Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh Annual Report for 2006-07

AKHIL BHARTEEYA PRATINIDHI SABHA-ANNUAL REPORT 2007
RASHTRIYA SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH ANNUAL REPORT of 2006-07

Presented by: SARKARYAWAH SH. MOHANRAO BHAGWAT (9th March 2007)
AKHIL BHARTEEYA PRATINIDHI SABHA, LUCKNOW (9-11 March 2007)
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Source: http://www.rss.org

Revered Sarsanghachalakji, respected Sanghachalaks, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini, members of the ABPS, Swayamsevaks working in various Sangh-inspired organisations, mothers, sisters and special invitees,

We all have assembled here after one year to take stock of our activity, completing the programmes of Sri Guruji Birth Centenary with gaiety, enthusiasm and success. This meeting is being held in the backdrop of the evolving complex national scenario as also the love, cooperation experienced by us during the Birth Centenary year from all sections of the society including saints, scholars and eminencies.

While commencing our deliberations on the review and future planning of our activities it is natural to remember those who were either our colleagues or those playing an active role in the progress of our national life, but no longer in our midst now.

Homage

Some such tragic occurrences have taken place after the ABKM meetings at Kashi in October last. Well-known and motivating elder Sri Madhusudan Gopal Deoji’s smiling face and subdued personality will now remain in our memories only. Sri Deoji sacrificed all his energies for the Sangh work since 1942 and was the lone architect of and witness to the growth of Sangh activity in Bihar. Sri Nanaji Bhagwat who held various responsibilities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and subsequently worked in VHP also passed away. Sri Premchandji Jain, who was looking after the Go Raksha Vibhag in the VHP and was earlier the Prant Karyavah and Prant Pracharak of Haryana, is no more. Revolutionary freedom fighter and Swayamsevak Pt. Vachanesh Tripathy who manifested intense patriotism and total dedication through his writings as well as his life attained heavenly abodes. Dr. Chandrakant Bharadwaj who used his poetic prowess effectively to promote Sangh work concluded his journey of life leaving behind scores of sweet, soft and popular Sangh songs for us. Also concluded his life journey was a District Sanghachalak and a leader of the Adhivakta Parishad and Hindu Lawyers’ Forum Ad. Sampat Kumar of Chennai, who was in the forefront of the struggle for Hindutwa in Tamilnadu. In the demise of Sri Dansinh Bisth, resident of Haldwani and former Vibhag Sanghachalak, we lost a guardian-like elder. Elderly Pracharak and efficient manager Sri Birendra Bara who used to manage the Vastu Bhandar in Guwahati Karyalay passed away after prolonged illness. Senior Pracharak of Orissa, functionary of the Siksha Vikas Samiti there and a patron of the magazine ‘Siksha Srujani’ Sri Raghunath Sethi passed away. Former state president of both ABVP and Vananchal Shiksha Samiti Dr Prem Kumar Prasad, who was a Professor of Economics in Ranchi University, is no more. Jharkhand State Vice President of BKS Capt Kshiteshvar Prasad Singh (Retd) too is no more. Former Bangalore Mahanagar Karyavah and later the Karyakarini Sadasya of Karnatak Dakshin and coordinator of Dharma Jagaran activity Sri Mohan Kumar attained higher abodes suddenly in front of our eyes on the Maha Shivaratri day at a very young age.

Patron of the Sri Guruji Janma Shatabdi Samaroh Samiti, Jharkhand and former Secretary of Bharat Sevashram Sangh, Jamshedpur Swami Jnanatmanandaji whose affectionate benediction used to guide the Sangh always, left for heavenly abodes. General Secretary of Juna Akhada Swami Paramanandaji Maharaj who used to live in Uttaranchal passed away. MP of Tehri and a popular leader Raja Manvendra Singh, also from Uttaranchal passed away.

