SSV - Men From Boys

If I'm quite frank and honest, I've heard and observed several criticisms of our Sangh Shiksha Vargs* in the past few years.  These usually revolve around the lack of discipline together with the lack of general quality surrounding the varg.  In some cases there is genuine good reason to show frustration and anger, particularly when it concerns something as close to our hearts as Sangh.  But are we missing the point?

The fact that almost a hundred shiksharthis are ready to sacrifice ten entire days of their summer holidays stuck within the four walls of a school, having to sleep on a hard classroom floor, be awake by 6am, endure gruelling physical sessions and participate in mentally draining bauddhiks is incredible in itself isnt it?  Lets not forget that some of our shiksharthis are as young as thirteen! - How many thirteen year olds do we see doing the same thing as those at our SSV?

Shikshaks, Prabhandhaks and Adhikaris that despite the pressure of work and family are prepared to give up ten days to impart knowledge, sanskaars and wisdom.  But the biggest fact that we should take away from this is that out of SSV spring out men who share the ideals of Gandhiji, who have the determination and courage of the likes of Bhagat Singh and the charisma of a Krishna and a Rama.  This is what we are working towards, the empowerment of our youth.  

Where else do we such such bonds of affection that because they are sown so deep they lead to the shedding of tears during the time of departure.  This is the prem bhau that we develop in our youth, this is the spirit of brother hood that we spread, this is what we do in Sangh, this is what our Shakha is... 


*Sangh Shiksha Varg or SSV as it is more commonly known, is a ten day residential youth leadership camp.  The main aim is to mould and inculcate good values and sanskaars in our youth.

And so the journey begins...

One of the most amazing things about vistaar is that you can take a step back from your normal, conventional life and analyze the lives of others and the society at large. I mean how often do we really think about others, other than our immediate family and friends? What about the person who lives opposite? Or the person that you always see at the Mandir handing out prashad?

Amongst my interactions over the last few days, I met a group of senior karyakartas (workers) in Derby at the local Mandir. We had come together to discuss several problematic issues that the community had faced in the light of recent events. I was the youngest person present but I was pleasantly surprised at the Shraddha shown by the Derby seniors. Despite being old aged, despite not possessing the physical strength of their younger days, despite suffering from illnesses and other ailments, these karyakartas had made the journey to the Mandir to meet with us. Why? I mean most seventy something year olds would be sat at home with their feet up or at the park walking their dogs! The reason is simple and lies with the fact that this is not just a community, this is our community and we are very much a part of it. Their reasoning for doing community work also revolves around their ideals, around their principles - the principle of "Mein Nahi, Tuhi" (translates to "not me, you.")  They know that if they don’t strive to make a difference, then who will?

Let this be a lesson to us all and particularly to the young amongst us. Our lifetimes shall bear witness to change after change but our ideals, our principles and values, our Dharm should always stand the test of time, regardless of our age.