Rashtra Sevika Samiti, Delhi Prant, celebrated 90 years of service and nation-building on 8 July with a Sankalp Diwas programme at Sir Shankar Lal Concert Hall, New Delhi, marking the birth anniversary of the organisation's founder and first chief, Lakshmibai Kelkar. The event, organised through the Samiti's intellectual forum Medhavini Sindhu Srijan, brought together sevikas, academicians, social workers, and citizens who collectively reaffirmed their commitment to service, values, and national development.

Programme Highlights and Key Speakers

The theme of the programme was introduced by Prof. Nisha Rana, Medhavini Prant Sanyojika, while the keynote address was delivered by Alka Inamdar, Akhil Bharatiya Sah-Karyavahika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti. Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), attended as Chief Guest, and New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj presided over the programme.

Distinguished guests included Mukul Kanitkar, Member of the Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Team of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Prof. V. S. Negi, President of DUTA, Prof. Charu Kalra, and Anju Ahuja. Nine distinguished women from diverse fields were felicitated during the event for their outstanding contributions to society and public service.

What the Chief Guest and Presiding Officer Said

Addressing the gathering, Vijaya Rahatkar said that when the women of the nation take a pledge, not only society but the entire nation transforms. She described Viksit Bharat 2047 as a collective national commitment, adding that the world would measure India's strength not merely by its economy but by the power of its women. She highlighted that Indian women are excelling across science, space, technology, and medicine, with their growing participation shaping the country's future.

Presiding over the programme, Bansuri Swaraj asserted that India does not need to borrow ideas of feminism and equality from the West, arguing that the country's own civilisational values have always upheld the dignity and strength of women. She said that through motherhood, creativity, and leadership, women would shape the nation's future, describing them as both mentors and the foundation of a strong India.

Keynote Address: Samiti's Nine-Decade Journey

In her keynote, Alka Inamdar stated that Rashtra Sevika Samiti has grown into the world's largest women's organisation with nearly 5,000 branches. She stressed that a woman's foremost responsibility is to nurture values within the family while actively contributing to society and national development, calling women the first educators of future generations who play a decisive role in shaping character, culture, and national consciousness.

She called upon women to remain rooted in Indian values while participating confidently in every sphere of national life, urging them to dedicate themselves to selfless service, social harmony, and nation-building in line with the ideals of Vandaniya Mausiji — the reverential title for founder Lakshmibai Kelkar.

RSS Representative on Women's Leadership

Mukul Kanitkar said Indian women are making their mark and providing leadership across the world, expressing confidence that the coming century would be the century of women's leadership. He emphasised that embracing modernity does not require abandoning India's ancient traditions and cultural values, adding that true worship lies not in rituals but in striving to practise the ideals of great personalities in everyday life.

Collective Resolve and the Road Ahead

The programme concluded with participants collectively resolving to strengthen the tradition of service, values, and dedication that has defined Rashtra Sevika Samiti over 90 years, and to continue working towards a strong, self-reliant, and developed India. This is the Samiti's most significant milestone event in recent years, coming as the organisation looks to expand its footprint beyond its current 5,000 branches nationwide.