Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate as the Chief Guest in the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) today. The event is scheduled to take place at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi at 10:30 AM, according to a government statement.
During the celebrations, the Prime Minister will unveil a specially designed commemorative postage stamp and coin that acknowledge the RSS’s contributions to the nation, and he will also address the attendees.
The government statement emphasized that the centenary celebrations honor the historical achievements of the RSS and highlight its lasting contributions to India’s cultural journey and its message of national unity.
Founded on Vijaya Dashami in 1925 in Nagpur, Maharashtra, by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the RSS was established as a volunteer-based organization aimed at fostering cultural awareness, discipline, service, and social responsibility among citizens.
PM Modi, who is himself an RSS pracharak, gained recognition as an effective organizer before transitioning to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which draws its ideological foundation from the RSS. Modi has often spoken about the profound influence of the RSS on his life. In a podcast with Lex Fridman in March, he noted that the teachings of the Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Vivekananda, and the service-oriented philosophy of the RSS significantly shaped his outlook.
In the podcast released on March 16, 2025, Modi remarked, “More than anything, the RSS provides you with a clear direction toward what can truly be called a purpose in life. Secondly, the nation is everything, and serving the people is akin to serving God.”
On March 30, Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Maharashtra. During this visit, he paid tribute at the memorial of RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, accompanied by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The RSS is characterized as a unique movement focused on national reconstruction, emerging as a response to centuries of foreign rule. Its growth is often attributed to the emotional resonance of its vision of India’s national glory, rooted in Dharma, according to the government statement.
The core emphasis of the RSS lies in patriotism and national character formation, aiming to instill devotion to the motherland, discipline, self-restraint, courage, and heroism. Its ultimate goal is the “Sarvangeena Unnati” (all-round development) of India, which every Swayamsevak dedicates himself to achieving.
