Pracharak

RSS is known for its strong, highly motivated organization with a huge network. Even the critics admit that RSS is probably the only voluntary organization in the world. It is probably the longest surviving voluntary organization, which is ever growing. RSS status as the strongest organization can be attributed to its novel system of Pracharaks, who play a decisive role in the organization.

 

Pracharak system began in 1929, four years after formation of RSS. However, the first batch of four Pracharaks was in 1932. Four Pracharaks included Babasaheb Apte, Dadarao Parmarth, Rambhau Jamgade and Gopalrao Yerkuntwar. For easy understanding, Pracharak can be similar to the concept of Sanyasi, who gives up all materialistic life, stays away from family and engages with himself/herself with God or other religious work. In the case of Pracharak, he gives up all the materialistic and family life for the cause of nation building through RSS. It is a difficult task to be a Pracharak as one has to sacrifice all the luxuries and comforts of life.

 

He has to live a simple life with minimum necessities. RSS has two types of Pracharaks. Firstly, hundreds of Swayamsevaks decided to devote part of their lives for a few years for the cause of nation building. However, their period to be a Prcharak by the concerned Swayamsevak. Secondly, Swayamsevaks decide to devote their entire lives for RSS. RSS takes all care of their Pracharaks. One can find Pracharak from tehsil level to national level. RSS Prcharaks also work in RSS affiliated organizations but they are mainly engaged in organization building. The most significant part is that any Swayamsevak is never forced to become Pracharak.

 

It is absolutely his wish to devote his time to RSS. RSS Pracharak is not expected to have any individual or family responsibilities as he is expected to devote his entire time for organizational work. Also engagement and involvement in individual and family responsibilities is likely to deviate him from organizational work. Life of a Pracharak is full of detachment, which is very tough. RSS may appoint him at any place anywhere in the country when his abilities, qualities and other features are considered. Several people, out of respect, describe RSS Pracharak as an envelope without address.