Hyderabad: Indian badminton icon and Padma Bhushan awardee Saina Nehwal on November 10 lauded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s sustained encouragement to the sporting community, stating that the organisation’s efforts were helping young people develop their talent with confidence and discipline.
Speaking at an interaction titled “RSS: Ideology and Practice”, organised in connection with the RSS at 100 Centenary Celebrations (2025–26), Nehwal said the Sangh’s motivational activities in the field of sports had created a positive environment for youth. She also acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives for the development of sports and shared insights from her own journey of hard work and achievement.
The event in Secunderabad, brought together professional sportspersons for an open exchange on the RSS’s worldview and work.
Delivering the keynote address, Rakesh Jain, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Saha Paryavaran Pramukh, outlined the organisation’s 100-year journey and explained why the RSS was founded by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. He emphasised the Sangh’s contribution to nation-building and briefed the audience on upcoming centenary-year activities.
These include the national-scale “Ghar Ghar Sampark Abhiyan” (door-to-door contact programme) and Hindu Sammelans planned in more than 80,000 villages across India. Jain also highlighted the five focus areas of Panch Parivartan—social harmony, strengthening family values, civic discipline, environmental protection, and promotion of swadeshi products—inviting all participants to join these initiatives.
A diverse line-up of national and international sports personalities participated in the event, representing a wide spectrum of disciplines including ice skating, gymnastics, athletics, cricket, football, martial arts, kabaddi, shooting, basketball, mallakhamb, tennis and more. The gathering brought together 65 accomplished players, coaches and administrators, highlighting the depth of sporting talent across the region.
The attendees included Chippolu Navayug, Dheeraj Ravi, Pruthvi Teja, Ajay Yadnik, L Rajender, Kavya Rajput, Thakur Nithesh, Anmish Bhupatiraju, Durga Prasad, Royala Ram Mohan, JP Palaguna, E S Shah, R Sriram, VV Ramana, Siddarth, Ganji Raj Reddy, T Lavanya Reddy, Anagha, Dev M Mehta, and Bharath Kumar and many more.
