Sravan Kumar Sarraju

RSS - My first impressions

Well today by chance i went to gurupujamahotsav and also a milan kind of event conducted by RSS to unite IT related people in RSS and also explain what RSS is to the newbies. After the event i realized that all the impression i had on RSS earlier was purely a misconception. Earlier i used to think that RSS is an organization which acts as a protector of Hindu's just like any other religious organizations, but its way beyond the reality.
I was surprised to see many intellectuals including people from IT holding respectable positions in various MNCS are volunteering the event in the typical RSS uniform. Later i was spell bound seeing a hindu muslim couple taking their seats in the meeting. I was really unable to figure out whats happening. Why on earth a muslim married woman is attending a RSS meeting!!!.
Later the event started and one of the senior associate of RSS has delivered a speech on the idealogies of RSS since its inception. This is the time my eyes started to open.
RSS which i earlier thought to be a pro hindu anti muslim organization is basically an organization which is evolved to bring up a sense of responsibility and patriotism among the citizens inorder to support and give a helping hand in eradicating the social meladies like untouchability, caste feelings, poverty and many more.
Its an organization which believes that the good taught by the hindu mythology must be practised to the betterment of the society.
Later i realized that the puja which is being done is not for any idol or any swamiji but for a saffron flag which symbolizes the idealogies of the RSS. They feel human is bound by limitations but not the idiologies. The following is a small paragraph in the pamphlet given by them during the event which gives us a glimpse of their ideology

"God gives us everything; let us also learn to give something.

Sun gives us light, air gives us fresh life and earth provides us food.

Let us also learn to do something that will benefit others.

The trees give us shade in the scorching Sun.

The beautiful maala gives us the fragrance of the flowers.

Let us learn to sacrifice for others like the benevolent tree.

Let us educate the uneducated.

Let us give voice to the oppressed.

Let us give a helping hand to those who have fallen back and spread the message of compassion and equality.

Let us light the lamps of efforts and illuminate the world".

Its basically whoever bounds their head towards the flag will strive for the betterment of the society and work for the upliftment of the backward and help the needy. Helping the unemployed by finding them jobs is also a part of the social service done by the organization.
After the event, i felt one must not come to conclusions unless he has a clear understanding on what he is concluding upon. From now though i may not be a hard core Rashtriya Swayam Sevak or not even a volunteer, i would atleast encourage one to join RSS if he has true inclinations towards social service regardless of any religion.