In a first, RSS invites govt official to Dussehra function

Defence scientist and former Director General of DRDO Padmabhushan V K Saraswat, at present a member of the NITI Aayog, is the chief guest.

For the first time in the history of the RSS, a person on government assignment has been invited to the organisation’s Dussehra function here on October 22.

Noted defence scientist and former Director General of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Padma Bhushan V K Saraswat, at present a member of the NITI Aayog, has consented to be the chief guest.

Asked if this is the first time that a person active in the government is coming for the RSS programme, a senior RSS functionary said, “Yes. In the past some who have earlier been associated with the government have come, like computer scientist Vijay Bhatkar. But it is for the first time that someone active on a government post is coming.”

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Saraswat, 60, is described in the NITI Aayog profile as “India’s most gifted scientist and accomplished researcher in both basic and applied defence research.”

“During his illustrious career as scientist to Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, Director General DRDO and Secretary to Department of Defence R&D, Saraswat is credited with development of liquid propulsion missiles such as Prithvi, Dhanush and Prahaar and is the principle architect of ballistic missile defence,” the profile added.

The RSS has always hailed physical might (purusharth) as a virtue and shastrapuja (obeisance to arms) is performed on the day of Dussehra to make the victory of good over evil.

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