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It was founded in 1925 by K. B.

Hedgewar, a revolutionary and doctor from Nagpur, as a social and cultural organization in British India,[1] to oppose both British colonialism in India and Muslim separatism.[11] RSS volunteers participated in various political and social movements including the freedom movement[1] and the organization became the leading nationalist Hindu organization in India.[11] By the 1990s, the group had established numerous schools, charities and clubs to propagate its ideology.[11] It was banned by the British,[11] and then after independence three times by theGovernment of India first in 1948 when Nathuram Godse, a former member[16] who left RSS, assassinated Mahatma Gandhi;[11][17][18] then during emergency (19751978); and after the Demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992. The Partition of India was a very traumatic event in the young nation's history with millions of Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims attempting to escape the violence and carnage that followed.[34] Noted Gandhian and recipient of the highest civilian award in India, Bharat Ratna, Dr. Bhagwan Das commended the role of the "high-spirited and self-sacrificing boys" of the RSS in protecting the newly formed Republic of India, from a planned coup to topple the Jawaharlal Nehru Administration in Delhi.

The RSS which had been keeping low profile after the lifting of the ban, earned recognition based on its volunteer work during the Sino-Indian War in 1962.[44] RSS was invited by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to take part in the Indian Republic day parade of 1963.[45] It along with several other civilian organizations took part in the parade.[46] This event helped the RSS increase its popularity and its patriotic image.[47][48][49]

Later in 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars too, the RSS volunteers offered their services to maintain law and order of the country and were apparently the first to donate blood.

It has been noted that the RSS volunteers participated in the Bhoodan movement organized by Gandhian leader Vinobha Bhave. Vinobha Bhave had met the RSS leader M. S. Golwalkar in Meerut in November 1951. Golwalkar had been inspired by the movement that encouraged land reforms through voluntary means. He pledged the support of the RSS for this movement.[56] Consequently, many RSS volunteers led by Nanaji Deshmukh participated in the movement.[1] But Golwalkar has also been critical of the Bhoodan movement, on other occasions for being reactionary and for working "merely with a view to counteracting Communism". He believed that the movement should inculcate a right and positive faith in the masses that can make them rise above the base appeal of Communism.

During M. K. Gandhi's visit to RSS Camp accompanied by Mahadev Desai and Mirabehn at Wardha in 1934, he was surprised by the discipline and the absence of untouchability in RSS and commented "When I visited the RSS Camp, I was very much surprised by your discipline and absence of untouchablity." He personally inquired to Swayamsevaks and found that they were living and eating together in the camp without bothering to know their castes.[77] Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar while visiting the RSS camp at Pune in 1939 observed that Swayamsevaks were moving in absolute equality and brotherhood without even caring to know the cast of others.[78] In his address to the Swayamsevaks, he said that " This is the first time that I am visiting the camp of Sangh volunters. I am happy to find absolute equality between Savarniyas (Upper cast) and Harijans (Lower cast) without any one being aware of such difference existing." When he asked Dr Hedgewar whether there were any untouchables in the camp, he replied that there are neither "touchables" nor "untouchables" but only Hindus.[79]

It is noted that RSS is taking a lead role in providing the education to people of rural India and socially backward classes living under the extreme poverty.

Dr. Hedgewar was puzzled that Mughals and British could enslave Bharat, a superior nation with its matured civilization having courageous people who were ready for sacrifices. Most of the leaders at that time were of the opinion that slavery is the root cause of all the problems of Indian society and that independence would resolve all the issues. But Dr. Hedgewar realized that independence alone can not solve all the problems of the Indian society. Dr. Hedgewar was trying to find out the problems that led to slavery. He started analysing the reasons for slavery during his participation in freedom movement. He came to the conclusion that a disorganized society incapable of responding to the challenges coherently is inherently weak and would eventually loose freedom. As a remedy, he envisioned the need of systematic efforts towards organizing the society. Unity among the disorganized

society (units) could be achieved only on a firm ground. Indian society is astonishingly diverse with many religions, language and regional differences. But it is also true that Indian way of life could achieve material prosperity combined with spiritual advancement peacefully. Social harmony is very natural among diverse groups in our society. The uniqueness of India -rooted in spiritual heritage and cultural homogeneity - is essentially Hindu. Sanatana-Dharmaliterally meaning 'eternal law' is seen by Jndians as that which is sustaining the universe from the time immemorial. For Hindus, all activities including public affairs is guided by all encompassing Dharma. Democracy, Secularism and Social Harmony becomes by products of Dharmic way of life. In India, these realizations were cherished from a very long time. Therefore, nationalism in the context of India is nothing but Hindu way of life. Dr. Hedgewar foresaw the need of creating awareness and pride about Indian culture and spiritual heritage among newer generations. He decided to start a dedicated organization for this noble cause.

