Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday, March 30, calling it the contemporary "Akshay Vat" (Eternal Banyan Tree) that represents India's unbroken cultural heritage.
He underlined that the RSS is not merely an organization but a living institution like the Akshay Vat, forever energizing India's civilizational soul through its ideology and its large army of dedicated volunteers.
Addressing an event in Maharashtra's Nagpur, after a foundation stone laying ceremony for The Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, PM Modi stressed that the very survival of the nation from one generation to the next is conditional on the spreading of its cultural identity and transformation of its collective consciousness.
Looking back on India's past, he said, "In spite of centuries of foreign rule, unrelenting invasions, and constant efforts to disunite India's social fabric, the soul of our civilization never dimmed. It kept glowing."
Describing this resilience, he referred to the role of transformative social movements in maintaining India's consciousness. "Even in the darkest of times, India saw the rise of social and spiritual movements that kept our national spirit alive. The Bhakti movement is a prime example," he said.
The Prime Minister recognized great saints such as Guru Nanak Dev, Kabirdas, Tulsidas, Surdas, and Maharashtra's own Sant Tukaram, Sant Eknath, Sant Namdev, and Sant Gyaneshwar for their role in making India more culturally and spiritually strong.
"These movements broke down the barriers of discrimination and united society by a common thread of devotion and service," he said.
He also underscored the importance of Swami Vivekananda's contribution to igniting national pride in a time of despondency, restoring Indians' faith in themselves, and making sure the fire of national awareness never faltered.
Referring to the RSS's contribution, PM Modi recognized the efforts of Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the organization's founder in 1925, and the second chief Guruji M.S. Golwalkar, towards pursuing the philosophy of national rebirth in the last decades of British rule.
"What started as a seed of thought a century ago to maintain and consolidate India's national consciousness has today grown into a robust banyan tree," he said, referring to RSS marking its 100th anniversary.
He attributed the core values and ideals of the organization for conferring strength and standing on it, with millions of devoted volunteers as its branches. "This is no ordinary tree—The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is the modern Akshay Vat of India's immortal culture," he announced.
He ended by pointing out that this "eternal banyan tree" is still sustains Indian culture and feeds the national consciousness of the nation.
'Inspire Us to Serve the Nation': PM Modi Pays Heartfelt Tribute to RSS Founders
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Smruti Mandir in Maharashtra's Nagpur on Sunday and referred to the place as strongly based on the Indian cultural and nationalist values. The memorial provides a source of inspiration for encouraging people to live their lives committed to the services of the nation, he mentioned.PM Modi wrote these lines in a handwritten note following floral tributes at the memorials of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and the second Sarsanghchalak of the organization, M.S. Golwalkar, at the Dr. Hedgewar Smruti Mandir.
The Prime Minister, in his Hindi handwritten note signed by him, spoke of his great respect for RSS stalwarts. The meaning of the English translation of his words is as follows:
"My respectful greetings to the most sacred Dr. Hedgewar and revered Guruji. I am overjoyed to come to this Smruti Mandir, which commemorates their memories. This is a place devoted to the spirit of Indian culture, nationalism, and organization and makes us strong enough to take forward the journey in the cause of the country. The heritage of these two stalwarts of the Sangh is a driving force for lakhs of volunteers who are working to serve the nation. Let the glory of Mother Bharati continue to increase with our efforts."
His visit was historically significant, marking the first time a sitting Prime Minister has visited the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. It was also PM Modi’s first visit to the RSS HQ in Reshimbagh since taking office.
Earlier, on September 16, 2012, he had gone to Reshimbagh to offer tributes to the late RSS chief K. Sudarshan. In July 2013, when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat, he made a second visit to the headquarters for talks.
On his recent visit, PM Modi was joined by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, senior RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and some local RSS leaders. The Prime Minister also met RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat briefly.
Notably, while it is customary for local RSS leaders to welcome visiting dignitaries, Mohan Bhagwat himself was present to receive and accompany PM Modi, highlighting the importance of the occasion.
PM Modi’s visit holds special significance as the RSS is gearing up to celebrate its centenary year with a series of events planned over the next 12 months.
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