India can be anchor of stability in changing world: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Mumbai

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said that India has the potential to emerge as a stabilising force in a rapidly changing and uncertain worldBhagwat was speaking in Mumbai to attend the Karmayogi Ekal Shikshak Melawa held at Gateway of India where teachers working in tribal areas were honouredThe event was attended by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari Maharashtra Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uikey and Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul NarvekarBhagwat said this would require a strong and inclusive society that brings all communities together with a special focus on integrating tribal populations into the mainstream of developmentHe said tribal communities have long preserved Indiarsquos cultural values and contributed significantly to societyThe RSS chief stated that service should not be seen as charity but as a duty and a path of selfdevelopmentHe said spreading education in tribal areas requires commitment and hard work rather than sympathy aloneHe also highlighted that Indiarsquos cultural roots are deeply connected to forests and tribal traditions adding that true national development is not possible without their inclusionNeed to expand access to educationAccording to an official statement the RSS chief pointed out that many tribal communities still lack access to basic facilities available to othersHe said bridging this gap is essential for overall social progressHe added that society must also learn from tribal communities particularly their tradition of working for collective welfarePolitics should focus on development GadkariSpeaking at the event Nitin Gadkari said the meaning of politics has evolvedHe said politics today should not be about gaining power but about development and social service He emphasised the need for more ldquoKarmayogisrdquo or individuals committed to uplifting disadvantaged sections of societyGadkari highlighted efforts to promote education among tribal communities particularly in regions such as Gadchiroli where such initiatives began decades ago despite difficult conditionsHe said that currently around 1400 teachers are educating nearly 32000 students without government funding and plans are in place to expand this to 5000 teachers reaching 100000 students across MaharashtraExpansion of Ekal Vidyalaya networkThe Ekal Vidyalaya initiative run by the Nagpurbased L Laxmanrao Mankar Smriti Sanstha is now expanding across MaharashtraBusinessman Atul Shirodkar who chairs the organisation said education plays a key role in social and economic transformation and helps improve quality of life in tribal regionsMinister Ashok Uikey noted that the initiative which began with just a handful of students now reaches tens of thousandsTeachers and contributors honouredAt the event teachers and organisations working in remote tribal areas were recognised with the lsquoKarmayogi AwardrsquoNewly elected Rajya Sabha member Mayatai Ivnate was also honouredOver the past three decades the initiative has expanded across tribal regions of Vidarbha including Gadchiroli and Melghat Today around 30000 tribal students are receiving education through nearly 1300 schools supported by more than 1800 teachers working in remote areas