Hindus Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

RSS Initiative To Revive Family Bonding, Values

Dr. Shailendra Kumar Pathak In a rapidly evolving world, family structures and values are undergoing significant transformations. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a prominent socio-cultural organization in Bharat, has recognized the importance of preserving and revitalizing family values amidst the encroaching influences of Western lifestyles, consumerism, and woke culture. Through its Family Awakening Programme, the RSS aims to reconnect Bharatiya families with their cultural roots, drawing inspiration from ancient Hindu scriptures and multi millennia long civilizational experiences. In Bharatiya culture, the family has always been the cornerstone of societal structure. This belief is deeply rooted in Bharatiya spiritual worldview, where the family represents the initial step in the journey from “Me to We.” The traditional Bharatiya family, often extended and inclusive of multiple generations living under one roof, is rooted in values such as respect for elders, filial piety, communal harmony, and moral integrity. These values are not merely social constructs but are deeply embedded in the cultural and spiritual fabric of the nation. Family and its values are the key architects of shaping individuals’ personalities and moral compasses. They provide a framework for personal development, ethical behavior, and emotional stability. On a broader scale, strong family values contribute to societal cohesion, reducing crime rates and promoting social harmony and National progress . Studies have shown that children raised in families with strong value systems tend to exhibit higher levels of academic achievement, emotional intelligence, and resilience. The foreign invasions, intruder’s rule and the globalization wave have brought Western lifestyles into Bharatiya homes, often clashing with traditional values. While modernization and technological advancements have their merits, the uncritical adoption of Western lifestyles leads to a dilution of family bonds. Individualism, a hallmark of Western culture, often prioritizes personal goals over collective family interests, leading to fragmented family units. Consumerism, an integral element of western life style which is characterized by the relentless pursuit of material possessions, has significantly impacted family dynamics. The pressure to acquire and consume often diverts attention from familial relationships. Parents, engrossed in their careers to meet consumer demands, may inadvertently neglect their children’s emotional needs, leading to a lack of familial cohesion and support. The rising wave of Woke culture in pretext of social justice and political correctness, inclusiveness and equality has led to generational rifts within families. It is developing a common perception among new generations that Traditional values are outdated or regressive. This cultural shift is leading not only to conflicts between older and younger generations but blocking the intergenerational transmission of values and wisdom. Restoring family values and strong bonds is crucial in maintaining social stability and preventing the erosion of cultural and moral foundations. Families serve as the primary unit of socialization, instilling values, traditions, and a sense of belonging that strengthens individual identity and community cohesion. When family bonds are strong, individuals are less likely to seek meaning or identity in external influences such as religious conversion or the often polarizing narratives of woke culture. A solid family foundation provides emotional support, moral guidance, and a sense of purpose, which are essential in resisting trends that can lead to social fragmentation, individual isolation, and even national decline. By reinforcing these values, society can foster a more resilient and unified nation, capable of withstanding divisive influences. The RSS’s ‘Kutumb Prabodhan’ Initiative The RSS, inspired by Bharat’s glorious cultural heritage and ancient Hindu scriptures, has launched the Family Awakening Programme popularly known as ‘Kutumb Probodhan’ to revitalize the traditional Bharatiya family structure by reconnecting individuals with their cultural and spiritual roots. The ‘initiative was conceived by the RSS as part of its broader mission to strengthen the social fabric of Bharat. The RSS has always placed a strong emphasis on cultural nationalism and societal cohesion. The family is considered the most fundamental and important unit of Bharatiya society, and the RSS launched ‘Kutumb Prabodhan’ to reinforce family bonds and instill traditional values. The philosophy of ‘Kutumb Prabodhan’ is deeply rooted in Bharatiya cultural and spiritual traditions. It draws inspiration from ancient texts, teachings, and practices that emphasize the importance of family as the cornerstone of society. The concept of “Kutumb” (family) holds a significant place in Hindu culture and scriptures. It is seen not just as a social unit but as a foundation for spiritual and moral values. The RSS initiatives draw its inspirations from these scriptures and adopts a holistic approach to well-being, recognizing that family health is not just physical but also emotional, psychological, and spiritual. Key Initiatives and Activities The RSS Kutumb Prabodhan (Family Awakening) programme has seen notable success in fostering family values and unity across India. In Pune, a middle-class family, struggling with generational communication gaps, found renewed harmony after participating in the programme’s workshops. The sessions emphasized mutual respect and understanding, leading to improved relationships between the younger and older members. Similarly, in Lucknow, a family dealing with the pressures of modern life used the principles taught by Kutumb Prabodhan to prioritize quality time together, resulting in strengthened bonds and a more supportive home environment. In a rural village in Madhya Pradesh, the programme’s emphasis on cultural and moral values helped a family overcome internal conflicts, promoting peace and collaboration in their household. There several thousand similar family betterment success stories by the RSS’s initiatives. The RSS family awakening program’s holistic approach, combining education, community service, and spiritual guidance, has made a tangible impact on numerous families across Bharat. In a world where family structures and values are increasingly challenged by external forces, the RSS’s Family Awakening Programme stands as a beacon of hope. By reconnecting families with their cultural and spiritual heritage, the RSS aims to restore the sanctity of the family unit and promote a more harmonious and fulfilling human existence. The teachings of ancient Bharatiya Hindu scriptures offer timeless wisdom that can guide families in nurturing values, fostering unity, and achieving collective well-being. As families across Bharat embrace these initiatives, the vision of a society rooted in strong family values and cultural pride

