RSS stands for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh!  

Let us understand the history of RSS  

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was started on Vijayadashami day in 1925 by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, who was a doctor by profession but who had decided to sacrifice his entire life in the service of Bharat Mata.  

Dr. Hedgewar was born in a God fearing and Patriotic family in Nagpur in Maharashtra in 1889. He was a patriot since his childhood and detested the British rule in India. He wanted to throw out the British out of India and planned in that direction. He was a member of the Anushilan Samiti. He was also a Fiery Speaker. It was Shri. Hedgewar, who came with the idea of 'Swayamsevak', which means 'Self-Volunteer'. Thus, the RSS is a very unique social and cultural organization made up of 'swayamsevaks', who want to contribute to our nation building out of their own free will. There is no monetary expectation, or 'quid-pro-quo' involved.  

The main aim of RSS is the building of a self-sufficient Akhanda Bharat, while retaining our Hindutva Identity. 'Hindutva' means being loyal to Bharat Mata.  

RSS is a great socio-cultural organization, which renders service during national disaster situations and whenever our Bharat goes through bad times.  

RSS wants our Bharat to become Vishwaguru. RSS wants a United Bharat with Hindutva Philosophy, amity amongst various religions and castes and non-caste discrimination.  

Dr. Hedgewar sacrificed his entire life in the service of our nation. He gave the concepts of 'Shakha' - Daily get together at a chosen place for a minimum of one hour period to instill a sense of moral values, patriotism, discipline, inculcating non-monetized value system, spirit of sacrifice and to work as a Team. 

He also established the idea of paying out of the pocket by the Swayamsevak himself for his activities for the Sangh.  

He also introduced the idea of anonymous contributions.  

He also gave the concept of not choosing any individual or personality but a symbol, 'The Dwaj'.  

The Shakha is the Public Face of R.S.S. This is the place, where 20 to 30 people gather together every day for an hour. The main activities in a Shakha include Physical drills, singing Patriotic songs and discussing social issues etc. There is a Bharat Bhakti Stotram, which is sung at every meet. There are more than 50,000 shakhas all over India. Kerala has the highest density of 'shakhas'.  

The Topmost responsibility in the RSS is held by the Sarsanghchalak. The second Sarsanghchalak after Shri. Dr. Hedgewar was Shri. Golwalkar ji. He is fondly referred to as 'Guruji'. He held the responsibility of Sarsanghchalak for thirty-three years. Guruji consolidated the Hindu society and created the platform, 'Vishwa Hindu Parishad'.  

There are 6 main festivals of RSS - Varsh Pratipadaa, Hindu Samrajya Dhin, Guru Poojan, Raksha Bandhan, Vijayadasami and Makara Sankranti.  

The admirable ideology of the Organization is that it puts the Nation first, the Family second and the Individual as the last in order of significance.