New Delhi: Amid the contentious debate on nationalism, a senior RSS leader on Wednesday stressed on the need to carry forward the concept of "Balagokulam" for inculcating the Hindu way of life and a sense of patriotism among children.
The co-incharge of RSS' Communications department J Nandakumar said there is a need to open schools on the lines of 'Balagokulams' for non-Keralite children.
Balagokulam was started in 1975 in Kerala by RSS and was registered as a cultural movement in 1981. Its branches were later opened in some metro cities and were attended mainly by Malayali children. In Delhi, it has completed 15 years.
"Going by today's cultural climate, there is need to open 'Balagokulams' in other parts of the country also among people other than Keralites. Such schools inculcating moral values and cultural education in children could be opened on the lines of 'Balagokulams' in other states," he told PTI.
He, however, said "the Sangh does not have any 'central' plan for setting up such institutions on a large scale as of now."
Nandakumar said the expansion plan is still being discussed.
At present there are around 3,000 Balagokulams across the country, including 2,500 in Kerala alone.
Sources said the Kerala unit of the Sangh, which has also been running these schools in metro cities and in the state, has now been asked to explore the possibility of expansion in other parts of the country.
RSS's communications head Manmohan Vaidya said,"Expansion (of Balagokulam) is a natural process."
The classes will help inculcate in children the Hindu way of life, the sources said, adding that besides teaching them ancient sciptures they will also be informed about dharma and patriotism.
RSS plans to hold a meeting of some social organisations linked to it to help frame syllabi for such schools.
Comments
0 comment