Nagpur will witness the launch of nationwide celebrations marking 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from Vijayadashami on October 2. The opening event will see RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat address swayamsevaks, while former president Ramnath Kovind will attend as the chief guest.
Sunil Ambekar, RSS Akhil Bhartiya Prachar Pramukh, said events will continue throughout the centenary year until Vijayadashami in 2026. "On October 2, former President of India Ramnath Kovind will be the chief guest at the Vijayadashami programme and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address swayamsevaks across the world. Bajaj Finserv chairperson Sanjiv Bajaj, Deccan Industries' KV Kartik and Lieutenant General Rana Pratap Kalita are the special invitees at the programme," Ambekar said.
Delegates from Ghana, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, the UK, and the USA will participate, and foreign media will cover the proceedings. Ambekar noted the enthusiasm among RSS workers for the centenary year, which will include events across the country.
During the centenary, Bhagwat and general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale will visit all RSS prants nationwide. Following the model of Bhagwat's three-day 'Sanvad' programme in Delhi in August, similar events will be held in Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Ambekar added that two-day programmes are scheduled for Bengaluru on November 7–8, Kolkata on December 21, and Mumbai on February 6-7.
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Cultural events will accompany the celebrations. Renowned singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan will perform ‘Sangh geet’ in Nagpur on September 28, Ambekar said.
Founded in 1925 by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, the RSS emphasised “vyakti nirman” as essential for nation-building. Ambekar said, "The RSS has more than 83,000 daily shakhas along with 32,000 weekly shakhas. During the centenary year, the RSS will reach out to citizens across the country to inform them about our ideology and work through the 'gruh sampark' campaign. Similarly, 'Hindu sammellans' will also be held in more than one lakh places nationwide."
On the organisation’s 100-year journey, Ambekar said, "I see a proud country with happy citizens which is taking global responsibility." Asked about the vision of a 'Hindu Rashtra', he asserted, "The country is already a Hindu Rashtra which Dr Hedgewar had said when RSS was formed. The work of awakening society about Hindu Rashtra, Hindu samaj, Hindu Dharma and Hindu culture is constantly going on. I feel people are understanding it and are coming forward to take part in this awakening."
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