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Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh A Journey. Global Presence, Growth and Origins. What is it? Vishwa mangala Hetave. socio-religious public organization volunteer-based organization, serving the needs of Hindus around the world. Preserve and promote Hindu Dharma and culture.
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Hindu Swayamsevak SanghA Journey Global Presence, Growth and Origins Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
What is it?Vishwa mangala Hetave • socio-religious public organization • volunteer-based organization, serving the needs of Hindus around the world. • Preserve and promote Hindu Dharma and culture. • Facilitate Hindus to appreciate, learn and practice Hindu way of life. • Instill pride and confidence in Hindus in general, children and youth in specific, about their identity. • Raise Hindu awareness in the society around. • Develop social awareness, volunteerism, discipline and leadership skills. • To serve the Hindu interests and Hindu Unity. • bring scattered, immigrant Hindu communities together (Hindu Sanghatana karye) • Games, Shlok, Yogasana, Geet, Prathana – with discipline • community activities, social services and religious work Surya Namaskar Yadnya Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
HSS (Shakha Estimates) • 4 “shakha” in the GTA • 2 in Vancouver • 120 in the U.S, Camp held in Hawaii • 25 in the Carribean • 20 in Guyana and Surinam • 1 in Jamaica, 1 in Panama City • Camp held in Venezuela • 88 in Sri-Lanka, 27 Mauritius (2007) • Presence in 34 countries Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Sangh Abroad • beyond the borders in 1946 • ship sailing from Bombay to Kenya • two passengers, both in Khaki shorts • Makara Sankranti of 1947, the first Shakha of Bharateeya Swayamsevak Sangh (BSS) • Deendayal Bhavan at Nairobi - hub of Hindu activity Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Glimpses • Myanmar (Burma): exhibit on life and message of Buddha • U.K.: Virat Hindu Sammelan • Indonesia: Gandhi Memorial School • U.S.A.: Hindu conferences by VHP • Daily, Weekly Shakha Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Global Presence Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Unique Identity • Same Goal, Vision, Ideals • Same Prarthana, Same Geet • Same Achaar-Paddhati • Same “Utsav” • Similar Operation • Same Structure • One “Guru” (Bhagwa Dhwaj) • Still believe in plurality Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Varg in the U.K. Leicester, U.K. (2000) European Delegation to Vishwa Sangh Shibit, Mumbai, 2000 Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Shakha in Guyana (Start) Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Shakha in Guyana (GaNa Games) Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Shakha in Guyana (End) Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Shakha in KoreaBaudhik and Soorya Namaskar www.hsskorea.comwww.hsskorea.org Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Shakha In Korea (Ganesh Festival) Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Yoga Session at Times Square, New York, U.S.A. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Varg in Toronto (Dec 25, 2007) Khel - Games Samata Baudhik Yoga Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
When and How did it start? Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: A Dynamic Power House • Unique phenomenon in the history of Bharat • a movement for assertion of Hindu identity • Based on the cultural and spiritual legacy of the land ('Dharma' ) • Social reconstruction demands the fostering of good character, discipline, self-restraint, courage and heroism • presence in social, cultural, educational, labour, developmental, political and other fields Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Formation of Sangh (RSS) • Dayananda Saraswati (Arya Samaj sought to counter the proselytization of Christian and Muslim missionaries) • Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Vivekananda, Arvind Ghosh and Bal Gangadhar Tilak had sown the seeds of national renaissance • 27th Sep 1925, Vijayadashami • Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (1889 - 1940) • After 80 years, now close to 50,000 daily shakhas • The RSS has been described by the 'Economist' as the largest non-communist revolutionary organisation in the world.The sangh is noted for its patriotism, nationalism,dedication, ideology etc. • Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were known admirers of the discipline, hard work and ethics. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Partition and Wars • In 1947, millions of Hindus were left unprotected in West Punjab (Pakistan). RSS sprung into action. Their rescue efforts helped bolster confidence and pride among the demoralized Hindus of the Punjab area. • The RSS ‘s humanitarian efforts during the partition had won it respect from the people of the newly established India. • Fearless Golwalkar Guruji: went to riot torn areas • During the Kashmir war, when Pakistan sent in armed raiders, Swayamsevaks fought the enemy on the side of the Indian soldiers. The RSS kept the supply lines moving and carried arms and ammunition for the soldiers through hazardous areas. (Andersen and Damle 53) • Help during the 1962 Indo-China war Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Sangh Vistaar (Growth) • Sangh Shiksha Varg • Volunteers with Fierce Patriotism, Dedication • Sacrifice towards a cause • Maharashta and Beyond (1933) • Galaxy of Pracharaks (Krishnarao Moharil, Dadarao Paramarth, Babsaheb Apte, Anna Sohoni, Bhaiyaji Dani - Kashi) • Laxmanrao Bhide: Vishwa Vibhag and first pracharak outside of Bharat. Visited 80 countries. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Vistar across Bharat Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
