NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat during his address on the organization’s centenary. In a post on X, PM Modi noted, “An inspiring address by Param Pujya Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat Ji, highlighting the rich contributions of the RSS to nation-building and emphasizing the innate potential of our land to attain new heights of glory, thereby benefiting our entire planet.”
Speaking during the annual Vijayadashami speech in Nagpur, which commemorated 100 years of the RSS, Bhagwat emphasized the significance of individual character development and the pivotal role of the Shakha system in cultivating disciplined and value-oriented citizens. He remarked, “The system for creating individuals was destroyed in our society during the long period of foreign invasion… the Sangh Shakha is such a system. For the past 100 years, Sangh Karyakartas have consistently sustained the system in all kinds of circumstances. We must continue to do this in the future… that is why Swayamsevaks must undertake the discipline of changing their own habits by actively participating in the daily Shakha activities.”
Bhagwat further articulated that the Shakha exists to nurture both individual and collective qualities, fostering an atmosphere conducive to basic human values and social solidarity. He commended Swayamsevaks for their active engagement with social organizations and individuals, stating, “Swayamsevaks have actively engaged in various aspects of social life, as well as diverse organizations and institutions, cooperating and engaging in dialogue with numerous individuals working in society.”
He also highlighted the necessity for a comprehensive development model that addresses future challenges while promoting social harmony, respect for diversity, and national unity. “Our country has immense diversity. Many languages, multiple religions, diverse lifestyles, and a variety of cuisines exist due to geographic diversity, caste, and sub-caste… As a society, a country, a culture, and a nation, we are united. We must remember that this larger identity is above everything else for us. Our attitudes towards each other in society are required to be harmonious and respectful,” Bhagwat emphasized.
In discussing the role of Hindu society in global welfare, he stated, “The Hindu society is the upholder and guardian of the noble idea of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. This is why it is the duty of the Hindu society to make Bharat prosperous and a country that contributes immensely to the entire world.”
The RSS, founded in 1925 in Nagpur by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, is a volunteer-based organization aimed at promoting cultural awareness, discipline, service, and social responsibility among citizens.