A large public gathering marking the centenary year of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is set to take place in Sri Vijaya Puram on December 13, with the Virat Hindu Sammelan scheduled at Netaji Stadium at 3:30 pm. Organisers said the event is expected to draw participants from across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, making it one of the significant cultural congregations planned in recent years. The programme will feature RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat as the chief speaker, marking his first visit to the Islands.
The Virat Hindu Sammelan is being coordinated by various social and Sanatan organisations under the banner of the Virat Hindu Sammelan Samiti. The Samiti, chaired by Sudanand Saraswati, Chief Acharya of Chirunaya Mission in Sri Vijaya Puram, has been instrumental in bringing together several groups for the event. According to organisers, the upcoming Sammelan is both a cultural platform and a landmark moment for the Islands, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the formation of the RSS.
Organisers said that Bhagwat’s presence adds weight to the gathering, which aims to promote social harmony and cultural unity. With the RSS completing a century, they said the occasion carries historic significance nationally and locally, as residents will witness the presence of a Sarsanghchalak in the Islands for the first time. The Samiti has extended an open invitation to the public, urging attendees to arrive by 3:00 pm to ensure a smooth start to the proceedings.
The event will open with a musical and cultural tribute to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, presented by a troupe from Mumbai. Organisers describe this segment as a dignified introduction to the programme, intended to set the tone for the day. Following the tribute, Bhagwat will deliver his address, which is expected to form the central highlight of the Sammelan.
The entire event will be streamed live on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/@ViratHinduSammelan-e6t, enabling viewers across the Islands and beyond to watch the proceedings from 3:30 pm.
In anticipation of a large turnout, the administration and organisers have arranged detailed traffic and parking plans around the Stadium. Attendees are advised to approach from Clock Tower through the Aberdeen Bazar route, moving towards the Stadium Swimming Pool. Two-wheeler parking has been arranged near the Swimming Pool, while four-wheeler parking will be available near Government Girls’ School and JNRM College. Transport operators ferrying participants will drop passengers near Marina Park, from where visitors may enter through the gate opposite the Swimming Pool.
For security reasons, authorities have announced that the stretch between the Fire Brigade and ANIIDCO will remain closed during the event. Organisers have appealed to the public to cooperate with traffic restrictions and follow the designated routes to avoid congestion. They said these arrangements aim to ensure a safe and orderly environment for attendees.
The Sammelan Samiti stated that the programme has been planned as a collective cultural effort and is intended to offer a platform for unity among residents from various backgrounds. They have expressed confidence that the participation and cooperation of the public will help mark the event as a memorable milestone in the Islands’ cultural landscape.
With the scale of the gathering, the first visit of an RSS Sarsanghchalak, and the centenary backdrop, the Sammelan is expected to draw significant attention. Organisers said they hope the event will reflect the community’s support and contribute to the region’s ongoing cultural initiatives.
