After meeting with the cream of the diplomatic corps in New Delhi earlier in September, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat will be meeting policy mavens, Vice-Chancellors of central universities and heads of public sector units (PSUs) on October 6.
Debate on economy
The meeting comes against the backdrop of an ongoing debate on the health of the Indian economy and the RSS’s concerns over the issue, including those of its affiliates such as the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and Laghu Udyog Bharati, in the wake of the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and various policy interventions of the government.
The meeting is being organised by the Delhi unit of the RSS under its Vishesh Sampark (special outreach) department. “Sarsanghchalakji (RSS chief) usually meets people from different walks of life every year after his Vijayadashami address in Nagpur, this is nothing new,” RSS prachar pramukh (chief of publicity) Manmohan Vaidya told The Hindu.
Key invitees
The list of invitees, however, is interesting, with the Vice-Chancellors of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University and the Indira Gandhi National Open University and the heads of the Indian Council for Historical Research and the Indian Council for Social Sciences Research and the Director of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, listed as key attendees.
The chairpersons of Steel Authority of India Ltd., the National Thermal Power Corporation and the Railway Board and the Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences have been invited to the major event.
Sources say that out of the list of 50 to 60, most have accepted the invitation.
Reviving SMEs
In his customary Vijayadashami address in Nagpur on Saturday, Mr. Bhagwat sought protection for the small and medium enterprises currently reeling under the impact of demonetisation and the GST.
“While reforming and cleaning the economic systems, although some tremors and instability is expected, it should be kept in mind that these sectors (SMEs) should feel the minimum heat and ultimately they should get the maximum strength,” the RSS chief said.