Across numerous towns and villages this past Sunday, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteers participated in impressive route marches, commemorating a century since the organization’s inception.
A particularly grand procession and public gathering took place in Gadag, where members and office-bearers observed the Vijayadasami celebrations.
The RSS was originally founded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur on Vijayadasami day in 1925.
From the Veerashaiva General Library, a substantial contingent of members, dressed in their distinctive Gana Vesha uniform and carrying batons, commenced their march.
Their elaborate journey wound through several key areas including Pt. Puttaraj Bus Stand, Grain Market Road, Basaveshwara Circle, and Saraf Bazaar Road. The march also traversed Huilagol Narayana Rao Circle, Mahendrakar Circle, and Shankarlinga Temple Road, eventually concluding with a massive public meeting at the Municipal High School Grounds.
Along the entire route, the public offered an enthusiastic welcome, with many streets beautifully adorned with garlands, thoroughly cleaned, and decorated with intricate rangolis.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, children were seen dressed as various national leaders.
City unit leaders, including Basavaraj Nagalapura and Maruti Kattamani, proudly led the procession.
That evening, Acharya Vimalasagar Sureshwarji Maharaj presided over the public function held at the Municipal High School Grounds in Gadag.
During his address, he shared his personal journey as a former Sangh activist and highlighted the significant contributions of RSS volunteers during times of crisis and various community events.
Nagesh Chinnareddy, a distinguished member of the Karnataka North Province Executive Committee of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, served as the chief spokesperson, delivering an insightful intellectual discourse.
Among the other prominent attendees were MLC S.V. Sankanur, District BJP president Raju Kurudagi, and community leaders M.S. Karigoudra and Ashok Navalgund.
Meanwhile, in Belagavi, two separate processions were organized. One commenced near the Sardar High School Grounds, heading south.
This procession moved along College Road, passing through significant landmarks such as Ganapathi Mandir, Rani Channamma Circle, and Nana Patil Chowk, before merging with another route at Tilak Chowk and ultimately concluding at Lingaraj College Grounds.
The second procession started from Lingaraj Desai Circle and wound its way through bustling areas like Khade Bazaar, Swami Vivekananda Chowk, and Maruti Galli. It also converged at Tilak Chowk, joining the first procession before reaching its final destination at Lingaraj College Grounds.
Notable personalities such as BJP leader Kiran Jadhav, former zilla panchayat member Ramesh Deshpande, and former Additional Superintendent of Police Shankar Marihal were among those who took part in these events.