The RSS objective is also stated in several one liners. "Uniting Hindus", "Organizing Indian society", "Protecting Dharma", "Hindutva", "Man making", "Character building", "Commitment to take India to the highest glory" - convey different aspects of the same task taken up by the Sangh. The essential characteristic of India is referred by many terms - Hindu, Sanatana, Vaideeka, and Bharateeyata - meaning the same in essence. Elaborating further, Jains, Buddhists are being interpreted as Hindus in the wider sense. Logically extending any Indian national - Muslim and Christian included - harmoniously mingling in the Indian society is a Hindu - according to RSS ideologues. Social Harmony is one of the fundamental principle based on which the operational direction of the Sangh is determined. Exclusive religions - insisting on single God - create social tensions. Similarly, discriminations based on castes like untouchability and atrocities in the name of caste also are harming the society. Regional and linguistic exclusivist attitudes too are affecting the social harmony. Political immaturity and corruption affect the national security. Sangh rejects them completely without any compromise. Divisive politics, unsustainable social, political, economical and environmental policies are detrimental to social fabric as well as to national security. Sangh discourages all these perversions. In particular Sangh has relentlessly opposed jihadi terrorism, religious conversions and materialistic naxalism. Sangh is committed to universally applicable value system Believes that the entire universe is one family - "Vasudhaiva kutumbakam". The rubric of Dharma should be reflected in all facets of life is a founding principle of Sangh. A constant endeavor of Sangh and all its other organisations have been the propagation of Hindu values as the guiding principles in all sectors ranging from education to labor, sociology to economics. Sangh is a unique social organization - in its structure and methods. Its working style looks exceptionally simple, yet appealing. It is very interesting to understand its organizational structure and working style.

Dr. Hedgewar clearly articulated the nature of the organization. "It is not for attacking others, nor is it aimed at annihilating some groups. Idea is not to become prosperous by snatching others wealth. The organization would put an end to the unjust, aggressive tendencies of others. So far, looking at our weakness, others were attracted to plunder us. To ensure that nobody ever has the courage to attack us, we want to make this organization strong. If other societies do not attack us, our strength will be no harm to them. Protection of Dharma, Society and Culture is the aim of Sangh. Looking at our strength, miscreant nature of aggressor will dwindle and they shall never dare to attack us again" Secondly, adherence to Dharmik principles is the only way to ensure lasting peace and harmony in the world. The one who is weak can not protect Dharma. Therefore the Sangh has taken up the responsibility of building a strong organized society. This is the very work of Dharma. According to Dr. Hedgewar, "Other objectives, apart from this are secondary in our view".

The mission of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has been described as the revitalization of Indian value system based on universalism and peace and prosperity to all.[57] Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the worldview that the whole world is one family, propounded by the ancient thinkers of India, is considered as the ultimate mission of the organization.[63] But the immediate focus, the leaders believe, is on the Hindu renaissance, which would build an egalitarian society and a strong India that could propound this philosophy. Hence, the focus is on social reform, economic upliftment of the downtrodden and the protection of cultural diversity of the natives in India.[63] The organization says, it aspires to unite all Hindus and build a strong India, which could contribute to the welfare of the world. In the words of RSS ideologue and the second head of the RSS, M S Golwalkarji, "in order to be able to contribute our unique knowledge to mankind, in order to be able to live and strive for the unity and welfare of the world, we stand before the world as a self-confident, resurgent and mighty nation.
Golwalkarji also explains that RSS does not intend to compete in electioneering politics or share power. He asserts that there is no place in RSS for any hatred or opposition towards any particular caste, creed or party. The movement considers Hindus as inclusive of Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, tribals, untouchables, Veerashaivism, Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission, etc. as a community, a view similar to inclusive referencing of the term Hindu in the Indian Constitution

To organize a HINDU SANGATHAN is the main aim. To make India, Bharat again. To create awareness in the society. To Unite India as AKHAND BHARAT. VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM. Discipline

The Sarsanghchalak is the paramount leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He is supposed to be the Philosophical guide of the organisation. He is nominated by the predecessor. The six individuals who have held the post so far have been Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (1925-1930 and 1931 to 1940) Dr. Laxman Vaman Paranjpe (1930-1931) (when Dr Hedgewar was in jail during Forest Satyagraha) Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar, called as Guruji (1940-1973)

Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras, called as Balasaheb (1973-1994)


Rajendra Singh, called as Rajjubhaiya (1994-2000) K. S. Sudarshan (2000-2009) Mohan Bhagawat (March 2009-TILL DATE)

Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (Marathi: ) (April 1, 1889 June 21, 1940) was the founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Hedgewar founded the RSS in Nagpur, Maharashtra in 1925, with the intention of promoting the concept of theHindu nation. Hedgewar drew upon influences from social and spiritual Hindu reformerssuch as Swami Vivekananda, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Aurobindo to develop the core philosophy of the RSS. He went to Kolkata to pursue a degree in medicine. After successful completion, Hedgewar was drawn into the influence of secret revolutionary organisations like the Anushilan Samitiand Jugantar in Bengal. He was also a member of the Hindu Mahasabha until his death. Hedgewar was imprisoned for sedition by the British government in 1921 for a year and again in 1930 for nine months. After his spell in prison he instructed the RSS to remain aloof from political activities including the Salt Satyagraha (1930) and continue mainly as a social organisation. Dr. Hedgewar was born in 1889 on Gudi Padwa day, the New Year for people from Maharashtra. He hailed from a family which was originally from Kundakurti, a small village in Bodhan taluka Nizamabad Dist. near the border of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh states. Hedgewar was educated by his elder brother. After matriculating, he was sent to Kolkata by Dr. B. S. Moonje in 1910 to pursue his medical studies. There he is said to have lived with Shyam Sundar Chakravarthy[2] and learned the techniques of fighting from the secret revolutionary organisations like the Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar in Bengal.[1] He immediately joined Anushilan Samiti and had contacts with revolutionaries like Ram Prasad Bismil[3]

