HYDERABAD: Bharat Mata mounted on a lion holding an “Akhand Bharat” flag in the backdrop, the top decision-making body of the RSS began a three-day-long brainstorming session on Sunday. The sprawling complex of Sangh-affiliated Shree Vidya Vihar High School, which is hosting the National Executive meet, has been named Bhagyanagar, which is said to be the ancient name of Hyderabad.
Over four hundred delegates, who are regional (prant) heads along with leaders of 38 saffron wings, will remain in a huddle at till Tuesday. The day began with the delegates massing in the sports field for the morning drill daily held in Shakhas (branches) across the country. Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Bhaiyaji Joshi led the drill.
Women in white golden sarees applied traditional tilak made of turmeric and red powder on delegates’ forheads while two hundred youths drawn from the vibrant IT sector of the city took position for organising various services.
“Most of us work in IT companies here. We are responsible for arrangements for delegates, including cooking food and serving them, besides standing guard to ensure all go well,” said Bharat Bhushan, an RSS activist.
Under the banner of “Rashtriya Karyakari Mandal”, Bhagwat and Joshi took positions on the dais, while others, in their 50s, 60s, squatted on floor. Four women who head a few RSS wings presented a contrasting picture in the men’s world. Incidentally, a majority of the delegates are pracharaks (bachelors) and mostly men.
Known for rigorous discipline and opaque to the outside world, RSS volunteers ensured that no outsider was seen even outside the hall. Outside the hall, slippers and shoes were left in perfectly placed positions. With the chanting of a Sanskrit shloka about Bharat Mata, Bhagwat led the deliberations, while the volunteers gently led the men with the lensmen and scribes outside.
Outside of the hall, an exhibition chronicles the lives of RSS leaders who died in the recent times as well saffron icons like K B Hedgewar.
Deendayal Upadhyay, who was deputed by the RSS to work for the Jansangh and the BJP, occupies pride of place as the Centre is celebrating his birth centenary. “His philosophy is relevant at a time when the world is dealing with consequences of the over-exploitation of nature, besides lack of dignity to men,” said RSS joint general secretary V Bhagayya.
After day-long deliberations, the delegates will collect in the field for the Sandhya Prarthana (evening prayers). It’s only once in six months that they come face-to-face with their top brass.