The Rashtriya Sevika Samiti, a women's organization ideologically linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), initiated its three-day first half-yearly national executive and representatives' meeting. This event took place at the Madhav Smriti campus in Samalkha, Haryana, on Friday.
Approximately 500 delegates representing 38 provinces are anticipated to attend the gathering, which is set to run until July 26. The meeting saw the presence of Pramukh Sanchalika Shantakkaji and Pramukh Karyavahika Sita Gayatri. The proceedings began with a traditional ceremony involving the lighting of a lamp, followed by paying respects to former office-bearers Rukmini Akka and Rekhatai Raje.
Delegates also offered tributes to other departed workers and notable figures such as Asha Bhosle, Suman Kalyanpur, and S. Janaki, alongside commemorating victims affected by terrorist acts, natural disasters, and accidents.
In her address at the opening session, Pramukh Karyavahika Sita Gayatri emphasized that the organization must persist in its endeavors toward empowering women while simultaneously supporting nation-building efforts. She referenced the birth anniversary of the organization's founder, Lakshmibai Kelkar, known as Sankalp Diwas, urging members to continue the organization's mission.
Sita Gayatri also pointed to recent national accomplishments, citing India's provision of humanitarian medical aid to Iran as an illustration of the country's global reach. Furthermore, she highlighted India's success in the International Chemistry Olympiad and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup as evidence of the nation's achievements across various sectors.
The organization provided a review of its yearly activities, noting the expansion of its network, which now includes more branches, meeting centers, and service projects. Currently, these services are operational in 2,866 locations nationwide. These initiatives encompass projects focused on education, values-based learning, fostering self-reliance, healthcare, and yoga centers. Additionally, the organization manages hostels specifically for young women from remote regions.
In 2026, roughly 250 training camps were conducted throughout the country, providing training to almost 15,241 female volunteers.
The organization also brought attention to several key activities from the past year. Volunteers successfully organized a route march in West Bengal after a significant hiatus. Another highlight was a training camp held in Jammu, where participants maintained their activities despite adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and strong winds.
During a trip to Chhattisgarh, the organization's leader engaged with women from approximately 25 distinct communities as part of a social harmony project. Moreover, the 'Nari Se Narayani' conference, co-organized with the Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi on International Women's Day, was featured. This event drew over 1,500 women from all over the country, and President Droupadi Murmu addressed the closing session of the conference.
A special meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust, scheduled to take place in Ayodhya on Wednesday, is attracting significant interest due to several important decisions planned. Key agenda items include filling three vacant positions within the Trust, appointing a new General Secretary, and finalizing the selection process for the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ram Mandir.
Furthermore, the meeting will discuss the SIT report regarding the alleged embezzlement of donations at Ram Mandir, temple security measures, and the counting of donated currency notes.
Prior to the session, Trust member Swami Parmanand Giri emphasized the necessity of filling the vacant posts in the Trust. He clarified that these positions would be discussed first at the meeting, with decisions on other matters being made after the assembly discussion. He also noted that no specific candidates had been discussed yet.
The meeting is also considered important in light of the alleged case of donation embezzlement at Ram Mandir. On Monday, the Supreme Court requested a response from the Uttar Pradesh government regarding the possibility of transferring the investigation of this case to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) instead of local police. Regarding this, Swami Parmanand Giri stated that they should wait for the existing SIT's report, as further steps can only be determined after studying this document. When asked about the consequences if the Supreme Court proposes forming a new SIT, he replied that if the current SIT is not deemed suitable, creating another SIT will not lead to substantial changes.
Swami Parmanand Giri reported that former General Secretary of the Trust, Champat Rai, and Trustee Anil Mishra had resigned. The Trust acknowledged their resignation letters at the July 6 meeting. When asked about the resignation of Trustee Mahant Dindare Das, he stated that he had no information on the matter.
Meanwhile, Mahant Dindare Das, a member of the Ram Mandir Trust and the chief mahant of the local Nirmohi Akhara branch in Ayodhya, refuted reports that he had been expelled from the akhara. At a press conference in Ayodhya, he called these claims completely baseless and misleading. He stated that 13 out of 19 panchs (members) of the Nirmohi Akhara supported him, and he also accused some individuals of organizing a conspiracy against him. Mahant Dindare Das added that the Trust meeting on Wednesday at three o'clock will discuss filling the three vacant posts. Additionally, a review of the counting of currency notes received as donations at Ram Mandir and temple security measures will be conducted. According to Trust sources, the special meeting will first take place on the premises of Ram Mandir on Wednesday, followed by the regular meeting at Maniram Chauni.
The agenda also includes the appointment of a new General Secretary, filling three vacant posts, and completing the selection procedure for the first Ram Mandir CEO. The SIT report presented to the Supreme Court regarding the donation embezzlement case may also be discussed. The Trust currently has three vacancies: two positions became vacant after the departure of former General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Anil Mishra, and the third position became empty after the death of Trustee Bimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra. The embezzlement case arose in June, after which the Uttar Pradesh government formed an SIT. Currently, eight suspects have been arrested in this case.
