‘Swa’ to fuel RSS expansion drive
3S formula, Swadharm, Swadeshi, Swaraj, to add heft to its exponential expansion in run up to its centennial in 2025
K.A.Badarinath
‘Swa’ will fuel the largest Hindu centric organization, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in its next phase of expansion as it heads to celebrate its centennial in 2025.
The threesome Swa defined by ‘Swadharm (positive dharmic Hindu way of life), Swadeshi (self-reliance) and Swaraj (independence in true spirit) will act as spring board in its next phase of expansion to over one lakh units or shakhas in India.
The ‘3S’ formula encompassing Indian identity has been prescribed as sure shot matrix to India assuming leadership role globally and ensure human wellbeing.
While these three very distinct ideas were bedrock of India’s struggle for independence during foreign invasion over centuries, they will provide ideological fodder to attain the pinnacle on socio-economic, cultural and religious fronts.
Big push to Hindu way of dharmic life that’s in sync with environment will support restoring the delicate human – nature balance that’s skewed owing to excessive consumption of goods and services.
Even on consumption or production front, RSS seems to have relied heavily on domestic sources of both ingredients, final products, processes and workforce given its unapologetic and uncompromising commitment to ‘self- reliance’.
This is expected to not only create new work opportunities in India but evolve the country to be a global hub for production of both services and goods to fill in the serious gap owing to disruption in supply chains internationally.
True spirited independence in thought, mind, spirit, action and evolution of Indian society is seen by the Sangh as a sure way to lead the world. RSS seems to have found its inspiration from ‘swaraj’ campaign of pre-independence days to unshackle the country from colonial British imperialists of pre-1947 aggression.
The 3S formula – swadharm, swadeshi and swaraj – are also seen as backbone to achieving ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’, i.e. universal brotherhood and human wellbeing to mark India’s resurgence. This primacy is expected to be based on her eternal values system and build on the country’s G-20 Presidency defined by this very theme around, one world, family and future.
Well, the Swadharm, Swadeshi and Swaraj postulation of the Sangh have come in wake of its already running campaigns on ‘samrasta’ (social harmony) and ‘swasbhimaan’ (taking pride in one’s self and his or her roots).
RSS general council three-day conclave held in Pattikalyana village near Panipat in Haryana did recognize serious challenges of fulfilling basic needs for 1.4 billion Indian population, carving out opportunities based on Indian beliefs in modernity, achieving holistic development through judicious use of technologies and new models that were eco-friendly.
If one were to go by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, strengthening the institution of family, swadeshi entrepreneurship and evolving the society based on harmony and fraternity will form the basis for New India shedding the Nehruvian model.
During ‘amrit kaal’, 25-years ahead of India entering its centennial year in 2047, RSS has emphasised on strengthening systems in education, economy, social, democratic and judicial institutions to take the leadership role globally.
Sangh with its hugely committed cadres and 3S growth song will work on five key fronts by forging social harmony devoid of religious, caste based or regional fissures and promote family values based on Hindu philosophy apart from pushing the envelope on ecological conservation.
While the Swadeshi movement will get a big push, sensitizing the people on their civic duty will be taken up by RSS to bring about cohesion in Indian society.
Population imbalance, ending socio-economic discrimination and reinforcing ideals of democracy in the wake of Rahul Gandhi’s comments in London is something that seems very dear to RSS as an organization and a force to reckon with.
Equitable participation of women under its own organizational umbrella beginning with family shakhas (units) or congregations and society at large is something Sangh will work towards, going by RSS general council deliberations.
Sangh has rightly come up with an accommodative stance on same sex relationships sans criminalizing choices made by individuals. But, it rejected the idea of legalizing same sex marriages as has been the case in over 100 countries.
(Author is Director & Chief Executive of non-partisan think-tank based in New Delhi, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies)