Shimla: Marking the completion of 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a sanghoshti (intellectual session) organised by the local unit in Shimla on Sunday turned into a deep reflection on India’s civilisational journey and the road ahead, with a strong pitch for the Sangh’s vision of ‘Panch Parivartan’—anchored in its core idea of ‘man making’.
Addressing the gathering, RSS Sah-Prabhari Arun Kumar outlined the five-fold transformation agenda—social harmony, family values, environmental consciousness, self-reliance, and civic duties—as the guiding pillars for nation-building. He emphasised that at the heart of this vision lies “vyakti nirman” (man making), which focuses on shaping responsible, disciplined and value-driven individuals as the foundation of a strong nation.
Striking a reflective note, Kumar said the Sangh has always taken criticism in a positive spirit and does not seek credit for achievements in Bharat nirman. “The work of nation-building belongs to society as a whole. The Sangh believes in uniting people across caste, creed, and gender into one samaaj,” he said, adding that divisive forces have often tried to create both “viharik bhram” and “vicharik brahm” (social and ideological distortions) to fragment this unity.
He further pointed out that the country’s past also reflects “nearly 1,000 years of weaknesses,” which invaders exploited to establish their rule. Placing this in historical context, he said India’s strength lies in its ability to withstand and absorb repeated challenges. “From the time of Alexander the Great to incursions by the Sakas and Huns, followed by prolonged periods of Muslim rule and later British Empire domination, Bharat has faced repeated challenges. Yet its core civilisational ethos has remained intact,” he said.
He added that the past 100 years have witnessed significant positive changes in India. “Today, the country has strong infrastructure, a growing economy, and rising military prowess to count on as it moves towards the goal of Viksit Bharat,” he noted.
Kumar also asserted that the Sangh has consciously rejected dominant global ideologies like Communism and Capitalism.
“Both these ideologies have failed to address the deeper societal needs, and communities across the world are facing problems despite their adoption. The Sangh believes in a more holistic, society-centric approach rooted in Bharatiya thought,” he said.
Calling for urgent environmental action, Arun Kumar stressed the need to eradicate the growing plastic menace from the fragile Himalayan region.
He urged society to adopt a sustainable lifestyle rooted in conservation and mindful consumption, emphasising that ecological protection must become a collective responsibility.
Highlighting the vulnerability of the Himalayas, he called for building resilience through community participation and environmentally conscious practices to safeguard the region for future generations.
At the end of the session, he also responded to questions raised by the audience, elaborating on the Sangh’s role and vision in contemporary India.
Speakers at the event highlighted that as the RSS steps into its centenary phase, the focus is not just on expansion but on deeper societal impact through individual transformation. The Shimla sanghoshti saw participation from local intellectuals, volunteers, and community members, who deliberated on aligning traditional values with modern aspirations.
The programme concluded with a call for collective responsibility, urging citizens to contribute to nation-building through everyday actions rooted in discipline, service, and cultural awareness.
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