A Reflection on SSV

Having returned home from SSV and rather than looking back particularly at my personal experiences of the varg, there was one particular point of interests from a few which I felt strongly about.

Firstly, as a Praveen Varsh swayamsevak , i defiantly realised the step up in the quality of the bauaddhik and of the ‘char cha’ sessions. Despite only briefly doing so, we were actually able to take a step back and see Sangh for what it is. What is its structure, its ideology and distinguish the relationship between shakha and Sangh. Although the discussions still left me with many questions in my mind, I was still glad that such topics were at least attended to.

However, the topics of the bauaddhiks, as they generally are, were focused around taking inspiration from figures such as Shivaji or realising the deficits of the Hindu community and then being told to do something about it. I agree that focus should be around training and educating swayamsevaks about the problems facing us, however there should also be focus on developing practical solutions and not leaving swayamsevaks too open ended after the 10 days. This simply sends them away from SSV, powered up and ready to make a change until they realise they don’t know where to start and thus the inspiration fizzles away.

I propose an optional mentoring scheme to be offered to those who feel that they have an idea which they would like to develop. Therefore, over the duration of SSV, through the structured guidance of Shikshaks and Adhikari’s, the idea can be practically developed. Hence, come the end of SSV, that Shikshariti’s knows his job, he has a plan knows the viability of his venture as this would have been explored throughout the Shibhir. I feel that, with the recent momentum Sangh in the UK has had with new initiatives such as SIP, the Suryanamaskar Yagna and national SEWA day, now is the time to pay more attention to practical, tangible and measurable goals on a national and local level.

I feel comfortable raising this point particularly because having spoke to many senior karyakatas and the fact that none of them brushed away this point just comes to show that even on the top end, they acknowledge this issue. Of course, the challenge now is about how we ensure that something along the lines of this model is in place for SSV 2012. I will do my best to ensure that there is dialogue on this but it also requires pressure from more swayamsevaks who agree that there should be the opportunity to develop practical idea’s whilst at SSV.

As always, please feel free to share any criticisms or comments on this issue.