An ideal swayamsevak • Discipline, good character • Hard work, hardship, rigor in life • Sense of duty, responsibility • Leadership, organization skills • Sense of respect, sacrifice • Communication Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Sangh Affiliates • In 1967, the RSS encouraged the formation of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) • Seva Bharti • Vishwa Hindu Parishad • Vidya Bharti • Swadeshi Jagran Manch • Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad • Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh • Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh • Many Others Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Sewa Bharati • 300, 000 projects across Bharat, 100,00 volunteers • Active in many disaster relief efforts (Gujarat earthquake of 2001, Tsunami, Latur). • Extensive education and public health efforts amongst the tribal communities across India. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Sewa Bharati • Child Rights: Child labour rehab, one-teacher schools, hostels • Women Rights: Skills and education to develop financial independence • Rural Rejuvenation: Strengthening Indian countryside with technology, Green Revolution Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Sewa Bharati • Tribal Welfare: Nurturing the tribal talents and culture • Need based activity : Reach out during floods, accidents or calamities. • Medical Aid : Mobile Hospitals, Health services through Rural Health Volunteers • Self Reliance : Counseling for handicapped, Micro credit to the skilled youth Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad • massive nation-wide student organization • Registered 1948-49 • Harnessing intelligence, talent and creativity in the students for nation-building activities. • recognized as the front-rank student organization • Prof. Kelkar: life-long acytivist of ABVP Prof. Yeshwantrao Kelkar (RSS activist) Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram • Established in 1952 (Balasaheb Deshpande,Madhya Pradesh)) • Provide education to tribal brethern • Health, Education, Social organization, Economic development • Bring about their potential locally • Counter missionary activities Sewa Ashram (hostel) School – Vagai, Gujrat Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Bharateeya Mazdoor Sangh • labour movement, apolitical in character, based on Hindu tenets, was started in 1955 (Dattopant Thengadi) • 10 million members • conciliation in dispute and considers strike as the last resort • comprehensive interest of the society • Far ahead of Marxist organizations Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Vishwa Hindu Parishad • need to organise overseas Hindus residing in about 150 countries and provide them with necessary arrangements for upholding their Hindu samskars and faith in their daily lives • sadhus, sannyasins and orthodox mathadhipatis on a common platform • convert all those who had been knowingly or unknowingly proselytized to alien faiths • VHP formed in 1964 Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Bharatiya Itihas Samitee • Study Hindu history and culture • British wrote history with the intention of destroying the culture • Policy of divide-and-rule • Affected education system, alienated Hindus from native land • Reconstruct analysis with a indigenous perspective Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Sangh Structure 1942 • The Sarsanghchalak is the paramount leader of the RSS organization. The individuals who held the post are: • Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (founder) (1925-1940) • Shri. Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar upAkhya (1940-1973) • Shri. Madhukar Dattatraya (Balasaheb) Deoras (1973-1993) • Prof. Rajendra Singh upAkhya Rajjubhaiya (1993-1998) • Shri. K.S.Sudarshan (1998-present) Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Shakha (Branch) • During a Shakha, the activities consist of yoga, games, discussions on broad range of social topics, prayer to Hindu Dharma and an educational session (bouddhik) Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
HSS and RSS have an independent administrative and financial structure. The Shakha concept, as wll as its controlling ideology of “Hindutva” are borrowed from RSS. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Sangh in Uniform • 3000 “Ghosh” volunteers in Bangalore 2007 Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Continuing the Spirit of Sangh • Attend Shakha, and Grow it • Commitment to Hindu Dharma – pratice what is possible • Become a dedicated individual • Spread awareness in the community • Once a Swayamsevak, always a Swayamsevak Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh