Model-actor Milind Soman found himself on Twitter's trending list after he revealed his childhood memories at an RSS shakha. In his memoir, titled Made in India, Soman shared what he felt like being part of the 'desi Scouts' as a child.
In an excerpt published in print.in, Soman spoke of going to the local 'shakha' at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai. His father had been part of the RSS and was a 'proud Hindu'. Soman added that in those days it was all about getting youngsters to lead a disciplined life, with a focus on physical fitness and right thinking.
He added that he is baffled by recent media reports that attribute 'subversive, communal propaganda' to the RSS. In the excerpt on print.in, he stated that his memories of what happened at the shakha every weekday evening are completely different. “...we marched about in our khaki shorts, did some yoga, worked out in a traditional outdoor gymnasium with no fancy equipment, sang songs and chanted Sanskrit verses that we did not understand the meanings of, played games and had a bunch of fun with our fellows,” he described in the memoir Made in India. He added that as far as he could remember, he did not know what the shakha leaders felt about being Hindu, and neither did they sir their views on the young boys.
As Soman started trending on Twitter, he put out a funny tweet, saying he was trending at the age of 54, for an experience he had at the age of 10.
The book, co-written by author Roopa Pai and published by Penguin Random House, delves deep into his life—his fitness journey, the women in his life and his addiction and subsequent de-addiction to smoking and alcohol. He also discusses about stress in life, and why sometimes it is a good thing, if you know how to deal with it.