As the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) celebrates its centenary, Shakha to Nation offers an unprecedented look into the organization’s history, ideology, and influence over the last hundred years. From its early shakha gatherings in Nagpur to its current role in shaping India’s political, social, and cultural landscape, the RSS has inspired unwavering loyalty while also provoking intense debate. This anthology brings together the most defining speeches of the organization, providing readers with the RSS’s voice in its own words for the first time since M.S. Golwalkar’s Bunch of Thoughts in 1966.

Curated by Ram Madhav, a former member of the RSS National Executive and BJP National General Secretary, and edited by Dnyanashri Kulkarni, the book features orations from key Sarsanghchalaks and ideologues, including K.B. Hedgewar, M.S. Golwalkar, M. D. Deoras, Rajendra Singh, K.S. Sudarshan, and Mohan Bhagwat. These speeches span a century, revealing the ideological steel, strategic vision, and evolving perspectives of one of India’s most influential organizations. Whether inspiring millions of followers, challenging critics, or shaping the national discourse on identity, tradition, social reform, and unity, the RSS emerges in this collection as a complex and pivotal force in India’s story.

Accompanied by insightful commentary and historical context, Shakha to Nation goes beyond a mere collection of speeches. It chronicles the organization’s journey from a marginal movement to a mainstream presence, offering readers a nuanced understanding of how the RSS has navigated India’s shifting political and cultural terrain. The book’s centenary timing makes it particularly relevant, capturing renewed interest in the organization’s evolution and its continued influence in contemporary India.

About the Authors:
Ram Madhav is a distinguished politician, strategic thinker, and social leader. He has served as a member of the RSS National Executive and as BJP National General Secretary. His previous works include The New World: 21st Century Global Order, India, Our Constitution Our Pride, The Indian Reality, Partitioned Freedom, and The Hindutva Paradigm. Through his work, he has contributed to placing India’s narrative and strategic interests on the global stage.

Dnyanashri Kulkarni is a research fellow at India Foundation and a PhD candidate at the Jindal School of International Affairs, specializing in European Studies. She has also worked in cultural diplomacy and global academic exchange initiatives at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and holds a bachelor’s degree in French Literature from the University of Mumbai.

Why Read This Book:

• Features never-before-published speeches spanning a century of RSS history.
• Provides direct insight into the organization’s ideology, vision, and strategies.
• Marks the centenary of the RSS, offering a comprehensive perspective on its evolution from shakha to nation.
• Essential reading for students of politics, history, contemporary Indian society, and those seeking to understand one of India’s most influential movements.