Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday heaped praise on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying that the organisation has helped nurture and strengthen countless lives over the years. He hailed Sangh for its long-standing commitment to nation-building.
While addressing the centenary celebrations of RSS in the national capital, the prime minister said, “Just as human civilisations flourish along the banks of mighty rivers, similarly, hundreds of lives have blossomed and thrived along the banks and in the flow of the RSS. Since its formation, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has pursued a grand objective. That objective has been nation-building.”
‘RSS founding coincides with Vijayadashami’
Highlighting the Vijayadashami festival’s symbolism of the victory of good over evil, truth over falsehood, and light over darkness, he said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which was also founded 100 years ago on Vijayadashami, was no coincidence.
“Tomorrow is Vijayadashmi, a festival which symbolises the victory of good over evil, victory of justice over injustice, victory of truth over falsehoods, and victory of light over darkness… The establishment of RSS as an organisation on this great day 100 years ago, was no coincidence,” PM said.
He paid tribute to RSS’s founder, KB Hedgewar, praising his dedication to national service.
“It is the fortune of the volunteers of our generation that we have the opportunity to witness such a great occasion as the centenary year of the Sangh. On this occasion today, I extend my best wishes to the millions of volunteers dedicated to national service and congratulate them. I pay my humble tribute at the feet of the founder of the Sangh, our revered ideal, the most worshipful Dr. Hedgewar ji,” PM Modi said.
Govt issues stamp and coin to mark RSS centenary
The prime minister announced that, to commemorate the Sangh’s glorious 100-year journey, the Government of India has released a special postage stamp and commemorative coin.
“… This Rs 100 coin has the National Emblem on one side, and on the other side, there is an image of Bharat Mata, seated on a lion in ‘varad mudra’, and swayamsevaks bowing down before her with dedication. This is the first time in the history of independent India that an image of Bharat Mata has been shown on our currency… The special postal stamp launched today also has its importance… In 1963, RSS Swayamsevaks also proudly participated in the Republic Day Parade. This postal stamp has an image of that historic moment.” PM Modi said.
PM highlights RSS fight against caste discrimination
The prime minister further said that deep-rooted social ailments such as caste-based discrimination and regressive practices have long posed a serious challenge to Hindu society. He highlighted that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has consistently worked to address this concern. Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to a Sangh camp in Wardha, the Prime Minister noted that Gandhiji openly praised the Sangh’s spirit of equality, compassion, and harmony. He stated that from Dr. Hedgewar to the present day, every eminent figure and Sarsanghchalak of the Sangh has fought against discrimination and untouchability.
PM Modi on Sangh’s five transformative resolutions
PM Modi also shard his thoughts on Sangh’s five transformative resolutions—self-awareness, social harmony, family enlightenment, civic discipline, and environmental consciousness—as powerful inspirations for swayamsevaks to confront the challenges facing the nation, elaborating that self-awareness means liberation from the mindset of servitude and taking pride in one’s heritage and native language.
“The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s five transformative resolutions—self-awareness, social harmony, family enlightenment, civic discipline, and environmental consciousness—are vital instruments that will enhance the nation’s strength, help India confront diverse challenges, and serve as foundational pillars for building a developed India by 2047”, the prime minister said.
‘Adopt the mantra of swadeshi’
He called upon society to adopt the mantra of swadeshi as a collective resolve and urged everyone to dedicate their full energy towards making the “Vocal for Local” campaign a resounding success.
Founded in 1925 in Nagpur, Maharashtra, by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the RSS was established as a volunteer-based organisation with the goal of fostering cultural awareness, discipline, service, and social responsibility among citizens.
