history of sangh shiksha varg

The tradition of summer training camp has a unique place in RSS history and growth.This tradition is continuing for the last almost 90 years barring the years when the RSS was banned in 1948 following the murder of the Mahatma and in 1975 during the internal emergency declared by Indira Gandhi.

Early history 

The swayamsevaks are the very backbone of RSS. They are instrumental in spreading the work and fulfilling the mission of Sangh. Dr Hedgewar, the founder understood this very well. Thus, to mould the sterling leadership of the future, he introduced the concept of summer training camps for the RSS swayamsevkas as early as 1927.
That was convenient also. For, most of the swayamsevaks were students and have long summer vacations. So, in the beginning the training camp was designed for 40 days from May 1 to June 10 from morning 5 to 9 in the evening. Initially this camp was known as ‘Summer Camp’. Later it was known as “Officers’ Training Camp” (OTC) as the camps were perceived to be training classes to mould capable RSS officers who would carry forward the mission of RSS towards its goal. After 1950, these OTCs were replaced by more indigenous nomenclature “Sangh Shiksha Varg” (SSV). But the older swayamsevaks are still more familiar with OTC than SSV.
In the initial days more stress was laid on military drills and physical exercises for imbibing discipline. The orders were mostly in English. These drills were displayed during the public functions of the Sangh and would leave a deeper impact on the public psyche then. The founder Dr Hedgewar once explained the objective of this camp. He said: “This is a special kind of training. We conduct these camps to create specially qualified activists who would carry forward the Sangh work. Our aim is to create an activist who would understand the vision of RSS and dedicate maximum time for Sangh with deep commitment for mission and an attitude to mix in the society while doing Sangh work.”
The English orders were gradually replaced by the indigenous orders by 1939-40. As the Sangh work progressed and spread to other regions another such training camp was started in Pune in 1935. The timing for Pune camp was from April 22 to June 2 and Dr Hedgewar used to stay in that camp up to May 15 and afterwards in the Nagpur camp. He would personally meet each and every swayamsevak and establish with him most cordial relations inspiring him to devote time and energy for the Sangh work. In 1938, one such camp was held at Lahore.
According to a very senior RSS worker late B N Wardpande, these 40-day camps used to have entertainment programs every Saturday and a weekly off on each Sunday. Later these weekly offs were curtailed and the overall period of the training camp was reduced to 30 days and to 25 days in the recent past.
Initially, the selection process for the participants was through the respective shakhas. After some time selected students were sent to neighboring villages to start the RSS shakha during the summer vacation which began in April. They would stay there for a month, start a shakha and identify some newcomers who could take up the responsibility later and bring them to the camp. The syllabus was divided into three-year course. The first two year training is given at the respective provinces and the third year training is planned at Nagpur only.

The Nagpur camp tradition

Nagpur has a unique place and importance in the history of RSS. The RSS was founded here in Nagpur by Dr Hedgewar. Initially, all the prominent Sangh workers from Nagpur fanned out to various provinces and established the Sangh thought firmly in their respective areas of operation. The Reshambag premise, which was purchased  by Dr. Hedgewar for such purpose, now sports a full-fledged training centre with all modern facilities. The ‘Samadhi’ of Dr Hedgewar, his ‘Smruti Mandir’ and memorial of Sri Guruji is also located at this place. As such this is the land of inspiration for all the swayamsevaks. Hence, the Third Year Sangh Shiksha Varg is held essentially at Nagpur only.
The Third Year SSV at Nagpur is unique in many ways. The swayamsevaks come from different provinces of the country thus presenting a miniature India with all its inherent diversities and underlying principle of unity. They speak different languages, dress differently and have different food habits. But stay together as brethren; communicate in broken Hindi, try to learn each-other’s languages and foster unbreakable friendship and bonds of love and affection. They bear all the expenses of the camp including 25-days food, travelling, uniform etc.

Gradual expansion and changes

As the RSS work spread to new areas bringing in its ambit senior members of the society, the RSS leadership thought of starting separate camps for them. Thus an idea of separate camp for swayamsevaks between the age group of 40-60 materialized. Such camps are held at an interval of two years. More stress in laid on ideological and philosophical indoctrination besides in-depth training in sewa, prachar, gram vikas and disaster management program. The services of such trained senior swayamsevaks are utilized mostly in the multi-faceted service projects run by RSS and its affiliates countrywide.
The syllabus for these camps also underwent changes according to changing needs. The initial stress on more physical exercises has given way to yoga and unarmed combat techniques called ‘Niyuddh’ in RSS parlance. The most topical subjects like disaster management, prachar, service activities and rural development and bio-farming are added to the syllabus.
There is a selection process for the first year training camp too. In order to sift suitable candidates for this camp a primary training camp is held for a week’s duration. The number of participants in these primary camps or ‘prathmik shiksha varg’ (PSV) has also shown an encouraging upward movement. It is from these camps the first year trainees are selected finally.
Each camp has a ‘Sarvadhikari’ who represents the Sarsanghchalak. One Senior RSS functionary works as the ‘Guardian’ (Palak Adhikari) of the camp.
Sarsanghchalak,Sarkaryawah, Sahsarkaryawah and other senior functionaries reserve the period of this year exclusively for the sangh shiksha varg. Formal as well as informal interaction with them on various issues of society and Sangh is the aspect of this camp eagerly awaited by all participants.
Year after year these camps are growing in number in terms of number of camps as well as in terms of participants.

Sangh Shiksha Varg and Prathmik Shiksha Varg held in 2016-17

Total Sangh Shiksha Varg (SSV): 93

Prathmik Shiksha Varg (PSV):

RSS has its avowed mission to take this country to the highest pinnacle of glory. Swayamsevak is the instrument in achieving this goal and shakha is the way. To make this instrument more effective and capable to fulfil this mission such camps are held. The trained swayamsevaks have not only helped in increasing the number of shakhas but have fanned out to the every nook and corner of the country through the network of more than 1.5 lakh service projects awakening the tribals, Dalits, oppressed and exploited lots of the society to enlist their participation and role in fulfilment of its mission. The SSVs are part of the ongoing ‘Sadhana’ towards achievement of national reconstruction mission of RSS.