BHUBANESWAR: As the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) marks its centenary year, the organisation is intensifying efforts to work with society at large for national reconstruction through the concept of Panch Parivartan, said Bipin Prasad Nanda, Prant Pracharak of RSS Odisha (Purv).
Addressing a special programme of social media influencers at the Utkal Bipanna Sahayata Samiti auditorium in Bhubaneswar, Nanda outlined the RSS vision for social transformation in its 100th year. The event, organised as part of the centenary celebrations, was attended by Srishtidhar Biswal, Prachar Pramukh of both Odisha (Purv) and Odisha (Paschim) prants, among others.
In his address, Nanda said the RSS has been working continuously for the last one hundred years with the sole objective of organising Hindu society in Bharat. “During this long journey, the organisation has faced numerous adverse situations. However, despite challenges and opposition, the core objective of the RSS have remained unchanged,” he said.
Speaking about the life and vision of RSS founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Nanda said that Dr Hedgewar was a lifelong patriot who had close associations with revolutionary movements and had also worked within the Indian National Congress. “After deep reflection on the causes behind Bharat’s subjugation, Dr Hedgewar came to the conclusion that organising Hindu society was the key to India’s resurgence,” he noted.
Nanda emphasised that the RSS is not undertaking any new or unfamiliar task. “The Sangh is striving to implement in practice the ideas articulated by great Bharatiya thinkers and visionaries such as Swami Vivekananda, Maharshi Aurobindo and Sister Nivedita,” he said.
Highlighting the centenary-year focus, Nanda explained that RSS swayamsevaks are working with society to promote Panch Parivartan, which comprises five key dimensions. These include: (1) Swabodh or self-awareness with an emphasis on swadeshi, (2) Nagarik Kartavya (civic duties), (3) environmental protection, (4) Samajik Samarasata and (5) Kutumb Prabodhan.
He said the RSS believes that effective implementation of the Panch Parivartan programme can bring about significant and positive changes in society. “The Sangh advocates a ‘self-based’ system, encouraging pride in self-awareness and swadeshi values. swayamsevaks are motivating individuals to adopt these principles in their personal and family lives to make life more meaningful and disciplined,” Nanda said.
Environmental conservation is a crucial pillar of Panch Parivartan, he added. RSS swayamsevaks are actively engaged in planting trees, promoting water conservation and creating awareness against the use of plastic. “Protecting nature is essential for safeguarding creation itself,” he said.
Explaining the importance of civic responsibility, Nanda said that self-awareness leads citizens to become more conscious of their duties. “When citizens strictly follow the law and uphold civic duties, the nation naturally progresses towards prosperity and development,” he remarked.
On samajik samarasata, Nanda stressed that eliminating discrimination and social divisions is a collective responsibility. “Social equality and harmony will help eradicate caste-based discrimination and foster mutual respect. RSS swayamsevaks are consistently working in this direction to ensure that no section of society faces bias or exclusion,” he said.
He also underscored the significance of the family as the fundamental unit of society. “Due to increasing Western influence, the traditional Bharatiya family structure is weakening. There is a visible decline in family values,” Nanda observed. He said Kutumb Prabodhan has therefore been included as a key dimension of Panch Parivartan to strengthen family bonds and inculcate values in children.
“Families nurture individuals and society in every sense. By revitalising family values, we can prevent the unchecked rise of nuclear families and promote India’s age-old family traditions,” he added.
Nanda further stated that the dimension of civic duty within Panch Parivartan is vital for national development. “A country can achieve holistic progress only when its citizens are conscious of their responsibilities and committed to fulfilling them. RSS swayamsevaks are setting personal examples and advancing this effort in collaboration with society,” he said.
Concluding his address, Nanda said that meaningful social transformation can be achieved only through the collective efforts of socially conscious and constructive forces. “The RSS is committed to uniting the entire society and moving forward together in the direction of comprehensive social change,” he said.
The programme witnessed participation of more than 100 social media influencers from various parts of the state, who are actively engaged across different digital platforms.
