Bhagwat said, “sensitivity towards the society was at the core of RSS’ service, which it would continue to render as long as there in sorrow in the society”.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat pays floral tribute to a picture of ‘Bharat Mata’ Tuesday, during his visit to Lucknow. Express photo by-Vishal Srivastav
THE RASHTRIYA Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) does not do service for publicity, its chief Mohan Bhagwat said in Lucknow on Tuesday.
“We do not do publicity. We don’t do service for publicity,” Bhagwat said, adding that “sensitivity” towards the society was at the core of RSS’ service, which it would continue to render “as long as there in sorrow in the society”.
He was speaking at the inauguration of a newly-constructed hall at Madhav Seva Ashram, opposite Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) in Lucknow on the last day of his two-day visit to Lucknow. The hall has been named Rajju Bhaiya Sadan on former RSS chief Rajendra Singh alias Rajju Bhaiya. The ashram, run by RSS, provides “affordable” food and lodging to the patients and their attendants who visit SGPGI.
While addressing the gathering, which included several BJP leaders, MPs and MLAs, Bhagwat said a swayamsevak is free from self-interest and there is no “motive” behind the service he renders. “RSS workers are taught about sensitivity with which they serve the weaker sections without expecting any returns… People should be served in such a way that the person being served feels he is not being neglected by the society, of which he is a part… Swayamsevaks should serve with such dedication that the person being served himself starts serving others,” said Bhagwat. He added that such dedication has led to the establishment of so many hospitals and other service centres. “There are 25 to 30 big hospitals run in the country that are run by RSS workers. We don’t publicise what we do because we are not doing it for publicity. This work is being done with atma prerna (inspiration from one’s soul),” he said.
Meanwhile, Shaista Ambar, president of All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board — an organisation seeking equality for women in Muslim personal law — met Bhagwat on Tuesday. After the meeting, she said she had gone to meet Bhagwat to request him to visit a lodge run by her for SGPGI patients near Madhav Seva Ashram. Ambar said she asked Bhagwat to visit the place, which also has a mosque, as it would send the message of unity among all religions. “He assured me that he will visit the place on his next visit to Lucknow. Whether he does or not is not important. Even his assurance sends a message that RSS is not against any community. I heard his speech and there was nothing against anyone in it,” she said, adding no one should have any objection in saying ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. – See more at: