Unsung swyamsevaks force behind Sangh's long journey, says Bhagwat
1
2
Nagpur: "The growth and acceptance of the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
(
RSS
) today is the result of tireless efforts by countless unnamed swayamsevaks who worked selflessly for decades," said RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr
Mohan Bhagwat
.
He was speaking at the release of 'Sangh Jeevan – Volume I and II', authored by veteran swayamsevak Ramchandra Devtare, on Friday evening at the Shikshak Sahakari Bank auditorium.
Published by Nachiket Prakashan, the books chronicle the history of RSS work in Nagpur district, with special emphasis on the contributions of rural volunteers. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bhagwat emphasised that while the Sangh has now completed a hundred years and is widely recognised, its strength lies in the collective efforts of lakhs of silent karyakartas who remain unknown to the public.
"In the past, only the Sarsanghchalak and Sarkaryawah were publicly known. Today, even prant-level functionaries are known to people. However, the Sangh continues to function as a collective — nothing is done or said without consensus. It is the dedication and sense of belonging among swayamsevaks that drive our work forward," Dr Bhagwat said.
He also observed that many people form opinions about the Sangh without truly knowing it.
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"But those who come closer to the Sangh often experience a sense of learning and happiness. This is because our swayamsevaks naturally form bonds of oneness with others," he added.
The event also featured a brief address by author Ramchandra Devtare, who explained the inspiration and effort behind the two-part book series, which runs over 800 pages and captures decades of Sangh history rooted in village-level activism.
Freedom Was Not One Person's Effort: Bhagwat
Bhagwat also reflected on India's freedom struggle. "There's a tendency to credit one individual for the country's independence, but in reality, it was a continuous collective effort that began with the uprising of 1857 and culminated in 1947. While those who were alive at the time of Independence naturally received the credit, we must acknowledge that it was not the result of a single person's actions," he said.
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