Nagpur: RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat on August 15 hoisted the Tiranga at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day and said the national flag reminds citizens of the values of “sacrifice, dutifulness and knowledge”.
Speaking at the event, Bhagwat said, “This is a matter of pride and excitement for all of us. If we count 1857, for 90 years, we have made sacrifices in various ways and our forefathers gave us the freedom to do so. The pride of that sacrifice is in our hearts.”
He said debate, dialogue, opposition and protests are all part of democracy, but people must remain mindful of their responsibilities.
Dr Bhagwat said different ideas and views are natural in a democracy, where people can present their arguments and respond to those of others.
He said opposing views and raising questions in the public interest are necessary and should be done strongly.
Addressing an Independence Day event at Kasturchand Park, he said, “There will be different ideas and different ways of expressing those ideas. This is democracy. Therefore, there is dialogue, debate and a process of presenting one’s arguments and responding to those of others. Conflicting viewpoints will naturally emerge, and at times, opposition is also necessary. We must put our strength behind them.”
Referring to BR Ambedkar’s speeches during the making of the Constitution, he said the country can follow the path shown by him on these issues.
“There may be protests and movements, everything is part of democracy. But while doing so, we must always remain mindful of our responsibilities. When Dr BR Ambedkar spoke while the Constitution-makers were giving the country its Constitution, he addressed all these aspects in his two speeches. We can follow that path,” he said.
Dr Bhagwat also stressed the need to properly engage and guide India’s youth, saying they are the country’s “demographic dividend” and can become a major asset if nurtured well.
“Bharat’s youth are the country’s ‘demographic dividend’, and he stressed the need to engage and guide them properly. He said that if the youth are nurtured well, they can become an asset to the nation. He said that today’s youth will become the elderly generation in about 30 years and will, in turn, have to be mindful of and considerate towards the generation that follows them,” he said.
Dr Bhagwat said, “The way a nation gains independence through hard work, and after independence, it becomes prosperous and secure, this Kesariya Ranga reminds us of the need for sacrifice.”
He further said, “By doing this, by living a life of sacrifice, by living a life of dutifulness, knowledge, peace prevails in society and the mind becomes pure. This is the white colour of purity.”
Referring to the green colour of the Tricolour, Bhagwat said, “We get the third colour of prosperity.”
On the importance of unity, he said, “When we are different as individuals, our thoughts will also be different. Everything will be fine. But this is the expression of unity. This is the expression of unity.”
