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COVER STORY                                                         OCTOBER 10, 2025       |  The Indian Eye                    5



        collective experience,” he said. This,                                                                    In addition to cultural and social
        Bhagwat argued, is crucial for shap-                                                                  guidance, the RSS has maintained an
        ing a harmonious society guided by                                                                    active role in advocating for nation-
        ethical and moral principles.                                                                         al security, development, and ethical
            The centenary also featured the                                                                   governance. Bhagwat praised the
        release of a commemorative postage                                                                    government’s and armed forces’ re-
        stamp and Rs 100 coin, depicting                                                                      sponse to the Pahalgam terror attack,
        Bharat Mata in Varad Mudra, sa-                                                                       asserting that unity and decisive ac-
        luted by swayamsevaks—a symbolic                                                                      tion provide an ideal atmosphere in
        representation of the RSS’s inter-                                                                    the country, while also highlighting
        twining of culture, patriotism,  and                                                                  the importance of protecting nation-
        organizational identity. Chief Mohan                                                                  al interests and discerning genuine
        Bhagwat  further  elaborated  on the                                                                  allies on the international stage.
        Sangh’s initiatives under the Panch                                                                       The centenary also honored
        Parivartan programme, designed to                                                                     iconic Indian leaders who exempli-
        foster social harmony, preservation                                                                   fied  dedication,  integrity,  and  ser-
        of family values, environmental pro-                                                                  vice, including Mahatma Gandhi and
        tection, self-reliance, and adherence                                                                 former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur
        to civic and constitutional duties.                                                                   Shastri. Bhagwat emphasized that
        “During the Shatabdi Varsh, the                                                                       their lives serve as models for per-
        Sangh will attempt to ensure that                                                                     sonal development, societal contri-
        its work of Vyakti Nirman spreads                                                                     bution, and the cultivation of nation-
        across the country, and the Panch   Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays floral tribute to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at   al character.
        Parivartan programme is adopted by                 RSS’ Smruti Mandir, in Nagpur (ANI File Photo)         Analysts note that the RSS has
        all sections of society,” he said.                                                                    consistently positioned itself at the
            Over the past century, the RSS                                                                    intersection of culture, politics, and
        has emerged not merely as a cultural   on regional and global affairs. Not-  liance,  yet  strive to  maintain diplo-  social development. Through its
        and social organization, but also as   ing political upheavals in Sri Lanka,   matic relations with all our friendly   shakhas, social outreach, and edu-
        a guiding  force  in  India’s  contem-  Bangladesh, and Nepal, he cautioned   nations, which will be with our wish   cational programmes, the organiza-
        porary political landscape. Leaders   against violent outbursts as a means   and without compulsion.”  tion aims to instill discipline, ethical
        of the BJP and allied Sangh Parivar   of societal transformation, advocat-  Bhagwat  reflected  on  India’s   values, and national consciousness,
        have often acknowledged the RSS’s   ing  democratic  solutions instead.   unique cultural diversity, urging citi-  preparing citizens for engagement
        influence on policy, governance, and   “Peace, stability, prosperity, and en-  zens to uphold harmony and respect   in democratic and civic life. Critics,
        national ethos. BJP leader Anurag   suring comfort and wellbeing in these   for all faiths and beliefs. He warned   however, remain vocal, accusing the
        Thakur, speaking on the centena-  countries is a necessity arising out of   against communal tensions, hooligan-  RSS of political partisanship, his-
        ry,  emphasized  the  Sangh’s  role  in   our natural affinity with these coun-  ism, and premeditated provocations:   torical  revisionism,  and  ideological
        “awakening India’s ancient culture   tries, going beyond the consideration   “Whenever some foreign ideologies   rigidity. Opposition leaders continue
        and  eternal  traditions”  and  in  fos-  for protection of our interests,” he   came to India, we considered them our   to raise concerns over the organiza-
        tering a disciplined, service-oriented   said. The RSS chief also commented   own. We accept diversity in the world...   tion’s influence on policy-making and
        society.  He  noted,  “The  work  the   on global interdependence, advocat-  Taking law into one’s own hands, com-  its approach to communal identity.
        Sangh has done to awaken India’s an-  ing swadeshi and self-reliance while   ing out on the streets and resorting to   Despite divergent opinions, the
        cient culture, eternal traditions, and   maintaining diplomatic relations:   violence and hooliganism is not right.   centenary celebrations of the RSS
        national character is unprecedented   “The world functions with depen-  Trying to incite a particular communi-  reflect  a  widespread  acknowledge-
        and worthy of respect. Today, in ev-  dence  on  each  other...  We  need  to   ty and putting up a show of strength   ment of its deep-rooted presence in
        ery corner of the country, inspired by   rely on swadeshi and focus on self-re-  are all pre-planned conspiracies.”  India’s societal fabric. The organiza-
        the Sangh, countless works are being                                                                  tion’s blend of volunteerism, charac-
        carried out in social service, educa-                                                                 ter building,  cultural  advocacy,  and
        tion, health, rural development, the                                                                  social  engagement  demonstrates its
        environment, and other areas.”                                                                        strategic role in shaping India’s con-
            Vice President CP Radhakrish-                                                                     temporary discourse. Whether in
        nan, himself a former RSS swayam-                                                                     fostering individual discipline, guid-
        sevak, underscored  the  organiza-                                                                    ing public morality, addressing envi-
        tion’s long-standing commitment to                                                                    ronmental concerns, or positioning
        nation-building  and  social  service.                                                                India in global affairs, the RSS has
        He described the RSS as “the world’s                                                                  maintained its influence over a cen-
        foremost patriotic organization” and                                                                  tury of societal transformation.
        highlighted its man-making ethos:                                                                         As India marks 100 years of the
        “Creating self-disciplined, responsi-                                                                 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, its
        ble citizens is essential for a strong                                                                legacy—contested yet consequen-
        and vibrant society. Guided by Seva                                                                   tial—remains entwined with the na-
        Parmo  Dharmah,  RSS  volunteers                                                                      tion’s political, cultural, and social
        have always stood at the forefront                                                                    trajectory. Through shakhas, social
        during floods, famines, earthquakes,                                                                  programmes, and public discourse,
        or any other calamity—serving the                                                                     the RSS continues to project a vision
        needy selflessly, without expectation                                                                 of India grounded in tradition, disci-
        or awaiting instructions.”         RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat is felicitated by Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Ni-  pline, and service, seeking to balance
            Beyond India’s borders, Bhag-  tin Gadkari, during the launch ceremony of the audio recording of “Sanghgeet” in Nagpur (ANI)  national identity with global respon-
        wat addressed the RSS’s perspective                                                                   sibility, and unity with diversity.


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