RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
- The RSS is the world's largest non-governmental organisation, PM Modi said on Friday
- The RSS is dedicated to India's service, he said
- RSS is set to mark 100 years of its foundation this year
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is the world's biggest non-governmental organisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said, as he lauded the Bharatiya Janata Party's ideological parent that is set to mark 100 years of its foundation this year. This is the first time PM Modi has mentioned the RSS in his 12 Indpendence Day speeches.
"Today I want to mention one thing with great pride that 100 years ago, an organisation was born - the RSS. Its 100 years of national service has been a very proud and glorious page," Mr Modi, who has been an RSS pracharak in the past, said.
For the past 100 years, the RSS sawayamsevaks (volunteers) have been dedicating their lives to fulfil the resolve of 'vyakti nirman' (character development) and 'rashtra nirman' (nation building) for the welfare of 'matrubhoomi' (motherland), he said. "From the ramparts of the Red Fort today, I respectfully remember all the swayamsevaks who have contributed to these 100 years of national service."
The Prime Minister said service, dedication, organisation, and unparalleled discipline are the identity of the RSS, the world's biggest non-government organisation. The country is proud of 100 years of "dedicated and glorious" journey of the RSS, he said, adding, "It will keep inspiring us."
In his Independence Day speech at the RSS office in Bhubaneswar, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said Indians should not be complacent about independence, and must work hard and make sacrifices to keep it "alive".
"Our ancestors ensured India's Independence by making supreme sacrifices... We too need to be as hardworking to keep it alive and to make the country self-confident and emerge as 'Vishwa Guru' (global leader) to guide the world engaged in quarrel," he said.
The RSS is planning to hold mega celebrations from August 26 to mark 100 years of its foundation. The flagship event to mark its 100 years, titled '100 Years of Sangh Yatra - New Horizons', will be held from August 26 to August 28 at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.
During this period, Mr Bhagwat is expected to hold interactions with various sections of society. The program will also include lectures, dialogues, and discussions with influencers from 17 fields, including the media, diplomacy, religion, and academia. Similar interactions will also take place in other cities - Bengaluru in November, and Kolkata and Mumbai - in February next year.
While all diplomats will be invited to the event, the RSS has decided not to invite envoys from Pakistan, Turkey, and Bangladesh, sources said.
The RSS is also planning a mega outreach program, including a 'Hindu Sammelan' across the country. These 'Hindu Sammelans' will be organised at the 'mandal' level in rural areas and 'basti' level in urban areas. Notably, there are 58,964 mandals and 44,055 bastis across the country.
During the 'sammelans', discussions will be held on social festivals, social unity, harmony, and 'panch parivartan (five transformation) - Samajik Samarasata (Social Harmony), Kutumb Prabodhan (Family Enlightenment), Paryavaran (Environmental Awareness), Swa (Selfhood and Indigenous Identity), and Citizen Duties.