Eminent Gandhian thinker and a saintly personality Sri Dharampalji, who brought to light the efficacy, eminency and contemporary relevance of our national life through his relentless penance of research into Bharat’s worldview and its integrating and hallowed institutions; Socialist ideologue Prof. Sadanand Varde; Editor of monthly Dharma Bhaskar Prof. Avadhoot Shastry are also no more. Protagonist of Bharatiya Church, admirer of Bharatiya culture and opponent of proselytisation Major Arch Bishop Cyril Mar Bacillus of Mar Thoma Church in Kerala attained salvation. Eminent and highly revered journalist Sri Shamlal passes away.

Veteran of Indian politics Sri Shyama Charan Shukla is no more. Former CM of Nagaland and a staunch supporter of Swadeshi cause Sri Hokeshe Sema too is no more.

Several shining stars of Bharatiya art, literature and cinema including cricketer Sri Pali Umrigar, Kabaddi veteran Sri Shankarrao Salvi, lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi, musician Sri Om Prakash Nayyar, producer and director Sri N.N. Sippi, literary giant Sri Kamleshwar breathed their last.

Let us also mourn the sacrifices of those brethren who died in the last one year due to natural disasters, accidents, terrorist violence in Assam, blasts in Samjhauta Express near Panipat and other terror incidents.

Let us offer our hearty tributes in the respectful memory of all those illuminating lives that contributed immensely to the Sangh activity as well as the national life through their competence.

Status of our Activity

In the Sangh Siksha Vargas held last summer (May-June ’06) 12,140 trainees from 8011 places underwent training for Pratham Varsha. In terms of number of trainees it is 123 more than last year and in terms of places it is 17 more. For Dwitiya Varsha training 3070 trainees came from 2388 places. 937 trainees attended the Tritiya Varsha training. In the Siksha Vargas for Proudha 426 underwent training for Pratham Varsha and 197 for Dwitiya Varsha.

As per the reports available so far there are currently 44,417 Shakhas in 30,988 places. Saptahik (Weekly) Milans are taking place 7851 in places and monthly Sangh Mandalis are being held in 7300 places. Compared to last March these figures indicate a shortfall in Shakhas and places.

This was anticipated, as we were all fully engrossed in the hectic Sri Guruji Birth Centenary programmes. It is also true that after this massive campaign of contacting new individuals and places through successful programmes we will immediately sit up and reorganize the activity and plan the follow up action so that we would be able to restore our ever-growing and organised activity by the July next. Yet all these figures underscore the necessity of further strengthening of our activity and qualitative improvement of our activists.

Relief Activity

It has become the first nature of our activists to provide succour to our brethren who fall victims to the natural disasters and man-made mishaps in the country.

Swayamsevaks plunge into immediate relief activity during all such incidents. Two such incidents that took place this year are being highlighted here.

Flood Relief in Surat:

Unprecedented flood situation arose in Surat (Gujarat) last year due to incessant rains and subsequent lifting of floodgates to release the accumulated water in the dam. Our Swayamsevaks have immediately plunged into relief work. Relief material was collected at Karnavati and other places in the province and sent to Surat along with some activists as per the requirement. Relief centers were opened at 4 places in Surat. Swayamsevaks walked in neck-deep waters, swam across the swirling floodwaters and tied ropes across buildings in several lanes and thus reached out to the flood affected people and lifted them to safety. Relief material in the form of 80,000 food packets, 4500 milk packets and 110,000 water pouches was made available to the flood victims. 4500 Kilos of Sukhdi, 5500 Kilos of snacks, 6000 packets of biscuits, 2000 Kilos of Puris, 900 packets of candles, 600 packets of matchboxes, 165 ropes etc were sent from Karnavati. About 1250 Swayamsevaks from Surat and Shakhas around have actively participated in this relief activity.

