The Rashtra-Sevika Samiti(Devnaagaree: राष्ट्रसेविका समिती) (National Women Volunteers Committee) is the women's wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Although a part of the RSS organisation, its membership and leadership is restricted for women and its activities directed for the welfare of women. Rashtra Sevika Samiti is today the largest Hindu women organization for welfare and rehabilitation of women in India. Various types of training camps at different levels in all parts of India are conducted periodically. Fully active Shakhas of Rashtra Sevika Samiti are functioning in 5215 centres. 875 centres conduct the Shakhas on a daily basis. Vandaniya Mausiji is the founder of Rashtra Sevika Samiti When Sarchangchalak of the RSS, Dr. Hedgewar was visiting Wardha in 1936, Vandaniya Mausiji met Dr. Hedgewar. It was a historic meeting at which Mausiji told Dr. Hedgewar that the work of Hindu revitalisation and awakening should not be limited to Hindu men alone and that the women should be equal partners in it. She also quoted Swami Vivekananda who had expressed that an eagle can fly only when both the wings are equally strong. She told Dr. Hedgewar that men and women are like the two wings of society. Dr. Hedgewar warmly responded to the motion of Vandaniya Mausiji and told her: 'Lakshmi Bai, I fully agree with you. It is essential to inculcate the right values in women and train them for the complete duty of the nation. However, I do feel that the women's organisation should be separate and their field should also be different from that of men. As you know, I have no experience or knowledge about the ladies. So I won't be able to do justice to such an organisation. Are you willing to shoulder the charge of organising the women and bringing them together under a single banner?'Vandaniya Mausiji did not hesitate for a moment and replied: 'Doctorji, I shall strive to the best of my abilities to fulfilled this responsibility. I am hopeful with your able guidance and Almighty's blessings I would be successful in this venture'. After a series of talks, Dr. Hedgewar suggested that the new women's organisation should be called 'Rashtra Sevika Samiti' (RSS) and this will be exactly parallel to the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS). Thus was born 'Rashtra Sevika Samiti' (R.S.S.) on Vijayadasami Day on 25th October, 1936.

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