Mohan Bhagwat’s AI Push Signals RSS’ New Strategy To Shed ‘Regressive’ Image, Woo Youth – News18

Last Updated:November 16, 2024, 12:29 IST

The RSS, often dismissed by liberals and political opponents as backward-looking, is now signalling a deliberate attempt to reposition itself as a proponent of science and innovation

The Western models of development have immensely damaged nature and environment, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Friday, adding that the ‘Bhartiya’ [Indian] idea of development is holistic, works in synergy with nature and the country now needs to develop its own models of development which the world could follow.

Bhagwat, flanked by ISRO chief S Somanath and Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, was speaking at the inaugural session of ‘VIVIBHA-2024: Vision for Viksit Bharat’, a three-day national researchers’ conference organised by Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal-Yuva Aayam — an RSS-inspired organisation. Bhagwat spoke about several issues connected to science and related research, and advocated for ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), urging its deployment with “conscience and compassion”.

The programme and the participation by one of the senior scientists of the country, who is also a Nobel laureate, reflect the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) evolving strategy to shed its image as regressive and its efforts to appeal to India’s youth.

The event comes shortly after the organisation invited a former ISRO chairman to its Vijayadashami celebration, showcasing the organisation’s bid to align itself with modern scientific and technological discourse.

The RSS, often dismissed by liberals and political opponents as backward-looking, is now signalling a deliberate attempt to reposition itself as a proponent of science and innovation. By associating with eminent scientists and addressing pressing topics like AI, the RSS seeks to attract the younger generation while countering its long-standing stereotype.

Bhagwat’s comments on AI, alongside the presence of prominent figures like Somanath, underline the organisation’s strategic outreach to bridge tradition with modernity, presenting itself as a forward-thinking yet rooted organisation.

Addressing the gathering, Somanath said the coming 25 years are very important as the country is moving towards ‘Viksit Bharat’. “Research is quite important to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat as it enhances the capacity and capability of industries, start-ups, academia, agriculture and health sector besides many more areas,” he said, adding that there were people earlier who questioned the ways of ‘investing’ on such projects but ISRO worked around it.

Somanath also asserted that there is a need to connect the dots of research and innovation in science and technology with different sectors. Elaborating on ISRO’s plans, he said: “We have touched the Moon and further, we want to have missions on Mars, Venus, and other planets in the future.”