As soon as floodwaters started receding on 11 August, 3000 activists arrived from Navsari, Olpad, Bharuch, Ankleswar etc plunged immediately into the city cleaning and hygiene activity and medical aid to around 2000 diseased. Doctors from the medical trusts run by Swayamsevaks at various places in the State converged at Surat on 12 August and started 22 health centers that served over 4000 flood-affected families. Over 500 activists from various places in Gujarat worked from 15 to 20 August every day in the activities of health and hygiene and in providing the packets containing household material for one month to the affected families from the weaker sections of the society.

Flood in Godavari and Sabari rivers in Poorva Andhra:

At the mid-night of 4 August floodwaters swirled in full spate in Godavari and Sabari rivers together, playing havoc in Kunavaram, Vararamachandrapuram, Kukkunur, Belurpadu and Burgumpahad mandals of Khammam district; and Mummidivaram, Inavalli and Katrenikona mandals in East Godavari district.

Around 100 villages got inundated and badly hit by this awful flood.

Swayamsevaks and other activists of Seva Bharati, BKS and Bharat Vikas Parishad etc plunged into the activity immediately.

Arrangements were made to shift flood affected and provide them shelter. Our activists have moved about in floodwaters in country-boats for 3 days to reach out to the flood affected and to extend relief material that included 25 quintal of rice, 2 quintal of pulses, 5000 packets each of rice and milk, 10,000 pouches of drinking water and 6000 pieces of breads. A relief camp was run for 2000 flood affected people. 1600 patients were attended to. In terms of long-term rehabilitation our activists extended support to the affected by way of providing cloths, kit of household materials, school kit etc; helping in hut-house construction and running general and veterinary health centers etc.

Programmes

Swayamsevaks allover the country toiled very hard to make Sri Guruji Birth Centenary programmes a resounding success. Massive programmes were held at several places with the unprecedented support of revered saints and eminent elites. A statistical report of those programmes available at that time was published on the occasion of the concluding programme held at Delhi on 18 February.

Despite being busily engrossed in those programmes our activists have successfully undertaken two activities keeping the Sangh work in mind — University Students’ Programmes and Shakha Attendance Day (Upasthiti Din) — through Sangh network allover the country. A few other special programmes were also held.

University Students’ Programmes and Shakha Attendance Day (Upasthiti Din)

These programmes were held in many places allover the country. Many were exemplary too. However keeping the constraints of length of the report in mind and based on the information made available till date, I am briefly mentioning about a few small, medium and large programmes with a view to provide a glimpse of the kind of programmes held across the country. More than attendance and grandeur emphasis was laid on the mechanism of mobilization. Big programmes were also held like in Prayag with an attendance of 800 and in Mangalore with 3000. Sangh has succeeded in establishing good contacts among a large number of new University students through these programmes. 122 students participated in the Van Vihar programme held in the rural Kandhar tehsil of Devgiri province. Group discussion, questions & answers, Boudhik and Shakha etc were held with their active participation. Everyone felt that such programmes should be held more often. 465 students and 37 teachers participated in the University students’ programme at Bikaner in Jodhpur province, 300 out of whom were totally new and joined the programme getting a new short stitched. For the University students’ programme in Lucknow of Avadh province 600 students were contacted representing 28 universities and colleges from 26 Nagars and 22 hostels. 340 students were present in the programme including 11 medical, 24 engineering, 85 post-graduate and 120 under-graduate students. In Uttar Banga 276 students participated in Siliguri while 450 attended in Kalimpong including several girl students. 250 students participated in Guwahati (Uttar Assam) and 113 in Karmakunj (Dakshin Assam).

On the occasion of Upasthiti Din (High Attendance Day) 222 Swayamsevaks were present in the Vijayanagar Shakha of Jaipur Mahanagar. In the Panchajanya Ratri Shakha of Nasik town in Paschim Maharashtra all the 20 members of the Shakha team including 15 Gatanayaks prepared an exhaustive list of 68 Tarun, 90 Bal and 30 Shisu Swayamsevaks and contacted each and every one of them.

