In the Sangh’s working for regeneration and consolidation of Bhartiya society, cultivating character and moral values is given a pride of place. A major focus of the man-making process of Sangh is on the aspect of character moulding.The secret of man making lies precisely in the process of awakening the dormant torch of self respect present in even the so- called ” lower sections of the society. Such awakening is the only solution for beggary and such other parasitic tendencies.
The moulding of character through service by sawayamsevaks leads to social transformation.
Examples are galore all over the country where age-old internal rivalries and conflicts among castes, groups and personalities in villages,the bane of our rural life, have been resolved by Shakhas.
Religious programmes and social functions have added sanctity and gaiety to the village life. Untouchabilty and casteism have disappeared.Liquor finds no place in the social life. Even during the elections, the spectre of mutual acrimony and ill-will no more haunts the people. Few go to courts;all their mutual problems are solved by the village elders themselves. The village youth are busy in bringing amenities to their village.
The moulding of character through service by sawayamsevaks leads to social transformation. Service in the eyes of Sawayamsevaks is not fulfilling the physical necessities. Several projects for that purpose are taken up, e.g., during this COVID endemic period sawayamsevaks are distributing food, sanitizers and other items of daily use. In Pune sawayamsevaks under the name Samarth Bharat are sensitising the citizens about the need for corona testing besides educating them about precautions need to be taken during covid period.
The moulding of character through service by sawayamsevaks leads to social transformation. Vidya Bharti Punjab has taken up project of 350 sanskaar kendras(single teacher school )in slum areas in punjab. But the uniqueness of Vidya Bharti’s achievement lies else where. The following instances may be said to be typical.
The most neglected among those residing in slums are the children. They are literally left on the streets.A sawayamsevak started his work with the children themselves. The parents never took cognisance when bal sanskaar kendras and balwadis were started . But surprise awaited them when the children started touching their feet in the early mornings.They didnot know what it all meant. On being enquired the children told their parents that our teacher told us that our parents are our first gods and we should make obeisance to them as soon as we wake up in the morning. The answer put the parents in a fix. They felt ashamed of their vices like drinking, as it ill-fitted the image of Gods in the mind of their children! With the result,many of them avoided drinking in homes,especially in the presence of children. Their conscience was aroused.
The discipline instilled in sangh is basically a self-imposed one. This is so because of the spirit of intense idealism nurtured in the Shakhas and the examples set by seniors which convey their own silent message. The profound impact of this training on the sawayamsevaks has been in evidence right from the inception of the Sangh.
The real test for this quality of sawayamsevaks, however came in the wake of the assassination of Gandhi ji during 1948. Sangh Karylayas and houses of sawayamsevaks became the prime targets.In that hour of dire threat to life,limb and property of countless Sawayamsevaks, Shri Guruji’s instructions was crisp and clear: “Be calm at all costs. “All over the country, the same pattern prevailed. Everywhere the sawayamsevaks kept their cool. In punjab after assassination of Punjab Prant Sah-Sanghchalak Brig (Retd.) Jagdish Gagneja the sawyamsevaks kept their cool for defeating communal forces.
The unique tradition of spontaneous discipline has continued to this day. It has been in ample evidence during route marches.The presence of even a few Sawayamsevaks is sufficient to have a healthy impact on vast assemblies.
Sawayamsevaks had to face many a test when they had to choose between considerations of their commitment to principles and immediate benefit to themselves and their families.But Bhartiya society is overjoyed to see them overcoming such hurdles with radiant faces and sparkling eyes with a mission of Param Vaibhav of Bharat Mata.
Sukhdev Vashist is a writer on issues pertaining to Nation, Culture and Politics.
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