RSS Centenary Celebrations: 30 Lakh Families Contacted in Odisha

RSS Centenary Celebrations: 30 Lakh Families Contacted in Odisha
Bhubaneswar, 20 March: The Akhila Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was held at Samalkha in Haryana from 13 to 15 March. According to the ABPS report, on the occasion of the Sangh centenary celebrations, swayamsevaks undertook an extensive Gruha Sampark (household outreach) campaign across the country. They reached approximately 3,90,000 villages and visited around 31,500 urban bastis (colonies). This Parivar Sampark Abhiyan resulted in contact with nearly 10 crore families nationwide.
In Odisha, swayamsevaks contacted about 30 lakh families, as stated by Odisha Purva Prant Sanghachalak Shri Samir Kumar Mohanty at a press conference in Bhubaneswar. He noted that through this campaign, swayamsevaks engaged with members of society, explaining the aims and objectives of the Sangh, which has been active in social life for nearly a century, and encouraged participation in nation-building activities.
Shri Mohanty further informed that various programmes such as Hindu Sammelan, Yuva Sammelan, and Samajik Sadbhav meetings were organised across the country, including in Odisha. These initiatives were centred on the concept of Panch Parivartan (fivefold transformation), comprising:

1. Samajik Samarasata (social harmony), aimed at eliminating caste discrimination;
2. Parivar Prabodhan (family awareness), promoting the family as a nucleus of cultural values;
3. Paryavaran Suraksha (environmental protection);
4. Swa Jagaran (self-awakening), referring to the removal of colonial mindsets hindering societal progress; and
5. Nagarik Kartavya (civic responsibility), focusing on public awareness of citizens’ duties.
   In Odisha, Hindu Sammelans were held at 1,398 locations, Yuva Sammelans at 73 places, and Samajik Sadbhav meetings at 227 venues. The programmes reportedly witnessed significant public participation across the state.
   At present, there are 88,949 daily shakhas and 32,606 weekly milans across the country. In Odisha, 3,041 daily shakhas are conducted at 2,516 locations, along with 580 weekly milans at 498 places. Seva (service) activities are being carried out in 13,714 bastis nationwide; in Odisha, 196 bastis are associated with such seva initiatives, while 172 bastis are linked to sampark activities.
   As in previous years, 96 Sangh training camps are scheduled to be held across the country this year, including three in Odisha. These programmes are planned in connection with the Sangh centenary, with an emphasis on the expansion of shakha activities.
   Referring to past initiatives, Shri Mohanty noted that swayamsevaks actively participated in commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. He recalled that Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed in Delhi for resisting forced religious conversions during the reign of Aurangzeb. The 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the national song, is also being celebrated across the country, including Odisha. Additionally, preparations are underway to commemorate the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas next year. Sant Ravidas is remembered for his emphasis on social equality and his influence on the Bhakti tradition, including figures such as Mirabai. In this context, a speech by Sarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale was also referenced.
   A total of 1,438 delegates from across the country participated in the ABPS meeting, including 46 delegates from Odisha. Alongside Sangh karyakartas, representatives from 32 affiliated organisations across diverse fields were present. The gathering also paid tributes to eminent personalities from across the country, including Odisha, who had passed away recently.
   Among those present at the press conference were Shri Sumant Kumar Panda, Pranta Prachar Pramukh of Odisha Purva, and Shri Manindra Sundar Das, Saha Pranta Prachar Pramukh.