Business image of social service should change: RSS leader

Opining that social service works should not be business, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarakaryavaha Suresh (Bhayyaji) Joshi asked social workers to try to build a better society by solving the problems of the poor and the needy, with love, compassion, and dedication.

"We need social service organisations to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, and to build a better society. To change the image of social work which is now being seen as a business in several cases, social service organisations should work selflessly and should win the faith of the society," he said.

Addressing a public meeting on the second day of the Rashtriya Seva Bharati's State-level 'Seva Sangam' programme here at Gokul Garden on Saturday, Mr Joshi noted that social service is not a thing to be taught in our country, but only its techniques and mechanism can be learnt.

Those who are deprived of basic facilities due to the caste system, nomadic tribes, and tribal people also consider themselves as Hindus and they are also children of Bharat Matha. We have to try to solve their problems, and to bring positive changes in their life, he added.

'Save Kappatagudda'

Sri Shivakumar Swamiji of Nandiveri Mutt at Kappatagudda gave a call to the people and government to save Kappatagudda in Gadag district which has rare medicinal plants which are under threat.

Capitalists have an eye on Kappatagudda as it has gold ore. We have already lost hills in Ballari and Sandur. Protecting Kappatagudda, which brings rain for North Karnataka region, is the duty of all, he said, explaining rainwater harvesting and sapling plantation initiatives taken at Kappatagudda.

Achievers Sri Shivakumar Swamiji, Dr Ramu Mulagi, Kumuda, Nanasaheb Patil, Siddharameshwar Patted, Ravindra Deshmukh, and residents of Kodambi-Ramnagar in Mundgod taluk (dispute-free village) were felicitated.

KLE Technological University (KLETU) Vice-Chancellor Ashok Shettar, Y Satish, Sundar Laxmanan, Pavitra Gowda, Govindappa Goudappagol, and others were present.

Youth convention

Earlier, Mr Suresh (Bhayaji) Joshi addressed the youth convention, and he called upon youth to come forward to do social service for the welfare of the poor, with good mind, heart and health.

India has a huge young population. We have not made sacrifice for the freedom of the country, but we are enjoying its benefits. Therefore, we have to strive for better future of the country.

Poverty, malnutrition, poor health, and education facilities in rural areas, corruption, violence against women and children, and bad habits among youth are major challenges our country is facing. Some narrow-minded people are running big movements. Youth should know the ground reality, and should come forward to solve problems, he said.

Asking youth to have moral values, good character, good culture, dedication, determination and compassion, Mr Joshi said, "it is our duty to help the poor in our society, considering their problem as our problem. If we do not do that, will Christian Missionaries come and do that?"

Young achievers Jannu Kolpate, Veerappa Arakeri, Suchit Angadi, Manjula Munavalli, and Vinayak Nayakoji were felicitated. Venkateshmurthy, and others were present.