PM Narendra Modi is set to address principals of nearly 1,100 RSS-run senior secondary schools at Vigyan Bhawan on the “role of principals in present academic and social scenario.” The three-day conference will be inaugurated by Modi on February 12 and will also be addressed by HRD Minister Smriti Irani, RSS’s BJP incharge Krishna Gopal, NCERT director Hrushikesh Senapaty and CBSE Chairman Y S K Seshu Kumar. RSS sources said February 12 was chosen for the PM’s address as the day will be observed as Vasant Panchami and Saraswati Puja this year. RSS sources said the programme was confirmed only on Thursday. This is first time since 1991 that Vidya Bharati, the Sangh’s frontal organisation working in education sector, is organising such a conference for principals of senior secondary schools. A senior RSS pracharak told The Indian Express, “We got confirmation from the PMO only on Thursday. The PM will spend around 70 minutes with us. He will address principals and will also have an informal chat with our senior functionaries.” Vidya Bharati is a prominent frontal organisation of the RSS. As many as 56 pracharaks work for it. This is the largest number of pracharaks working for any frontal organisation. Sources in the RSS said that while Atal Bihari Vajpayee had addressed two programmes of Vidya Bharati during his tenure as PM, this will the first time any PM will directly address school principals.