Hedgewar came to believe that although the revolutionaries had immense determination, in a country of continental proportions it was impossible to instigate an armed insurrection. After completing his graduation, he returned to Nagpur, disillusioned with the armed movement. In his memoirs, the third chief of RSS, Balasahab Deoras narrates an incident when Hedgewar saved him and others from following the path of Bhagat Singh and his comrades. In Nagpur, Hedgewar became involved with social work and also with Tilak faction of the Congress Party, through which he developed a close association with Dr Moonje who later became his Mentor of Hindu Philosophy. In the 1920 session of Indian National Congress was held in Nagpur, Dr Hedgewar was appointed as the Deputy Chief of volunteers cader overseeing the whole function. This volunteer organisation was named as Bharat Swayamsewak Mandal which was headed by Dr. Laxman V. Paranjape (Dr. Hedgewar as his Deputy). All volunteers were told to wear Military type uniform (to be made at their own expense) which was later on adopted as RSS's official uniform from 1925 to 1940. This could be called as the real beginning of RSS because Dr L. V. Paranjpe had declared the intention of starting such an organisation in future.[4] Dr B. S. Moonje and Dr. L. V. Paranjpe funded and actively supported Hedgewar to start RSS as the Top Senior Hindu Mahasabha Leaders of Nagpur region.

He considered Shivaji and Swami Vivekanand as ideal in life. When he was of only a child of just 8 years, it was 60th anniversary of English rule in India and that time English were distributing sweets in schools, collages and that small child Keshav took the sweet but did not eat it and threw it on the floor. He refused for the chairmanship of Shriram army. He was there for Bharatmata since his childhood days.

Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar (Marathi: Mdhav Sadiv Gavalakar) (February 19, 1906 June 5, 1973), popularly known as Param PujaniyaGuruji , was the second "Sarsanghchalak" (Supreme Chief) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and was a famous Hindu Nationalist leader of India. Golwalkarji was born on 19 February, 1906 (Magh Bahul Ekadashi, Vishswavasu Samvat) at Ramtek near Nagpur, Maharashtra; the only surviving son of the nine children of his parents: Sadashivrao, a school teacher and Lakshmibai. As a school teacher, his father was transferred to various places and as such his schooling took place in various places. After having graduated in Science from the Hislop college of Nagpur in 1926, he joined the famous Benaras Hindu University of Varanasi for his Master's Degree in Science, during which period the benign and inspiring influence of Pt.Madan Mohan Malaviya, the founder of the University and the reputed Hindu leader of yester-years, prodded young Golwalkar to work for the Hindu cause. After completing his post graduation in 1928, he went to Madras to pursue Ph.D. in Marine Life but was unable to complete it as he was cashstrapped. Later for a couple of years he served his Alma Mater as a professor and it was then that he earned from his students the affectionate sobriquet of 'Guruji', a reverential attribute which stuck to him permanently in the years that followed. After his teaching tenure ended, he returned to Nagpur and by 1935, he also obtained a LL.B. Degree.

In Nagpur, the young Golwalkarji came into contact with the Ramakrishna Mission. His inner urge was for spiritual pursuit and having been overpowered by that strong impulse, he left for the 'Saragachi' Ashram in Murshidabad district of Bengal seeking to renounce the world and become a Sanyasi. He became a disciple of Swami Akhandananda, a direct disciple of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa andgurubandhu of Swami Vivekananda,[1] at the Saragachi ashram. On 13 January 1937, he was initiated into the order and eventually, received his 'diksha' but his Guru refused to permit him to become a Sanyasi and directed him to serve the society instead of seeking personal salvation. He returned to Nagpur after the passing away of his Guru in 1937. In the meantime, Bhaiyyaji Dani, a student at BHU and a close associate of RSS Sarsanghachalak K. B. Hedgewar, started an RSS shakha in Varanasi. Inspired by the ideology and methodology of the RSS, Golwalkar joined the RSS and eventually, following a meeting with Dr.Hedgewar, went to the RSS' "Officers Training Camp" in Nagpur. Dr. Hedgewar was deeply impressed by Golwalkar and seeing him as a potential successor, persuaded him to take a more active role in the Sangh. Golwalkar rose rapidly in the organisation. Dr. Hedgewar started delegating greater responsibilities to him. In 1939, he was appointed the Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) of the Sangh. Dr. Hedgewar died of multiple complications on June 21, 1940. As per the wishes of Dr. Hedgewar, that he had expressed in a letter (that was requested to be opened only after his death), Guruji Golwalkar succeeded him as Sarsanghachalak. In one of his first messages to fellow Swayamsevaks (members of the RSS), Golwalkar said: "Let us not depend on any external instruments or sources of power. Let us draw inspiration from the memory of our beloved leader and his burning patriotism. Let us fulfil our mission with firm faith and let us strive hard to achieve our objective of ensuring a pride of place to Hindu Rashtra on the World stage."

Then he began a series of countrywide tours during which he would spend each night in a different city or village, participating in shakas, rallies, meetings, discussions, training- camps, 'baithaks' (structured organizational meetings) and thus, guiding thousands of swayamsevaks, educating them about the significance of the work of the Sangh. Under his leadership, Sangh activities grew apace and Sangh Shakhas sprouted in remote corners of the country.[4] During the partition riots across the country, Swayamsevaks took up the onerous task of arranging for the safe migration of thousands of Hindus at great risk. Camps were organized for the migrants and for their medical care and security needs. Golwalkar went round these places bringing consolation to the victims and to personally supervise the relief efforts.[citation
needed]

Following the assassination of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 30 January 1948, the RSS and other Hindu nationalist organisations were banned and Golwalkar was arrested. The Courts and the judicial commissions enquiring into the assassination, absolved the RSS of any charges and Golwalkar was released. The government, however did not lift the ban on RSS. After talks with the government failed, Golwalkar gave a call for Sathyagraha and more than a hundred thousand Swayamsevaks offered Satyagraha all over India and were promptly jailed. At this stage, Many eminent personalities came forward for mediation and began negotiation with the Government and finally, the ban on the RSS was dropped.[5][6][7]

