Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 4: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat will interact with more than 2,000 students at the International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) annual championship conference in Mumbai on August 6, the organisation's founder Rishabh Shah announced on Tuesday.
The inaugural session, themed 'The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way', will bring together students aged 15 to 19 from schools and colleges across the country to discuss leadership, nation-building and India's global role.
Bhagwat is scheduled to address participants from over 100 cities during the event at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC). The conference, marking IIMUN's 15th anniversary, is being described by the organisers as one of the world's largest youth-led gatherings.
Speaking to IANS, IIMUN founder Rishabh Shah said the organisation has focused over the past 15 years on helping young people understand India's values while preparing them for leadership roles.
"Our main endeavour is to help youth aged 11 to 19 understand what 'Bharat' is and what 'uniting the world the Bharatiya way' means. We try to mould the next generation into good leaders through various programmes," Shah said.
He said the organisation conducts thousands of programmes annually, managed largely by volunteers aged 15 to 24, many of whom later pursue careers in politics, business, films and other fields.
According to Shah, nearly 30,000 students have actively worked with IIMUN over the years, while the organisation estimates its outreach has impacted between seven and 7.5 crore people.
He noted that this would be the third time Bhagwat would attend an IIMUN event to engage with students.
Shah said young people should study organisations with different ideological perspectives, including the RSS and the Indian National Congress.
"I believe that organisations like RSS and Indian National Congress, along with other prominent institutions, should be studied by the younger generations. These organisations have different ideologies, and hence, the new generation should learn about them," he said.
The conference is also expected to be attended by actor Shabana Azmi, actor Boman Irani and former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud.
Commenting on recent student protests over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks, Shah said the issues raised deserved serious attention irrespective of political affiliations.
"The issues raised during the protest were of utmost importance. Neither CJP nor BJP; we need to talk about education. If the country needs to strengthen, then the education system should also," he said.
While supporting students' right to protest, Shah urged demonstrators to maintain decorum in their language and conduct.
He said growing frustration among the younger generation was influenced by several factors, including social media, sections of the entertainment industry and the prevailing political environment.
"This is not entirely the fault of Gen Z but also of the generations before them for the environment that has been created. If a rapist is acquitted or a murderer becomes a parliamentarian, it would obviously affect children because they are aware of these developments. Don't create hate. It is being created across party lines and in the film industry," he said.