CHAITRA SHUKLA EKAM MARKS THE HINDU NEW YEAR: ASHOK KUMAR, GOSH PRAMUKH( BAND CHIEF)

CHAITRA SHUKLA EKAM MARKS THE HINDU NEW YEAR: ASHOK KUMAR, GOSH PRAMUKH( BAND CHIEF)

20-MARCH-ENG 15

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------Today, the *Vardha Pratipada* festival (Chaitra Shukla Ekam)—marking the Hindu New Year, Vikram Samvat 2083—was celebrated by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Ara City unit. Today also marks the birth anniversary of the founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the first *Sarsanghchalak* Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. To mark this occasion, a grand procession (*Path Sanchalan*) comprising hundreds of volunteers marched through the city's main thoroughfares. During the program, the District *Karyavah* (Secretary), Shri Kumar Keshav, delivered a keynote address (*Boudhik*). In his address, he stated that the daily *Shakha* (branch meeting) is the unparalleled legacy of Dr. Hedgewar. He also reiterated the "Pledge for Change" (*Pledge for Transformation*) taken on the occasion of the Sangh's centenary year.

It is noteworthy that flowers were showered upon the procession wherever it passed. For the first time, the procession commenced its journey from the route passing by the residence of Dr. Hedgewar (*Hedgewar Ji Ka Hata*). The *Ghosh* (band contingent) proved to be a major center of attraction during the procession.

Apart from the *Vibhag Sanghchalak* Dr. Om Prakash Agarwal and the *Nagar Sanghchalak* Dr. Ashok Kumar, numerous other dedicated volunteers of the Sangh participated in the program.