Kolkata July 10: RSS Vistaraks Akshay Debnath and Rupamoy Biswas, who were detained and later by Tripura police for fake charges, were welcomed by local Swayamsewaks at Karimganj Railway station in Assam on Thursday evening.

“The 2 RSS Vistaraks (fulltime wirkers for a short period) were detained by Tripura’s Police under the influence of Communist MLA Tapan Das from Nalchar constituency on fake charges. These two RSS vistaraks gone to Tripura’s Killamura area for Sangh inspired selfless social service, but are detained by local police and were tortured, on fake charges. Now they were released”, said Basudeb a senior RSS functionary of Siliguri in West Bengal. The RSS leader alleged the role of Communist party leaders behind this incident. “This is an act of hate politics by Communist leaders”, RSS leader claimed. The 2 RSS Vistarkas hails from Hailakandi district of Assam. RSS leader Sandip Roy received the brave RSS cadres at Karimganj Railway station by offering a floral garland.

ಪಾವಗಡ 11 ಜುಲೈ 2015: ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಪ್ರದೇಶದ ಆರ್ಥಿಕವಾಗಿ ಹಿಂದುಳಿದ ಪ್ರತಿಭಾವಂತ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಉಚಿತವಾಗಿ ಉತ್ತಮ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣವನ್ನು ನೀಡುವ ವಿದ್ಯಾವಿಕಾಸ ದತ್ತು ಯೋಜನೆ ತುಮಕೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಪಾವಗಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂದು ಶುಭಾರಂಭಗೊಂಡಿತು. ಈ ಯೋಜನೆಯ ಅಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾವಗಡ ತಾಲೂಕಿನ ಹದಿನೈದು ಪ್ರೌಢಶಾಲೆಗಳಿಂದ ಆಯ್ಕೆಮಾಡಿದ ಮೂವತ್ತು ಪ್ರತಿಭಾವಂತ ಆದರೆ ಆರ್ಥಿಕವಾಗಿ ಸಂಕಷ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳನ್ನು ದತ್ತು ಪಡೆದು  ಅವರ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಖರ್ಚುವೆಚ್ಚಗಳನ್ನು ಭರಿಸಿ ಉನ್ನತ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣದವರೆಗೆ ತಯಾರಿಗೊಳಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ದತ್ತು ಪಡೆದ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಉತ್ತಮ ಸಂಸ್ಕಾರದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಕಳಕಳಿಯ ಮನೋಭಾವವನ್ನು ಬಿತ್ತಿ, ಉತ್ತಮ ಪಠ್ಯಶಿಕ್ಷಣದ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ದೇಶದ ಉನ್ನತ ಸ್ಫರ್ಧಾತ್ಮಕ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆಗಳನ್ನು ಎದುರಿಸುವ ಸಲುವಾಗಿ ಆತ್ಮಸ್ಥೈರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಮೈಗೂಡಿಸುವ ತರಬೇತಿಯನ್ನು ನೀಡಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.

ಲೋಕಸೇವಾ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾನ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು, ಪಾವಗಡ ಸೌಹಾರ್ದ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಎಸ್.ಎಸ್.ಕೆ ಸಂಘ. ಪಾವಗಡ ಇವರ ಸಹಯೋಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾವಗಡ ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂದು ವಿದ್ಯಾವಿಕಾಸ ದತ್ತು ಯೋಜನೆಯ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭೋತ್ಸವ ನಡೆಯಿತು. ಸಮಾರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ರಾ ಸ್ವ ಸಂಘದ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಪ್ರಾಂತ ಸೇವಾ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಶ್ರೀ ಗಣಪತಿ ಹೆಗಡೆಯವರು ದಿಕ್ಸೂಚಿ ಭಾಷಣ ಮಾಡಿದರು. ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೀ ಸಿ.ನಾಗೇಶ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಶ್ರೀ ಆನಂದರಾವ್, ಶಿಕ್ಷಕರಾದ ಜಯಪ್ರಕಾಶ್ ,ಗೋವಿಂದ ರಾಜ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ, ಹನುಮಂತರಾಯ, ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮ ಉಪಸ್ಥಿತರಿದ್ದರು.  ಈ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಜರಿದ್ದ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳ ಪೋಷಕರು ತಮ್ಮ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ವಿದ್ಯಾಭ್ಯಾಸವನ್ನು ಪ್ರೋತ್ಸಾಹಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ವಿದ್ಯಾ ವಿಕಾಸ ಯೋಜನೆಯ ಕಾರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಶ್ಲಾಘಿಸಿದರು.

ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ಕಾರಣಗಳಿಂದಾಗಿ ಗ್ರಾಮಿಣ ಪ್ರದೇಶದ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳು ಉತ್ತಮ  ಶಿಕ್ಷಣದಿಂದ ವಂಚಿತರಾಗಬಾರದೆನ್ನುವ ಸದುದ್ಧೇಶದೊಂದಿಗೆ ವಿದ್ಯಾ ವಿಕಾಸ ದತ್ತು ಯೋಜನೆ ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರ್ವಹಿಸಲಿದೆ.

Bhopal July 12:  “The ill-treatment of women and so-called lower caste people (Shudras) in the name of culture and traditions is wrong. Behaving unjustly with women in the name of religious scriptures is totally wrong”  said RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat in Bhopal on Saturday July 11th, on the occasion a book releasing ceremony authored by Goa Governor Mridula Sinha.

RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat releseased book ‘Paritapt Lankeshwari’ authored by Goa Governor Mridula Sinha. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan among others were present on the occasion.

Mohan Bhagwat in Bhopal Book release July 11, 2015

“महिलाओं और तथाकथित शूद्रों के साथ जो कुछ वर्षोँ से हुआ है वह शास्त्र सम्मत नहीं है। पूरा समाज अपना व्यवहार सही रखता है तब ही देश बड़ा बनता है I माताएं ही मातृभाषा का ज्ञान बच्चों को करा सकती है “

“” I am also seeing the bad behaviour with women. The ill-treatment of women and so-called lower caste people (Shudras) in the name of culture and traditions is wrong. I have seen many great persons behaving unjustly with women in the name of religious scriptures, but it is wrong. They never understand the real meaning of our scriptures. Neither anyone reads them thoroughly nor do they try to understand the real meaning. People should change themselves. We have to maintain our limits while behaving with women. Had Raavan listened to his wife Mandodari, he would have avoided being branded as a villain. Men should read about Mandodari, wife of Ravana, to understand her importance in life,” Mohan Bhagwat said, after releasing the book ‘Paritapt Lankeshwari’ penned by Goa Governor Mridula Sinha at a function here in Bhopal.

Highlighting the importance of Mandodari in Ravana’s life, Bhagwat said if he were to listen to her counsel, then his effigies would not have been burnt in the country.

He urged the audience, especially the men, to read the book to know about the importance of Mandodari.

Author of the and Goa Governor Mridula Sinha also spoke on the occasion, describing why she chose to write about Mandodari’s character from the epic.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan among others were present on the occasion. Sumitra Mahajan said that the book tells us that Mandodari, despite being Ravana’s wife, sympathised with Sita whom he had abducted. It shows Mandodari’s human and humble character, she said.

Chief Minister Chouhan said that Sinha should now write on another lesser-known character from Ramayana, Laxman’s wife Urmila, because not many know about her life and her sacrifice.

Bengaluru: RSS Swayamsevaks cleaned the premises of wellknown Sri Kambada Ganapati Temple near Anekal in Bengaluru on Sunday July 12, 2015. The campaign was organised as a part of Seva Sanghik.
ಆನೇಕಲ್ ನಗರದ ಸ್ವಯಂಸೇವಕರು ಸೇವಾ ಸಾಂಘಿಕ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ ಕಂಬದ ಗಣಪತಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನದ ಪರಿಸರದ ಶುಚಿತ್ವ ನಡೆಸಿದರು.

