Rss 360° Read online

  Thus, one is talking about millions of people fired with selfless urge to do something for the nation and ready to leave the comfort of home for the organisation and the country. One can easily understand why our secular-Marxist parivaar is so frustrated and mouths all kind of political profanities and throws wild allegations at RSS. These people realise that they cannot match this organised force with mere talk and misuse of propagandist machinery at their command.

  The thought behind this unique set of tools or working style of RSS through daily shakha is that a person should willingly dedicate atleast one hour in one’s day for the nation. Once, this thought becomes a part of his personality, he will, willingly, increase his participation as the nation demands. Ultimately he reaches a state of mind reflected in a Sangh song that says, “tan samarpit, man samarpit, aur yah jeevan samarpit, chaahata hoon maan, tujhe kuchh aur bhee doon” (i.e. I have dedicated my body, soul and life to you, O’ motherland, I long to give you something more)

  A shakha programme is held daily for one hour divided into various periods that include games, physical drills or yoga, songs, some intellectual inputs and prayer. All the activities ultimately tend to create a team of fun loving, hardworking people who share common ideas and ideal, and a sense of oneness. A volunteer is reminded time and again that the values learned in this one hour should reflect on his conduct in balance hours of his day. There have been some modifications to this system as times change. There are weekly shakhas and even monthly get-togethers for people who find it difficult to attend the daily shakha.

  Any person who has grown through this shakha culture can become a successful manager. A management thinker, Sandeep Singh, submits that a well trained RSS worker could easily qualify for Social MBA as enunciated by management guru, Mintzberg.

  Induction into RSS

  We have heard a lot about the need to ‘Catch them young’. Educationists and social scientists confirm that you can educate young children and inculcate good value systems (a much richer word in Sanskrit is “samskaar”) in them more easily. They carry these values through their life. Sangh has internalised this lesson right from day one. It is pertinent to note here that RSS refused to budge on the issue of inducting or allowing young RSS members, not just adults, when lifting of the ban in 1948-49 was being discussed.

  Doctor Hedgewar, the founder of Sangh was 35 years ‘young’ when he started the first branch (or shakha) of Sangh with a group of young boys on an open ground where they played some interesting Indian games together. Even today the most common mode of recruitment in RSS is the open play fields. The common theme running through any of these games is importance of team or working together other than the sportsman spirit. A young boy slowly gets involved into this fun loving group effortlessly. He also ends up learning importance of discipline, time management and physical fitness. This is a daily activity, thus reinforcing good habits regularly.

  Throughout this induction process, never is a member asked about his caste, his faith and social status etc. I had with me students belonging to Marathi, Gujarati and Marwari communities from various castes and religious groups about which I found out much later, that too during idle chat, not within confines of shakha. I had in my group, boys belonging to slums, small chawls as well as higher middle-class. We would be snacking together on the grounds once a week consisting of ‘chanaa kurmuraa’ (gram and puffed rice). We would visit each other’s homes and be equally at ease whether we were together in a chawl or in a big apartment. This intense mixing together with all strata of society without any class and caste distinction has helped me throughout my life in working with any kind of person, irrespective who they are and where they come from.

  Through all this, we would be guided by one or two simple, loving teachers or instructors (shikshaks) who could be working or studying in the day and spending their entire evenings with us, virtually all days of the week. We never felt the need to ask them how they managed their other worldly affairs or kept their families happy. I know of my teacher, Mahendra Shringi, lovingly called Mahiji, who chose not accept a promotion at the bank where he was employed, that would entail transfer to a new area which would not allow him enough time with his young wards. Incidentally, he was a film aficionado and would see a movie every Saturday with one or the other young members of his shakha.

  The very process of induction is so simple and fun that before one realises, he is adopted into the saffron brotherhood. The intellectual inputs come much later and they are not anywhere near, heavy stuff like Dialectic Materialism, let me confess. Since, these inputs are based on Hindu ethos and ancient traditions, understanding and appreciating them is much easier. They strike a chord immediately in one’s heart. I don’t know of many people who joined RSS as active volunteers after being convinced about its philosophy and ideology. Such numbers are minimal. In Vile Parle in Mumbai, where I was inducted in shakha, I can count such examples on finger tips. Yes, there are a huge number of sympathisers who are late converts. In this era of the Internet, I do find more and more people seeking ways to join RSS through Social Media.

  I once asked a very senior prachaarak of RSS, Bapurao Moghe, during emergency period, “No other country in the world has such mass level social organisation just to provide cultural values, inculcate a positive sense of patriotism and selfless love for the society. Why is RSS carrying on such an activity in Bharat?” His answer was, “World over these values are inculcated in schools but they are amiss in our schooling system due to perverted ideas about secularism and moral education. Thus, RSS is fulfilling a social obligation. If and when these duties are taken up by the government and schools, there will be no need for RSS.”

