From Shakha to Samaj: The glorious journey of the RSS @100

PM Shri Narendra Modiji while addressing the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the Chief Guest rightly said, "Our generation of 'swayamsevaks' is fortunate to witness centenary years of RSS....Since its founding, RSS has focused on nation-building.

Its glorious 100-year journey is an extraordinary example of sacrifice, selfless service, nation-building, and discipline. ...RSS works in different sections of society; but there are never contradictions among them as they work on principle of nation first. RSS believes in 'One India, Great India', yet post-Independence, attempts were made to prevent it from joining national mainstream," 

The centenary celebration of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, to take place from Vijayadashami 2025 to Vijayadashami 2026, is a monumental moment in India’s modern history and symbolizes the unique strength that lies in disciplined, voluntary service. This is a celebration of an assured and credible commitment to building character, fostering unity for action, and rejuvenating the sleeping soul of Bharat. The scope and commitment of this movement from the ground up is remarkable and makes it the largest volunteer organization in the world. 

The RSS was founded on a uniquely simple genius; the singular and persistent purpose of 'Vyakti Nirman' (Character Building) outlined by its founder, Dr K.B. Hedgewar. Dr. Hedgewar knew well that you cannot build a truly strong nation on erroneous premises, but rather upon individuals of true character, discipline and having hearts full of patriotism. The daily Shakha is the sacred workshop where millions of young minds are molded, creating dedicated citizens; the personal excellence signifies our strength as a nation. 

The omnipresence of the Swayamsevak is arguably the most stunning aspect of the Sangh's odyssey, representing anonymous altruism. The Swayamsevak embodies the philosophy of 'Nation First' and is engaged selflessly across India's remote hinterland or booming metropolises, dutifully working out of a sense of obligation with zero expectation for recognition or reward. This ethos of 'Seva' (Service), given without expectation, holds together the strong moral foundation upon which the RSS built its staggering agrarian society. The Sangh has established specific organizations, working in education, tribal welfare, labor, and rural development, that encourage the Sangh's core beliefs of national rejuvenation to engage in actionable, ground level change – making it a multi-faceted movement and not simply an organization. 

The components that Sangh has engaged within the education field, through organizations like Vidya Bharati and Ekal Vidyalaya are ground-breaking. The Vidya Bharati study was operating one of the largest networks of schools, interweaving values focused, patriotic education throughout the school materials. The Ekal Vidyalaya movement has propelled the light of literacy to hundreds of thousands of children throughout the most rugged and tribal regions of India, while advancing the idea of social equity.

The RSS continues to demonstrate its capacity as an organized and energetic force for good in the midst of natural calamities. Be it massive flooding, terrible earthquakes, or the unique challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, Swayamsevaks are always first on the scene and the last to exit, whether organized relief, medical assistance, or emotional support is needed, while exhibiting a discipline and state of preparedness that reflects even government agencies.  

The vision of Rural Rejuvenation has always been a part of the RSS vision, as there can be no national prosperity without prosperous villages.  With projects like the Deendayal Research Institute model and the Gram Vikas programs, the Sangh encourages sustainable farming, self-sustainability and local economy, all of which peace taken away labor from villages and preserve the authentic culture of Bharat.   Navigating this colossal organization into its second century is the current Sarsanghchalak, Dr. Mohan Bhagwat Ji, who is a leader characterized by depth of intellect, firm resolve and an empathetic tone for political and social dilemmas.  

Dr Mohan Bhagwat Ji's passionate and regular message of 'Samajik Samarasata' (Social Harmony), is one of the key features of his leadership, as it expresses the Sangh's genuine need for a united society without division. He has consistently excoriated any caste-based discrimination - caste, in his views, is a historical aberration and a major weakness that would need to be eradicated if Hindu society achieves its potential to be united and unified. He even further illustrates this with his nuanced ideas about Indian plurality with a brilliant quip of his that: "Diversity itself is Unity."

Bhagwat Ji believes that the huge variety of traditions, languages, and methods of worship in India are not sources of friction among its peoples but are, instead, assemblies of a consistent civilizational ethos, showing India's deep spiritual strength, nation-wide. The Sangh's philosophy, from Bhagwat Ji as head of the Sangh currently, rests clearly on the ancient Indian expression of, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (The World Is One Family). Bhagwat Ji is not proffered India's global status as based on power alone, instead offering India's place in the world as a Vishwaguru destined to share India's better understanding of approbative spiritual wisdom, and a holistic approach to life, for the welfare of peace of all humanity. 

A key theme in Bhagwat Ji's discourse is the imperative of Civic Duty and Responsibility (Kartavya). He passionately encourages citizens to look beyond the mere claiming of rights and to actively contribute to the public good, stressing that a vibrant democracy demands the ethical participation and committed work of its people. This call to action is a powerful moral force. The focus on strengthening the basic unit of society through 'Kutumba Prabodhan' (Family Enlightenment) is another vital initiative of the current leadership. This effort aims to restore traditional family values, foster inter-generational communication, and ensure that cultural and moral education begins and is sustained within the home, securing the ethical foundation of the future society.

Bhagwat Ji has also positioned environmental protection as a spiritual and national duty, recognizing the ancient reverence for nature embedded in Indian culture. He promotes sustainable living practices, water conservation, and massive afforestation drives, aligning the RSS’s grassroots activities with the global need for ecological balance and demonstrating a holistic approach to nation-building that includes the environment. Under his guidance, the RSS has demonstrated remarkable institutional flexibility and modernization without diluting its core ideals. This adaptive leadership has made the Sangh highly relevant to a new generation, enabling it to leverage modern tools for communication and outreach, while simultaneously preserving the discipline and sanctity of its fundamental activities like the Shakha.

Mohan Bhagwat Ji's deep-seated humility is often reflected in his memorable quote that the Sangh strives to be "faceless, so that we don't become arrogant." This powerful statement underscores the organization's focus on collective ideology and mission over individual glorification, ensuring that the movement remains a humble servant of the people, dedicated only to the national ideal. The call for national self-reliance and complete strength is a recurring and powerful theme in the Sarsanghchalak’s addresses. He advocates that "India must be strong enough to face the world alone," meaning its strength must be so complete—militarily, economically, and spiritually—that its security and sovereignty are globally unassailable, a strength that is both righteous and invincible. 

As the Sangh looks to its second century, the comprehensive vision is encapsulated in the 'Pancha Parivartan' (Five Transformations): social harmony, family values, environmental awareness, national selfhood, and civic duties. These five pillars represent a holistic blueprint for a prosperous, ethical, and globally respected Bharat. The centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is truly a time for national reflection and celebration, honoring a legacy of profound selflessness and dedicated nation-building. The RSS, led by the inspiring vision and intellectual clarity of Aadarniya Dr Mohan Bhagwat Ji, stands ready and rejuvenated to continue its monumental work, lighting the path towards the dream of a 'Param Vaibhavam' (Glorious Apex) for Bharat in the century to come. 

( Author is Chairman of Centre for NaMo Studies (CNMS)
l Email : profjasimmd@gmail.com)