Tiptur, Karnataka: Pledged to join their hands for the social cause, RSS Swayamsevaks spent their Sunday along with the officers of local fireforce station to learn the basic skills needed for firefighting during emergency situations, at Tiptur of Tumakuru district in Karnataka on Sunday July 12, 2014.

A team of RSS Swayamsevaks visited local fireforce station early morning of Sunday. Officers welcomed swayamsevaks, explained basic works associated with fire rescue operations. Officers also explained the skills needed in firefighting technology and a safety measures of the firefighter-rescuer and related emergency medical services.

RSS Swayamsevaks learned  some basic skills needed during firefighting such as prevention, self-preservation, rescue, preservation of property, basic first aid, fire control, size-up, extinguishing, ventilation, salvage and overhaul.

Sewa International Activity Report 2013-14

London July 2015: The movement “SEWA INTERNATIONAL” was started in 1991 in the UK by some philanthropists initially to help the earthquake victims of Latur, Maharashtra. Since then, the movement has spread out to USA, Canada, Australia and other European countries. It is also setting foot in some African countries like, Kenya and South Africa and a few Caribbean countries. Sewa International aims at not only arousing the curiosity of scores of voluntary organizations and volunteers to grasp the strength and weaknesses of the society better, but also preparing them for new challenges, making changes happen, promoting opportunities and improving the way people do things to make this world better.

Mission statement: “ Sewa International is a ‘not-for-profit’ organization inspired by the noble Hindu tradition of service before self; working for promoting voluntarism internationally especially among children, youth, women and energetic senior citizens; building an international network of not-for-profit organizations; promoting philanthropy from the grassroots level to corporate sector; providing relief to the affected during calamities, natural and or-man-made, and rehabilitating them; building capacity of the non-profit organizations towards achieving results, empowering communities and individuals through sustained support; funding committed, grassroots organizations that rely strongly on volunteer effort; supporting effort that promote cultural and moral value systems in the society; and aiming to see happiness and well-being in everyone, everywhere and at all times”.

Please find the pdf file of Activity Report :

SIB-ACTIVITY REPORT 2013-14

click the above link.

Bhubaneswar July 16:  Odisha RSS’s Seva unit Utkal Bipnna Sahayata Samitee(UBSS) will provide 9 types of volunteer services (SEVA) on the auspicious occasion of Ratha Yatra and Nabakalebara, this year too.

The 9 different services include running four first aid centers,carrying patients in four ambulances and eight stretchers and providing assistance to the patients in hospitals, distribution of safe drinking water without using mineral water pouches in sixteen places, traffic assistance at twelve different locations and running information centers, providing security to the three chariots in collaboration with the local police and para-military forces, maintaining cleanliness and sanitation in and around the temple, Bada Danda and Gundicha mandir and making Puri a polythene-free zone for five days. UBSS has mobilsed more than more than two thousand swayamsevaks, doctors, paramedics from the state of Odisha as well as from neighboring states like West Bengal, Seemandhra, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand. The coordinators have reported that all the volunteers are eagerly waiting to render their services in assisting the pilgrims during Ratha Yatra 2015.

RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sah-Pracharak pramukh Adaita Charan Dutta, Purba Kshetra pracharak Pradeep Joshi, the superintendent of SUM hospital,Dr. Prasanna Kumar Mohanty, , khetra karyabaha Gopal Prasad Mohapatra, khetra seva pramukh Jagdish Prasad Khadanga, Odisha purba pranta sanghachalak Samir Kumar Mohanty, saha pranta karyavaha Sudarshan Das inaugurated the program of volunteer services(SEVA) by UBSS by waving flags Today at Master canteen square, . The program was organized under the guidance of president of UBSS,Prakash Betala, secretary, Mansook Lal Sethia and organiser, Dr. Bijaya Kumar swain.

पुरी में रथयात्रा के लिए राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ का सेवा कार्य

भुवनेश्वर -राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ का सेवा विभाग उत्कल विपन सहायता समिति की तरफ से प्रति वर्ष की भांति इस वर्ष भी नवकलेवर तथा रथयात्रा के लिए पुरी में नौ प्रकार के सेवा कार्य करने का निर्णय लिया गया है। इसके इसके लिए गुरूवार से राजधानी भुवनेश्वर से चार एंबुलेंस गाड़ियों को समिति की तरफ से पुरी भेज दिया गया है, जो कि रथयात्रा में उमड़ने वाली भारी भीड़ में भक्तों की असुविधा के दौरान उनकी सेवा के लिए उपलब्ध रहेगी। सेवा का शुभारंभ सम अस्पताल के संचालन निदेशक डॉ. प्रसन्न कुमार महाती ने उत्कल विपणन सहायता समिति के अध्यक्ष प्रकाश बेताला, समिति के सचिव मनसुख लाल सेठिया, समिति के रथयात्रा तथा नवकलेवर संयोजक डॉ. विजय कुमार स्वाई की उपस्थिति में किया गया। इस अवसर पर उत्कल विपणन सहायता समिति के अध्यक्ष प्रकाश बेताला ने बताया कि समिति की तरफ से नवकलेवर रथयात्रा के लिए जो नौ प्रकार की सेवा का जिम्मा लिया गया है, उसमें मुख्य रूप से चार जगहों पर प्राथमिक चिकित्सा, चार एंबुलेंस तथा आठ स्ट्रेचर के सहयोग से रोगियों को अस्पताल पहुंचाने एवं उनकी सेवा करने, 16 जगहों पर पानी पाउच वितरित करने, 12 जगहों पर पथिक तथा भक्तों को रास्ता तथा अन्य विषयों के बारे में जानकारी देने, तीनों रथों के पास अर्ध सामरिक बल तथा पुलिस बल के साथ मिलकर सुरक्षा प्रदान करने, पुरी श्रीमंदिर के चारों तरफ एवं बड़दांड से गुंडिचा मंदिर तक लगातार पाच दिन तक सफाई व परिमल की व्यवस्था करने, बड़दांड को संपूर्ण पॉलिथीन मुक्त करने की व्यवस्था शामिल हैं। उन्होंने बताया कि इस सेवा कार्य में 2000 से अधिक स्वयं सेवक, डॉ., पारामेडिकल, ओडिशा के विभिन्न जगहों तथा बंगाल, छत्तीसगढ़, झारखंड आदि राज्य से यहा पहुंच चुके हैं। उन्होंने बताया कि पिछले 14 वर्ष से समिति की तरफ से रथयात्रा सेवा कार्य किया जा रहा

New Delhi July 18: RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat, Union Home Minister Rajnath Sing, VHP Veteran Ashok Singhal and other prominent Sanghparivar functionaries paid their respects for recently expired RSS Pracharak Sohan Singji, in a SHRADDHANJALI ceremony held at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday July 18, 2015. Senior RSS functionaries Suresh Soni, Dattatreya Hosabale, Dr Manmohan Vaidya, Arun Kumar, J Nandakumar and other functionaries were present. Prime Miniuster Narendra Modi sent a Homage message paying tributes to Soohan Singji.

राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के वरिष्ठ प्रचारक सोहन सिंह की स्मृति में तालकटोरा स्टेडियम में श्रद्धांजलि सभा का हुआ आयोजन

राजधानी के तालकटोरा स्टेडियम में July 18 शनिवार सायं राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के वरिष्ठ प्रचारक सोहन सिंह की स्मृति में श्रद्धांजलि सभा का आयोजन किया गया। सभा में राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के सरसंघचालक मोहनराव भागवत, भारत सरकार के केंद्रीय मंत्री राजनाथ सिंह, विश्व हिंदू परिषद् के संरक्षक अषोक सिंघल ने उन्हें श्रद्धांजलि दी। सोहन सिंह जी का निधन गत 4 जुलाई को हुआ था। 5 जुलाई को निगम बोध घाट पर उनका अंतिम संस्कार हुआ।

सोहन सिंह जी को श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित करते हुए सरसंघचालक मोहनराव भागवत ने कहा कि जगत में सदैव के लिए कोई नहीं आता। भगवान को भी जाना पड़ता है। कुछ लोग आते हैं और जीवन कैसा जीना बताते हैं। सोहन सिंह जी का स्वयंसेवकों के साथ परिवार जैसा संबंध था। कार्यकर्ताओं के बारे में जाँच पड़ताल करवाने वालों में से एक थे। उनके जाने से रिक्तता पैदा हुई है लेकिन ऐसे लोगों के प्रति उनका स्मरण और आगे चलने के लिए रखे। कैसे चलना उन्होंने हमें सिखाया। सभी वक्ताओं के उद्बोधन में करीब एक जैसी बातें थीं, चाहे उनका संबंध रहा हो या नहीं। सोहन सिंह जी के काम करने में कोई नाटक नहीं था। उन्होंने बड़ा होने के लिए कुछ नहीं किया। सहज और स्वाभाविक रूप से रहे। उनका अभिभावक का भाव था, चिंता जरूर करते थे। उनके मन में कभी भी अहंकार का भाव नहीं आया कि दूसरों को सिखाने वाला हूँ। उनसे संपूर्ण समर्पण हमें सीखना चाहिए। संघ के कार्यकर्ता को कैसा होना चाहिए, व्यवहार कैसा होना चाहिए यह भी हमें सीखना चाहिए। सोहन सिंह जी का स्मरण किया जा सकता है। उनके जीवन को अपने आचरण से जीवित रखना है। अपने जीवन से उन्हें आगे बढ़ाना चाहिए। उस परम्परा को आगे बढ़ाना है, उन्हें ज्यादा आनंद मिलेगा।

गृहमंत्री राजनाथ सिंह ने कहा कि सोहन सिंह जी से मेरा व्यक्तिगत और नजदीक का परिचय नहीं था लेकिन उनके बारे हर किसी ने यही कहा कि कर्मयोगी थे। उनके जीवन से लगता है कि साधारण कार्यकर्ता अपने जीवन में असाधारण कर सकता है। ऐसे व्यक्तित्व के बारे में सुनकर लगता है कि पद के कारण ही बड़ा नहीं हुआ जा सकता, अपनी कृतियों से भी बड़ा हो सकता है। अंतिम दिनों में भी उन्होंने किसी सहयोगी को सेवा के लिए नहीं लिया। भारत की संस्कृति का उपासक बड़े मन का होता है। बड़े मन का व्यक्ति ही आध्यात्मिक होता है। वे एक आध्यात्मिक व्यक्तित्व थे। ऐसे व्यक्तित्व के लिए श्रद्धांजलि की जरूरत नहीं होती। ऐसे लोगों का व्यक्तित्व लोगों के लिए प्रेरणा बन जनता है।

प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने श्रद्धांजलि के तौर पर संदेश भेजा। संदेश में कहा गया कि सोहन सिंह जी अपने जीवन में आचार संहिता के पालन में उंच-नीच नहीं होने दी। ऐसे व्यक्तित्व का चला जाना खालीपन का अहसास कराता रहेगा। संदेश आलोक कुमार ने पढ़कर सुनाया।

विश्व हिन्दू परिषद् के संरक्षक अषोक सिंहल ने कहा कि मेरा सोहन सिंह जी से परिचय 1953-54 में हुआ। उनके द्वारा निर्मित कार्यकर्ताओं का जीवन भी उनकी तरह ही कठोर रहा। उस काल में प्रचारक पद्धति की आवष्यकता थी और सोहन सिंह प्रचारक बने। वे स्वतंत्रता से पूर्व प्रचारक निकले। व्यतिगत संबंध ज्यादा नहीं आया लेकिन जितना भी संबंध आया उससे यही कहा जा सकता है वे कर्म कठोर थे। उनका जीवन जैसा जीवन आज हो तो देश फिर से अच्छी स्थिति में पहुंच सकता है।

उत्तर क्षेत्र के संघचालक डॉ. बजरंग लाल गुप्त ने कहा कि व्यक्ति निर्माण कला के मर्मज्ञ थे। सैकड़ों कार्यकर्ताओं को उन्होंने गढ़ा। कार्यकर्ताओं की खूब संभाल करते थे। वे कर्तव्य कठोर थे। अत्यंत परिश्रम करते थे, बहुत लोगों ने देखा होगा। एक वर्ग में रात के वक्त स्वयं घड़ों में पानी भरा। स्वयं के लिए बहुत कठोर थे। अस्वस्थता के बारे में किसी से कुछ नहीं बोलते थे। अंतिम दिनों में भी खुद से ही अपने कपड़े धोए। ऐसे श्रेष्ठ कार्यकर्ता का जीवन हमें प्रेरणा देता रहेगा। समारोह में रेवासा पीठाधीष्वर संत राघवाचार्य वेदांती और राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के अखिल भारतीय प्रचार प्रमुख सुरेश चंद्र ने भी श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित की।

समारोह में राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के सह सरकार्यवाह सुरेश सोनी, दत्तात्रेय होसबले, अखिल भारतीय प्रचार प्रमुख मनमोहन वैद्य, सह प्रचार प्रमुख जे नंद कुमार, अखिल भारतीय संपर्क प्रमुख अरुण कुमार, अखिल भारतीय प्रचारक प्रमुख सुरेश चंद्र, उत्तर क्षेत्र के क्षेत्र संघचालक डॉ. बजरंग लाल गुप्त, दिल्ली के प्रांत संघचालक कुलभूषण आहुजा, पंजाब के प्रांत प्रचारक किषोर कांत, दिल्ली के प्रांत प्रचारक हरीश चंद्र, भारत सरकार के केंद्रीय मंत्री डॉ. हर्षवर्धन, हरियाणा के मुख्यमंत्री मनोहर लाल खट्टर बीजेपी के राष्ट्रीय संगठन मंत्री रामलाल, प्रदेश संगठन मंत्री सिद्धार्थन, षिक्षा बचाओ आंदोलन समिति के अतुल कोठारी, दीनानाथ बत्रा, अखिल भारतीय विद्यार्थी परिषद् के संगठन मंत्री सुनील अंबेकर आदि समेत सैकड़ों की तादाद में संघ के स्वयंसेवक और संघ से जुड़े संगठनों के कार्यकर्ता मौजूद थे।

कार्यक्रम के समापन पर सभी ने मौन रखने के बाद शान्ति मंत्र किया। राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ सह प्रांत संघचालक आलोक कुमार ने मंच संचालन किया।

Courtesy: The Economic Times July 19, 2015

Walter K Andersen, co-author of The Brotherhood in Saffron: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Hindu Revivalism, considered a seminal work on the RSS and Sangh Parivar, is currently working on an updated version of the same (the last book came out in 1987). He speaks to Nistula Hebbar on his new book, the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi and Hindutva in the time of Modi Sarkar.

Re-visiting the RSS, what has been your preliminary impressions, 28 years on?

I think now the RSS and its leadership and much of its membership is much more activist-oriented than before. Earlier it used to be highly philosophical; there was a certain kind of almost religious orientation. Now it’s more oriented towards policy and [has] a more practical approach to issues and how to get involved in them. Involvement and politicisation is a major trend within the organisation and it creates certain kind of tensions in the structure.

What kind of tensions?

Well, you still have people who are subscribers to the older view represented by [MS] Golwalkar [former sarsanghchalak of the RSS], well others as well, but most specifically Golwalkar: that the RSS should be a character-building institution — something like a school — where politics in many ways stained your character, and weakened you as a moral being, and that the RSS was a moral institution, and that it had to maintain its character as a moral institution and portray itself as “above the fray” if it had to exert influence.

