Nagpur- RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said India needs to review its development policies if the current models are aggravating climate-related problems in the Himalayan region.

“We need to review our policy if the current models of development are aggravating these issues. The Himalaya's current situation is a warning bell,” Bhagwat said.

Speaking at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) annual Vijayadashmi function in Nagpur, he highlighted the rising instances of natural calamities.

“The adverse effects of our current lifestyle are now visible here also. In the last few years, we have witnessed inconsistency in rainfall and increase in natural disasters. Landslides, unprecedented downpour and drying of glaciers have intensified in the last three to four years,” he noted.

Himalayas act as a protective wall for India and are a major source of water for Southeast Asia, he pointed out.

The 'panch parivartan' initiative

During its centenary year, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh will strive to spread its work of 'vyakti nirman' or character building across India and ensure its 'panch parivartan' initiative for social transformation is accepted by all sections, RSS chief said.

The 'panch parivartan' initiative focuses on social harmony, preservation of family values, environmental protection, selfhood and self-reliance, and adherence to legal, civic, and constitutional duties, explained Bhagwat.

“During its centenary year, the RSS will expand its work of vyakti nirman across the country and ensure the panch parivartan programme, which aims to bring gradual changes in social conduct, is adopted by all sections through the examples set by swayamsevaks,” he asserted.

Bhagwat maintained that apart from RSS swayamsevaks, other organizations and individuals are also conducting similar programmes and Sangh volunteers are trying to coordinate and assist them.

MENAFN02102025000215011059ID1110143929