Golwalkarji then led a movement against Cow slaughter. He articulated the Hindus' deeply rooted feeling towards the cow, which has been a focal point of Indian culture and Dharma. The movement set a world record[citation needed] of 1,74,89,332 signatures collected by Swayamsevaks from 84,000 villages and cities all over the country. During the Chinese aggression in 1962, He called upon the Swayamsevaks to stand by the Government in protecting the nation. Swayamsevaks responded in full measure and helped the Government in maintaining internal security in the metropolitan cities of Delhi, Calcutta and Mumbai.[8] As a recognition of their services, Swayamsevaks were invited to take part in the 1963 Republic Day parade in New Delhi[9]. He was also the driving force[citation needed] behind the construction of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari in 1963. He wanted this memorial to remind the defeated nation about the clarion call of national resurgence by Vivekananda.[10] In his message to Swayamsevaks after the revoking of the ban, Golwalkar said: "Forget the nightmarish episode of the ban. You should not harbor even the slightest bitterness in your minds about those responsible for causing harm and injustice to us. After all they are our countrymen. Remember that both the tongue and the teeth always remain together. Once in a while, by accident the teeth may bite the tongue; but on that account we do not knock them down. If one leg trips the other, are we to cut that leg? Those who have harmed us are very much our own people, not outsiders. Hence, let us forget and forgive."

Anxious to bring about reforms from within in the Hindu society and to provide a forum for bringing the Hindus of the world together,Vishwa Hindu Parishad was founded on the Krishna Janmashtami day in 1964 under his guidance. During the conventions of the VHP, the Sant-Sadhus assembled there proclaimed in unequivocal terms the natural brotherhood and equality of all Hindus. They declared in one voice that there is neither prescription nor any sanction for the most heinous practice of Untouchability in the Scriptures. They also defended the right of the Hindus for self-protection. Golwalkar was the force behind the formation of the numerous network of socio-cultural organisations in the entire country, popularly referred to as Sangh Parivar. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh (political party), Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (trade union), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (students union), Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram (Tribal welfare) and many other organisations were started by Swayamsevaks who forayed into various fields of public life. Golwalkar used to travel throughout the country at least twice a year, during which he interacted with thousands of Sangh workers and members of the public through various programs. A master orator, his speeches electrified the audience. Also, He wrote many articles and books articulating the Hindu nationalist ideology. His complete works are now available in different Indian languages and English.

In his life he considered education as supreme. Sardar patel sent him to harisinh for joining India. In his collage libraray there was no such book left which he had not read. He refused for the position of Shankracharya offered to him.

Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras(Marathi: December 11, 1915 - June 17, 1996), popularly known as Balasaheb Deoras, was Sarsanghchalak, or chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the largest Hindu nationalist organisation in India. He was born on 11 December 1915 in Nagpur to Dattatreya Krishnarao Deoras and Parvathibai. His family hailed from Andhra Pradesh but had settled in Nagpur and comprised two brothers and two sisters. His younger brother Bhaurao Deoras also became a senior pracharak of the RSS and helped make some Congressmen usually antagonistic to RSS closer to it. The family was greatly interested in farming and the young Balasaheb was inclined to this practice as well. This may have prodded him to join RSS and weed out the prevalent social and political evils. He was educated in New English High School and matriculated from Berar Board of Secondary Education of the Central Provinces in 1931. Then, Balasaheb graduated from Moris College (now Nagpur Mahavidyalaya) in 1935 and obtained his LLB degree in College of Law, Nagpur University. Inspired by Dr. Hedgewar, he was associated with the RSS since its inception. Deciding to dedicate his life to the goals of RSS, he neither practiced law nor married and became a pracharak (full-time worker) of the RSS. Balasaheb first worked as a pracharak in Bengal and was then appointed as Karyavaha (Secretary) of the Nagpur City Unit. In 1946, he became the Sahsarkaryavaha (Joint General Secretary) and in 1965, the Sarkaryavaha (General Secretary) of RSS. On 5 June 1973, he became the Sarsanghchalak after the death of Madhav Sadashiv Golwal

Balasaheb first worked as a pracharak in Bengal and was then appointed as Karyavaha (Secretary) of the Nagpur City Unit. In 1946, he became the Sahsarkaryavaha (Joint General Secretary) and in 1965, the Sarkaryavaha (General Secretary) of RSS. On 5 June 1973, he became the Sarsanghchalak after the death of Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar. Balasaheb's assuming charge of the Sangh happened to be under trying circumstances. Within just a couple of years of his stewardship of the Sangh, Smt. Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency and started a crackdown on the Opposition. The RSS was banned and Balasaheb, along with thousands of fellow swayamsevaks was arrested and detained for two years. Many leaders, includingJayaprakash Narayan felt that the dark night of internal slavery would never end and that the country would never be able to see the dawn of freedom and democracy in their lifetime but Balasaheb didnot give up. The inspiring saga of how the entire Sangh brotherhood rose to the occasion staking their all reflected a spirit of martyrdom. The most crucial and dominant role they played in the successful anti-Emergency struggle forms a unique and unparalleled page in the annals of peaceful democratic revolutions in the world. The Sangh leadership also set up yet another record in refusing to be tempted by power in the postEmergency era. Swayamsevaks stood true to the Hindus vision of an ideal social set-up in which there would be millions of workers who would keep themselves aloof from every kind of material inducement and rewards-power, pelf or even name and fame- solely dedicated to the cause of all round national rejuvenation. Gifted with a profoundly critical intellect, Balasaheb gave a much-needed fillip to the process of a direct dialogue with workers at different levels. He himself would sit for long hours seeking answers to a number of doubts arising in the minds of Swayamsevaks. This two-way intellectual feedback proved very useful in firming up the conviction of the rank and file of the Sangh Parivar. Such an organisational direction was particularly needed in view of the fast-changing intellectual agenda at the national level, with the phenomenal rise of Hindu awareness and Hindutva coming up to centre stage. Balasaheb continued as Sarsanghachalak till 1994 when he stepped down due to ill health leaving behind a shining legacy and paving the way for Rajendra Singh to replace him. Declining health eventually resulted in his death on 17 June 1996.