I think there is less of a preoccupation with that. It’s not unimportant but I think that there is more of an activist orientation.

In terms of the RSS’ relationship with the political wing, the BJP, what are the changes you perceive?

Well, during the [general] elections in 2014, the RSS cadre and leadership came out enthusiastically for prime minister [Narendra] Modi and to a certain extent, I think were responsible for the level of the victory.

And if you look at some of the senior leadership in the ministries or even someone like, say, the new chief minister of Haryana, they are very obviously members of the RSS. There are all sorts of opportunities for jobs that have opened up or ways to influence the society that have opened up now that weren’t there before. They often say that they are the court of last resort and they still look at themselves that way; this creates some of the tensions between the political wing and the RSS, since if you are the court of last resort you should be above the fray, which you cannot if you are part of the fray, in the desire to [be in the] mainstream and [exert] influence.

It’s been over a year of the Modi government. How do you evaluate it?

I know many people feel that the government has been too cautious and hasn’t lived up to the promises of job creation, which was the expectation much of the vote was based on. Delivery on something like that takes time and getting new people to deliver is also difficult; that’s part of the issue. There is also a kind of internal seminar of the kind of things that are expected, a plethora of them in of them in fact, which has demonstrated what a political tightrope government really is.

A major example of that is the land issue, in which not only are there divisions between different political parties but within the Sangh Parivar itself. This is also a classic case where the RSS as a mediator can come into play. But the problem is that the Sangh Parivar and the government have two different ways of dealing with two different aspects of their relationship. One is the cultural project of the Sangh, which was earlier in the tenure of the government considered the real problem, like Ghar Wapsi and other things.

But it is the economic issues that may lead to deeper fault lines. While world over, a socially conservative political formation leans that way in its economic policies too, in the Sangh Parivar, cultural conservatism is offset by an almost Leftist economic-thinking. This government is feeling its way through these fault lines and that’s part of democratic process and has engaged with it. This government has been criticised and I haven’t seen it take steps to silence the criticism.
The Sangh has tried very hard to breach its upper-caste image. Where do you see the two national parties vis-a-vis caste politics in 2019?

A lot depends on leadership. One of the great advantages the BJP has is the RSS and its cadre. Now, with the huge membership that the political wing itself has, the way they will be trained will be important. Organisation counts and will make the critical difference. Even now however, 2019 will in my opinion depend more on issues such as job creation.
The Aam Aadmi Party seems to have captured the imagination of the masses. How do you see Arvind Kejriwal vis-a-vis the Sangh, and does the Sangh see him as a threat?

Yes, and he has some admirers within the Sangh too. I have spoken to many people in the organisation who think highly of his anti-corruption stance and admire his ability to shake his fist at the establishment.

But at the same time there is a sense of relief that he hasn’t proved to be a significant political force outside of Delhi and that his party has deep organisational problems. Some of the people I spoke to said that huge mistakes were made during the Delhi polls, but there is also a belief that he has not proved to be a challenge elsewhere.

Nagpur July 20: Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini and Pratinidhi Baitak of Rashtra Sevika Samiti was held in its national headquarters, Ahalya Mandir of Nagpur from 17th to 19th July 2015.

Around select 200 Rashtra Sevika Samiti functionaries from 32 Pranth’s (including Andaman and Nicobar Islands) attended this half yearly 3-day conclave.

On the concluding day on Sunday, Vandaneeya V Shantha Kumari, popularly known as Shantakka, the Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti  correlated the process of how coal becomes a Diamond over years to the process of being a Sevika (Member) to Karyakartha (activist).  She Urged the Sevikas to work towards making Shakhas to become efficient, stronger and stable. “Hindu concepts and ideology  is encompassing the world,  and we as ambassadors need to receive, understand and use this opportunity to spread all over, which will lead to Global peace” she added.

A Book on our Basic Ten Salutations named ‘Namaskar’ was released. This ten Namaskars are being recited by Sevikas  and others daily. Rashtra Sevika Samiti   has 2429 Shakas today in Bharat. On the eve of the 80th year of Rashtra Sevika Samiti, Youth conferences are being planned all over the country, from November 2015 – March 2016. A mega conference exclusively  for Karyakarthas is in the planning on the completion of 80 years of Rashtra Sevika Samiti in November 2016 in New Delhi.

Ujjain July 20: RSS Swayamsevaks rushed in for the rescue of people stranded in rain-flooded areas at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday July 19, 2015.

Puri, Odisha July 21: RSS Swayamsevaks volunteered themselves for the safety and security measures of Rath Yatra – Jagannath Festival at Puri in Odisha. Swayamsevaks joined their hands with the local police, other staff during the ceremony in which lakhs of devotees participated.

New Delhi July 21: RSS has clarified about the reports appeared in several national/state medias related “RSS’s opinion on IITs”.  The RSS clarified that the views expressed in the article of the said magazine (Organiser) will not be that of the organisation.

J Nandakumar, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sah Prachar Pramukh posted the following in his Facebook profile.

With regard to the current manipulated ‘hot news’ related to the article on IITs which appeared on ORGANISER, Dr Manmohan Vaidya Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of the RSS had narrated his experience. Many journalists as the part of their ‘investigative endeavor’ had contacted Dr Manmohan Vaidya and asked about Sangh stand regarding the issue. He mildly asked some of the journalists whether they had read it and independently enquired about the issues referred to in the article. Surprisingly none of them had read the article and they truthfully admitted to this. One of the journalists, perhaps more devoted to the profession than the others, made certain enquiries of his own and called back to admit that there was nothing wrong or ‘controversial ’ in the write up.

Bengaluru July 23: India’s largest central trade union, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) today celebrated its 60th foundation day across the nation. BMS was founded by RSS Pracharak Dattopant Thengadi on 23rd of July, 1955 – the day being the birth anniversary of Lok Manya Bal Gangadhar Tilak – veteran of Freedom Movement.

BMS activists celebrated 60th foundation day at Marpanadka in Kasaragod today July 23, 2015

The circumstances in which BHARATIYA MAZDOOR SANGH (BMS) came into existence in the trade union field of India have shaped its significant role in the trade union movement.

Two important aspects stand out in connection with this:

• (a) Formation of BMS was not the result of split in the existing trade union organisations, unlike in the case of almost all other trade unions. Hence it had the formidable responsibility of building its organisational structure from the grass root level. It started from zero having no trade union, no membership, no activist (karyakarta), no office and no fund.
• (b) On the very first day it was visualised as a trade union whose base-sheet anchors – would be Nationalism, would work as a genuine trade union, keeping itself scrupulously away from party politics. This was also unlike other trade unions which were linked to one or the other political party, overtly or otherwise.

Dawn of BMS, therefore, can be truly described as watershed in the course of trade union field.

BMS in 1955 existed only in the minds of a few determined persons who assembled at Bhopal under the guidance of Shri D.B. Thengadi – a thinker and intellectual, who had even earlier dedicated accepting the noble principle of self abnegation, his entire life to social work. He collected a band of determined workers around him to work for the organisation selflessly.

The first task was to build a strong organisational structure on the noble principles already declared. Constant tour of the country by Shri Thengadiji and the local efforts of his then colleagues resulted in setting up of a union here, and a union there. Of course that looked insignificant in the broad canvas of the trade union field like tiny dots on a large map. Most of these unions were in the unorganised sector. With the increase in experience, slowly, BMS unions sprung up in important industries. In a few States, State Committees were formed.

Thus it was only in 1967, twelve years after its formation – that the first all India Conference of BMS was held in Delhi, in which the initial national executive was elected. At the time the number of affiliated unions was 541 and total membership was 2, 46,000. Shri Thengadiji was elected General Secretary and Shri Ram Nareshji as first President.

