Life in RSS 3rd yr camp: Strict isolation for 25 days, no mobiles

Nagpur: Over 680 swayamsevaks (volunteers) are taking part in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) third-year camp which began in the city on Monday. During the 25-day training, the participants would undergo physical activities as well as brainstorming sessions.
For the 25-day period, the participants would be living in strict isolation — cut off from rest of the world with even mobile phones taken away. Writing letters will remain the only means of communication for the participants, said sources.
A postal desk is set up during the training for those who want to write letters to their friends or relatives from time to time.
In case there is emergency in the family of a participant, messages are sent from their respective prant (region) to the camp authorities. In such a situation, the participant can quit the camp or come back after a short leave. However, there have hardly been any such instances so far, said an RSS source.
The strict regimen is part of the training in which complete dedication to the cause is the main focus. The training can be compared to penance, said a functionary.
The volunteers come from all walks of life, including daily wagers. For some days, swayamsevaks from different regions are made to stay together in a single room.
The participants may not understand each other’s language, but bonds develop that break even the language barriers, said a source.
As the RSS is close to completing 100 years of its existence, focus of the volunteers is on making efforts to expand the organization’s reach across the coutnry.
The expenses for the travel are footed by the participants themselves. Open for those in the age group of 18 to 40 years, the third-year training is the highest level in RSS. Prior to that, there are first and second-year trainings which are held in the respective regions and zones. For example, Vidarbha is the region which comes under western zone. The first and second-year trainings also go side by side. The final stage of the training is held in Nagpur each year.
For the participants, the day begins at 4am and continues till 4 in the afternoon.