Rashtra Sevika Samiti

The Rashtra Sevika Samiti (National Women Volunteers Committee) is a Hindu nationalist women's organisation that parallels the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for men.[1] Even though it is often referred to as the "women's wing" of the RSS,[2] the organisation claims that it is independent of the RSS while sharing its ideology. Membership and leadership is restricted to women and its activities are directed to nationalist devotion and mobilisation of Hindu women.

The current Chief (Sanskrit: Pramukh Sanchalika) of the Samiti is V. Shantha Kumari (referred to informally as "Shanthakka") and its General Secretary (Pramukh Karyavahika) is Sita Annadanam.[3]

Rashtra Sevika Samiti Pramukh Vandaneeya Shanthakka addressing a gathering

History

Laxmibai Kelkar was the founder of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti. Before establishing the organization, Kelkar visited Dr. K.B. Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS, in 1936 and had a long discussion to persuade him regarding the need for starting a women's wing in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh itself.[4] Hedgewar, though, continued to restrict membership of the RSS to men. However, Hedgewar advised Laxmibai Kelkar to establish an entirely separate organization that would be autonomous and independent of the RSS, as both groups were ideologically identical. Hedgewar promised Kelkar unconditional solidarity, support and guidance for the Samithi. Following this, Kelkar established the Rashtra Sevika Samiti at Wardha on 25 October 1936.[5][6].

"Woman is the inspiring force for the family and for the nation.
So long as this force is not awakened, society cannot progress"

Laxmibai Kelkar, Founder of Rashtra Sevika Samiti.[7]

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 ofresponsible behaviour and social awareness in people. Various types of educational and awareness camps at different levels in all parts of India are conducted periodically.[8][9]

Active Shakhas (local branches with regular gatherings of members where they practice yoga, sing nationalist/patriotic songs, military training and have discussions) of the Samiti currently operate in 5215 centers. 875 centers conduct the Shakhas on a daily basis.[3] The estimates of active membership range from 100,000[10] to 1 million[11] It has overseas branches in 10 countries, which use the name Hindu Sevika Samiti.[12]

Samiti also runs 475 service projects all over India for the poor and underprivileged, with regard to religion, caste, creed, sect, gender, or ethnicity. These include Go Shalas , libraries, computer training centers and orphanages[13].

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;

  1. Matrutva (Universal Motherhood)
  2. Kartrutva (Efficiency and Social Activism)
  3. Netrutva (Leadership) [5].

3 personalities who stand for the above ideals, Jijabai, Ahilyabai Holkar and Rani of Jhansi respectively are held as a role model for every sevika. The organization believes that all women have the capability to create a positive change in their community[14]

Chiefs of the organization
  1. Lakshmi-bai Kelkar (मावशी लक्ष्मीबाई केळकर, Founder, known as Mavashi Kelkar), from October 1936 to November 1978 (her death)
  2. Saraswati Apte (सरस्वती आपटे, knows as Tai Apte), 1978-1994
  3. Usha-tai Chati (उषाताई चाटी, Aug 1927 - Aug 2017), headed the organization from 1994 to 2006
  4. Pramila-tai Medhe (प्रमिला-ताई मेढे), 2006-2012, currently acts as advisor
  5. V Shantha Kumari (शान्ताक्का, Shanthakka, born 1952); chief from 2012 to date
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See also

References
  1. "Indian Way of Life Only Option Left for World: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat". 11 November 2016.
  2. "Rashtra Sevika Samiti to open hostel for women in Dehradun". The Times of India.
  3. "Vandaneeya Shanthakka will be the new Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti". Samvada. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  4. "Remembering Moushiji Kelkar, founder Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti on her 110th Birth Anniversary". Vishwa Samvada Kendra. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  5. "10 things to know about Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the women wing of RSS by Rakesh Jha". www.inuth.com. inuth. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.}
  6. "Holier Than Cow by Neha Dixit". www.outlookindia.com. outlookindia. Archived from the original on 31 August 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2020.}
  7. "Vandaneeya Mausiji – Birth Centenary Year 2005". hssuk.org.
  8. Menon, Kalyani Devaki (2005). "We will become Jijabai: Historical Tales of Hindu Nationalist Women in India". The Journal of Asian Studies. 64 (1): 103–126. doi:10.1017/s0021911805000070. JSTOR 25075678.
  9. Basu, Amrita (2012) [first published in 1998]. "Hindu Women's Activism in India and the Questions it Raises". In Jeffery, Patricia; Basu, Amrita (eds.). Appropriating Gender: Women's Activism and Politicized Religion in South Asia. Routledge. pp. 167–184. ISBN 978-1136051586.
  10. Sarkar, Tanika (1995). "Heroic women, mother goddesses: Family and organization in Hindutva politics". In Tanika Sarkar; urvashi Butalia (eds.). Women and the Hindu Right: A Collection of Essays. New Delhi: Kali for Women. pp. 181–215. ISBN 8185107661.
  11. Bacchetta, Paola (1996). "Hindu nationalist women as ideologues: The "Sangh" the "Samiti" and their differential concepts of the Hindu nation". In K. Jayawardena; M. de Alwis (eds.). Embodied violence: Communalizing Women's Security in South Asia. London: Zed Books. pp. 108-147. ISBN 1856494489.
  12. Chitkara, M. G. (2004). Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: National Upsurge. APH Publishing. p. 168. ISBN 8176484652.
  13. "Know about Rashtra Sevika Samithi as well by Rakesh Taneja". zeenews.india.com. zeenews. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2020.}
  14. Banerjee, Sikata (2012). Make Me a Man!: Masculinity, Hinduism, and Nationalism in India (2005 ed.). In the crucible of Hindutva:Women and Masculine Hinduism: SUNY Press. pp. 121–123. ISBN 978-0-7914-8369-5.

Further reading
  • Bacchetta, Paola. Gender in the Hindu Nation: RSS Women as Ideologues. New Delhi: Women Unlimited, 2004, ISBN 8188965022.
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