47 tarun, 60 Bal and 12 Shisu attended the Shakha. In the Pratap Prabhat Shakha of Jalore town in Jodhpur province, 107 out of 180 Swayamsevaks attended the Shakha. One new Prabhat Shakha was started due to the efforts for this programme. Now each Shakha runs with an attendance above 20. In the Azad Prabhat Shakha of Unnao town in Avadh province 150 Swayamsevaks were present from 85 families, 40 out of whom were new. In the Nalagola Shakha in Uttar Banga 69 Tarun, 32 Bal and 15 Shisu were present. 61 citizens were present to witness the physical demonstrations held with the support of an 8-member Ghosh team. 130 citizens witnessed programme in the Ladtada Shakha of the same province. 98 Tarun, 24 Bal and 40 Shisu were present. In the Sarisa Prabhat Shakha of Karmakunj town in Dakshin Assam province 50 Tarun, 60 Bal and 34 Shisu were present. 2230 Ghosh players were present from 155 Ghosh centers in the 3-day Ghosh camp in Utkal province. In the concluding ceremony of the Birth Centenary organised by the provincial committee of the Birth Centenary celebrations on 23rd January 10,000 citizens witnessed and enjoyed their demonstrations and music.

In the concluding function of the Birth Centenary celebrations organised by the National Committee of the Birth Centenary in Delhi on 18 February, 1843 Ghosh players selected from all over the country gave a memorable and excellent 20-minute demonstration in front of the massive audience present. Route Marches undertaken by these Gosh players on the previous evening of 17 February too greatly enthralled and influenced the audience. This is the first of its kind in the history of Sangh and also the only programme organised by the Swayamsevaks at the All India level during the Birth Centenary.

Many programmes held during the Birth Centenary might be coming under this ‘first of its kind’ category. This must be the first time that a collection like Sri Guruji Samagra (Complete Works of Sri Guruji) was translated into all Indian languages and published just in a year and half. During the Birth Centenary programmes we received natural and stupendous love and support from the entire society; all the eminent citizens and elite; saints, sages and scholars. A successful attempt was made to awaken the spirit of social harmony in the entire nation. Reports have yet to come from 4 provinces. Available reports from remaining 34 provinces show that 1,59,55,502 people from 1,75,795 villages participated in the Hindu Sammelans held in 8152 Khands and towns. 3,48,914 intellectuals participated in the Thinkers Meets while 13,428 saints and 1,75,205 leaders of various caste and social groups were present in the Social Harmony Meets.

Both the Birth Centenary Celebrations Committee and these saints and eminent citizens deserve momentous applause and gratitude for this gigantic effort.

Despite busy involvement with the above programmes, our Swayamsevaks held a couple of other important programmes too.

P.P. Sarsanghachalakhji’s visit to the Iskapalli Palem Shakha:

Pujya Sarsanghachalakji visited Iskapalli Palem, a village of just 2200 fishermen situated on the seashore in the Nellore district of Poorva Andhra Pradesh on 28 December 2006. A Shakha is running there regularly since 1981. There are more than 250 Swayamsevaks with full uniform in this village. This Shakha has trained its own 28-member Ghosh team by spending from their own pockets to buy Ghosh instruments. This Shakha gave 8 Pracharaks and Vistaraks for Sangh work, who are actively working today. This village also gave several Tehsil and District-level touring functionaries.

This village also came under the impact of Tsunami. But it rose up with determination again due to the efforts of the Swayamsevaks and support of the local gentry. Aid in the form of fishing material was made available to the villagers. From its own saving the village constructed a platform and canopy for drying the fish. Villagers joined hands with the Swayamsevaks to construct a temple, library, bore-wells etc. Bal Sanskar Kendra is also running there. Anti-liquor and public hygiene campaigns were conducted with full success. With the strengthening of character economic conditions are also fast improving.

