'Proud to be Part': Brinda Kotak on 'Hundred Years Young' Book
Venture founder Brinda Kotak discusses her contribution to 'Hundred Years Young', a book marking the RSS centenary through young perspectives.
Brinda Kotak, a prominent venture studio founder and early-stage investor, has expressed deep pride in contributing to the new book titled Hundred Years Young: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The publication, authored by Rashmi Samant, serves as a commemorative piece marking the centenary of the RSS, weaving together the stories and experiences of youth from a wide array of backgrounds.
A Tapestry of Young Perspectives
Speaking to ANI, Brinda Kotak highlighted the unique nature of the project, which features 18 different young individuals. Despite coming from diverse walks of life, these contributors are united by a single common thread: the inspiration they have drawn from the RSS.
Kotak explained that the book consists of 18 distinct articles, each providing a personal perspective on how the principles of the RSS have been integrated into the contributors' own lives and professional journeys.
Action Over Words
One of the most striking aspects of the organisation, according to Kotak, is its commitment to tangible results over rhetoric. She noted that the RSS philosophy operates on the belief that "mere talk achieves nothing," emphasizing a culture of action and ground-level commitment.
"RSS has never placed much emphasis on talking about its own work... They are committed to ground-level work and place little value on self-promotion," Kotak stated.
Furthermore, she pointed out a rare and noble ambition within the organisation: the goal of its own redundancy. Kotak remarked that the RSS envisions a future India where such an organisation is no longer necessary, suggesting a level of selflessness in its long-term goals.
The Concept of 'Man-Making'
The book's author, Rashmi Samant, shared her own insights into the complexity of the RSS, asserting that the organisation cannot be understood through a single lens or within a brief timeframe. She described the RSS as an entity engaged in "generational work."
Key Insights from Author Rashmi Samant:
- Core Motto: The primary objective of the RSS is "man-making," a process that Samant believes happens over generations rather than days.
- Scale of Ambition: Given the massive scale of its undertaking, Samant believes the organisation is effectively only 100 years old in the context of its vast goals.
- Inclusive Reach: The author noted that the organisation works across all sections of society.
Samant admitted that the process of researching the book was a transformative experience for her, concluding that the RSS is far too multifaceted to be captured from a single perspective.