Nagpur: This year’s Vijayadashami celebration of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will see a major change. The RSS cadre will be seen in revamped uniform — full trousers instead of the traditional shorts. Moreover, the colour will also see a change with trousers wearing the brown colour in place of age-old khaki. The decision to replace the khaki shorts with brown trousers was taken at the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha of RSS held at Nagaur, Rajasthan, earlier this year. The new uniforms are being made in Rajasthan.
The changed uniform will have white shirt, brown pant, black cap, canvas belt, black shoes, and socks. According to sources, the change in uniform is aimed at attracting more and more youths. The revamped attire has gone on sale, marking a radical departure, the first such in the organization’s 91-year old history. The first change was made in 1940 when white shirt replaced khaki one. Later, in 2010, canvas belt took the place of thick leather belt.
The trousers will be on show at the first major event to be held on Vijayadashami on October 11 at Reshimbagh Ground in city. The price of the new attire has been pegged at Rs 250 and the rest of the uniform — white shirt, canvas belt, black cap, black shoes — is also being sold along with the trousers.
The familiar RSS dress symbolized by shorts was adopted in 1925, including leather belts, long black shoes, khaki cap and a stick. The first change took place in 1930, when the khaki cap was replaced by a black one, and this was followed by a white shirt in place of khaki.
This year’s Vijayadashami celebration of RSS will be curious one with Sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat, Sarkaryavahak Bhayyaji Joshi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and a host of other dignitaries adorning the revamped attire with attraction being full trousers.
