In a unique move, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) shakha in Vejalpur in Bharuch invited the head of the local transgender community as its chief guest for the centenary celebrations and Shastra pujan organised on Dussehra. The event, which saw over 100 swayamsevaks in attendance, also witnessed Deepakuwar Masi performing the Shastra Pujan at the shakha where other guests also remained in attendance. The move is seen as a “step towards inclusion” in the RSS. An RSS office-bearer of the district, Pragyesh Mistry, said, “The RSS was celebrating the centenary year of its foundation on Vijayadashami. The first RSS shakha was inaugurated in Nagpur in 1971 and in 1981, the shakha in Vejalpur was established. We wanted to invite people from all walks of life to participate in the Shastra pujan on Dussehra and so, we invited Deepakuwar Masi, the head of the transgender community of Vejalpur. We are extremely happy to have her in our midst.” Deepakuwar Masi expressed gratitude towards the Sangh for inviting her for the event. "This is a fine example of social equality. They invited me as the Chief Guest and I am honoured. I hope it will send a positive message to society about our community," she said. Something ‘Extra’ The forthcoming Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference to be organised at the Ganpat University in Mehsana will focus on extraordinary entrepreneurs from north Gujarat region such as Karsanbhai Patel of Nirma Group while highlighting their success stories, according to a government release. Patel belongs to Ruppur village of north Gujarat. He started as an entrepreneur manufacturing and selling detergent powder. And at present the group is active in a number of sectors such as cement, healthcare, chemicals, education etc. The state government expects that the conference will provide an important platform for emerging as well as established entrepreneurs.
