The Intelligence from The Economist The club rules? India’s RSS
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Dec 23, 2024 
Avantika Chilkoti, a global business correspondent for The Economist, shares her firsthand experience at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's annual celebration in Nagpur. She delves into the organization's dual nature as a community hub and a supporter of Hindu nationalism. Chilkoti reveals how RSS influences Narendra Modi's policies and the complex dynamics of power at play. The discussion also highlights how Gulf countries are shifting focus towards innovation, and introduces the 2024 word of the year, 'cacostocracy,' reflecting current political sentiments.
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RSS Annual Celebration
- Avantika Chilkoti attended the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) annual celebrations in Nagpur, India.
- The event featured thousands of men in uniform, chanting, and speeches about nationalism.
RSS and BJP
- The RSS, a powerful organization, is the parent organization of India's ruling party, the BJP.
- Despite its public presence, the RSS remains secretive about its finances and organization.
Attendees and Speeches
- Attendees included everyday men and VIPs like billionaire businessman Sajjan Dindal and a former head of India's space agency.
- The speaker focused on patriotism and preserving Hindu culture.