NE LITERARY BUREAU
NEW DELHI, SEPT 15
What happens to a century of service if it is not documented? That question formed the underlying theme as Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released A Century of Service – The RSS in 100 Acts of Seva, authored by former Governor of Telangana and former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Tamilisai Soundararajan, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday.
— Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (@DrTamilisai4BJP) September 15, 2026
The book seeks to chronicle 100 instances of social service associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) over its century-long journey, placing the idea of seva—or service—as a social responsibility at the centre of its narrative.
- Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan releases Tamilisai Soundararajan’s “A Century of Service – The RSS in 100 Acts of Seva” in New Delhi
- Book chronicles social-service initiatives and the organisation’s emphasis on character-building, discipline and national unity
- “Today’s news is tomorrow’s history,” says Vice President, underlining the need to preserve records of social service
- COVID-19 relief efforts, outreach to marginalised communities and the wider tradition of seva find place in the volume
Addressing the gathering, Radhakrishnan said the volume documents the RSS’s contribution to social service and nation-building, while emphasising the importance of preserving accounts of constructive work for future generations.
“Today’s news is tomorrow’s history”
Making a strong case for documenting social initiatives, the Vice President observed: “Today’s news is tomorrow’s history.”
He said good work that is not recorded could gradually disappear from public memory. In that context, he described the book as an effort to capture how the spirit of seva has been translated into sustained social-service activities over the decades.
The Vice President highlighted “Seva is Dharma; it is a duty” as a foundational ideal and said service initiatives associated with RSS volunteers have reached different sections of society, including the poor and marginalised, workers, women and children.
He also recalled the role of RSS volunteers in extending assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the provision of food, medicines and other essential support.
Character-building as the foundation
Radhakrishnan referred to the book’s theme of “Nation-building through character-building”, stressing the importance of patriotism, discipline, social responsibility and national unity in strengthening the foundations of the country.
The message, he said, goes beyond the documentation of individual acts of service and reflects a broader understanding of social responsibility and national consciousness.
The book, therefore, seeks to present the century-long journey of service not merely as a historical record but as a reflection of India’s enduring cultural tradition of seva.
A record for future generations
The Vice President said the publication could serve as a record of the RSS’s century-long service while also reflecting India’s traditions of service, culture and national consciousness for future generations.
He congratulated Tamilisai Soundararajan and others associated with the publication, expressing hope that more initiatives would emerge to document important aspects of India’s social and public history.
The release brought together political leaders and public figures, including Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs L. Murugan, Puducherry Home Minister A. Namassivayam and Tamilisai Soundararajan.
At a time when public memory is increasingly shaped by the speed of the digital news cycle, the Vice President’s observation—“Today’s news is tomorrow’s history”—also underlines the larger importance of preserving records of social engagement.
The book thus arrives as an attempt to place 100 acts of seva within a larger century-long narrative, inviting readers to examine how voluntary service, social responsibility and nation-building have intersected in modern India.