Sarsanghachalkji was received at the village entrance with Panch Aarti. He was conducted to the temple of the local deity in a Kalash Yatra with Yogchap batch in toe and worship was held there. Thereafter the Village Committee met him at the house of an activist. Afterwards a programme was held in the Sayam Shakha. 237 Swayamsevaks in full uniform presented excellent demonstrations. 5 village elders who worked for the development of the village were felicitated. ‘All problems can be addressed with the unity of good people. Hence character building should go on through good Shakha and social activism must be kept up’, exhorted Sarsanghachalakji in his message. A meeting of our activists was held after the Shakha. Sarsanghachalakji left on his further tour programme after partaking food in the village. This ‘Prabat’ category village Iskapalli Palem, with its well-organised, effective and proactive Shakha is an inspiring, enthralling and imitable example for all of us.

Hindu Samarasata Sammelan – Palamur (Paschim Andhra):

Social evils like casteism and untouchability are prevalent in our society even now. Our activists in Palamur district of Paschim Andhra deliberated upon eradicating these evils and made some praiseworthy initiatives through Shakhas and personal contact in the last one year. Efforts were made on issues like making temples, festivals and sources of drinking water open and common to all, ending discriminatory practices like separate tumblers in public places etc with the support and participation of all people. Three so-called reasons for this situation were identified after conducting a survey – vanity and arrogance of the so-called upper castes; arbitrary and obdurate attitude of any one senior person in the village, and inferiority complex, superstitions, orthodoxy etc in the so-called lower castes. Revenue district of Palamur has been organised into two districts in Sangh. There are Swayamsevaks or persons related to Sangh or Vividh Karya in over 1900 villages in the district. There are 1292 villages where an atmosphere of social harmony prevails on the above issues. It came to our notice that such a transformation was made possible in at least 333 villages due to the efforts of our Swayamsevaks. For example there is Shadnagar Khand in Palamur district. Khand Karyavah prepared a detailed plan after contacting all the 33 villages.

There is a long-standing tradition in that area of performing the marriage of Lord Ram and Mother Sita on the occasion of Ram Navami. Plans were made in such a manner that the so-called upper castes will represent the bride and the so-called lower castes the bridegroom; elders from bride’s side will approach elders of the bridegroom’s side and fix up the marriage and extend invitation; both sides join the ritual marriage procession and perform the marriage together. Except for some little resistance in a couple of villages, this plan was implemented with great success due to unprecedented encouragement from the public and a positive atmosphere of social harmony was created as a result.

Taking inspiration from such experiences, Swayamsevaks of Palamur planned a Samarasat Sammelan (Social Harmony Conclave) on 7 January.

11,321 Swayamsevaks from 340 villages were present in the prescribed uniform (Khaki shorts, white shirt and cap). Route marches were organised from 10 places coursing through 14 slums. Chief Guest of the programme, Sarkaryawah and Prant Sanghachalakji garlanded the statue of Dr. Ambedkar at the town center and witnessed the route march.

Sri Mallepalli Lakshmaiah, writer and coordinator of the Center for Dalit Studies was the Chief Guest on the occasion. He, along with Sarkaryawahji, addressed the public programme. Sri Lakshmaiah emphasized on the need for bridging the gap between the image and reality of the Sangh in his address and called for educating the society to do away with superstitions and orthodoxy. This programme has helped in instilling awareness and activism about social harmony among Swayamsevaks. Such an atmosphere and inspiration has been created all over the province. Future plans will be chalked out in the planning baithaks to be held in the beginning of next year.

Scenario

The pleasant atmosphere created during the Birth Centenary celebrations should not make us complacent to some unpleasant things taking place around us. Incidents like Khairlanji that destroy the feelings of social harmony and perpetrate dissentions in the society are continuing even to this day.

Incidents like this or the controversy over the temple entry in Kendrapara underscore the fact that the path to creating a permanent and effective harmony in the society and uprooting all the differences is fraught with serious obstacles and problems.

