Latest updates: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has arrived on the stage. After saluting the swayamsevaks, the volunteers began their yoga exercise. Before his address to the gathering, the Assam unit head Uttam Chakraborty is speaking.
The rally at Khanapara ground has begun with the organisers welcoming leaders from the tribal community in North East region. Not just tribal leaders but people from various fields in Assam have gathered at the venue. Speaking to media, BJP MP Shiladitya Dev said that only RSS can save Assam. On the other hand, veteran actor Pranjal Saikia called Hindutva a "way of life."
Speaking to Firstpost, Assam RSS spokesperson Sankar Das had said that the preparations for the mega event are complete and added that the outfit expects over 40,000 participants on Sunday. The rally is expected to go on for at least two to three hours on Sunday. The volunteers gathered at the ground are likely to sing the song 'Luitporia Hindu ami' (We are Hindus of Brahmaputra).
File image of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. PTI
RSS swayamsevaks as well as women volunteers have begun to arrive at the Khanapara ground in Guwahati. Final rehearsals are being conducted before RSS Sanghsarchalak Mohan Bhagwat arrives at around 1 pm.
It is for the first time that the RSS will be holding such a big rally in the North East. According to latest reports at least 35,000 volunteers are expected to be at the venue on Sunday. Security has been tightened across the venue ahead of the rally. Preparations for food and water are in full swing while more than 50 women volunteers worked on rangoli to welcome Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat and other leaders.
The RSS will be holding a mega rally on Sunday in Guwahati, where more than 33,000 of its members will be hearing the address by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat.
The Assam unit of the RSS includes some districts of Assam, the entire Nagaland and Meghalaya.
The 'Luitporia Hindu Samabesh' is being organised ahead of the 27 February Assembly elections in Nagaland and Meghalaya.
The BJP is aiming to make further inroads into the northeast after having formed governments in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
"A mega public rally of the RSS's Assam unit will be organised on 21 January in Guwahati. The meeting is expected to be attended by more than one lakh people, including over 33,000 Sangh workers," the Sangh's Assam publicity incharge Shankar Das told PTI.
Sangh members will perform different 'asanas' (exercises) wearing Sangh dress, he said.
Das said over 20,000 families from across the three states have decided to provide five food packets each for distribution during the rally.
With inputs from PTI
Published Date: Jan 21, 2018 15:13 PM | Updated Date: Jan 21, 2018 15:36 PM
Highlights
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat begins to address in RSS rally in Guwahati
RSS head of Uttar Assam Pranta Umesh Chakraborty is speaking right now
Mohan Bhagwat salutes the Swayamsevaks
RSS volunteers perform yoga
WATCH: RSS rally in Guwahati LIVE
RSS volunteers sing 'Luitporia Hindu ami'
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat arrives on stage
Assam cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on the stage
Tribal kings from Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura on stage
BJP general secretary and Northeast in charge Ram Madhav sits amid spectators in RSS uniform
Input from Chandrani Sinha, 101reporters
Organisers welcome tribal kinds and leaders of various satras of Assam on stage
Karyakartas strike a pose in front of the stage
Urmi Bhattacharjee, 101reporters
Veteran Assamese actor Pranjal Saikia speaks
Saikia says, 'Hindutva being a culture and not just a religion.'
Chandrani Sinha, 101reporters
"If anyone can save Assam right now, it is the RSS,' says BJP MP Shiladitya Dev
"If anyone can save Assam right now, it is the RSS. It is a national, cultural organisation that has the discipline to conduct a congregation of this massive scale. I invite all opposition parties and groups to come and see what the RSS really is," Dev said.
King of Angami tribe of Nagaland Nisthal Thal arrives at the venue
Chandrani Sinha, 101reporters
Totally prepared for the event, says Assam RSS
"There are no traffic jams in Guhawati. In the last 15 days, we have coordinated with the authorities to manage the traffic in city. We are totally prepared for the event now. The event is also beginning slowly. We feel that ther number may even cross 40,000 now," RSS Assam spokesperson Sankar Das told Firstpost.