Coming from an orthodox family, Deoras' reading and interpretation of Hindu scriptures convinced him that none of them sanctioned untouchability a gruesome social practice of mistreating a particular section of population. He even persuaded his orthodox mother of this truth so much so that she is even said to have washed plates of the untouchables (or Harijans, the children of God) with whom the young Deoras would often dine at his home. A year after becoming the Sarsanghchalak in 1973, Deoras even went on to declare that "If untouchability is not wrong, nothing in the world is wrong" - in the spirit of Abraham Lincoln who thundered: "If slavery is not wrong, nothing in the world is wrong." This 1974 mantra has resounded among millions of swayamsevaks ever since with many of them embracing the Harijans, trying to help them in their struggle, especially in times of despair. "It's our national duty to have the barriers of caste, region, language among the Hindus eradicated," Deoras would often say. Though Deoras formulated the Sangh's response in support of the V.P. Singh government's reservation policy in 1990, it was more out of social compulsions. He did make a few characteristic fiery speeches and silenced hostile voices, which claimed reservation would drive merit to the backseat and that society could not afford to have bad doctors and bad professionals. "This society can afford to have bad doctors for some years, but it cannot afford to break. Think for a while and tell me what would have been your response if you belonged to the deprived caste," Deoras asked.

The Sangh's decision to support the Mandal Commission Report and to have the foundation stone of the proposed Ram temple atAyodhya laid by a Harijan in November 1989 was part of a larger campaign. The pro-Reservation stance and the Ram-plank confirmed the sincerity of the Sangh towards man making and thus, nation building. Consolidating Hindu society as a functioning cohesive plurality was the goal of the Sangh. Breaking tradition, an ailing Deoras announced that Prof. Rajendra Singh, his associate for years, would succeed him on 11 March 1994. This was the first time in RSS that the Sarsanghachalak announced a successor when alive, giving up the practice of a 'will' being made public posthumously like his predecessors did. Despite being maligned by the government and the left leaning main stream Indian media, RSS under Deoras grew fast it has about 30,000 shakhas, each attended every day by 40-50 volunteers. It also has a sizable presence in slums, Harijan bastis and communities in about 25,000 of the 67,000 tribal villages. Besides, Deoras involved his volunteers in the field of education under the aegis of Vidhya Bharati, and also floated Seva Bharati, a missionary outfit to serve the downtrodden and tribals and to counter the covert evangelical activities of the Christian missionaries.

Prof. Rajendra Singh (29 January 1922 - 14 July 2003 ), popularly called Rajju Bhaiya, was the fourth Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)/ He was chief of that organisation between 1994 and 2000. He worked as a professor and head of the Department of Physics at Allahabad Universitybut left to devote his life to the RSS in the mid 1960s.

Rajendra Singh was born on 29 January 1922 in the village Banail Pahasu of Bulandshahar to Smt Jwala Devi (Jiyaji) and Kunwar Balbir Singh, when his father was posted there as a engineer. Kunwar Balbir Singh belonged to a respectable family of Tomar Rajput in the village Banail Pahasu of Bulandshahar district in Uttar Pradesh.[1] Balbir Singh was the first Indian to be selected for Indian Engineering Service in British Period.The Indian revolutionary Ram Prasad Bismil often used to come to his father in the engineer's colony of Shahjahanpur where he lived in those days of 1921-1922. Whenever Bismil Ji demanded, his father Balbir Singh used to contribute him monetarily. Rajendra was the third amongst five children of the Singh's family. Rajju Bhaiya had two elder sisters whereas his two younger brothers were in Indian Administrative Service.

Rajendra did his matriculation from Unnao. After that he was enrolled at the Modern School (New Delhi) for a brief period. Thereafter he moved to St Joseph's College, Nainital. He was a meritorious student and made it through the prestigious Roorkee Engineering College. He secured 5th position in his B.Sc. and 2nd in M.Sc. Physics.[2] He completed his graduation and obtained his masters degree in physics from Prayag University at the age of 21.

Singh was acknowledged as an exceptionally brilliant student by Sir C. V. Raman, the physicist and Nobel Prize winner, when he was his examiner in M.Sc. He also offered Singh a fellowship for advanced research in nuclear physics.[1][3] He joined the Allahabad University after majoring in Physics to teach Spectroscopy.[4] He taught at the University for several years, where later he was appointed head of the Physics Department.[1]

Singh was also considered an expert in Nuclear Physics which was very rare those days in India.[5][6] During his teaching life he was also considered very popular teacher among students for teaching the subject of Nuclear Physics with simplicity and clear concepts.
Singh was active in the Quit India Movement of 1942 and it was during this time that he came in contact with the RSS.[citation needed]From then onwards the Sangh influenced his life. He resigned from his university post in 1966 and offered full time services to the RSS as a 'prant pracharak'.[citation needed] Beginning in Uttar Pradesh, Singh progressed to be the Sar Karyavaha (General Secretary) in the 1980s.[7] In 1994, he was nominated to succeed Bala Saheb Deoras as RSS chief.[citation needed] While in Uttar Pradesh, Singh worked with Lal Bahadur Shastri, Chandra Shekhar and V.P. Singh.[8] Murali Manohar Joshi was also one of his best students.

