A few days back, I got a chance to attend a function organised by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Delhi state. I have attended many events organized by BJP, but I never attended any RSS event before this event. The event was organised in an open ground, a part of which was covered with tents for the event.
The swayamsewaks performed activities which they learnt in their 20 days long training Camp. It was to be followed by a speech by Shri Rameshwar, a Senior official of the RSS. When Shri Rameshwar stood to speak, a strong wind started blowing. The tent was tied to iron pillars from all sides, but due to pressure of the wind, it started shaking like leaves of a tree. All the pillars attached to the stage were also shaking. This all happened very fast. Even trained event managers couldn’t handle it easily and most of these swayamsewaks there were all untrained youngsters! The scene, for once, scared me so much that I thought of running away from the pandal.
The stage from which the main speaker was speaking was shaking like anything due to strong winds. I was pretty sure that the speaker will abort his speech and move from the venue. Who would want to stake his life for an event? What happened in next few seconds, changed my views for RSS forever. When the wind became strong, swayamsevaks quickly took positions. Those sitting beside poles, grabbed them strongly. They also untied all the tents from poles so that the wind pressure is minimized. Around 20-25 swayamsewaks ran towards the stage and grabbed each pole strongly to ensure that the stage doesn’t shake anymore. 6-7 swayamsewaks were holding each pole attached to the stage and made sure the events runs smoothly. Though the tent must have been of some tent-wallah, but his men were nowhere in sight. Swayamsewaks were holding each pillar of the widespread tent and ensured smooth functioning of the event. This everything happened within a couple of minutes.
But I must admit that the most astonishing thing that amazed me was the behavior of the speaker. The stage was shaking like a boat in a river, even one of the pillars of stage’s roof came out, which could even have caused his death, but he was as calm as if nothing had happened. Neither here was no sign of any fear on his face nor his words suggested so. He spoke for full 40 minutes as he was scheduled to, that too without even once mentioning the strong storm blowing there. The way by which these young swayamsewaks managed everything and ensured smooth concluding of the event, it was absolutely breath-taking. 2-3 swayamsewaks were tied to each of the pillar. Some even climbed on the pillars to ensure that they didn’t move any further. One senior swayamsewak, who was standing behind the main speaker on stage, was continuously looking towards the roof to ensure that the speaker isn’t harmed in case the iron pillar of the roof falls. He was on the stage which in itself was shaking badly due to strong winds and was held by 20-25 swayamsewaks who were holding the pillars of stage. Speaker put his faith on the karyakartas behind him while that karyakarta put his faith on the young swayamsenaks holding stage. What a bold statement of mutual trust it was!
While there was lots of turbulence, the main speaker stated that Sangh is an organisation which builds humans. I had heard this line many times but that day I actually realized what type of individuals Sangh creates. Speaker was a big RSS official. I am sure he won’t be knowing many of those who were holding the stage personally but he posed his full trust on their shoulders without even thinking twice. It was like putting his life in their hands.
May be this is the character-building that I have heard many RSS guys talking about. I shared here what I felt. These small things, in my opinion, make this organisation such a great one. We should attend RSS programs before forming opinions about the organization. I am sure you will like their dedication.
My best wishes to the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh.
