Rashtriya Sevika Samiti
The Rashtriya Sevika Samiti (National Women Volunteers Committee) is a Hindu women's organisation with similar ideology to that of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. However it runs parallel with Rashtriya Swayamsevek Sangh and it is not a part or women's wing of the Sangh. Membership and leadership is restricted to women and its activities are directed to nationalist devotion and mobilisation of Hindu women.
Present Pramukh Sanchalika V Shantha Kumari (Shanthakka)[1] Pramukh Karyavahika Sita Annadanam[1]
History
Laxmibai Kelkar was the founder of Rashtra Sevika Samiti. Before starting the organization she visited Dr K.B. Hedgewar in 1936 and had a long discussion with him to convince Dr Hedgewar about the need for starting a ladies wing in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh itself, but Dr Hegewar refused. After looking at all the aspects of points presented by Laxmibai Kelkar he advised her to start a separate organization. He also promised to provide all the required support and guidance. Finally Laxmibai Kelkar started Rashtra Sevika Samiti at Wardha on 25 October 1936.[2]
"Woman is the inspiring force for the family and for the nation.
So long as this force is not awakened, society cannot progress"
Activities
Rashtra Sevika Samiti is today the largest Hindu women's organization working to uphold Indian culture and traditions. RSS women are actively involved in socio-cultural activities. Samiti inculcates a sense of patriotism and social awareness in people. Various types of training camps at different levels in all parts of India are conducted periodically. Fully active Shakhas (regular gatherings of members where they practice yoga, sing nationalist/patriotic songs, military training and have discussions) of Rashtra Sevika Samiti are functioning in 5215 centers. 875 centers conduct the Shakhas on a daily basis.[4][5][6]
Samiti also runs 475 service projects all over India for the poor and underprivileged, without regard to religion, caste, creed, sect, gender, or ethnicity. These include schools, libraries, computer training centers and orphanages.[4]
Rashtra Sevika Samiti focuses on Hindu women's role in the society as leaders and agents of positive social reform. Samiti teaches its members three ideals;
- Matrutva (Universal Motherhood)
- Kartrutva (Efficiency and Social Activism)
- Netrutva (Leadership)
The organization believes that all women have the capability to create a positive change in their community.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Vandaneeya Shanthakka as our 5th Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti
- ↑ Rashtra Sevika Samiti. google.books. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ↑ Vandaneeya Mausiji – Birth Centenary Year 2005
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Activities". hindubooks. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ↑ Menon, Kalyani Devaki 2005: "We will become Jijabai": Historical Tales of Hindu Nationalist Women in India. In: The Journal of Asian Studies, Vol. 64, No.1, pp. 103-126
- ↑ Basu, Amrita 1998: Hindu Women's Activism in India and the Questions It Raises. In: Jeffery, Patricia and Amrita Basu (Ed.) 1998: Appropriating Gender: Women's Activism and Politicized Religion in South Asia.pp.167-185.(zones of religion)
- Bacchetta, Paola. Gender in the Hindu Nation: RSS Women as Ideologues. New Delhi: Women Unlimited, 2004.
External links
- Vandaneeya Laxmibai Kelkar - The founder Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti
- Biography of Vandaniya Mausiji
- Organisation of Hindu women
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