1. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh A Journey
Global Presence,
Growth and Origins
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Global Presence
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

7. 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

8. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Varg in the U.K.
Leicester, U.K. (2000)
European Delegation to Vishwa Sangh Shibit, Mumbai, 2000
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

9. Shakha in Guyana (Start)
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

10. Shakha in Guyana (GaNa Games)
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

11. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Shakha in Guyana (End)
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

12. Shakha in Korea Baudhik and Soorya Namaskar
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

13. Shakha In Korea (Ganesh Festival)
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

14. Yoga Session at Times Square, New York, U.S.A.
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

15. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Varg in Toronto (Dec 25, 2007)
Khel - Games
Samata
Baudhik
Yoga
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

16. 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

17. 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 ( )
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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Vistar across Bharat
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad
massive nation-wide student organization
Registered
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

27. 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

28. Bharateeya Mazdoor Sangh
WESTERN AND BHARATIYA PARADIGMS
These are the two entirely different paradigms with their entirely different value-systems, institutional arrangements and parameters.
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
WESTERN MODEL
BHARATIYA MODEL
Compartmentalised thinking
Integrated thinking
Man - a mere material being
Man - a physical, mental, intellectual, spiritual being
Society - a club of self-centred individuals
Society - a body with all individuals therein as its limbs
Happiness for oneself
Happiness for all
Acquisitiveness
Non Possession
Profit motive
Service motive
Consumerism
Restrained consumption
Exploitation
'Antyodaya' (unto the last)
Rights - oriented
Duty - oriented
Consciousness of others' duties
Consciousness of others' rights
Contrived scarcities
Abundance of production

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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) ( )
Shri. Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar upAkhya ( )
Shri. Madhukar Dattatraya (Balasaheb) Deoras ( )
Prof. Rajendra Singh upAkhya Rajjubhaiya ( )
Shri. K.S.Sudarshan (1998-present)
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

32. 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

33. 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

34. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
Sangh in Uniform
3000 “Ghosh” volunteers in Bangalore 2007
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

35. 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