  Physical Training

  Though, the stress on physical drills is declining slowly over the years, it is still an integral part of RSS training methodology. RSS is on a man-building mission. i.e. nurturing ordinary human beings into a disciplined and cultured, socially dedicated citizens of India who would go to any extent to serve their motherland, help build the nation even at the cost of personal discomfort and harm. These drills are used as means to nurturing the basic qualities like discipline and ‘falling in step’ to march together and work together. When we see mass physical drills in various games opening ceremonies, it is sheer thrill and every one wishes to see it live. For example, the sheer logistics of bringing two columns of march past from two parts of the city to match steps and merge into one at a precise minute with a band that could match the best in the world is something that should earn respect from any person. It is a thrilling experience to witness it. It is equally exhilarating experience when one performs or sees mass yoga, surya namaskaar, physical drills for the sheer finesse of it. Ironically, when done by RSS, such drills become ‘dangerous’ and ‘violent’ para-military activities.

  The teachers or ‘shikshaks’ themselves are generally very proficient in the drills or games they teach. If they are not, they are encouraged to gain that skill from experts or through workshops and camps. Idea is to lead by example. We had excellent instructors or teachers – some in games, some in physical drills. My first teacher, Shivram Ghate, lovingly called Ghateji was an ever smiling relatively short, lean and sprightly gentleman who was a champion in Kabaddi as well as mock sword fight. He could exhibit a drill with swords in both hands. Till a few years before his death in his 90s he could be seen moving around on a cycle with the same alertness and loving smile on his face. He too had refused promotion to get more time for RSS work.

  Many critics are not happy that ‘offensive’ martial arts like exercises with wooden stick (dand) or niyuddha (adapted from Kalaripayattu of Kerala – the mother of all martial arts) are taught to the members of RSS. Incidentally, Kalaripayattu was taken to China alongwith meditation technique of ‘Chan’ that became ‘Zen’ later and there onwards by a Buddha bhikhu Bodhi Dharma. It evolved into independent martial art later. There are many sources confirming this history, but most interestingly a Pakistani website def.pk dedi
cated to Pakistan defence also confirms it. It would suffice to say that many people learn martial arts for self defence and more importantly to gain self-confidence and improve concentration.

  Many of my liberal friends are mighty scared of the semi-military drills that are undertaken in RSS shakha and its other programmes. They feel RSS uniform indicates a regimented mindset. They find simple wooden sticks or lathis as intimidating as AK-47s. For them, this semi-military activity puts RSS into the bracket with para-military organisations.

  Critics also look rather derisively at the Indian games that are preferred over western games in shakhas, considering them ‘backward’. Critics do not understand that all the games played in shakha hardly use any resources, thus can be played by any person irrespective of his or team’s financial condition. Most of the popular games being played in shakha like kho-kho, kabaddi and other similar games inculcate team and sportsmanship. They also help build strong body and endurance. There are hundreds of such games and there are small booklets available to physical instructors of shakhas that explain these games. Once the instructor says – Stop – one must stop, how so ever interestingly the game may be poised. So, even here, instilling discipline is of prime importance. One of the tricks taught to the teachers is to stop the game when it is at its peak and not when it was really over.

  One hour of shakha is divided into periods which may be of three to ten minutes each, based on the subject. Following one’s time table and appointments to the minute is the hallmark of RSS and its members. Utilisation of 60 minutes in small sections trains a swayamsevak to use every minute of his time productively and efficiently. This self-discipline and time management skill is one of the most important lessons one learns at a shakha.

  Remembering National Heroes Regularly

  For a person to feel inspired or motivated, he needs a role model. It is important that he thinks positive and works in any adverse circumstance. To keep up this spirit of nationalism and selfless work, RSS through its shakha programmes, reminds volunteers about various great personalities that Mother India has produced.

  ‘Bharat Bhakti Stotram’ – a hymn of national integration - is a virtual roll of honour that recalls all such great sons and daughters of India, starting from Vedic to contemporary times. They include ancient sages like Valmiki and Ved Vyas, the mathematicians and scientists from antiquity to modern time like Bhaaskaracharya, Charak and J C Bose, inspiring women like Gargi, Laxmibai and Channama, patriots and freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh, holy places of pilgrimage, our rivers and mountains etc. Famous poet Ras Khan also finds a pride of place in this recitation. It is recited regularly in shakhas to invoke inspiration from these personalities, and the greatness of this land. Shlokas in form of booklets provide significant information about these personalities and places. ‘Ekaatmataa Mantra’ explains the inherent unity among different faiths born from Hindu dharmic traditions.

  The personalities that generally adorn the stage during any special programme are Shivaji, Rana Pratap and Guru Gobind Singh. All three dedicated their lives to fight for Hindu dharma and protect it. Though stories are recounted about various great personalities to impress upon the young members the contribution of countless great sons and daughters of India made for its progress, these three occupy the place of pride.

  The person most quoted is Swami Vivekanand, who revived Hindu dharma at a critical juncture in history and gave it a modern perspective. He exhorted thus, “Too much of inactivity, too much of weakness, too much of hypnotism, has been and is upon our race. O’ ye modern Hindus, de-hypnotise yourselves.” Swami Vivekanand can be considered as the pioneer of Hindu missionary work. His Guru Swami Ramakrishna Paramhamsa saw god in every poor and he called the poor – ‘Daridranaaraayan’. RSS is walking the path that Swami Vivekananda has shown.