From then on there was no looking back. In 1967 it had 2, 36,902 members. In 1984 Central Government after membership verification of all major Central Labour Organisations declared BMS as second largest Central Trade Union Organisation with 12,11,355 members and during 1996 it was declared first largest organisation with 31,17,324 membership by the Government of India, Ministry of Labour. The reckoning date of the above verification was 31st December 1989. In the subsequent verification held by Government of India for the year 2002, BMS retained its position of NUMERO UNO in the Country.

Of the 44 industries classified by the Ministry of Labour, Government of India for the purpose of membership verification, BMS has affiliated unions in all industries. BMS has membership of almost 1 crore in all States comprising more than 5000 affiliate unions.

BMS is productivity oriented non-political CTUO. It rejects the idea of State control rather it views it as an evil to be restricted to inevitable sector like defence, but stands firmly for the principle of public accountability of each industry and consequent enunciation of public discipline. It tries to bring consumers as the third and the most important party to industrial relations. For the furtherance and realization of its aims and objects BMS applies all legitimate means consistent with the spirit of nationalism and patriotism.

BMS is significantly represented in most of the bipartite/tripartite labour and industrial committees/Boards constituted by the Central Government including Indian Labour Conference (ILC), Standing Labour Committee, Central Board for Workers Education, ESI, EPF, National Productivity Council, National Safety Council, Negotiation Committees of Public Sector Undertakings like BHEL, NTPC, NHPC, BEL, Coal, Industrial Committees of Jute, Textiles, Engineering, Chemical-Fertilizers, Sugar, Electricity, Transport and the consultative machinery of Government employees and various other Committees / Boards. BMS also leads the delegation of Indian workforce in the Conferences of International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Being nationalistic in outlook, it was but natural that this would be manifested in its activities. National interest was accepted as supreme and the workers interest to be protected and promoted within its frame work. National Commitment was to guide all negotiations at collective bargaining and promoted within its frame work. Good of the country, the industry and the workers was accepted as the guidelines.

Workers are part of the society and have the obligation to serve it. Consumers’ interest was taken as nearest to national interest. Hence the saffron flag of BMS, a symbol of sacrifice and service, the age old cultural emblem, a source of inspiration, began to flutter in the trade union field. The BMS insignia symbolises the rhythm between human controlled industrial development and agricultural prosperity. This is clearly depicted by impression of strong, confident and erect thumb of fist in between moving wheel and sheaf of corn. Significantly, BMS is the first one in the trade union field to use a logo of human organ.

The aims and objectives of BMS are:

• (a) To establish ultimately the Bharatiya order of society in which there shall be secured among other things:
  • i. Complete utilisation of manpower and resources leading to full employment and maximum production.
  • ii. Replacement of profit motive by service motive and establishment of economic democracy resulting in equitable distribution of wealth to the best advantage of all individual citizens and of the national as a whole.
  • iii. Development of autonomous industrial communities forming part and parcel of the nation, culminating in ‘Labourisation of industry’
  • iv. Provision of work with living wage to every individual through maximum industrialisation of the nation.

• (b) With a view to enable the workers to strive successfully for the ultimate realisation of the above objects and to strengthen them, in the meanwhile, to make their own contribution to the cause of protecting and promoting their interest consistent with those of the community:
  • v. To assist workers in organising themselves in trade unions as a medium of service to the motherland irrespective of faiths and political affinities.
  • vi. To guide, direct, supervise and coordinate the activities of the affiliated unions.
  • vii. To assist the affiliated unions in the formation of state BMS units and Industrial Federations as constituent units of the BMS.
  • viii. To bring about unity in the trade union movement.

• (c) To secure and preserve for the workers:
  • ix.The right to work, the right for security of service and for social security, the right to conduct trade union activities and the right to strike as a last resort after having exhausted other legitimate methods of trade unionism for redressal of grievances.
  • x. Improvement in conditions of work, life and social and industrial status.
  • xi.A living wage consistent with a national minimum and due share in the profits in their respective industries as partners.
  • xii.Other appropriate amenities
  • xiii.Expeditious enforcement and appropriate amendment of existing labour legislation in their interest.
  • xiv.Enactment of new labour laws from time to time in consultation with the labour representatives.

• (d) To inculcate in the minds of the workers the spirit of service, cooperation and dutifulness and develop in them a sense of responsibility towards the nation in general and industry in particular.

• (e) To educate the labour by organising worker’s training classes, study circles, guest lectures, seminars, symposia, excursions etc., in cooperation with institutions and organisations having similar aims and objects such as the Central Board of Workers Education. Labour Research Centre, Universities etc., and also to maintain libraries.

• (f) To publish or cause publication of journals, periodicals, pamphlets, pictures, books and many other types of literature mainly concerning labour and their interests and to purchase, sell & circulate them.

• (g) To establish, encourage and organise Labour Research Centres and similar activities.

• (h) Generally to take such other steps as may be necessary to ameliorate the social, economic, cultural, civic and general conditions of the workers. For sound health of workers and society BMS has been against the use of any type of drugs, liquor, alcohol and smoking. To render assistance or to establish cooperative societies, welfare institutions, clubs etc., for the overall welfare of the common man in general and the workers and their families in particular.

India has a heritage of thousands of year where the dignity of labour as well as those of labourers was well established. The dire need of the hour is to re-establish the same – the Dignity of Labour by observing our own labour day. As also, most of the Nations have their National Labour Day. National Labour Day was rediscovered to be on Vishwakarma Jayanti, Vishwakarma, being the first craftsman – artisan, sculptor, and engineer – and in fact the traditional symbol of hard labour. This falls on Kanya Sankranti of each year. BMS, since its inception, has been observing Vishwakarma Jayanti – on 17th September of English Calendar Year National Labour Day. While functioning since 1955 it has given to the labour movement new slogans benefiting its ideology:

We will work in the interest of the country and will take full wage for the work done (Desh ki hit me kam karenge, kam ki lenge poore dham) The sacrifice, penance and martyrdom are identification of BMS (BMS ki kya pehchan, Tyag, Tapasya aur Balidan) Understand the value of Capital and Labour is equal and same (Paise aur pasine ki kimmat samjo ek samaan). Workers unite the world (Mazdooron duniya ko ek karo) Industrialise the nation, Nationalise the Labour, Labourise the Industry (Rashtra Udyogikaran, Sharamik ka Rashtriyakaran, Udyog ka Mazdoorikaran) Bonus to all wage earners – as deferred wage (Sabi Vetanbogiyonko der se diya hua vetan ki roop me bonus) Stop discrimination. Income-ratio should be one and ten. (Bedbhav bandh karo. Aay ka anupath Ek aur Dus ho)

BMS has contributed quite a few new ideas which have virtually become trend setters. The non-political nature of BMS has now gained currency and has become acceptable not only in India but also abroad. The XII World Trade Union Congress of WFTU, held in Moscow, in 1990, adopted a document to this effect. BMS doesn’t believe in class concept and rejects the class theory propounded by Marx. Instead its struggle and fight is against the injustice on workers from whatever quarters. Being non-political, its attitude towards any democratically elected government is governed by the principle of “Responsive Co-operation”. BMS idea of “Labourisation” of Industries – a stage where workers would collectively own and manage the industrial units has initiated a national debate on it. This experiment has been successfully undertaken in New Central Jute Mills, West Bengal.

While opposing the above policies BMS was first to give slogan for 2nd war of economic independence. At the same time it has suggested some positive alternatives. It has vigorously condemned the object surrender to the conditionality of the IMF and WB as that would amount to giving up our sovereignty. BMS considers the movement as an opportunity to build up Swadeshi Model of Economy. Hence it has inspired movement for the use of Swadeshi (Indigenous) Products as against the foreign or MNC products. It has offered to cooperate in turning the loss making PSUs profitable where practicable, it has agreed to induce the workers to take up their unit to run them on sound lines. To curb excessive profiteering, which is the main culprit behind price rise; it has suggested that the Government should take steps to make the consumer aware of the cost of production of each product to daily use. This awareness will serve as a watch dog to restrain the prices. BMS is also of the view that for creating enough job opportunities, agricultural development should get more attention as also agro-based and small and tiny industries. Vishwakarma Sector (Self employment sector) should get more encouragement than at present. On modern technology, BMS while not being antagonistic would prefer developing our own technology based on indigenous and traditional knowledge to best suit our conditions. From this angle national technology policy should be drawn.

