Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the 100-year-old “Akshay Vatvruksha (banyan tree) of the immortal culture of India and modernisation that “energises national consciousness”.
In his first visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur as the Prime Minister on the occasion of the organisation’s centenary, Modi said, “RSS Bharat ki amar sanskriti ka, adhunikta ka akshay vatvruksha hain. Rashtriya chetna ko urja de raha hain” (RSS is the modern banyan tree of the immortal culture of India. It is energising national consciousness”.
Speaking at a function organised on the occasion of Gudi Padwa (Marathi New Year) by the Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre in Nagpur, PM dwelt at length on the role played by the RSS since its formation in 1925.
“The seeds that were sown a hundred years ago have flourished into a Vatvruksha (huge banyan tree). And lakhs of swayamsevaks are its stems and branches. It is not an ordinary banyan tree. It is an embodiment of India’s cultural nationalism and modernisation. It gives energy to national consciousness”.
Though he visited the RSS headquarters for the first time after taking over as the Prime Minister 11 years ago, Modi became the second sitting Prime Minister to visit the place. Earlier, Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited the RSS headquarters in 2000 during his third term as PM.
Modi’s praise of the RSS at a public platform should be seen in the context of the fact that the RSS is celebrating its centenary year and the ruling BJP is in the process of choosing its next national president. It is a normal practice that the BJP takes the RSS leadership into confidence before appointing its national president.
Earlier upon his arrival in the orange city, Modi —accompanied by RSS chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat — visited the Hedgewar Smruti Mandir at Reshimbagh, which houses the memorial of first two Sarsanghchalaks — Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar coinciding with the Gudi Padwa festivities.
Maintaining that “When service becomes ingrained in values, it transforms into a form of devotion, which is the essence of every RSS volunteer’s life”, Modi said, “RSS workers selflessly work on many fronts — some dedicated to Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Ekal Vidyalaya, Sanskrutik Jagran, Seva Bharati.”
“Whether it is earthquakes, floods, or any natural calamities, the highly disciplined RSS swayamsevaks are always in the forefront, serving people and society at large. Like dutiful soldiers, they undertake the service, overriding their discomfort to help others. For RSS swayamsevaks, there is nothing like big or small work. As Guruji (MS Golwalkar) had said responding to a question on why RSS is called all-encompassing… it is like light which dispels darkness,” the Prime Minister said.
Lauding the exemplary work of volunteers during the Prayag Mahakumbh, where they assisted millions through the Netra Kumbh initiative, he emphasised that wherever there is a need for service, volunteers are present. He remarked on the disciplined response of volunteers during disasters like floods and earthquakes, highlighting their selflessness and
dedication to service.
Highlighting the importance of ‘Sanghatana, Samarpan and Seva (Organisation, Dedication and Service)’ in achieving the target of ‘Viksit Bharat’, Modi said, “If RSS history from its foundation in 1925 to 1947 marked an era of struggle; today, as it marches ahead to complete its 100 years, it will write a new chapter as the country accomplishes its dream of Viksit Bharat,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said that in order to accomplish the goal of Viksit Bharat, “We have to break the barriers that have held the nation captive for the last seventy years. We have to shed slavery and move ahead and write a new chapter in national glory. We have gotten rid of colonial laws and replaced them with the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita…”
“India is emerging stronger as the voice of the Global South. The concept of ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ is rooted in our culture. Today’s youth displays great capability and capacity to take risks. They are engaged in innovations and start-ups. They take pride in our culture and rich legacy, the Prime Minister said.
“We have achieved Ram temple in Ayodhya. We have to lay a strong foundation for (the next) 1,000 years. As we embark on our mission for Viksit Bharat, RSS founder Hedgewar will continue to inspire us in fulfilling the goal,” Modi said.
After paying homage to RSS founder Dr KB Hedgewar and second sarsanghchalak MS Golwalkar at the Smruti Mandir, Modi wrote in the visitors’ diary, “The memorial of the two strong pillars of RSS is an inspiration to lakhs of swayamsevaks who have dedicated themselves to the service of the nation. I am overwhelmed to visit the Smruti Mandir, which cherishes the memories of Param Pujaniya, Dr Hedgewar and Pujya Guruji”.
Taking to micro-blogging site “X” after visiting Smruti Mandir, Modi wrote, “Visiting Smruti Mandir in Nagpur is a very special experience. Making today’s visit even more special is the fact that
it has happened on Varsha Pratipada, which is also the Jayanti of Param Pujya Doctor Sahab.
“Countless people like me derive inspiration and strength from the thoughts of Param Pujya, Doctor Sahab and Pujya Guruji. It was an honour to pay homage to these two greats, who envisioned a strong, prosperous and culturally proud Bharat,” PM wrote.
The Prime Minister also visited Deekshabhoomi, where Dr BR Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with his followers on October 14, 1956.
Hailing Deekshabhoomi as a symbol of social justice and empowering the downtrodden, the Prime Minister said, “Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur stands tall as a symbol of social justice and empowering the downtrodden. Generations of Indians will remain grateful to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar for giving us a Constitution that ensures our dignity and equality”.
“Our government has always walked on the path shown by Babasaheb and we reiterate our commitment to working even harder to realise the India he dreamt of,” Modi said.
In his message written in Hindi in the visitors’ diary, Modi said, “I am overwhelmed that I got an opportunity to visit Deekshabhoomi, one of the five ‘Panchthirth’ of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, in Nagpur. One can feel Babasaheb’s principles of social harmony, equality, and justice in this holy atmosphere here.”
