3-day coordination meet of RSS, 32 affiliates begins in Andhra; demographic changes, drug abuse in focus

Visakhapatnam, Aug 19 (IANS) The all-India coordination meeting of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliated organisations began at Gudilova, near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday. 

The three-day meeting was inaugurated by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale through floral tributes before the portrait of ‘Bharat Mata’. 

The meeting being held at Vignan Vihar School has brought together key functionaries of RSS and 32 affiliated organisations.

According to RSS, the primary purpose of the meeting is to provide a platform for various organisations to share information about their activities, experiences over the past year, achievements, challenges and developments taking place in different spheres of society. The annual meeting is attended by the RSS top brass, all assistant general secretaries, and other central office-bearers. 

The coordination meeting is also attended by national presidents, general secretaries and some selected workers from 32 diverse organisations inspired by the Sangh, such as Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Bharatiya Janata Party, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Rashtra Sevika Samiti, and others. 

A total of 327 representatives are participating in the meeting. RSS leaders said 253 key functionaries from various organisations, including 49 women, are attending the three-day event.

The participating organisations will also share details of special initiatives undertaken during the year, their outcomes and the impact of various developments on public life.

Earlier, the Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of RSS, Sunil Ambekar, said that discussions will focus on how mutual coordination among the organisations can be further strengthened and how initiatives for the larger welfare of society can be taken forward collectively. 

According to him, these organisations have been continuously engaged in their respective fields and activities related to public welfare, creating social awareness, bringing about systemic improvements and addressing people's problems. They study issues concerning their respective sectors and, when necessary, engage in dialogue with society as well as governments in pursuit of solutions.

During the meeting, the organisations will share their activities, experiences, achievements and challenges in their respective fields. Discussions will also focus on strengthening coordination among all the organisations and exploring how they can collectively advance initiatives in the larger interest of society, he said.

The meeting will deliberate extensively on the prevailing situation in the country, social developments and key contemporary issues.

Ambekar said discussions will focus on the demographic changes taking place in the country, concerns arising from them and possible measures to address those concerns.

The growing problem of drug abuse among youth, its adverse impact, measures for de-addiction and coordinated initiatives that various organisations can undertake to create awareness among young people will also be discussed.