Many prominent leaders to be part of event
Eminent politicians, heads of village bodies, 20 titular tribal kings — from the Karbi, Naga, Khasi, Hajong, Tiwa, Garo, Jayantiya, Mising and Hajong communities — and more than 10 chiefs of different satras of Assam will be among the dignitaries attending the rally. (Satras stand for institutional centres associated with Vaishnavism, a sect in Hinduism)
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
RSS has taken up initiative to secure Hindu culture
King of Mayong, a village near Guwahati that is known for black magic and sorcery, Tarani Singha says, "RSS and its affiliates have taken up the initiative to secure the Hindu culture. Hindutva should be protected, and that is why I came here to understand more about their mission and vision"
Chandrani Sinha, 101reporters
BJP MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa impressed with preparations
Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, BJP MP said, "Very impressed with the preparations for the event. An event of this scale has never happened before here, and I doubt it will happen again. It is high time the concept of Hinduism is reinforced in Hindustan."
The itinerary for the day
Image courtesy: Rishiraj Bhagawati
All bigwigs of RSS likely to attend rally
Sunday's rally, being organised in coordination with Luitporiya Hindu Sammelan, is an ambitious programme which was being planned since two years. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and senior leaders such as joint general secretary V Bhagaiah, Krishna Gopal Sharma and Dattatreya Hosabole will speak at the rally. Other national leaders such as Akhil Bharatiya Sharirik Pramukh in-charge Sunil Kulkarni and Saha Sampark Pramukh (public relations chief) Sunil Deshpandey will also be present. The programme is scheduled to begin with the 35,000-strong volunteer force singing 'Ami Luit Poriya Hindu' (we're Hindus of Brahmaputra valley).
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
RSS volunteers have begun to gather in Guwahati
In the video, one can hear in the background: "RSS karyakartas from both sides of brahmaputra river have assembled together. We wish to conduct our service sincerely and dedicatedly with order and discipline."
Urmi Bhattacharjee, 101 Reporters
Last-minute preparations underway
Swayamsevaks are also being asked to refrain from using mobile phones until the end of the ceremony in Guwahati.
The heat forcing many to bury their faces!
Swayamsevaks being asked to take their respective positions and be ready for the drill as the dignitaries have started coming in
Urmi Bhattacharjee, 101 Reporters
Members of RSS band arrive at location
RSS to broadcast event through social media
The RSS will be broadcasting Mohan Bhagwat's speech LIVE through its official account on Facebook as well as Twitter.
Women volunteers gearing up for event
Urmi Bhattacharjee, 101reporters
RSS volunteers outside the venue
Visual from the RSS rally in Guwahati
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
RSS Assam spokesperson Sankar Das says physical exercises will go on until RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat arrives at 1.00pm
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
Swayamsevaks in the 14-35 age group fall in for the physical exercise
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
RSS affiliate Vishwa Samvad Kendra prepares food for participants
Biggest RSS rally in North East
About 35,000 swayamsevaks (volunteers) from across the North East will converge in Guwahati for the programme. It's for the first time that the Hindu nationalist body is organising an event of this magnitude in the North East. Since 1994, the region has seen RSS gatherings in smaller cities like Dibrugarh and Shillong, but these never witnessed crowds of over 3,000 to 4,000.
By Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
Saffron flags seen from kilometres away en route Khanapara ground
Early history of RSS in North East
The RSS became operational in the country's North East in the mid-1940s when it set up its first base in undivided Assam, which then comprised the present-day states of Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya. For administrative purposes, the Sangh's northeastern arm is divided into two parts: Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, along with the southern parts of Assam, fall under the Dakshin Assam division. Northern parts of the state, along with Meghalaya and Nagaland, make up the Uttar Assam division.
