RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Visits US Amid HSS USA Expansion

Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is currently visiting the United States as part of a centenary-year international outreach tour. The visit has brought attention to the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS USA), a registered nonprofit organisation that describes itself as a voluntary, social, educational, and cultural organisation.

HSS USA is the principal US-based counterpart of the RSS and has a presence across 33 states and 186 cities, with 267 centres or shakhas and 85 Hindu Yuva university chapters. The organisation's activities include weekly shakhas, youth programmes, cultural events, educational initiatives, and community service.

The HSS USA network is part of a wider ecosystem of organisations connected to the Sangh Parivar, the broader family of organisations associated with the RSS. Other groups active in the US include the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, Sewa International, Overseas Friends of BJP, Hindu Students Council, and Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation.

Bhagwat's US visit is aimed at engaging Hindu and Indian-origin communities and presenting the RSS's perspective on Hindu society, India, and its cultural outlook. The centrepiece of his visit is the Universal Oneness Celebration in New York on August 29, which is being organised by the American community.

HSS USA stresses its independence as a US-based organisation, while acknowledging inspiration from Hindu Dharma and the broader Hindu organisational tradition associated with the RSS. The organisation's programmes focus on discipline, teamwork, physical fitness, yoga, cultural education, and seva, or selfless service.

The visit has also highlighted the RSS's international outreach efforts, which are significant given the organisation's centenary year. Bhagwat's tour includes Canada and the UK, in addition to the US, and is seen as an opportunity for the RSS to engage with Hindu and Indian-origin communities worldwide.

The HSS USA network has been involved in various outreach activities, including food drives, disaster relief, health initiatives, teacher appreciation programmes, and interfaith engagement. The organisation's outreach has also included educational initiatives and community service projects.

In the context of Bhagwat's visit, the role and reach of the HSS USA network have come into sharper focus. The visit is seen as an opportunity for the RSS to present its perspective on Hindu society, India, and its cultural outlook to a global audience.

The significance of Bhagwat's visit and the HSS USA network's expansion cannot be overstated. The visit highlights the growing presence of the RSS and its affiliated organisations in the US and worldwide. It also underscores the importance of engaging with Hindu and Indian-origin communities and presenting the RSS's perspective on Hindu society, India, and its cultural outlook.

In conclusion, Mohan Bhagwat's US visit has brought attention to the HSS USA network and the RSS's international outreach efforts. The visit is significant given the organisation's centenary year and highlights the growing presence of the RSS and its affiliated organisations in the US and worldwide.