By Prof. (Dr.) Parshant Bakshi
The year 2025 marks a historic milestone for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), one of India’s most influential social and cultural organisations. Founded in Nagpur on Vijayadashami, 1925, by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the RSS has now completed a century of dedicated service to the nation. Over the last hundred years, it has grown into the world’s largest voluntary organisation, with millions of swayamsevaks (volunteers) participating in its shakhas (local branches) and community activities across India.
From its beginnings as a small group focused on discipline and character-building, the RSS has evolved into a vast network working in the fields of education, social service, healthcare, disaster relief, rural development, and cultural preservation. Today, it stands as a pillar of nation-building through selfless service and unity.
Origins and Ideological Foundation
Dr. Hedgewar, a physician by profession, envisioned an organisation that could strengthen Indian society by instilling discipline, unity, patriotism, and self-confidence. The guiding principle of RSS has always been “vyakti-nirman se rashtra-nirman” — nation-building through character-building.
The Sangh’s ideology emphasises Hindutva, understood as a civilisational and cultural ethos rooted in Indian traditions, knowledge systems, and history. It believes that every person who reveres India as their motherland and respects its culture is part of this larger national identity.
Structure and Method
The RSS functions through shakhas, where members participate in physical training, patriotic songs, games, group discussions, and prayers. These gatherings are designed to nurture discipline, teamwork, leadership, and moral integrity, producing volunteers who contribute actively in all spheres of national life.
The organisation is hierarchical yet decentralised, led by the Sarsanghchalak (chief), currently Dr. Mohan Bhagwat. While not directly involved in electoral politics, the RSS has inspired and guided a wide range of affiliated bodies collectively called the Sangh Parivar.
Role in Nation-Building and Social Service
- Relief During Natural Calamities
RSS swayamsevaks are known for their swift and disciplined response during natural disasters.
In the Gujarat earthquake (2001), volunteers reached affected villages within hours to provide relief and rehabilitation.
During the Assam, Bihar, and Kerala floods, RSS teams ran relief camps, distributed food and medicines, and rebuilt homes.
Following the Bhopal gas tragedy, RSS workers carried out rescue and medical aid missions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, RSS-linked organisations arranged oxygen, medicines, food for migrant workers, and helplines for patients, serving society at large.
Their motto of “seva hi param dharma” (service is the highest duty) has guided this selfless work.
- Education and Rural Development
Through Vidya Bharati, RSS runs thousands of schools, especially in rural and tribal areas, providing value-based education rooted in Indian culture while also imparting modern curricula. Initiatives like Ekal Vidyalayas have brought basic education to remote villages.
Rural development projects under RSS and its affiliates focus on self-reliance, organic farming, water conservation, skill training, and women empowerment, creating models of sustainable development.
- Healthcare and Community Welfare
With organisations like Seva Bharati, the Sangh runs mobile dispensaries, blood donation camps, hospitals, and health awareness drives. Special focus is given to serving slum areas, remote villages, differently-abled people, and underprivileged communities.
- Preserving Culture and National Identity
RSS has played a vital role in promoting Indian languages, traditions, festivals, yoga, Ayurveda, and indigenous practices. Its initiatives in cultural preservation have helped strengthen the pride of Indians in their heritage and civilisation.
- Promoting Unity and Social Harmony
The Sangh has consistently worked for samajik samrasta (social harmony), seeking to bridge divides within society. It encourages unity across communities, emphasising that a strong nation can only be built on solidarity, equality, and mutual respect.
Expansion and Organisational Reach
Over time, RSS has inspired more than 30 affiliated organisations across different fields:
Education: Vidya Bharati
Students: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)
Farmers: Bharatiya Kisan Sangh
Women: Rashtra Sevika Samiti
Tribals: Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram
Social Service: Seva Bharati
This vast network has allowed the Sangh to touch almost every aspect of national life.
Recognition by the Prime Minister
The centenary of RSS in 2025 has been celebrated at the highest levels of the nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, himself a lifelong swayamsevak, hailed the RSS as the “world’s largest service organisation” during his Independence Day address.
A ₹100 commemorative coin and a special postage stamp were released in its honour.
The Prime Minister credited the RSS for instilling discipline, confidence, and cultural pride in Indian society and for its continued seva in the fields of education, healthcare, disaster relief, and tribal development.
A Century of Service
As the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh completes 100 years, it is recognised as much more than an organisation — it is a movement of service, discipline, and nation-building. Its dedicated cadre of swayamsevaks has contributed to society in countless ways: from disaster relief and social welfare to education and cultural preservation.
The centenary is a celebration of a century of seva (service) and samskar (values), and a reaffirmation of the RSS vision of a strong, united, and self-reliant India.
