This story is from September 12, 2018

For RSS volunteers, shorts are still trusted part of kit

Old habits die hard. Probably that’s why many Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteers are finding it difficult to altogether relinquish the comfortable khaki half-pants, which were replaced with trousers in October 2016.
For RSS volunteers, shorts are still trusted part of kit
RSS members at a shakha in Ahmedabad on Tuesday
AHMEDABAD: Old habits die hard. Probably that’s why many Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteers are finding it difficult to altogether relinquish the comfortable khaki half-pants, which were replaced with trousers in October 2016.
In Ahmedabad, most RSS volunteers — despite having adopted the new ‘ganvesh’ of trousers — can be seen attending morning shakhas in the trademark khaki half-pants that have been a part of swayamsevaks’ uniform for over 90 years.

In fact, RSS volunteers in khaki half-pants were seen carrying out relief work after the collapse of two blocks at Odhav EWS housing last month. Identity and comfort associated with khaki half-pants are cited as the key reasons for the sartorial preference. “Khaki half-pants are more convenient during daily exercise at the shakhas,” said Amrut Kadiwala, an RSS veteran and a member of the state RSS executive.
“During disaster relief work, khaki half-pants win instant recognition and the trust of people.” There are around 3,500 shakhas in Gujarat which draw 55,000 regulars. Overall, there may be around 1 lakh volunteers in the state.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA