A 20-day training camp organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the eastern Uttar Pradesh region concluded on Wednesday at Saraswati Kunj in Nirala Nagar, Lucknow. The event was attended by senior RSS functionaries and prominent guests, including RSS Sah Sarkaryawah Ramdutt Chakradhar and Padma Shri awardee and progressive farmer Ramsaran Verma.
Significance of 2026 highlighted
Chakradhar emphasized the importance of 2026, noting that it marks several milestones: the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda, the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, and the centenary of the RSS. He said these occasions serve as reminders of cultural continuity and national heritage.
Focus on character-building and social cohesion
Chakradhar underlined the organization’s emphasis on character-building and social cohesion through its daily shakha system. He stated that the RSS seeks to transform individuals from self-centered to society-oriented citizens, adding that volunteers have historically contributed during crises, including the Partition, wars, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said that every Swayamsevak lives for the Sangh. “Maithilisharan Gupt said that India is the crown jewel of the world; it was the first civilization to expand globally. There is no region in the world where India has not made a significant contribution,” he said. He recalled that at the time of the Sangh’s inception, people ridiculed Dr. Hedgewar’s work of Hindu organization, deeming it a daunting challenge. When people mockingly asked who claimed that India is a Hindu nation, Dr. Hedgewar replied, “I, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, say that India is a Hindu nation.”
Call to nation-building
Ramsaran Verma described the program not as an end but as a beginning of responsibility. He urged trained volunteers to work towards strengthening social unity and contribute actively to nation-building.
Camp details
The training camp saw participation of 289 volunteers from various districts across the Awadh, Kanpur, Kashi, and Gorakhpur regions. Over 20 days, participants underwent sessions covering physical training, intellectual discussions, management skills, service activities, and organizational work aimed at enhancing leadership, discipline, and social responsibility.
A “Kutumb Sahbhoj” (community family meal) held on June 7 marked a key highlight, where about 200 families of participants joined, fostering interaction and strengthening familial and social bonds.