  Intellectual Training

  Truly speaking, there is not much of a stress on heavy intellectual training at shakha level as the RSS is more action oriented, and a volunteer is supposed to become an activist working on ground, interacting with people and spreading the good word through personal contacts. There are sessions for intellectual training with activities like imparting training in patriotic songs, singing together, learning and understanding RSS prayer, discourses on Indian history, culture and social issues. These sessions have an important place in creation of a swayamsevak or a volunteer and are given lot more time during workshops and camps.

  There are other regular rituals like reciting ‘Bharat Bhakti Stotram’. It is meant to recall and pay homage to the great Indian souls and the greatness of this land. An ‘Ekaatmataa Mantra’ comprising of a single Sanskrit shloka or verse was introduced a few years back which reminds one of diversity of faiths in Hindu civilisation and gives a message to respect them all, and reiterates that all of them lead to one - the ultimate truth.

  Songs (called Geet in Sangh parlance) invoking patriotism and reminding of one’s duty to the society are an integral part of the Sangh shakha. There are hundreds of such songs, some can be sung in unison as group songs while some are classical-based and are sung by a swayamsevak who knows his music better. These songs can be broadly categorised as songs for march pasts, energising songs of patriotism, songs about devotion to motherland, songs about social harmony and social reform. Some songs are composed for a specific occasion and people remember an occasion through a particular song for years. Many volunteers, enamoured by such classical music have got into serious music training and become accomplished artists. For volunteers well versed in such songs, there are enough ‘geets’ to have regular ‘antaakshari’ competition that can last hours.

  It is interesting to see a subtle shift in themes of the songs over years as national and social issues emerge and evolve. Most of the songs are written by some RSS activists or prachaaraks, while a few are adopted from existing literature. They can be Sanskrit, Hindi or local languages. In line with its philosophy of avoiding personal fame, names of poets are not known. Only once in a while one comes to know about the author of a song.

  There is another small activity of narrating a ‘subhaashit’ i.e. great words or saying. Generally, they are shlokas from ancient scriptures, or speeches of great leaders. Most of them are in Sanskrit. These are pithy commentaries about Hindu philosophy, principles of ethical living for individual and society, relevant and contemporary even today. A volunteer preferably learns it by heart and also speak its meaning in the local language. Having heard many of them over the years, one wonders why the newspapers in their ‘quotable quotes’ rarely give place to such shlokas or words of wisdom rather than quotes mostly from Western scholars!

  Honestly speaking, this intellectual training becomes tiringly repetitive as one grows over years. There are some occasions when one gets to hear a lecture that is off the routine and highly enlightening. I don’t recall many sessions where I was told about the scientific strength of Hindu philosophy that makes it a unique living faith even with passage of 5000+ years. For example, I hardly remember any lecture on the deep philosophy behind Hindu symbols and figures of Gods; nor were many references provided for scientific or technical achievements of our ancient scientists and sages. Such things were to be discovered by self. Yes, we were told about greatness of our scriptures, our heritage, our civilisational values etc. but for anything different, an activist had to find his own path. However, I have seen major shift in intellectual discourses in last few years, where topics mentioned above are regularly introduced and discussed in camps and workshops.

  There have been serious efforts to generate literature on the scientific basis of Hindu thought, its rituals and mantras, and well documented literature with critical references on achievements of Hindu civilisation in science and technology since ancient times, that would appeal more to today’s generation.

  A participant is encouraged to study various subjects and if he is good at it, also give lectures after proper preparation. Many of the RSS workers are very well read
and write well too, but since they are very busy running a shakha or taking care of multiple activities of the localities they don’t get time to write or study. Sometimes I feel unhappy in a case where an individual is really good at intellectual pursuit and active on field too, his energies are preferably channeled to field activity. There are some good examples, on the other hand, of some volunteers I know, who became established writers under the tutelage of their seniors who persuaded them to study certain subjects.

  When I reflect upon this training, I realize that it is not just intellectual training but it is also a sustained exercise in raising the “Emotional Quotient” that makes a volunteer sensitive to his society, his nation and his fellow beings. These exercises sensitise him about the problems of people around him that make a society. For example, an activist is explained about the Hindu philosophy of a human being incurring various kinds of debts (rin or ruun) when he is born on this mother earth and nurtured by society, not just the family. Society contributes to his or her growth in personal as well as social sphere. Thus, when a person does something for the society, he or she is only trying to pay back that debt as a duty, and is not actually doing any charity or favour to anybody. A volunteer brought up on a song like “Uchch hai wah shikhar dekho, main nahin wah sthan loonga, poojya hai wah matri-mandir, neev ka main ek kann hoon, pujya maan ki charan raj ka ek chhota dhool kann hoon” (See that high summit of Mother’s temple, I shall not take a place there, I am just a small piece of stone in the foundation of this temple, just a speck of dust in the feet of revered Mother) will not forget his moorings easily.