Being one of the most representative organisations of Labour, BMS has a place in the Indian delegation to the annual International Labour Conference held by ILO at GENEVA every year. Being largest Central Trade Union Organisation of India, BMS is leading the Indian Labour delegation to ILO, Geneva each year on behalf of Indian workforce. Special Session of United Nations Organisation was held on 5-9 June, 2000 in New York on “Women 2000, Gender Equality, Development and Peace for 21st Century”. Kum. Suchitra Mahapatra of BMS participated on behalf of Indian Women workforce. It works in close relations with the ILO office in Delhi, participating in all its national and regional level seminars / workshops, its endeavour being to contribute its best. BMS is not affiliated with any International Confederation but maintains cordial relation with all such organisations. Instead of giving call for the workers of the world to unite, it has given a call to the workers all over, to unite the world.

“Bhartiya Shram-Shodh Mandal’ formed by BMS is a research based institution, established on 26th May, 1980, to promote objective studies based on impartial examination of facts and developments in the industrial field. The activities of the Mandal are:

• i.Survey for Social Causes.
• ii.Critical appraisal of Annual Budget.
• iii.Workshop and Tripartite Conference on labour laws.
• iv.Impact assessment of new economic policy and new industrial policy on labour and economy.
• v.Publications.

Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh firmly believes in non-discrimination of labour based on caste, creed or religions. BMS believes in equal respect for all religion. To promote the same sense of harmony among the labour, BMS in 1994, founded forum known as Sarva Panth Samadar Manch. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan and Jal. P. Jimmi were the founder members of this organisation. 25th March of each year is celebrated as “Ekatma Diwas” to commemorate the holy sacrifice of Shri Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi for the cause of Hindu Muslim unity.

Based on resolution adopted by executive committee of BMS held at Shimla on 26th April, 1982 a Vishwakarma Labour Training Institute was established having its headquarter at Nagpur. Regular training camps, workshops etc., have been organised by this institute in collaboration with Central Board of Workers Education.

In 1995, Paryavaran Manch was set up to pragmatise the activity of Trade Unions, which was till that time limited to wage, bonus etc. It is the obvious responsibility of the labour to keep their surroundings clean, safe and pollution free. 3rd December, the Bhopal disaster is mourned and remembered each year as “No More Bhopal Day”.

Vishwakarma Sanket – a Bi-lingual (In English and Hindi) monthly is regularly published by BMS from Central Office in Delhi to keep their cadres well informed about the news and views on various issues of the contemporary national scenario. Many State BMS and Industrial Federations affiliated to BMS also publish periodical and journals at their regional / federation level.

On November 1, 2006 the then President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had visited Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh, where he met RSS Pracharak and social reformer Nanaji Deshmukh. Dr Kalam praised the efforts of Nanaji Deshmukh and RSS inspired initiatives for the comprehensive rural development. Below given is the text of speech by Dr Kalam at Chitrakoot.

– Editor

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam with RSS Pracharak Nanaji Deshmukh on November 01, 2006 at Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh

What I will be remembered for?: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
Recently I visited Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh, where I met Shri Nana Deshmukhji (Age 90)
and his team members belonging to Deendayal Research Institute (DRI). DRI is a unique
institution developing and implementing a village development model which is most suited for
India. DRI understand that people’s power is more potent, stable and enduring than political
power. By become one with the oppressed and depressed, one gains the acumen of
administration and governance. Social advancement and prosperity are possible only by
injecting the spirit of self-reliance and excellence in the younger generation. Using this principal,
DRI has planned to develop one hundred clusters of village having approximately five village
each around Chitrakoot. They have already developed 80 villages in 16 clusters consisting of
about 50,000 people. I witnessed one of the villages called Patni where the institute has
promoted sustainable development based on indigenous and traditional technology, field
studies facilitates the development of replicable and tangible model for achieving self-reliance in
villages. The programme aims at income generation through value addition, innovative
agricultural practices, inculcating scientific temper among the villagers, improvement of health
and hygiene, striving towards 100% literacy. Apart from all these development activities, the
institute is facilitating a cohesive conflict free society. As a result of this I understand that the
eighty villages around Chitrakoot are almost litigation free. The villagers have unanimously
decided that no dispute will find its way to court. The reason given by Nana Deshmikh Ji is that
if the people fight among each other they have no time for development. They can neither
develop themselves nor the community. This message has been understood by the society and
they have decided not to embark on any fighting. All these have been accomplished through
DRIs ‘Samaj Shilpi Dampati’ ( a graduate married couple) a new concept of counseling and
intervention promoted by DRI. Friends, you will see more heroes in nanaji’s villages and more
smiles. Is it not a rich place for cinema story writer or cinema poet or a cinema director? This is
the place where, you will find more heroes, more heroines, more happiness and less tragedy.

