In his first visit to RSS HQ as PM, Modi hails RSS as banyan tree of India’s culture

In his first visit to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters after becoming the prime minister, Narendra Modi on Sunday (March 30) described the Sangh as the ‘banyan tree’ of India’s immortal culture.

Modi became the second sitting PM to visit the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited it in 2000 during his third term as PM, an RSS official said. This is also Modi’s third term in the top post.

Also read: As BJP and RSS make up, Modi to make rare appearance with Bhagwat

Visits RSS HQ, Deekshabhoomi

In a jam-packed schedule in Nagpur since early morning, Modi visited the Dr Hedgewar Smruti Mandir at RSS headquarters and paid homage to the founding fathers of the Sangh. He also visited Deekshabhoomi, where Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in 1956.

Modi also laid the foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, a new extension building of Madhav Netralaya Eye Institute & Research Centre, named after late RSS chief Madhavrao Golwalkar.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, Modi said RSS volunteers are working selflessly in various spheres and parts of the country.

‘RSS synonymous to service’

“RSS is the banyan tree of India's immortal culture and modernisation whose ideals and principles are to protect the national consciousness,” Modi said. “This large vatvruksh is not an ordinary one,” he said, adding the RSS is synonymous to service.

Modi said the ‘tapasya’ of RSS with its ‘sangathan’ and ‘samarpan’ in the last 100 years is bearing fruits as the country approaches its target of 'Viksit Bharat' in 2047.

Ideology of selfless service

Addressing the audience, Mohan Bhagwat said the Madhav Netralaya worked hard for several years for people's welfare. It is inspired by the Sangh's ideology of selfless service, he said.

“It doesn't look good that people are bereft of health facilities and hence, the RSS volunteers have selflessly worked to provide vision to the needy at the Madhav Netralaya,” he said.

The RSS volunteers don't seek anything for themselves but work for others in the society, Bhagwat said. Service is life's mission for the RSS, he added.

Pays tributes to RSS founders

Modi visited the Dr Hedgewar Smruti Mandir in Reshimbagh area in the morning and paid tributes at the memorials dedicated to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, and second sarsanghchalak (chief) MS Golwalkar.

The memorials are dedicated to the values of Indian culture, nationalism and the organisation, Modi wrote in Hindi in a message book at the venue.

“The memorial of the two strong pillars of RSS is an inspiration to lakhs of swayamsevaks who have dedicated themselves to the service of the nation,” the PM wrote.

“I am overwhelmed to visit the Smruti Mandir which cherishes the memories of Param Pujaniya Dr Hedgewar and Pujya Guruji,” he added.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari were present during Modi's visit to the Smruti Mandir.

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Symbol of social justice

Hailing Deekshabhoomi as a symbol of social justice and empowering the downtrodden, Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to work even harder to realise the India which Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar envisioned.

Modi said that building a “developed and inclusive Bharat” will be the true tribute to Dr Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution.

In his message penned in Hindi in the visitors' diary at the venue, Modi said, “I am overwhelmed that I got an opportunity to visit Deekshabhoomi, one of the five 'Panchthirth' of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, in Nagpur. One can feel Babasaheb's principles of social harmony, equality and justice in this holy atmosphere here.” He said Deekshabhoomi energises people to move ahead with a system of equal rights and justice for the poor, less privileged and the needy.

Modi also visited the Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited’s ammunition facility in Nagpur and inaugurated an airstrip for Unarmed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and a facility for testing loitering munition.

(With agency inputs)