Nagpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), describing it as a “modern Akshyavat” (indestructible banyan tree) that embodies India’s eternal cultural heritage. He emphasized the vision of RSS founders, Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar, in driving the nation toward the goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).
Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony of the Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, an eye hospital dedicated to Golwalkar, Modi reiterated his government’s long-term vision for the country. “In Ayodhya, I said that we are laying the foundation of a Bharat that will remain strong for the next 1,000 years. Under the guidance of Hedgewar and Guruji (Golwalkar), we will achieve a developed India. We will not let the sacrifices of our ancestors go in vain,” he affirmed.
As India moves toward its centenary of independence in 2047, Modi highlighted the RSS’s pivotal role in shaping the nation’s trajectory. “When the RSS was founded in 1925, the country was in the midst of its struggle for independence. Now, as we complete 100 years, we stand at another critical juncture—one where we must build a stronger, self-reliant India,” he stated.
The Prime Minister further underscored the importance of the next 25 years in India’s growth story, calling it a crucial period for achieving ambitious national objectives. Quoting Golwalkar, he remarked, “The true measure of life is not its duration, but its contribution to society.”
