Rashtriya Sevika Samiti
Encyclopedia
The Rashtra Sevika Samiti (Devnaagaree: राष्ट्र सेविका समिती) (National Women Volunteers Committee) is the women's wing
Women's wing
A women's wing is an organisation affiliated with a political party that consists of that party's female membership or acts to promote women within that party. The organisations take different roles and types, with some giving women the option of joining and others automatically enrolling all...

 of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or National Patriotic Organization), also known the Sangh, is a right-wing Hindu nationalist, paramilitary, volunteer, and allegedly militant organization for Hindu males in India...

. Although a part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, its membership and leadership is restricted for women and its activities directed for the welfare of women.

Present Pramukh Sanchalika:- Van. Pramila Taiji Medhe

History

Laxmibai Kelkar was the founder of Rashtriya Sevika Samiti. Before starting the organization she visited Dr K.B. Hedgewar in 1936 and had a long discussion with him. Laxmibai tried to convince Dr Hedgewar about starting a ladies wing in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or National Patriotic Organization), also known the Sangh, is a right-wing Hindu nationalist, paramilitary, volunteer, and allegedly militant organization for Hindu males in India...

 itself but Dr Hegewar refused. After looking at all the aspects of points presented by Laxmibai Kelkar he advised her to start a separate organization. He also promised to provide all the required support and guidance. Finally Laxmibai Kelkar started Rashtriya Sevika Samiti at Wardha
Wardha
Wardha is a city and a municipal council in Wardha district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the administrative headquarters of Wardha district. Wardha gets its name from the Wardha River which flows at the North, West and South boundaries of district. Founded in 1866, the town is now an...

 on 25 October 1936.

Activities

Rashtra Sevika Samiti is today the largest Hindu women's organization working for the welfare and revitalization of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

. Samiti inculcates a sense of patriotism and social awareness in its members. Various types of training camps at different levels in all parts of India are conducted periodically. Fully active Shakhas (regular gatherings of members where they practice yoga, sing patriotic songs, and have discussions) of Rashtra Sevika Samiti are functioning in 5215 centers. 875 centers conduct the Shakhas on a daily basis.

Samiti also runs 475 service projects all over India for the poor and underprivileged, without regard to religion, caste, creed, sect, gender, or ethnicity. These include schools, libraries, computer training centers, orphanages, etc.

Rashtra Sevika Samiti focuses on Hindu women's role in the society as leaders and agents of positive social reform. Samiti teaches its members three ideals: 1. Matrutva (Universal Motherhood), 2. Kartrutva (Efficiency and social activism), and 3. Netrutva (Leadership). The organization believes that all women have the capability to create a positive change in their community

Further Study

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