RSS, Congress Seva Dal to work as volunteers at Mahakumbh fair
HARIDWAR: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Congress Seva Dal, despite their ideological differences, will work jointly as volunteers for the ongoing Mahakumbh in Haridwar, officials associated with the fair said.
The Kumbh Mela Force had sought cooperation from organisations for the smooth conduct of ‘shahi snan’ (royal bath) on April 12 (Somvati Amavasya) and April 14 (Baisakhi). Sanjay Gunjiyal, inspector general of the force, last month asked for volunteers to manage traffic and guide pilgrims in the mela zone.
Kumbh administration has given special identity cards to volunteers from 14 organisations and assigned them duty till April 16, officials said.
Two thousand volunteers, mostly from the RSS and Seva Dal, Patanjali Yogpeeth, National Service Scheme, Lions Club , Bharat Seva Ashram Rotary Club, Indian Medical Association, Kanya Gurukul and trader associations, are being briefed about their duty by Kumbh officials.
“From April 8 to 16, RSS volunteers will be helping Kumbh Mela force in traffic management and helping pilgrims in reaching the Ganga ghats. RSS volunteers are also trained in relief-rescue operations, which will come handy. Our volunteers are geared up for 12-hour duty as this is a rare opportunity which comes in 12 years. Today the volunteers were given pledge at Om Ganga ghat for successful Kumbh voluntary duty,” said Amit Sharma, RSS in charge, nagar prachar.
Congress Seva Dal state conveyor Rajesh Rastogi said, “Mahakumbh is a spiritual-religious fair, so no question arises over inconvenience or differences with RSS volunteers while carrying out Kumbh duty.” The Seva Dal is grass-root organisation of the Congress.
Gunjiyal said, “RSS and Congress Seva Dal activists have themselves expressed willingness to serve during Mahakumbh fair. Both organisations and others are lending their service for deity Ganga and pilgrims; it’s a noble cause and we appreciate their offer to be volunteers.”