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
Khanapara ground venue in the morning
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
Nearly 75,000 volunteers expected to attend event, says RSS functionary
Khagen Saikia, a senior RSS volunteer, behind the desk, was busy asking his colleagues if they had had their lunch, aside from responding to various queries. When asked about the kind of attendance expected on Sunday, Saikia said they were expecting over one lakh people in total. Das later confirmed that the number was actually closer to 75,000 with around 35,000 RSS karyakartas in uniform and 40,000 people as part of the audience.
Sangh leaving no stone unturned to ensure it tastes success in North East
Sankar Das, spokesperson for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), calls the organisation's mega rally on Sunday a "test". "This is the largest-ever congregation organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). More than an event, this is actually a test for us," Das said.
Cartons filled with food packets collected from residents in the neighborhood
WATCH: Pranab Chakravarty - Sanskar Bharati general secretary speaks
It is to be noted that Chakravarty been an RSS member for 53 years.
Preparations in full swing at Khanapara ground
Guwahati students have been posted on duty as Swayamsevaks at the Khanapara ground.
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
Security tightened across the venue ahead of rally
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
RSS rally ahead of elections in North Eastern states
The Assam unit of the RSS includes some districts of Assam, the entire Nagaland and Meghalaya. The 'Luitporia Hindu Samabesh' is being organised ahead of the 27 February Assembly elections in Nagaland and Meghalaya.
PTI
Preparations underway at the venue
More than 50 women volunteers worked on drawing rangoli to welcome Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat and other leaders.
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
Food packets for rally attendees
RSS mega rally in Guhawati today
The RSS is going to hold a mega rally on Sunday in Guwahati, where more than 33,000 of its members in Sangh uniform will perform yoga, it publicity incharge said on Friday. The rally will be addressed by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat.
15:36 (IST)
Visual from the RSS rally in Guwahati
Images courtesy Rishiraj Bhagawati
15:30 (IST)
"Sangh's strength is not to scare anyone or dominate anybody, it is for social causes," Mohan Bhagwat says
"The Sangh's strength is not to scare anyone or dominate anybody, it is for social causes. Don't just remain a spectator, as a sympathiser, learn to come down and learn the culture of the Sangh. Mothers and sisters need to send their sons to the Sangh's shakhas and teach them our vision," Mohan Bhagwat says as he ends his speech.
Input from Chandrani Sinha, 101reporters
15:23 (IST)
"India forgot its enmity with Pakistan, but Pakistan did not forget," says Mohan Bhagwat.
Input from Chandrani Sinha, 101reporters
15:08 (IST)
Accept and respect all diversity, RSS chief says
"Accept and respect all diversity. This is how humanity in this lifetime is accomplished. We have this uniqueness of diversity gifted to us by our motherland," Mohan Bhagwat reiterated at the Guwahati rally. "Sujala suphala malayajashitala..." was how abundant out motherland was, this made us open and broadminded which led us to welcome more and more people...Nature protected us and blessed us with this abundance," he added.
Input from Urmi Bhattacharjee, 101reporters
15:04 (IST)
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat talks about values of the Vedic age as modern age technology drives a drone capturing the moment
Input from Rishiraj Bhagawati
14:59 (IST)
Respect diversity to find inner happiness, Mohan Bhagwat says
"Our uniqueness lies in diversity or religion and different ways of life...but at the core, our essence is all same. We need to seek happiness within, even the illiterate people in India are wise enough to know this truth that many in the world fails to understand," The RSS chief said at the rally. "There is diversity in the world, respect it and then do darshan of this unity in diversity.. then only will your life be fruitful," he added, advocating the need for unity.
14:54 (IST)
The audience listens to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat with rapt attention as he begins his speech in Hindi to welcome everyone present at the rally.
Input from Chandrani Sinha, 101reporters
14:51 (IST)
Struggling world is looking at India for a path towards world peace, Mohan Bhagwat says
"To bring our country back on its feet is the goal of RSS. It is not a selfish or parochial motive. There is a need for it. Around the world, humanity has for the past 2,000 years, tried many things for world peace, But they have failed. They need a new route and India will provide that new path for the people. India has been doing so since millenniums," RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said at the RSS rally in Guwahati.
