With schools closed, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) says it has seen an increase in the number of children (10 to 16 years) joining its shakhas in the state. Data shared by RSS functionaries also shows that the number of shakhas has increased by 5% in the last two years despite the pandemic.
With schools closed, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) says it has seen an increase in the number of children (10 to 16 years) joining its shakhas in the state. Data shared by RSS functionaries also shows that the number of shakhas has increased by 5% in the last two years despite the pandemic.
After the lockdown restrictions were lifted, the branches offered free tuition and sports and games were a major attraction. According to the Sangh Parivar estimates, from 4,404 shakhas in Karnataka in 2019, this number has increased to 4,614 by 2021.
“This is just our guess. We believe the numbers will increase when official figures are published,” said an RSS functionary. As schools were closed, children were deprived of physical activity and mingled and shakhas stepped in Officials say that the children just wanted to spend quality time with their peers.
Although the number of shakhas in North Karnataka increased from 1,108 to 1,363, in Dakshina Province (South and Central Karnataka), the number fell from 3,296 in 2019 to 3,255 in 2021. But the officials say that the concentration of the children has increased significantly.
Raghavendra Kagwad, a local RSS functionary in Belagavi, said a “record” number of children joined RSS shakhas during the pandemic. “We also started 50 more shakhas to meet this demand – 33 daily and 18 weekly shakhas,” he said.
Kagwad said that before the pandemic, there was an attendance of around 10-12 children in the shakhas for children in the evening, but now it has increased to 25 to 30. Local units have created new branches in places where demand is high and to reach out to the masses. In North Karnataka under the banner of ‘Subodh’, the Sangh provides free tuitions to the children which has been a big attraction. The Bala Bharati program in Bangalore has also received a good response.
In Dakshina Kannada, Kalladaka Prabhakar Bhat, Dakshina Regional Executive Sadasya said that a good number of children are participating in the activities even in the newly opened branches. But no one could tell the exact increase in the number.
CR Narendran of Karnataka Uttar Pradesh Pracharak said: “Children are reluctant to go home in the evening due to family activities. During both the lockdowns, our workers studying in colleges were asked to take tuitions of children in their respective areas in the name of Subodh. Apart from mathematics, physics and other subjects, he also gave moral education. ”
RSS sources said the number of children attending has also increased in Udupi, Raichur, Uttara Kannada and Kalaburagi. RSS functionaries said that people are eager to join him because of the immense social work done during the pandemic.
After the lockdown restrictions are lifted, branches offering free tuition and sports are a major attraction
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