RSS favored a properly balanced utilization of natural resources

NAGPUR, Mar 16:

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) favored a properly balanced utilization of natural resources in the wake of new wave of privatization and liberal economic policies. The ongoing Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) of RSS is likely to adopt a resolution on this aspect, informed Sah-Sarkaryawah Sri Dattatreya Hosabale here on Friday.

Hosabale was interacting with the mediapersons at Reshambag premises today morning after the formal inauguration of the ABPS by Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohanrao Bhagwat and Sarkaryawah Sri Suresh alias Bhayyaji Joshi by lighting the traditional lamp in presence of 1400-odd representatives gathered from across the country.

In response to a question Hosabale said that the Sangh was in favor of holistic, integral model of economy for the country. Economy based on such a model would consume less energy, create more job opportunities, and would not propagate the establishment of SEZs. He reminded the journalists that the RSS had adopted a resolution to this effect five years ago. However, time has come to have a rethinking on this policy in the changed scenario, the RSS functionary said. The resolution expressed the view of balanced growth and opposed the totalitarian approach. The RSS believed that the government has to play a limited role in regulating the economic activities and protect the rights of the people, he explained.

Replying to a question on live-in relationship Hosabale clarified that the RSS believed that this concept which originated from consumerist ideology was against human civilization and harmful to society as it would affect the family unit which formed the bedrock of our social structure. "The Sangh prefers and wants living together and not live-in relationship", he clarified.

To overcome the loneliness in old days one should devote one's time to social service activities, he said citing examples of Gurukul in Chitrakoot started by the late Nanaji Deshmukh and Vatsalya Gram of Didi Ma Ritambhara at Vrindavan. Engaging in service activities would take away the feeling of lonliness he added.

On role of organizing secretaries in the BJP, who are generally RSS pracharaks, Hosabale said that they are entrusted the task of building the organization of the party. They seldom interfere in the functioning of the government, he clarified. In reply to another query the RSS functionary said that Hindutva and politics were two different things. No party in India today could claim to be the party of the followers of only one religion. All Indians, irrespective of their religions and castes can be accommodated in the political party. The BJP had taken decisions in the interest of the country in the past and the tradition still continues, he added while explaining the entry of Catholics in Goa BJP or pact with Muslim League corporators in Nagpur Municipal Corporation.

Stating that the ABPS would adopt two resolutions during the three-day deliberations, he said that one resolution would come in form of an appeal to right-thinking people to come forward to thwart any attempts of dividing the society in the name of language, boundary dispute or water sharing disputes and taking advantage of the situation for political power. The other resolution would concentrate on judicious use of natural resources like water and appeal to the government to frame policies keeping in mind the rights of the people over these resources.

Explaining the scope of Swami Vivekananda's 150th birth anniversary to be celebrated during 2013-14 under the aegis of Vivekananda Kendra of Kanyakumari, Hosabale said that the programs would stress the relevance of Swamiji's thoughts in present times in respect to youth, dalits and rural populace, women's education and empowerment, and injecting nationalism in the society. For this massive training program of activists would be organized and literature would be published for distribution, he added. Plans are afoot to involve social organizations in this year-long program, he added.

Referring to service projects run by RSS swayamsevaks he said that there are 150,000 service projects being run in the fields of education, healthcare, economic self-dependence etc. throughout the country. The RSS activists were always at the forefront in case of natural calamities like the recent earth quake in Sikkim, and permanent service activities through Youth for Sewa or Cow-protection, or family counselling etc. The ABPS would take a stock of these service projects and deliberate on expanding the dimensions of these projects for creating a network.

Giving an example of Parivar Prabodhan program, he said that on one single day of January 28 1.25 lakh families participated in "No TV Day" program conducted once in a week. They devote their time in reading, social service or interacting with each other and other friends and family members, thus injecting them the social outlook.

Besides, the ABPS would also discuss the summer training camps of RSS. This year 71 such camps would be held in entire country in which 15-16000 swayamsevaks are expected to participate.

Massive programs were held in the recent past showing the strength and expanse of the RSS work in the country. One such remarkable program was held in Arunachal Pradesh in which over 500 swayamsevaks in full uniform participated. RSS chief Dr Mohanrao Bhagwat attended that program. Another such big program was held at Kanyakumari in which 17000 swayamsevaks from Soutuh Tamil Nadu participated and 50,000 general public attended the function. The ABPS would take stock of the situation in the country vis-a-vis Sangh work and its expansion, Hosabale added.