RSS Sarkaryavah calls for decolonisation of mind at Yuva Sammelan in IITG

Guwahati: As part of the centenary year celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Yuva Sammelan was organized at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, where RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale described the conclave as a mini Bharat, representing the country’s diversity and unity through youths drawn from varied academic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Delivering the keynote address at the conclave held on 22 March at IITG, Hosabale emphasised that every Indian language is a national language, while Sanskrit represents the cultural foundation of Bharatiya languages. Highlighting the civilisational orientation of Sangh traditions, he explained that RSS prayers, commands and band compositions are inspired by Sanskrit literature, Bharatiya Ragas and indigenous cultural heritage. Bharat welcomes noble ideas from all directions while remaining rooted in its own values, added the Sarkaryavah.
Organized by the RSS mahanagar unit, the program was attended by hundreds of students representing premier institutions including IITG, AIIMS Guwahati, National Law University, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Gauhati University, Cotton University, NIT, IIIT etc. RSS Assam Kshetra Sanghchalak Dr Umesh Chakravarty, Guwahati mahanagar Sanghchalak Guru Prasad Medhi, heads of educational institutions, faculty members and a number of distinguished citizens were present on the occasion.
Speaking on modernity, Hosabale observed that modernisation should not be confused with westernisation only. True modernity, he said, lies in embracing innovation without abandoning timeless civilisational values, describing Sanatan thought as eternal yet ever-renewing. He added that the RSS was founded with the objective of revitalising these enduring cultural principles and overcoming the colonial mindset that continues to influence institutions and intellectual frameworks even decades after independence.
Referring to Bharat’s civilisational unity, Hosabale cited thinkers like Kalidasa, Adi Shankaracharya and Ram Manohar Lohia, who emphasised on cultural interconnectedness across regions despite diversities. Quoting Lohia, he remarked that Lord Rama symbolically connected North and South India, Lord Krishna linked the East and West, while the philosophy of Shiva represents a unifying civilisational force across the nation.
Highlighting the Northeast, he noted that during the Assam agitation against illegal infiltration, Sangh swayamsevaks participated constructively, reflecting their engagement with national concerns. Diversity in language, customs and traditions, he said, should strengthen rather than divide the society, as a shared cultural consciousness binding the nation together.
He also underlined the importance of selfless patriotism, social organisation and character building, stressing that both individual and national character are essential for a balanced progress. Material advancement and spiritual value upliftment, he said, must move together, recalling Swami Vivekananda’s view that cultural discourse loses meaning if material needs remain unaddressed.
Discussing national transformation, Hosabale spoke about the need for both systemic reforms and social transformation to eliminate discrimination based on caste, creed, tribe or language. He elaborated on the concept of Panch Parivartan, emphasising preservation of the Bharatiya family system, promotion of environmental responsibility through daily practice, strengthening social harmony, improving civic discipline, and fostering a sense of national selfhood (swa) in education, industry and development models.
During the interactive session, Hosabale addressed questions on Hindutva, secularism, demographic change, reservation policy, drug addiction and national security. He stated that the state must treat all religions equally while maintaining neutrality rather than appeasement in religious matters. On drug abuse, he emphasised the need for social awareness alongside firm action against international trafficking networks.
Calling for the decolonisation of the mind in the age of artificial intelligence and digital transformation, Hosabale urged society to adopt modern technologies while remaining rooted in indigenous perspectives and cultural values. He reiterated that anyone working selflessly for the nation embodies the spirit of a swayamsevak, irrespective of formal organisational association.
Finally Hosabale urged the youths to actively contribute to national development, stating that Bharat’s civilisational vision has an important role in guiding humanity and that collective efforts grounded in ethical values and social responsibility are essential for building a strong and harmonious nation.