Foreign-sponsored separatist terrorist outfits like ULFA in Assam that celebrate the bloodbath of innocent people by brutally murdering our own brethren speaking a different language are trying to expand their network of mayhem. Direct threat from across the border from Pakistan and indirect threat in the name of dialogue from China is looming over us. In the South in Kerala the network of the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI is spreading its tentacles very fast.

In such a situation it is expected of the Government machinery that they ensure unity in our society, awaken its self-esteem and strengthen its security. Unfortunately it is precisely these things that are missing in the policies of the ruling establishment.

So-called minorities are being pampered in a shameless pursuit of votes. This policy of distorting facts by using redundant initiatives like the Sachar Committee has led to the partition of our country earlier. Have our politicians forgotten this fact in their savage pursuit of political self-interests? It is amazing that this love and affection bestowed on the minorities out of hunger for votes is never available for the Hindu community. Incidents of ridicule and harassment of Hindus are continuously on the rise.

From the obduracy to complete Setu Samudram Project by destroying the Ram Setu to the secret conspiracy to gobble up the assets and wealth of Sri Tirumal Tirupati Devasthanam – reckless pursuit of such policies is rampant. Their shamelessness has reached its zenith in their efforts to introduce perverse sex education curriculum by any means in the name of AIDS thus mortgaging the age-old cultural values of our country. On one hand our policy makers go placid before the separatists, terrorists, Maoists and Jehadi mercenaries and sing the tune of peace but on the other hand they turn rude and insensitive to the just and rational demands of the patriotic people. People of the country are frustrated by the inflation. Farmers of the country are frustrated by the economic policies that turn fertile holdings into barren lands and are committing suicides due to the heavy burden of debts. Rich are becoming richer and poor poorer. But the architects of these parasitic, discriminatory and self-destructive policies are very jubilant and satisfied with their acts like opening the doors to MNCs.

What is being deliberated upon so secretly with the forces that support secessionism and terrorism in Kashmir while ignoring the interests of refugees of Kashmir and citizens of Jammu and Ladakh? What is the meaning of utterances by some of our senior officials like “transfer of less populated areas can be discussed” in the context of our talks with China? What is actually happening to the country in our discussions on the nuclear deal with the US? Is the territory of our country being considered for exchange in these deliberations? Is the age-old policy of ‘not a blade of grass grows there’ still being pursued? No answer is in sight for these serious doubts arising in the minds of ordinary people.

But people understand these things gradually. Huge turnout demonstrating immense faith and conviction cutting across all social barriers in our Birth Centenary programmes is a standing testimony for this. Patriotic forces of good are realizing the nuances of the situation and coming together to join hands. All of us experienced the same encouraging and beguiling experience during the Birth Centenary celebrations.

Appeal

We have to understand both sides of this situation properly and carry forward our activity with determination and hard work. We have to quickly expand the nationwide network of activists, Shakhas and contacts that become the nodal points for the harmony of forces of good and unity and strength of our society. Birth Centenary programmes have concluded, but the real work has to start now. We have to evolve a nationwide superstructure of selfless patriotism, affectionate organisation, total dedication and relentless well-planned hard work on the vibrant and pristine foundations of Shakha. We have to cautiously keep the flames of our life ever ablaze in this dark night preceding a delightful dawn. Our mission is sacred as it is for the welfare of entire humanity. Let us strengthen it by dedicatedly building organizational power through our relentless hard work and spotless commitment.

“Our Shakha is the lifeline to evolve virtues and organised strengthLet it reach out to all people at all places Let all the good people thus contacted become active in the national cause

Let our body, mind and soul be dedicated relentlessly and untiringly to this mission

Led by good men and inspired by our ethos, let the people rebuild our nation.

The entire nation is expecting the Sadhana of Sangh to spread allover the society”

Bharat Mata ki Jai