conference.
