Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (October 1) described the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a unique institution devoted to character-building and nation-building, where a swayamsevak’s journey begins from the self and expands into collective service. Speaking at the centenary celebrations of the Sangh at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, the Prime Minister hailed the RSS as an organisation that has remained unwavering in its commitment to the principle of Rashtra Pratham (Nation First).
“The field of a Sangh Shakha is a land of inspiration, where the journey of a swayamsevak begins from ‘I’ to ‘We’. The Shakhas of the Sangh are the sacred altars of character-building,” Modi said, underlining the RSS’s role in shaping individuals who dedicate themselves to the larger cause of society and nation.
Drawing on a powerful metaphor, the Prime Minister said the Sangh had influenced countless lives over the decades. “The way human communities live on the banks of a river, just like that, many lives have flourished with the stream of Sangh. Sangh has touched on every aspect of this country,” he said.
He stressed that despite having multiple affiliated organisations across different sectors, the RSS remains united in one vision. “The RSS has many sub-organisations, but all are united in one purpose, ‘Rashtra Pratham’. No two sub-organisations contradict or conflict with each other,” he added.
In his address, Modi emphasised the Sangh’s philosophy of linking individual growth with national development. “To achieve this resolve, Sangh chose a journey of individual development to nation development. And to fulfil this, an organisation which operates regularly was needed. Hedgewar ji (Doctorji) knew that our nation would only become empowered when every Indian citizen developed a sense of responsibility towards the nation. That is why he always engaged in individuals’ development,” the Prime Minister explained.
He also elaborated on the role of shakhas in shaping swayamsevaks. “Within these shakhas, an individual undergoes physical, mental and social growth. A strong sense of national service and courage steadily blossoms in the hearts of swayamsevaks… The great aim of nation development, a clear path of character development and a simple work like that of Shakha have become the foundation of Sangh.”
Paying tribute to RSS founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Modi reminded the gathering of his contribution and that of RSS workers during India’s freedom struggle. “During the freedom struggle, we see how revered Dr Hedgewar and many Sangh workers actively participated in the independence movement. Dr Hedgewar himself was imprisoned in Nagpur Jail. The Sangh continued to support numerous freedom fighters, standing shoulder to shoulder with them in their struggle,” he said.
The Prime Minister did not shy away from recalling the challenges and attempts made to malign the Sangh in post-Independence India. “It is not as if the Sangh has never faced attacks or conspiracies. Even after Independence, there were repeated attempts to crush the organisation and prevent it from entering the mainstream. Guruji was falsely implicated in a case and even imprisoned. However, when he was released, he spoke with remarkable composure, words that remain a powerful source of inspiration in history,” Modi stated.
To mark the centenary celebrations, Prime Minister Modi also released a commemorative Rs 100 coin and a postal stamp dedicated to the RSS. The coin, he said, carries a historic symbolism. “It depicts Bharat Mata seated on a lion in the varad mudra, with swayamsevaks paying homage, marking the first such depiction in independent India,” the Prime Minister announced.
The postal stamp, on the other hand, honours the Sangh’s contribution to national service by featuring RSS swayamsevaks participating in the 1963 Republic Day Parade. “This image is not just a part of history but a reminder of the Sangh’s unwavering dedication to the country,” he added.
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