"As a nation state, we have the right to give enlightenment for struggling world. The time is ripe for it. It may seem difficult and impossible for some, but with efforts and self-discipline, we can achieve these goals," he added.
14:42 (IST)
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat begins to address in RSS rally in Guwahati
14:36 (IST)
Assam RSS Secretary Umesh Chakraborty addresses the rally in Guwahati
Invoking Lachit Borphukan, Umesh Chakraborty says we must protect the soil of Assam and the North East to "save" the region. He asks every citizen to go back to their village once in a while and make sure there is equitable development.
14:27 (IST)
RSS head of Uttar Assam Pranta Umesh Chakraborty is speaking right now
14:22 (IST)
Mohan Bhagwat salutes the Swayamsevaks
14:18 (IST)
RSS volunteers perform yoga
14:15 (IST)
WATCH: RSS rally in Guwahati LIVE
14:07 (IST)
RSS volunteers sing 'Luitporia Hindu ami'
14:05 (IST)
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat arrives on stage
14:00 (IST)
Assam cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on the stage
13:55 (IST)
Tribal kings from Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura on stage
13:53 (IST)
BJP general secretary and Northeast in charge Ram Madhav sits amid spectators in RSS uniform
Input from Chandrani Sinha, 101reporters
13:41 (IST)
Organisers welcome tribal kinds and leaders of various satras of Assam on stage
13:40 (IST)
Karyakartas strike a pose in front of the stage
Urmi Bhattacharjee, 101reporters
13:31 (IST)
Veteran Assamese actor Pranjal Saikia speaks
Saikia says, 'Hindutva being a culture and not just a religion.'
Chandrani Sinha, 101reporters
13:29 (IST)
"If anyone can save Assam right now, it is the RSS,' says BJP MP Shiladitya Dev
"If anyone can save Assam right now, it is the RSS. It is a national, cultural organisation that has the discipline to conduct a congregation of this massive scale. I invite all opposition parties and groups to come and see what the RSS really is," Dev said.
13:27 (IST)
King of Angami tribe of Nagaland Nisthal Thal arrives at the venue
Chandrani Sinha, 101reporters
13:11 (IST)
Totally prepared for the event, says Assam RSS
"There are no traffic jams in Guhawati. In the last 15 days, we have coordinated with the authorities to manage the traffic in city. We are totally prepared for the event now. The event is also beginning slowly. We feel that ther number may even cross 40,000 now," RSS Assam spokesperson Sankar Das told Firstpost.
12:56 (IST)
Many prominent leaders to be part of event
Eminent politicians, heads of village bodies, 20 titular tribal kings — from the Karbi, Naga, Khasi, Hajong, Tiwa, Garo, Jayantiya, Mising and Hajong communities — and more than 10 chiefs of different satras of Assam will be among the dignitaries attending the rally. (Satras stand for institutional centres associated with Vaishnavism, a sect in Hinduism)
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
12:52 (IST)
RSS has taken up initiative to secure Hindu culture
King of Mayong, a village near Guwahati that is known for black magic and sorcery, Tarani Singha says, "RSS and its affiliates have taken up the initiative to secure the Hindu culture. Hindutva should be protected, and that is why I came here to understand more about their mission and vision"
Chandrani Sinha, 101reporters
12:45 (IST)
BJP MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa impressed with preparations
Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, BJP MP said, "Very impressed with the preparations for the event. An event of this scale has never happened before here, and I doubt it will happen again. It is high time the concept of Hinduism is reinforced in Hindustan."
