Falgun Krushna Chaturthi
Mumbai: If you happen to pass by an RSS shakha in the days ahead, don’t jump out of your skin if you see men in bermudas.
For, the organization, long chided for its refusal to change, has decided that it won’t be compulsory for its members to wear khaki shorts.
"Our swayamsevaks (volunteers) can now wear shorts of any colour of their choice. They can even wear bermudas if they want," said RSS spokesman Ram Madhav, signalling the first sartorial departure for its cadres since the time the organization was formed in 1925.
RSS has never allowed any alteration in the standard uniform of its baton-wielding workers — white shirt tucked in baggy khaki shorts usually worn high above the waist with a black cap for headgear.
The only reason, says Madhav, that the volunteers wear shorts is because they have to perform physical exercises. "It’s difficult to bend at the knees if one’s wearing trousers," he said. Thus, while the shirts will remain Wimbledon white, the colour or cut of shorts would no longer be sacrosanct. The switchover would be in keeping with the changing times, he said.
"Contrary to reports in the media about the reducing numbers of daily shakhas , the factual position is that these have increased to more than 45,000 across the country."
A few weeks ago, TOI had reported the development of "software shakhas " in IT hubs like Bangalore, Pune and Noida.
Source: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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