RSS holds Vijayadashami route march in Mahabaleshwar, residents shower flowers on swayamsevaks

A path sanchalan (route march) of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) swayamsevaks has been held in Mahabaleshwar town on Vijayadashami for the past few years, at the initiative of the swayamsevaks. It was held again this year. Swayamsevaks from different villages of the taluka had gathered at the Petit Library ground for the march.

The programme began with 'sampat', 'swagat pranam' and 'dhwajarohan' (flag hoisting). The march then set off from the Petit Library ground. The ghosh (band) section of the march drew particular attention.

The march passed through Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Chowk, the Mahavitaran office and the Ramgad area. From there it went via Koli Ali and Maripeth to School Mohalla, then from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk through the main market to the Holy Cross Church. The march finally returned to the Petit Library. Along the way, residents of the town on their own showered flowers on the saffron flag and the swayamsevaks. The sight was captivating.

The town's historic march thus concluded in complete discipline in the presence of swayamsevaks including Dr Abhay Shrihari Deshpande. Swayamsevaks from a five-year-old to a seventy-year-old elder took part in full uniform. Sanghik pad (group songs), subhashit (maxims) and amritvachan (inspirational words) were also presented.

Sanjay Sankpal Guruji then introduced the chief guest and the speakers to those present. Senior industrialist Sandesh, alias Nandu Seth, Ranade, the chief guest at the function, warmly praised the Sangh's spirit of service and its discipline.

The main speaker, swayamsevak Avinash Sutar, appealed to everyone to take up the work that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Sangh's founder and first sarsanghchalak, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, envisioned. He also spoke at length on the purpose of the Sangh's founding, its history and its journey so far.