Rashtra Sevika Samiti, founded in 1936, is a nationwide women’s organization dedicated to nation-building through cultural and moral empowerment. Rooted in the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), it offers a platform for women to develop leadership, discipline, and service spirit.

Lakshmibai Kelkar, affectionately known as Vandaniya Tai, founded the Samiti after realizing the need for a space where women could receive similar character-building training as offered to men by the RSS. A Sanskrit scholar and powerful speaker, she believed women were essential to India’s social and spiritual resurgence.

A distinct women-led platform

Encouraged by RSS founder Dr. K.B. Hedgewar, Kelkar established the Samiti as an independent yet ideologically aligned organization. It remains entirely led and managed by women, reflecting its core belief in female empowerment.

Programs and activities

The heart of the Samiti lies in its Shakhas — regular gatherings that include yoga, music, storytelling, discussions, and physical training. These sessions nurture confidence, discipline, and leadership in women and girls.

Nationwide reach

Today, the Samiti runs over 5,000 Shakhas and numerous service initiatives across India. Its programs are customized to local cultures and languages, reaching even remote tribal areas.

Presence in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Since the 1950s, the Samiti has grown significantly in the Telugu states. Major centers in cities like Hyderabad, Guntur, and Visakhapatnam host Sanskrit camps, tribal hostels, and health drives. Leadership development for young women is a key focus.

Service at the core

From disaster relief in Uttarakhand to running hostels and offering free education for tribal and underprivileged girls, the Samiti’s service spans across regions. It also promotes harmony and self-help initiatives among women.

Rashtra Sevika Samiti is more than an organization - it’s a movement that nurtures Indian womanhood as a force for national transformation. In a world of distractions, it offers women a path of purpose, culture, and service.

- Rama Viswanadhan, Senior Journalist