RSS spreads wings, sets up camp

AHMEDABAD, JAN 7: The state unit of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS plans a major expansion of its network in the state and the three-day Sankalp Shivir resolution camp that starts on January 7 is part of this plan.

8220;The aim of the Sankalp Shivir is to expand RSS activities to the remotest part of the state,8221; said Prant Prachar Pramukh Mukundrao Devbhankar.So far, the organisation has spread its network in urban areas and up to taluka-level, he said. 8220;Now instead of reaching out to all 18,000 villages, what we have done is to form mandals consisting of 10-12 villages each. For each mandal we have identified the main village which is known as mandal kendra,8221; he said.

Devbhankar said this was not a random, but planned expansion. In all, 1,750 mandals have been formed. In the cities, too, the RSS has changed its strategy of the past years to increase its span. 8220;We have divided city areas into blocks of 10,000 population, which are known as basti,8221; said Devbhankar, adding that in Ahmedabad cityalone 650 bastis were formed in the beginning of last year. 8220;In September last year, we held week-long shakhas at 450 bastis. As a result, the number of our up-shakhas sub-branches in the city has doubled from 150 last year to 305,8221; Devbhankar said.