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By:

Prithvi Asthana

20 August 2025 at 5:20:30 pm

Keeping people united, RSS ideology: Ram Lal

Mumbai: A senior RSS functionary Ram Lal on Saturday said that the people of India should stay united as some parties are trying to divide people on various topics like languages and region. “The RSS ideology is about keeping people together,” he said. Ram Lal was addressing the RSS members as the chief speaker at the closing ceremony at a 15-day training camp in Kurla. Total 136 swayamsevaks participated in the camp. They demonstrated their skills in Dand prayog, Niyudh (karate), and Lazim...

Keeping people united, RSS ideology: Ram Lal

Mumbai: A senior RSS functionary Ram Lal on Saturday said that the people of India should stay united as some parties are trying to divide people on various topics like languages and region. “The RSS ideology is about keeping people together,” he said. Ram Lal was addressing the RSS members as the chief speaker at the closing ceremony at a 15-day training camp in Kurla. Total 136 swayamsevaks participated in the camp. They demonstrated their skills in Dand prayog, Niyudh (karate), and Lazim Dance on Vande Mataram at the ceremony. Ram Lal said that many swayamsevkas have made a lot of sacrifices for the country but no one knows them. Still, RSS continues to work for the country. He cited examples of the Partition in 1947 and Emergency in 1975 to underpin his point. “I myself had been in jail for eight months during the Emergency. Many swayamsevaks welcomed jail with open hands and even after that RSS continued to worked for the country with more energy.” He said the whole Hindu community is awakening now, and they are adapting the forgotten culture of Sanatan Dharma. “The irony is that people working for the country are called communal. The 'Breaking India Lobby' is also active and we need to unite in the favour of India to counter it. Today westernisation is badly influencing the joint family system, the Indian culture and youth's ideology. It's time for us to think about it and start making changes from our family.” Ram Lal coined another meaning for the RSS – Ready for Selfless Service. “The world is now slowly looking up towards India as an example and the process will get faster in the future. It is our responsibility as citizens to make India and become an example for the world.” Jimmy Mistry, founder of the Della Leaders Club, was the chief guest. Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister Entrepreneurship and Skill Development, was also present. In his address, Mistry spoke about the international image of the RSS. He said, “RSS is always shown in a negative shade at the international platform and we need to improve on that.” He emphasised on improving the process of communication, manufacturing narratives and the importance of social media in the changing world. In a reply to Mistry, Ram Lal said that swayamsevkas were busy in manufacturing success. “That is why we don't focus on narratives,” he said.

A beacon of hope for rural athletes

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

How Akash Shinde transformed from a shy village boy to a prominent kabaddi player

beacon of hope

Mumbai: In the heart of Nashik's Adgaon village, a young boy Akash Shinde dared to dream big. Little did he know that his journey from playing in the muddy grounds of his town to becoming a PKL winner would inspire a generation of aspiring athletes.


“Initially, when I used to play, I would come home with bruises because Kabaddi was played in the mud,” Akash recalls as he enters his fourth season with the Puneri Paltan. And despite his family's initial concerns, his passion for kabaddi burned bright, fuelled by the unwavering support of his early mentors Sagar Malwade and Vinod Labde.


His path to success was far from smooth. He faced numerous setbacks, failing to make the cut in his first attempts at various levels. “I fell short in my first attempts at all levels. I went for my senior camp for Maharashtra and fell short there too!”


But instead of letting these failures discourage him, Akash used them as stepping stones. “These setbacks kept me determined, and I knew I needed to try harder and with renewed energy to show the world what I could do and achieve.”


His breakthrough came in 2019 at a seniors’ trial in Nashik. This performance opened doors, leading him to play in the Junior Nationals and eventually catching the eye of Yuva Paltan, which is the Puneri Paltan’s academy.


The turning point in Akash’s career came when he represented his college in Beed, earning his first chance to play for Maharashtra. Under the guidance of Anil Jagdale and Kailas Jagdale, his skills flourished. His journey accelerated as he moved from Mahindra & Mahindra to Yuva Paltan, where mentors like Sangram and Ashok helped refine his game.


Akash’s PKL debut with Puneri Paltan in Season 8 was a moment of immense pride, not just for him but for his entire village. “No player from the Nashik region had made it to PKL or even the Maharashtra team, so it was a shock, a pleasant one, for everyone. The entire Nashik district was very happy. It felt really good,” he reminisces.


But it was in Season 9 that he truly announced his arrival, becoming a formidable force on the mat. In the 22 matches that Akash played on the way to his first PKL final, he scored 139 raid points, averaging 6.32 raid point per match.


His performances caught the eye of the national selectors, earning him a spot on the Indian team for the Asian Games. “I received my Team India kit on the 27th of October. I still remember it,” he says.


The crowning glory came in PKL Season 10 when Akash, along with his Puneri Paltan teammates, lifted the coveted trophy. Albeit playing a diminished role, he managed an impressive 56 raid points in the 13 matches he played. “There was only one target then... we had made up our minds that we had to win the title this season, whatever it took,” he shared, reflecting on the team’s collective determination. Now, Akash stands as a beacon of hope for young athletes from rural India. His message to them is clear: “Keep believing in yourselves and your dedication and efforts.” He emphasizes the importance of loyalty, urging young players to stay true to the clubs that nurture them.


As he prepares for PKL Season 11, his journey from the muddy grounds of Adgaon to the bright lights of Pro Kabaddi serves as a testament to the power of dreams, determination, and unwavering support.

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