PM Modi pays tribute to RSS on its centenary, lays foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya

New Delhi, Mar 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre in Nagpur, Maharashtra, today. The event was marked by tributes to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which was founded in 1925 by Dr. K.B. Hedgewar in Nagpur with the vision of fostering national unity and cultural consciousness. The RSS organisation completes a century of service, PM Modi acknowledged its big role in shaping India's societal fabric. Addressing a gathering, he highlighted the significance of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, marking the start of the Navratri festival. "Across the country, festivals like Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, and Navreh are being celebrated today.

This day is also special as it marks the birth anniversaries of Bhagwan Jhulelal and Guru Angad Dev," he said.

The Prime Minister further said the occasion as the birth anniversary of Dr. K.B. Hedgewar and the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), calling it "an illustrious journey of service and dedication to the nation."

PM Modi expressed his honour in visiting the Smruti Mandir to pay homage to Dr. Hedgewar and Shri Golwalkar Guruji. "The seed of thought sown 100 years ago for the preservation and promotion of national consciousness has now grown into a great tree," he remarked. "The principles and ideals of the RSS give height to this tree, with lakhs of volunteers as its branches. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is the modern Akshay Vat of India's immortal culture, continuously energising our nation’s consciousness." Speaking about Nagpur’s significance as a centre of service, he lauded the contributions of Madhav Netralaya in restoring vision to thousands. "This institution has been serving millions, embodying the values of Pujya Guruji. With the foundation of this new campus, the reach of service will expand, bringing light to even more lives," he stated. Reflecting on India’s cultural resilience, he said, "Despite centuries of slavery and invasions that sought to dismantle our social fabric, India’s consciousness remained alive and awakened through movements like the Bhakti tradition." He credited Swami Vivekananda for instilling self-confidence in the nation and emphasized the role of Dr. Hedgewar and Guruji in energising national consciousness during the final decades of colonial rule.

The Prime Minister drew an analogy between vision and direction, referencing the Vedic aspiration "Pashyema Sharadah Shatam" (May we see for a hundred years). "Beyond physical sight, vision also means wisdom and discernment. The RSS is a sacred endeavour working toward both external and inner vision," he observed. Quoting scriptures, he emphasised that "service and altruism are the essence of life." He remarked, "When service becomes ingrained in our values, it transforms into devotion. This devotion is the foundation of every RSS volunteer’s life." He lauded the selfless service of RSS volunteers, who work in border villages, tribal regions, and disaster-stricken areas. "Seva is a sacrificial fire, and we burn like offerings, merging into the ocean of purpose," he quoted.

Recounting an anecdote about Guruji, PM Modi shared, "When asked why the Sangh is all-pervasive, Guruji compared it to light. Light may not perform every task itself, but it removes darkness and shows the way forward. This is the guiding principle of the Sangh – ‘Not I, but you. Not mine, but for the nation.’" He urged the nation to break free from colonial-era shackles, citing reforms such as the replacement of outdated British laws with the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the transformation of Rajpath into Kartavya Path. "For 70 years, we carried the burden of colonial remnants, but now we are scripting a new chapter of national pride," he asserted. He also pointed to the redesign of the Indian Navy’s flag and the renaming of Andaman Islands to honour India’s freedom fighters as steps toward reclaiming India's legacy.

PM Modi emphasised India's global leadership rooted in its ethos of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam." "Whether it was vaccine distribution during the pandemic or disaster relief in Myanmar, Türkiye, and Nepal, India has led with a sense of global responsibility," he said. He also praised the dynamism of India's youth, calling them "the driving force behind India's vision for 2047." Reflecting on the Sangh’s journey from its establishment in 1925 to its centenary in 2025, the Prime Minister said, "The coming decades present new and ambitious goals. Guruji once wrote that he wished to be a small stone in the foundation of a grand national edifice. Today, we must carry forward that resolve, build a strong India, and ensure that our legacy lasts for the next thousand years." PM Modi reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to realising a "Viksit Bharat." "The dedication of RSS volunteers and the spirit of service will continue to illuminate India’s path forward," he said, as he extended his best wishes to all associated with Madhav Netralaya and the Sangh. RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, Swami Govind Devgiri Maharaj, Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj, Dr. Avinash Chandra Agnihotri, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and other distinguished guests were present at the event.