Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Celebrates 100th Foundation Day in Chandigarh

October 12, 2025

Chandigarh: On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, symbolizing the triumph of righteousness over evil, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) celebrated its 100th Foundation Day. Established on this day in 1925 by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur with a small group of young volunteers, RSS has now grown into the world’s largest volunteer organization.

Centenary Celebrations in Chandigarh

In Chandigarh, the centenary celebrations were held at Ramleela Ground, Dhanas, presided over by the city’s RSS chief, Shri Vipin Vasudev, with Shri Pradeep Joshi, All India Joint Propaganda Head, as the chief speaker. The event witnessed the participation of over 510 volunteers, including 223 in full uniform, along with prominent local dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Pradeep Joshi emphasized that India’s holistic development can be achieved through self-awareness, environmental protection, fulfillment of civic duties, social harmony, and an ideal family system. He stressed that the growth and prosperity of a nation depend on citizens with strong character and patriotism. RSS works with the objective of nation-building through character development.

Guruji’s Legacy and Human Values

Shri Joshi highlighted the life and message of Guruji, stressing the importance of defending human rights and moral values. He said that all religions are equal and no one has the right to commit atrocities or force conversions. He urged individuals to protect their dharma even if it requires personal sacrifice.

Shri Joshi explained RSS’s “five points of transformation”: awareness of self, environmental protection, civic responsibility, social harmony, and family values. He emphasized that social cohesion is crucial for a strong, progressive nation, and that divisions based on caste, religion, lineage, or gender hinder national unity and security. RSS views the family as the cornerstone of Indian culture, values, and traditions, and works to strengthen traditional family values amid modern lifestyle pressures.

Environmental and Economic Responsibility

On environmental protection, Shri Joshi noted that reckless exploitation of natural resources and pollution have caused serious harm to the environment, negatively impacting human life and future generations. He stressed the importance of an eco-conscious lifestyle. He also highlighted economic self-reliance as vital for national development, advocating for local products, traditional skills, and self-sufficiency to reduce dependence on imports and consumerist culture.

Discussing civic duties, he urged citizens to be aware, responsible, and committed to their fundamental duties, including voting, paying taxes, preserving public property, following laws, and actively participating in social initiatives. Programs based on these five principles are being taken to communities across the nation.

RSS Volunteers: A Century of Service

Shri Vipin Vasudev, presiding over the event, praised RSS for a century of patriotism, service, and fostering social harmony. He highlighted that whenever the nation faces a crisis, RSS volunteers step forward to fulfill their national responsibilities. The celebrations concluded with a ceremonial Shastra Poojan by the volunteers.