EXCERPTS FROM THE president’s ADDRESS AT THE 52ND NATIONAL FILM AWARDS
CEREMONY, VIGYAN BHAWAN, NEW DELHI on October 21, 2005.
PURA in Action in Chitrakoot
6 October 2005: DRI Chitrakoot
I am delighted to be here in Deendayal research Institute (DRI) located in the beautiful
surroundings of Chitrakoot, My greetings to Shri Nana Deshmukh Ji, members of the managing
committee, faculty members and students. DRI is a unique institution developing a village
development model which is most suited for India and is also implementing. Your vast
experience is very important for the nation.
DRI understands that people’s power is more potent, stable and enduring than political power.
By becoming one with the oppressed and depressed, one gains the acumen of administration
and governance. Social advancement and prosperity are possible only by injecting the sprit of
self-reliance and excellence in the younger generation. Using this principle DRI has plans to
develop one hundred clusters of villages having approximately five villages each around
Chitrakoot, based on the experience of 80 villages in 16 clusters.
Our National Mission? Challenges
Our nation is going through a major challenge of uplifting of 260 million people who are below
the poverty line. They need habitat, they need food, they need health care and they need
education and employment finally resulting in a good life. Our GDP is growing at more than 7%
per annum. Whereas, the economists suggest that to uplift the people below poverty line, our
economy has to grow at the rate of 10% per annum consistently, for over a decade.
Integrated Action for Development
To meet the needs of one billion people whose number will further increase, we have a mission
of transforming India into a developed nation. We have identified five areas where India has
core competencies for integrated action:
1. Agriculture and food processing.
2. Reliable and quality Electric power, surface transport and Infrastructure for all parts of
the country.
3. Education and Healthcare.
4. information and Communication Technology
5. Strategic sectors.
These five areas are closely inter-related and when effectively addressed, would lead to
food, economic, energy and national security.
Engines for Growth
Emphasis should be on full utilization of natural and human resources of the region to meet
the demands of the modern society. We should also remember that about 50% of our
population is young people, with aspirations for a better life. Value addition to agriculture,
Manufacturing and service sectors of the economy, building on the regions core
competencies and technologies, will lead to high income growth rate and employment
potential. The engines for growth will be launching of the five national missions viz. water,
energy, education and skills, infrastructure and employment generation, which will enable
achievement of 10% GDP growth rate per annum, sustainable for a minimum period of ten
years.
Participation of educational institutions in rural Development
For India to be a developed nation, it is essential that there is a massive scheme for
development of the rural areas, as 70% of our population lives in villages. Hence the
Government has announced the introduction of a scheme called PURA i.e. Providing Urban
Amenities in Rural Areas. PURA model envisages habitat design to improve the quality of
life in rural areas and also removes urban congestion. It is essentially total rural prosperity.
Physical connectivity enables high mobility to villagers so that they can interact and use
common infrastructure such as school, health centers and markets. The electronic
connectivity with telephones and internet facilities bring them together and interact with
anyone anywhere in the world knowledge connectivity will transform the rural area in
education, healthcare, application of science for crop, water and forest and management,
environment protection and cooperative product marketing. The combination of all these
three connectivity provides the economic connectivity with small-scale industries, agro and
food processing, warehouses, micro power plants, renewable energy farms and banks. The
four connectivities will bring prosperity to the villagers and improve quality of life. For our
country, around 7000 PURA are planned for Madhya Pradesh alone will have around 400
PURAs. I would like to talk to you on the two PURAs, apart from Chitrakoot experience.
Periyar PURA
Last year I had visited Periyar Maniammai collage of Technology for Women and inaugurated a
PURA complex. I thought of sharing with you the developmental concept of a cluster of over 65
villages near Vallam, Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu which involves a population of 3 lakhs.
This PURA complex has all the three connectivities-physical, electronic and knowledge- leading
to economic connectivity. The centre of activity emanates from the women engineering collage
that provides the electronic and knowledge connectivity. I understand that now five of the
Periyar PURA has health care centres, primary to post graduate level education and vocational
training centres. This has resulted in large scale employment generation and creation of a
number of entrepreneurs with the active support of 850 self-help groups. Two hundred acres of
waste land has been developed into cultivable land with innovative water management schemes
such as contour ponds and watersheds for storing and irrigating the fields. All the villagers are
busy in cultivation planting Jatropha, herbal and Medicinal plants, power generation using biomass,
food processing and above all running market centres. This model has emanated
independent of any government initiative. The committed leadership has been provided by the
Engineering institution. This gives me the confidence that PURA is a realizable proposition and
this movement can be multiplied by thousands of entrepreneurs, educational administrators and
philanthropic institutions with the support of the government agencies.
BAIF Model
BAIF (Bharat Agro Industries foundation, Pune) has organized a tribal rehabilitation programme
for sustainable livelihood. The tribal population in Vansda (Navsari district) and Dharampur
(Valsad district) blocks of Gujrat were migrating to nearby cities with their families in search of
wages as their land holdings were very small and the crop productivity was low. Migration
deprived the children of educational and health facilities, while both men and women took to
drinking alcohol. These families were motivated to stay back on their own lands and take up
cultivation of fruits bearing trees as a measure of generating gainful employment. BAIF provided
wages to the families in the formative stages for working on their own lands, as they had no
other source of income. They were enabled to grow good quality grafted plants of mango and
cashew and also provided with manure and fertilizers. In return, BAIF took a commitment from
the families that they would work hard and abstain from alcohol and other addictions.
Simultaneously, the men and women were organized into small Self Help Groups to meet every
week and discuss various actions to be initiated under this programme. Watershed development
programme was introduced to harvest the rainwater near the fruit gardens (known as Wadi in
Gujarat) for providing support irrigation. As sophisticated drip irrigation system was not
manageable due to lack of electricity and high cost, pitcher irrigation was promoted. After
establishing the fruit trees started yielding after 3-4 years, other income generation activities
such as establishment of fruit nursery, cultivation of vegetables and herbal medicines,
sericulture, mushroom production, masonry and carpentry were promoted to generate additional
income. Thus, they attained food security right from the first year while the trees started growing
and bearing fruits from the third or fourth year, generating a surplus of Rs. 20,000-25,000 per
family.

It is the tribal women who were more interested in attending to the field activities and nurturing
the orchards. Drudgery reduction and health care were also promoted and the women were
able to utilize the time saved for productive work. Today, they have formulated their own
cooperatives for processing and marketing of their cashew and mango products and for this
advance facility centers have been established for each zone. This programme has been
benefited over 50,000 tribal families in Gujarat, Maharastra, Karnataka and Rajasthan. As the
orchard is able to give them substantial income, they have stopped migrating to the cities.
These tribals who have established fruit orchards on their degraded lands have not only come
out of poverty, but also protected the neighboring forest area and demonstrated how poverty
eradication can be linked with eco-system improvement. Today, this programme has emerged
as a unique tribal development model in the country.
BAIF is also engaged in livestock development for promoting animal husbandry on a massive
scale covering over 20,000 villages in 9 states. Over the last 35 years, they have helped over 7-
8 lakh families to come out of poverty. Under this programme, BAIF provides breeding and
advisory services to produce superior quality cattle. A family maintaining 2-3 crossbred cows,
earns Rs. 18,000-20,000 per year. This is the result of use of appropriate technologies and
ambient management methods.
DRI Model
When I look at the activities of DRI, I find that this institute is aiming at a unique economic and
social empowerment model for the development of rural areas. The institute is working towards
the evolution of sustainable development based on indigenous and traditional technology,
knowledge systems and local talents. The research work by the institute through field studies
facilitates the development of replicable and tangible model for achieving self-reliance in
villages. The programme aims at income generation through value addition, innovative
agriculture practices, inculcating scientific temper among the villagers, improvement of health
and hygiene, striving towards 100% literacy. Apart from all these development activities the
institute is facilitating a cohesive conflict free society. As a result of this, I understand that the
eighty villages around Chitrakoot are almost litigation free. The villagers have unanimously
decided that no dispute will find its way to court. The differences will be sorted out amicably in
the village itself. All these have been accomplished through DRIs Samaj Shilpi Dampati a new
concept of counseling and intervention promoted by DRI. I Congratulate DRI and people of 80
villages. When I hear this, I am reminded of my childhood experience in Rameshwaram which I
would like to share with you.
Dispute resolution Through Human Touch
During 1940’s, every day after the evening namaz, my father used to come back and sit outside
(thinnai) our home at Rameshwaram. Each day about 10to 20 families or at times individuals
would come to my father and tell their problems on land and house disputes, marriage conflicts
and issues involving forsaking of elderly parents. They will get a solution from my father within
two or three days. In a similar way, my mother used to meet may womenfolk on Fridays. They
seek here advice. My elder brother himself was Panchayat Court President. The court had five
good human beings from various walks of life and with one State Government representative. In
those days, caste system was not visible at all. I used to see may disputes of human life being
settled in our own rural environment. Only if the disputes are not settled at these two levels they
used to resort to higher courts. After 1970s, all these systems with human touch vanished and
most of these disputes are going to courts. I feel, since to Panchayat environment is emerging
in rural areas, the judicial system at the Panchayat level also can take shape with the same type
of human touch. Litigation free 80 villages in Chitrakoot is a good example to be followed by
many districts. This will substantially reduce the load in our courts.
Conclusion
I see that Chitrakoot project is an integrated model for the development of rural India. It aims at
creating a society based on family bonding, pride in India culture, modern education wedded to
Indian wisdom, easing of social tensions, economic empowerment of all especially the women
folk, health for all, cleanliness, concern for environment, equitable distribution of wealth among
all the constituents of the society. This concept fully tallies with my view that developed India
means not only economic development but also integrated development in art, literature,
humanism, nobility in thinking and above all preservation of over five thousand years of our rich
cultural heritage.
The per capita income of Chitrakoot village has to further increase. This is possible only through
the three connectivities which I have discussed earlier and the provision of large employment
potential with good markets. Rashtrapati Bhavan will be in a position to help DRI in development
of Herbal Gardens, Spiritual Gardens, Jatropha Plantation and conversion of products and also
electronic and knowledge connectivity.
I congratulate Shri. Nana Deshmukhji, founder of DRI, and the Deendayal Research Institute for
achieving self-reliant sustained development of eighty village and my best wishes for your next
target of realizing the development of total five hundred villages much before 2009.
May god bless you.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
TOWARDS A CONFLICT FREE SOCIETY
Eighty Litigation free villages in Chitrakoot is a good example to be followed by many districts.
This will substantially reduce the load in our courts. Recently, I visited Deendayal research
Institute in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh. There I found that the institute is facilitating a cohesive
conflict free society. As a result of this, I understand that the eighty villages around Chitrakoot
are almost litigation free. The villagers have unanimously decided that no dispute will find its
way to the courts. The differences will be sorted out amicably in the village itself. This happened
because of the inspirational leadership at Chitrakoot. This movement has to be encourage in the
rural areas by different State governments.
EXCERPTS FROM THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF
LEGAL EMPOWERMENT ON THE OCCASION OF NATIONAL LEGEL LITERACY DAY,
VIGYAN BHAVAN, NEW DELHI ON NOVEMBER 11, 2005
President’s Address in Village Patni
Friends, Tamil are my mother tongue. Should I speak in Tamil, or try to speak in Hindi? As you
Say…… OK, I will speak in Hindi. I am really delighted to be among the villagers of Patni. I
understand that the denizens of this village want to ameliorate their condition by their hard work.
With your collective efforts, you have broken the shackles of poverty. This is what the country
needs to emulate. I am happy that you have been blessed with such an inspiring leadership.
It takes scores of pearls to make a garland. You made a beautiful garland. If pearls of electronic
connectivity and knowledge are also added, it will make an even more beautiful garland. And
that garland will be the symbol of our prosperity. That will give you the satisfaction of selfaccomplishment.
You will then touch new heights. For building a strong nation, such a
conviction and brotherhood are essential. Your achievements instill in me a sense of confidence
that a country of one billion can also achieve this.
Now I request you to take a pledge, “I will spread the achievements of Patni to other village to
also to make every village of my India self-reliant and prosperous”.
Will you help the country replicate this model? You have taught us a lesson that only Selfreliance
can make one strong and prosperous. We should be self-reliant individually and
collectively. I congratulate you on this special achievement of bringing prosperity to the rural
area.
It is matter of satisfaction that you are getting guidance from a leader like Nanaji Deshmukh.
God will always smile on you. Always think big. Like Nanaji thinks big. Always cherish ideals
and dreams, same as Nanaji has done for you.
Namaskar.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