Arguably Rajju Bhaiyas term of 6-years was one of the most crucial for both Sangh and India. Rajju Bhaiyya shared an excellent rapport with political leaders cutting across ideological lines besides academicians, social workers and intellectuals.[9] 1998 saw the pragmatic shift of Indian politics when the main opposition party, The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) scaled new heights by emerging as the largest party in the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition at the Centre. This was a crucial period for the RSS and its political wing BJP. The BJP and the RSS shared many common ideologies. He abdicated the post of Sarsanghchalak on account of his failing health in February 2000 and nominated the K. S. Sudarshan for the post.[9] During emergency he went underground and toured whole India. Singh was also responsible for organizing human rights convention presided by Justice VM Tarkunde in Delhi in 1976.[10] He was also responsible for setting up friends of India Society International.
One of the most important beliefs of Singh was: "All people are basically nice. One should deal with every person by believing in his goodness. Anger, jealousy, etc. are the offshoots of his past experiences, which affect his behavior. Primarily every person is nice and everyone is reliable."

Like other Sarsanghchalaks he was a firm believer in the concept of swadeshi and empowering rural economy. Initiating the rural developmental activities, he had declared in 1995 that the utmost priority should be given in making the villages hunger-free, diseasefree and educative. Today, there are over 100 villages where the rural development work done by swayamsevaks has inspired the people of surrounding villages and their experiments are being emulated by those people.[12] Addressing the Vijayadashami festival at Nagpur in 1995, Singh remembered Mohandas K. Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. He challenged the way in which the central government was working on fulfilling the dreams of these two statesmen.

Kuppahalli Sitaramayya Sudarshan

Kuppahalli Sitaramayya Sudarshan (born June 18, 1931) was the formersarsanghachalak (2000-2009)[1] of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindunationalist organisation. Sudarshan was born in Raipur (now in Chhattisgarh) in a Sanketi Hindu family. He was nine when he first attended an RSS shakha.
He was appointed as a pracharak in 1954. Only full-time members of RSS can become pracharaks. His first posting as a pracharak was in Raigarh district. In 1964 he was made the prant pracharak of Madhya Bharat at a fairly young age.This appointment perhaps was the first hint of the bigger things to come. In 1969 he was appointed convener of the All-India Organisations' Heads. This was followed by a stint in the North-East (1977) and he took over as the chief of the Boudhik Cell (the RSS think-tank) two years later. Since 1990, Sudarshan has been a joint general secretary of the organisation. He has the rare distinction of having held both posts of sharirik(physical exercises) and baudhik (intellectual) pramukh (chief) on different occasions Later in life, in his acceptance speech[2] Sudarshan recalled how he was hand-picked to head the Madhya Bharat region. He said though initially he was hesitant to take up the responsibility, the then RSS sarsanghachalak Guru Golwalkarji helped him make up his mind. "I was able to discharge my duties because people senior to me fully co-operated," he said.

Mohan Madhukar Bhagawat (born 1950) is the Sarsanghachalak (Supreme Chief) of theRashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He was chosen as the successor of K. S. Sudarshanji in March 2009 .

Mohanrao Madhukarrao Bhagwat was born in a small town called Chandrapur inMaharashtra. He comes from a family of RSS activists.[1] His father Madhukar Bhagwat, was the Karyavaha (secretary) of the Chandrapur zone and had also, worked as Prant Pracharak of Gujarat.[1] It was Madhukarji, who introduced the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani into the RSS fold. Mohanrao is the eldest son of his parents and has three brothers and a sister. He completed his schooling from Lokmanya Tilak Vidyalaya and then his first year BSc from Janata College, both in Chandrapur. He graduated in Veterinary sciences and Animal husbandry from Punjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. He dropped out of his masters course in veterinary sciences and became a Pracharak (full time worker) of the RSS towards the end of 1975 when the country was under Emergency imposed by the then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

After working underground during the Emergency, Bhagwat became pracharak of Akola in Maharashtra in 1977 and rose within the organisation to become pracharak of Nagpur and Vidarbha regions.

He became Akhil Bharatiya Sharirik pramukh, in-charge of physical training for RSS cadres across the country in 1991 and held the post till 1999. That year he was made Akhil Bharatiya Pracharak pramukh, in-charge of RSS volunteers working full time all over country. In 2000, when Rajendra Singh (RSS) and H. V. Sheshadri decided to step down as RSS chief and general secretary respectively due to poor health, KS Sudarshan was nominated as the new chief and Mohan Bhagwat rose to the post of Sarkaryavaha (General Secretary).

Mohan Bhagwat was elevated as the Sarsanghchalak of the RSS on 21 March 2009. He is one of the youngest leaders to head theRashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and is seen to be straight forward, humble, pragmatic and with a clear vision to keep the RSS away from politics.
Mohan Bhagwat is seen as a pragmatic leader and has talked of taking the Hindutva agenda forward with a touch of modernity.[2] He has stressed on moving on along with the changing times, while keeping the organisation's foundation firm in the rich and old Indian values.[3] He says that unlike the popular belief that RSS sticks to old beliefs and customs, it has accepted modernisation and has evolved with it to show the right path to the people of the country'.[3]

On the question of caste disparities in the Hindu society, Bhagwat has said that there should be no scope for untouchability. He has said that the Hindu society, which is founded on the principle of unity in diversity, should address its inherent deficiency of discriminating against its own ilk and that the people of the community should strive to remove such discriminatory attitudes prevalent in society, and a beginning should be made from the homes of every Hindu.