12:22 (IST)
The itinerary for the day
Image courtesy: Rishiraj Bhagawati
12:18 (IST)
All bigwigs of RSS likely to attend rally
Sunday's rally, being organised in coordination with Luitporiya Hindu Sammelan, is an ambitious programme which was being planned since two years. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and senior leaders such as joint general secretary V Bhagaiah, Krishna Gopal Sharma and Dattatreya Hosabole will speak at the rally. Other national leaders such as Akhil Bharatiya Sharirik Pramukh in-charge Sunil Kulkarni and Saha Sampark Pramukh (public relations chief) Sunil Deshpandey will also be present. The programme is scheduled to begin with the 35,000-strong volunteer force singing 'Ami Luit Poriya Hindu' (we're Hindus of Brahmaputra valley).
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
12:11 (IST)
RSS volunteers have begun to gather in Guwahati
In the video, one can hear in the background: "RSS karyakartas from both sides of brahmaputra river have assembled together. We wish to conduct our service sincerely and dedicatedly with order and discipline."
Urmi Bhattacharjee, 101 Reporters
12:06 (IST)
Last-minute preparations underway
Swayamsevaks are also being asked to refrain from using mobile phones until the end of the ceremony in Guwahati.
12:03 (IST)
The heat forcing many to bury their faces!
11:56 (IST)
Swayamsevaks being asked to take their respective positions and be ready for the drill as the dignitaries have started coming in
Urmi Bhattacharjee, 101 Reporters
11:41 (IST)
Members of RSS band arrive at location
11:40 (IST)
RSS to broadcast event through social media
The RSS will be broadcasting Mohan Bhagwat's speech LIVE through its official account on Facebook as well as Twitter.
11:36 (IST)
Women volunteers gearing up for event
Urmi Bhattacharjee, 101reporters
11:27 (IST)
RSS volunteers outside the venue
11:22 (IST)
Visual from the RSS rally in Guwahati
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
11:21 (IST)
RSS Assam spokesperson Sankar Das says physical exercises will go on until RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat arrives at 1.00pm
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
11:15 (IST)
Swayamsevaks in the 14-35 age group fall in for the physical exercise
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
11:12 (IST)
RSS affiliate Vishwa Samvad Kendra prepares food for participants
11:10 (IST)
Biggest RSS rally in North East
About 35,000 swayamsevaks (volunteers) from across the North East will converge in Guwahati for the programme. It's for the first time that the Hindu nationalist body is organising an event of this magnitude in the North East. Since 1994, the region has seen RSS gatherings in smaller cities like Dibrugarh and Shillong, but these never witnessed crowds of over 3,000 to 4,000.
By Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
11:01 (IST)
Saffron flags seen from kilometres away en route Khanapara ground
10:49 (IST)
Early history of RSS in North East
The RSS became operational in the country's North East in the mid-1940s when it set up its first base in undivided Assam, which then comprised the present-day states of Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya. For administrative purposes, the Sangh's northeastern arm is divided into two parts: Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, along with the southern parts of Assam, fall under the Dakshin Assam division. Northern parts of the state, along with Meghalaya and Nagaland, make up the Uttar Assam division.
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
10:43 (IST)
Khanapara ground venue in the morning
Chandrani Sinha, 101 Reporters
10:37 (IST)
Nearly 75,000 volunteers expected to attend event, says RSS functionary
Khagen Saikia, a senior RSS volunteer, behind the desk, was busy asking his colleagues if they had had their lunch, aside from responding to various queries. When asked about the kind of attendance expected on Sunday, Saikia said they were expecting over one lakh people in total. Das later confirmed that the number was actually closer to 75,000 with around 35,000 RSS karyakartas in uniform and 40,000 people as part of the audience.
10:35 (IST)
Sangh leaving no stone unturned to ensure it tastes success in North East
Sankar Das, spokesperson for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), calls the organisation's mega rally on Sunday a "test". "This is the largest-ever congregation organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). More than an event, this is actually a test for us," Das said.
10:31 (IST)
Cartons filled with food packets collected from residents in the neighborhood
10:30 (IST)
WATCH: Pranab Chakravarty - Sanskar Bharati general secretary speaks
It is to be noted that Chakravarty been an RSS member for 53 years.