President of India
(English translation of President’s speech )

SHILLONG July 27:  Former President APJ Abdul Kalam passed away on Monday  evening at a hospital in Meghalaya, where he had gone to deliver a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong. He was 83. Dr Kalam reportedly collapsed on stage at the IIM in Shillong and was rushed to hospital.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam visited RSS headquarters near Reshimbagh Nagpur and offered tributes to RSS Founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at ‘Smruti Mandir’ Nagpur July 31, 2014

Rashtreeya Swayamsevak Sangh had expressed deep condolences on the demise of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

“Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the president of common man ignited minds of young India &gave them a dream to live for. May his soul rest in eternal peace” said RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Dr Manmohan Vaidya from Australia.

“The great Rishi of our times who infused in us the courage to think different, to invent, to discover the impossible, to combat the problems and succeed, is no more with us. Those wings made out of fire might have ceased it flapping but the minds which were ignited from that fire would glow for ever” said RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sah Prachar Pramukh J Nandakumar in his condolence message.

He was the 11th President on India between 2002 and 2007. Doctors say he suffered from a cardiac arrest. Dr Kalam was born in Rameswaram on October 15, 1931, to a boatman. He played a pivotal role in India’s Pokhran-II nuclear test in 1998, the first since the test by India in 1974. He was known as the missile man of India.

For his achievements, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, and then he became the 11th President of India in 2002.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam:

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (15 October 1931 – 27 July 2015) was an Indian scientist who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. Dr. Kalam collapsed during a lecture at IIM Shillong and died of massive cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015.

Kalam was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu and studied physics and aerospace engineering. He spent the next four decades as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and was intimately involved in the India’s civilian space program and military missile development efforts. He thus came to be known as the Missile Man of India for his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. He also played a pivotal organizational, technical and political role in India’s Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, the first since the original nuclear test by India in 1974.

In 2002, Kalam was elected the President of India in 2002 with the support of the both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Indian National Congress. After serving a term of 5 years, he returned to civilian life of education, writing, and public service. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor.

Early Life: Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in a Tamil Muslim family to Jainulabudeen, a boat owner and Ashiamma, a housewife, at Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District, located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. He came from a poor background and started working at an early age to supplement his family’s income. After completing school, Kalam distributed newspapers to financially contribute to his father’s income. In his school years, he had average grades, but was described as a bright and hardworking student who had a strong desire to learn and spend hours on his studies, especially mathematics. He was just a simple man with a great fierceful heart in his childhood  After completing his school education at the Ramanathapuram Schwartz Matriculation School, Kalam went on to attend Saint Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, then affiliated with the University of Madras, from where he graduated in physics in 1954. Towards the end of the course, he was not enthusiastic about the subject and would later regret the four years he studied it. He then moved to Madras in 1955 to study aerospace engineering. While Kalam was working on a senior class project, the Dean was dissatisfied with the lack of progress and threatened revoking his scholarship unless the project was finished within the next three days. He worked tirelessly on his project and met the deadline, impressing the Dean who later said, “I [Dean] was putting you [Kalam] under stress and asking you to meet a difficult deadline”. He narrowly missed achieving his dream of becoming a fighter pilot, as he placed ninth in qualifiers, and only eight positions were available in the IAF.

After graduating from Madras Institute of Technology (MIT – Chennai) in 1960, Kalam joined Aeronautical Development Establishment of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist. Kalam started his career by designing a small helic

New Delhi July 28, 2015: RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Sarakaryavah Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi expressed their condolences on demise of nation’s eminent scientist, former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

RSS Sarasanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat paid tributes to Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, passed away yesterday, July 27-2015

Condolence message from RSS Sarasanghachalak and Sarakaryavah:

“With the passing away of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, our former president, one of our foremost scientists and a visionary who ignited innumerable minds, Bharat has lost one of her greatest sons, who, as a scientist, had made seminal contributions to our defence preparedness, and as a statesman, made Bharat proud by enhancing the prestige of the President’s office through his exemplary conduct of the affairs of our presidency. Dr. Abdul Kalam’s life, from obscurity as a small boy growing up in the temple city of Rameswaram to becoming Bharat’s eleventh president, was a tale of extraordinary courage, determination, perseverance and the desire to excel. His life story is as well the story of our missiles, Agni, Prithvi, Akaskh,Trishul and Nag, that have raised our nation as one of the missile powers of international reckoning. He, who had faith in Bharat’s rich heritage and unswerving belief in our talented youth, wanted Bharat to emerge as a knowledge society and empowered nation.

While sharing the deep sorrow with the entire nation  over his death, which is an unsurmountable loss to our country, we express our heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and pray almighty to bestow peace on the departed soul.”

Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Sarasanghachalak

Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, RSS Sarakaryavah

New Delhi July 28, 2015

Challakere, Chitradurga district, Karnataka: Lokaseva Trust, an RSS inspired NGO organised a special workshop to educate and create awareness about civic duties to be performed by an elected representative in order to bring the good governance in their villages to uplift the rural life.

RSS Karnataka Pranth Seva Pramukh Ganapati Hegade, other office bearers from Chamber of Commerce and Industries Challakere unit, social workers and nearly 100 elected representatives of various levels participated in this workshop.

Rajasthan July 29: RSS Swayamsevaks in rescue works at flooded area at Bhinamal, Rajasthan. Swayamsevaks offered safe rescue measures, food and shelter for the affected people of flooded zones.

राजस्थान के भीनमाल में बाढ़ पीड़ितों की सहायता में जूटे संघ स्वयंसेवक।

Bengaluru Aug 4, 2105: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat (ABVP) held massive state-wide protest against state Govt’s negligence in the case of series of farmers suicide. Nearly 32,000 students participated at 53 places across Karnataka, said ABVP leader Vinay Bidire.