Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday, 3 May 2025, declared education the most powerful instrument for social and economic transformation, urging the nation to bring forest-dwelling Vanvasi communities into the mainstream of national development while preserving their distinct cultural identity. He was addressing a gathering of over 1,800 tribal teachers at the Karmayogi Ekal Shikshak Melava, held at the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai.

Key Address and Core Message

Bhagwat lauded the Ekal single-teacher school model, describing its educators as true Karmayogis — selfless workers committed to a larger social mission. He stated that education is not merely about literacy but the awakening of the soul. Teachers working in the most remote corners of Gadchiroli and Melghat, he said, are not simply imparting lessons but laying the foundation of a resilient Bharat.

He emphasised that for a nation to rise, its most distant citizens must feel empowered. Bhagwat noted that the work carried out by the Late Laxmanrao Mankar Smriti Sanstha is a testament to how collective social will can bridge the gap between urban development and rural neglect.

Preserving Tribal Identity Alongside Modern Learning

A recurring theme in Bhagwat's address was the importance of Sanskar — values and cultural continuity. He urged teachers to ensure that modern education does not come at the cost of tribal traditions, arts, and forest-based livelihoods. The RSS chief stressed that the expansion of educational outreach must simultaneously champion women's empowerment, health awareness, skill development, dairy training for local entrepreneurship, and the promotion of tribal art and music.

He also appealed to the urban population to actively support these grassroots movements, reminding the audience that the resurgence of Bharat remains incomplete without the progress of its Vanvasi brothers and sisters.

Ekal Vidyalaya Expansion: From 1,300 to 5,000 Schools

The event served as the launchpad for a significant expansion of the Ekal Vidyalaya network. The initiative currently operates approximately 1,300 schools serving 30,000 students across the Vidarbha region. The new roadmap targets a scale-up to 5,000 schools across the entire state of Maharashtra, the deployment of 6,000 teachers to remote forest and tribal belts, and outreach to over 1 lakh tribal students, with a focus on holistic growth.

High-Profile Attendance

The function drew several prominent leaders. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, who serves as a guiding mentor for the schools, was present alongside Ashok Uikey, Maharashtra Tribal Development Minister. Their attendance underscored the political and institutional backing behind the Ekal model's ambitious expansion.

With the expanded network now charted, the focus will shift to implementation — particularly how quickly the additional 4,700 schools and 6,000 teachers can be mobilised across Maharashtra's most underserved tribal districts.