Bhubaneswar: “Independence comprises swa (self) and tantra (system). When the system functions on the foundation of the self, true independence is achieved. Bharat is a unique nation; it exists to bring peace and happiness to the world. It exists to share dharma with the world. That is why the Dharma Chakra is at the centre of our national flag. This dharma unites everyone, uplifts everyone, and takes everyone along. Therefore, it brings happiness to all, both in this world (Lok) and beyond (Parlok) . Bharat’s special quality is that it is meant to give this dharma to the world. But to give it, our system must be our own, and it must operate on the basis of the self.”
On the occasion of Independence Day, at a programme organised in Bhubaneswar by the Utkal Vipanna Sahayata Samiti, Odisha, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat hoisted the national flag and addressed the gathering.
He said that along with ensuring happiness, peace, and dignity for everyone in the country, it is also our duty to offer solutions based on our own perspective and the vision of dharma to the problems faced by a faltering world, in order to create a new world filled with peace and harmony. Such a task lies before our independent nation, and for this, we must show the same hard work, the same sacrifice, and the same dedication that our forefathers demonstrated to secure our independence.
In his address, he further said that it has been seventy-eight years since independence was achieved. Thinking about how many years it took to attain it, one recalls that the first attempt to break free from British rule was made in 1857, and from then on, these efforts continued in various forms. Armed or unarmed, for three successive generations, people sacrificed their lives, endured imprisonment, and persisted despite changing circumstances. Until conditions became favourable for independence, society and the leaders of that time continued all these efforts.
“स्वतंत्रता में स्व और तंत्र है। स्व के आधार पर तंत्र चलता है तब स्वतंत्रता आती है । भारत एक वैशिष्ट्यपूर्ण देश है। वह दुनिया में सुख शांति लाने के लिए जीता है । दुनिया को धर्म देने के लिए जीता है। इसलिए हमारे राष्ट्रध्वज के केंद्र में धर्मचक्र है। ये धर्म सबको साथ लेकर, सबको… pic.twitter.com/a5W7Ll43xf
— RSS (@RSSorg) August 15, 2025
He said that he himself was born after independence. Seventy-eight years later, we have to consciously remember the efforts made for the country’s freedom because it was earned by our forefathers. We received it effortlessly, but great effort went into earning it, and preserving and strengthening it will also require hard work.
He said that on August 15, 1947, the country became independent. The British left, and the nation came under the governance of our own people. He noted that every five years we elect representatives, and they are our own people. We run our own state and conduct our own affairs. We have become independent, but the reason for which we gained independence was to ensure that everyone in our country enjoys happiness, security, peace, and dignity. The world today is faltering, and even after two thousand years of various experiments, it has not found solutions to its problems. It is our duty to offer the world a way based on our own perspective and the vision of dharma to build a new, peaceful, and harmonious world. Such a task lies before our independent nation, and for this, we must put in the same effort, make the same sacrifices, and show the same dedication as our forefathers did to secure this independence for us.
He said that when our forefathers were fighting for independence, they did not think that they would act only when favorable conditions arose. Even knowing that the conditions were not favorable, they kept the spirit alive in the minds of the people through continuous effort. In the same way, we too must, without considering circumstances, work to ensure our country’s happiness, peace, unity, respect, and dignity for all.
Along with this, we must make Bharat a Vishwaguru by resolving global conflicts, addressing environmental issues, and creating a happy and beautiful world. Today, we should all remember this duty.
He said that in our national flag, the saffron color at the top represents sacrifice, diligence, and knowledge. Similarly, the white color in the middle is a symbol of pure character and integrity. When these two come together, when people of pure character work selflessly with dedication, put in effort, and devote themselves to the pursuit of knowledge, the prosperity that follows is symbolised by the colour green, the colour of Goddess Lakshmi. All of this must be done on the foundation of dharma. That is why the Dharma Chakra in our national flag conveys both what we must do and how we must do it.
In the same way, we should all remember our duties and move forward in life by taking small, concrete pledges in that direction. For example, today the RSS swayamsevaks talk about the “Five Transformations” (Panch Parivartan). Through such small pledges, change can be brought to society, to the nation, and consequently, to the world. He said that we should begin with these small changes and start moving forward on the path of our duty.
On this occasion, Odisha (East) Prant Sanghchalak Sameer Mahanti and Utkal Vipanna Sahayata Samiti President Akshay Kumar Bit were present.
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