Aimed at bolstering its ties with the masses and draw into its fold of intellectuals and youth, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is running a unique programme for IT and telecom professionals in the city.
Re-energised and elated by the victory of its political arm, the BJP, in lok Sabha elections 2014, the RSS is targeting to enroll youths — especially IT, telecom, management professionals — to strengthen its cadres in the city.Apart from around 30 shakhas (branches), organised on a daily basis to strengthen its links across the city, the RSS has come up with a special weekly programme to attract the youths of Chandigarh.
Besides, separate shakhas are organised for students. At present, the RSS is holding nearly 30 shakhas for the city denizens including senior citizens, students among others.The hour-long shakhas, which are held in morning and evening conduct various exercises like patriotism and moral values inducing lectures. Also, talking the cue from mainstream politics, the RSS is reaching out to the youth through social networking websites also.
The RSS Chandigarh unit has its own website and Facebook page, Twitter account to connect with the masses.“At present, 270 professionals are enrolled in our weekly programme organised at four shakhas in the city. The youth are significant part of the society and we are focusing to connect with intellectuals besides the college going youth of Chandigarh,” said Rajinder Jain, general secretary, Chandigarh RSS unit while talking to The Pioneer.
He said, “The weekly programme was devised specially for the professionals and the number of youth enrolling in the programme is increasing.” “Special Bal Shakhas are also held in the evening for school children in various green belts of the city,” he added.
Interestingly, the RSS Shakhas are now grabbing the attention of youths having political ambitions. The political journey of Narendra Modi from RSS Pracharak to Prime Minister of India and Manohar lal Khattar, from a low profile RSS leader to Haryana Chief Minister is today attracting a number of aspiring politicians towards RSS.
A telecom professional Rohit Saini, who is in-charge of RSSRs IT professional Shakha informed, “At the weekly professionalsRs shakhas, activities including physical drills, meetings, discussion on various issues, lectures on moral values among others are organised.”
He said, “This programme was launched in February this year. However, a large number of youth have joined it after the elections were held in the country. The number of youth enrolled in this, is 270 and is increasing every week. As of now, four weekly shakhas are held for professionals and considering the increasing number, one more Shakha would be started from coming Sunday.”
Notably, RSS played a key role in electioneering during the recent lok Sabha polls in Chandigarh. Over 500 RSS workers lend support to current BJPRss MP Kirron Kher poll campaign.Chandigarh does not have a separate RSS set-up and is considered one of the districts of the Punjab region of RSS.