On the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Rahul Kumar — Deputy Head of the city of Frankfurt in Germany and the first person of Indian origin to be elected to an Asian City Parliament — praised the organisation's social contributions in remarks tied to the book Hundred Years Young: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Kumar's comments, made in New Delhi on 18 October 2026, offer a rare perspective from a diaspora political figure on the RSS's reach beyond India's borders.

Social Work as the RSS's Most Enduring Legacy

Asked which aspects of the RSS's work had influenced him most, Kumar was unequivocal. 'The social work of the RSS is the most impactful thing, especially for the youth,' he said. He noted that in Germany, the RSS's European affiliate — the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) — carries out similar activities. 'Since I was a child, I have been watching their activities. They organise cultural programmes and take up many projects for the youth. This was very impactful for me and also for my elder brother,' Kumar added.

The Book as a Source of Inspiration for Diaspora Youth

Commenting on Hundred Years Young: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Kumar said the book could serve as a motivational text for young people of Indian origin. 'If they read that a person of Indian origin has become the first Indian Asian City Parliament member in an international city like Frankfurt, it will be an inspiration,' he said. He framed his own political journey as being rooted in the values instilled by organisations like the HSS, describing a sense of cultural identity — what he called the feeling of Bharat Mata — as central to navigating challenges abroad. 'For me, RSS means Right, Seva and Satsang,' Kumar said.

RSS at 100: A Long and Challenging Journey

Reflecting on the organisation reaching its centenary, Kumar acknowledged that the path had not been without difficulty. 'It has been a long journey, but I think it was not an easy journey for the organisation because they faced many challenges. Completing 100 years while walking on the same path of humanity, service and culture is not easy,' he said. He described the milestone as 'a big achievement' — for himself personally, for the RSS, and for the broader community.

India-Germany Ties and the Diaspora Bridge

On bilateral relations, Kumar noted that India and Germany enjoy warm and active ties, with frequent delegation exchanges at the state level. He cited a visit by the Chief Minister of Hessen to Maharashtra roughly two months prior, during which state-level agreements were signed. Kumar himself participated in a delegation to India approximately a year and a half ago, where Letters of Intent were signed with Uttarakhand and Haryana. He was nominated as Deputy Head of Frankfurt just weeks before these remarks, a role he described as primarily administrative, focused on connecting communities and resolving local problems. Notably, Kumar also pointed to India's growing international standing, highlighting global conversations around Indian AI, start-ups and youth — visible even from within Europe.

Cultural Continuity Through the HSS in Europe

Kumar was candid about the challenges of maintaining cultural identity in the diaspora. Festivals such as Diwali and Holi, he said, carry an emotional weight for overseas Indians that German festivals simply do not replicate. He credited the HSS with building a bridge for the younger generation — children of Indian immigrants — to stay connected with their roots. 'This bridge has been very well built through the HSS, through cultural activities for children, so that they can connect with our values, with where we truly come from,' he said. Looking ahead, Kumar said his focus for the coming year is deepening connections between the global Indian youth diaspora and India itself.