Hindus Human Rights

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Akhand Bharat: Manifestation of Spiritual Nationalism

‘Indian Nationalism’ is quite different from European or the Western Nationalism. In this context, it is important to bust this myth propagated by the colonial and Marxist historians that the rise of nationalism in India was an outcome of British rule hence it needs to follow the paradigms set by ‘Western Nationalism.’ The trajectory of Western nationalism and Indian nationalism are altogether different. Arun Anand We have been talking about Akhand Bharat i.e. an undivided India since independence. Many people, especially the youth of today’s generation, consider this concept impractical. Those who oppose this concept often ask the question whether the formation of Akhand Bharat would mean that we will join Pakistan, Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries with present India as a geographical unit? Does the idea of Akhand Bharat include only the Indian subcontinent? Where do countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, which have a deep influence of Hindu culture, find a place in the concept of Akhand Bharat? Will any other country be ready to give up its existence and merge into a unit to make Akhand Bharat a reality? Is it even possible? The answer to these questions can be given in one sentence – Akhand Bharat implies a continuous cultural flow whose root is spirituality, not materialism. Therefore, geography is secondary in the concept of Akhand Bharat. It is not necessary that all countries merge with each other. The eternal consciousness of Sanatan Dharma and Hindu culture has been the basis of the dharma-based life of societies and communities settled on a large part of the earth. With time, this consciousness based on eternal values got lost in many regions. Led Islamic preachers and Christian missionaries, countries were invaded, cultures were destroyed and massive conversions by force were carried out. Exploitation, racism and colonialism were the hall marks of these campaigns. In Bharat too, an attempt was made to eliminate this cultural consciousness from eight century AD onwards. Unfortunately, there was no course correction after independence. But the consciousness based on eternal values is basically spiritual in nature, so it was not possible to eliminate it. In India, with the efforts of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and many other spiritual, social and cultural organizations, there has been a re-emergence of the Bharatiya consciousness. This consciousness is still prevalent on a large part of the earth. When this consciousness emerges in a strong form in various other regions, the dream of Akhand Bharat will come true. Even if all countries are not named India or Bharat on the political map, wherever the values on which Bharatiya consciousness is based are re-established, all those territories and societies will be a part of ‘Akhand Bharat’. Indian vs Western Nationalism One of the key reasons that has led to this confusion over the concept of Akhand Bharat is the absence of understanding the Indian concept of nationalism. What ‘nationalism’ means for Indians is however vastly different from what ‘nationalism’ means for the West. The time has come for the West to look at Indian nationalism from an Indian lens and not through their own perspective which is deeply flawed because of the oppressive and colonial character of Western nationalism. According to Merriam Webster dictionary, Nationalism means “loyalty and devotion to a nation; a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups.” The dictionary further mentions in an additional note, “intense nationalism leads to war”. Thus, nationalism, in the Western framework, is seen as an oppressive concept that leads to wars and conflicts. While the concept of ‘nationalism’ in Bharat or what we may call, ‘Hindu nationalism’ dates back to thousands of years, it is a very recent phenomenon in the West. The western concept of ‘Nationalism’ originated from the French Revolution in 1789. If you look at the map of mid-eighteenth-century Europe, you will find that there were no ‘nation-states’ as we know them today. What we know today as Germany, Italy and Switzerland were divided into kingdoms, duchies and cantons whose rulers had their autonomous territories. Eastern and Central Europe were under autocratic monarchies within the territories of which lived diverse peoples. They did not see themselves as sharing a collective identity or a common culture. Often, they even spoke different languages and belonged to different ethnic groups. The Habsburg Empire that ruled over Austria-Hungary, for example, was a patchwork of many different regions and peoples. It included the Alpine regions — the Tyrol, Austria and the Sudetenland — as well as Bohemia, where the aristocracy was predominantly German-speaking. It also included the Italian-speaking provinces of Lombardy and Venetia. In Hungary, half of the population spoke Magyar while the other half spoke a variety of dialects. In Galicia, the aristocracy spoke Polish. Besides these three dominant groups, there also lived within the boundaries of the empire, a mass of subject peasant peoples – Bohemians and Slovaks to the north, Slovenes in Carniola, Croats to the south, and Roumans to the east in Transylvania. Such differences did not easily promote a sense of political unity. The only tie binding these diverse groups together was a common allegiance to the emperor. Noted historian David Sasson who earned his PhD under Eric Hobsbawm, one of the foremost authorities on Western nationalism, observed in his introduction to a collection of essays and lectures by Hobsbawm ‘On Nationalism’, “In Europe, nationalism was the product of the ‘dual revolutions’, the French Revolution and the British Industrial Revolution. Some, such as the historian Elie Kedourie (who defined nationalism as a political religion), suggested that the invention of nationalism could be traced back to German Enlightenment thinkers such as Immanuel Kant and Johann Gottlieb Fichte in response to Napoleon’s occupation of German territory.” John Hutchinson underlined the true character of Western nationalism in Nations and War as he wrote, “The ideology of nationalism, powerfully articulated in the French Revolution, emerged in late eighteenth-century

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RSS Initiative To Revive Family Bonding, Values

Akhand Bharat: Manifestation of Spiritual Nationalism