Namaste

sadaa vatsale matru bhoome twayaa Hindu bhoome sukham vardhitoham mahaa mangale punya bhoome twadarthe patatwesha kaayo namaste namaste prabho shaktiman Hindu raastraanga bhoota ime saadaram twaam namaamo vayam twadeeyaaya kaaryaaya baddhaa kateeeyam shubhaam aashisham dehi tatpoortaye ajyaan cha vishwasya deheesha shaktim susheelam jagadyena namram bhaveth shrutam chaiva yat kantakaa keerna maargam swayam sweekritham na sukham kaarayet

samutkarsha

nishreyasasyaika mugram param saadhanam naama veeravratam tadantah sphuratwakshayaa dheya nishtaa hridantah prajaa gartuteevraanisham vijetri chana samhataa kaarya shaktir vidhaayaasya dharmasya samrakshanam param vaibhavam netum etat swaraashtram samrthaa bhavatwaashishaa tebhrusham || Bharat Mata Ki Jay ||

MEANING OF PRARTHANA

Forever I bow to thee, O Loving Motherland! O Motherland of us Hindus, Thou hast brought me up in happiness. May my life, O great and blessed Holy Land, be laid down in Thy Cause. I bow to Thee again and again. We the children of the Hindu Nation bow to Thee in reverence, O Almighty God. We have girded up our loins to carry on Thy work. Give us Thy holy blessings for its fulfillment. O Lord! Grant us such might as no power on earth can ever challenge, such purity of character as would command the respect of the whole world and such knowledge as would make easy the thorny path that we have voluntarily chosen. May we be inspired with the spirit of stern heroism, that is sole and ultimate means of attaining the highest spiritual bliss with the greatest temporal prosperity. May intense and everlasting devotion to our ideal ever enthuse our hearts. May our victorious organised power of action, by Thy Grace, be wholly capable of protecting our dharma and leading this nation of ours to the highest pinnacle of glory.

It includes.. A black cap A white shirt with folded sleeves and pocket on left side. A brown belt Khakhee shorts Khakhee socks Black shoes

The basic work of Sangh is carried through Shakhas -literally meaning 'branches' in Samksrita. Shakhas are held in each iocality at a designated place - usually in the open ground - at a specified time for duration of one hour. It is a programme of daily get together. People of the locality and near by areas participate in the Shakha. They areSwayamsevaks. The place where the Shakha is conducted is called as Sanghasthan. Depending on the convenience of the people of the locality, Shakha is conducted either in the mornings or in the evenings. The Shakha activity is very structured. It starts with hoisting Bhagawadhwaj, the saffron flag. After saluting the flag, physical exercises - Surya namaskar, Yoga and other suitable ones - are practiced. Games are played by kids {Bala), boys (Kishora), youth(Taruna) and elderly (Praudha) in separate groups. Route march and martial arts are also practiced. After about 30-40rr,inutes, swayamsevaks sit in a circle on the ground and sing a patriotic song in chorus.

They reflect on good sayings {Subhashita) and on quotes from great people. Issues of national importance and issues of current affairs are discussed. Finally, they pray Almighty for the upliftment of the nation to its highest glory. Bhagawa flag is lowered ending the daily Shakha. After wards, they visit neighbors and friends as part of the regular contact programme(Samparka). Although very simple in its structure, Shakha education is very useful. It has been found that Swayamsevaks are benefited individually in the following ways. 1. Development of intimate friendship among Swayamsevaks 2. Inculcating discipline through structured activities of Shaka 3. Improving physical stamina through physical exercise and games 4. Broadminded thinking through Subhashita and quotes from great people.

5. Exposure to the issues of current affairs and issues of national importance 6. Training people in analysing the above issues from national perspective 7. Developing communication and interpersonal skills - Public speaking, writing, reading, persuasive skills 8. Providing an understanding of the society; its strengths and weaknesses. 9. Equipping Swayamsevaks to work for the society. 10. Leadership development Sangh conducts yearly training camps which are residential in nature. In these training camps, Swayamsevaks live a very disciplined life from early morning to the night. They undergo structured physical and intellectual training making them better citizens. Participating Swayamsevaks take up organization and management of the camps. They cook, wash vessels, wash their clothes and participate in food distribution. Every Swayamsevak irrespective of his social, financial and educational background or irrespective of his official status participate in the training camp in the same way.

This approach has many social benefits. The diversity of caste, religion and language will not become a reason for disunity among Swayamsevaks. They find the common ground for unity - devotion to motherland, common culture, heritage and values. Inculcation of noble personal virtues which are held high in the Hindu tradition has always been an inseparable part of the mission of Hindu consolidation. As such, qualities like personal integrity, mutual trust, respect for elders, reverence for women, devotion to God and holy men, uprightness in the dealings of public money, law-abiding nature, simplicity in living style, and absence of vices, etc., are ingrained in the Swayamsevaks as a natural outcome of Sangh training.

Dr.Hedgewarji started shakha with only 5 swayamsewaks. Shakha works as a powers house in life of every swayamsewak. The first shakha was there in the house of Dr. Hedgewarji on 19 June 1925 at Nagpur.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

There are three vertical structures in Sangh. The first one is structure needed to run daily Shakha activities. Each Shakha will have Ghatanayaks (group leaders) who inspire Swayamsevaks to attend Shakha regularly. Shikshaks(meaning instructors) conduct the activities of the daily Shakha. Mukhyashikshak (literally chief instructor) takes care of one Shakha. ShakhaKaryavaha (meaning secretary) provides guidance and help to Mukhyashikshak in conducting the Shakha activities. A group of Shakhas in a particular area is looked after by Mandal-Karyavaha. For an area larger than Mandal in rural areas there are Khanda-Karyavaha and TehsilKaryavaha. In urban areas, they are called NagarKaryavaha. Few Nagara (or Tehsil) form a Bhag (or Jilla). There will be many Bhagas (or Jillas) in a Vibhag. Prantha is formed combining many Vibhag units. Few Pranthas constitute a Kshetra. One Karyavaha looks after each of these units.

From Tehsil or Nagar unit onwards, Sanghachalaks (Presidents) guide the activities of the organization in their respective areas. Usually, eminent people with respectable status in the society are chosen as Sanghachalaks. Pracharaks (literally meaning - one who spreads the message) are the full time Swayamsevaks. They form the backbone of the RSS organization. They remain bachelors and ensure that they are free from their personal family responsibilities. They are not Sanyasis in the strict sense. But they dedicate their time, talent and energy for the benefit of the society and organization. It is a lifetime mission for them. Apart from Pracharaks, some Swayamsevaks dedicate few years of their life to the society. One of the very senior pracharaks is elected by Akhila Bharat Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) as Sarakaryavaha (General Secretary) who is executive chief of RSS. The term of Sarakaryavaha is for three years. The Head of RSS is Sarasanghachalak who will be nominated by his predecessor. He holds the position for lifetime or till he decides to nominate his successor.

Sarakaryavaha nominates the members of Akhila Bharata Karyakari Mandal (ABKM). He acts as Chairman for the ABKM. It is the coordinating body of all Shakhas in the country to carry out the programmes and policies laid down by ABPS. It also frames rules and by-laws in consonance with the constitution of Sangh for regulating its own affairs and also general functioning of Sangh. Akhila Bharat Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) is the elected representatives from all states.

The flag of RSS is Bhagawadhwaj. It is saffron in color symbolizing the flames of Yagna. It is a symbol of sacrifice and valor. Sangh has accepted Bhagawadhwaj as it Guru. Swayamsevaks are guided by the high principles represented by the Bhagawa and not by any individual. It is hoisted respectfully every day during the Shakha period.

It is the symbol of Hindutva. It is pride of every Hindu. It is the symbol of our Sanskriti.

FUNDING

On Vyasapurnima day, Bhagawadhwaj is worshipped. Swayamsevaks perform Gurupooja and offer Dakshina to the Guru. The RSS is sustained by this offering called Gurudhakshina. In this way, the Sangh is self funded and help from any other source is not sought.

Sangh is constantly growing from the day of its inception. Its multifaceted growth is influencing the society in a positive way. Its role in ever expanding service activities is providing impetus to the stability of the Indian society. An outline of the growth of Sangh is provided in this section. The Sangh approach towards growth is very flexible and open minded. During initial days of Sangh, Swayamsevaks used to visit Akharas at Nagpur Vyayamashala. In 1926, formal Shakha was started in Mohitevada. Nomenclature of RSS was adopted in a meeting held on April 17, 1926. Dr. Hedgewar was elected as Cnief of Sangh unanimously on 19th December, 1926. Later in 1929, he was nominated as Sarasanghachalak. After some years, Pracharak system was introduced. Annual Training Camps were conceived to educate growing number of Swayamsevaks. Initially, the Sangh Prayer was partly Marathi and partly Hindi. Later in 1940, as Sangh expanded beyond Maharashtra, a new prayer in Sanskrit was adopted.

Important Karyakartas used to meet once or twice in a year. Later, ABPS and Kendriya Mandal were created. Now Kendriya Mandal is renamed as 'Akhila Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal'. There were some modifications in the processes that are followed in the last several decades. Minor modifications in uniform, structure and approach are adopted.

Surya Namaskara (IPA: [su:rj nmsk:r]; Sanskrit: ; IAST: Srya Namaskra) also known in English as Sun Salutation (lit. "salute to the sun"), is a common sequence of Hatha yoga asanas. Its origins lie in a worship of Surya, the Hindusolar deity. This sequence of movements and asanas can be practised on varying levels of awareness, ranging from that of physical exercise in various styles, to a complete sadhanawhich incorporates asana, pranayama, mantra and chakra me ditation. It is often the beginning vinyasa within a longer yoga series. Srya Namaskra may also refer to other styles of "Salutations to the Sun".

BASIC GANA To get ready for the order to come. ATTENTION DAKSH STAND AT EASE AARAMA RIGHT SIDE DAKSHINA LEFT SIDE - VAAM RIGHT TURN DAKSHINAVRUTA LEFT TURN VAAMVRUTA FORWARD PURAHSARA BACKWARD PRATISARA ABOUT TURN ARDHAVRUTA MARCH - PRACHALA

GURUPURNIMA RAKSHABANDHAN VIJAYADASHAMI HINDU SAMRAJYA DIVAS GUDIPADVA MAKARSANKRANTI

DIFFERENT GAMES
RUNNING KABBADDI KHO KHO VALAY DAND MIND GAMES GAMES PLAYED USING DAND

WE SHOULD ALL CONTRIBUTE IN PROGRESS OF OUR NATION AND WE SHOULD NEVER DO A WORK THAT WASH OUT THE PRESTIGE OF RSS FROM THE MINDS OF PEOPLE.

THANKING YOU

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