News Brief
RSS Is Modern 'Akshay Vat' Of India’s Immortal Culture, Continues To Energise National Consciousness: PM Modi In Nagpur
PM Modi in Nagpur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (30 March) hailed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the modern "Akshay Vat" (Eternal Banyan tree) of India's immortal culture.
He said the RSS is not merely an organisation but a living “Akshay Vat” (eternal banyan tree) that continues to energise India’s civilisational ethos through its ideals and its vast network of dedicated volunteers.
Addressing a gathering in Maharashtra's Nagpur after laying the foundation stone of The Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, PM Modi said that the existence of any nation, from one generation to the next, depends on the expansion of its culture and the growth of its national consciousness.
"When we look at the history of our country—centuries of subjugation, numerous invasions, and repeated, brutal attempts to dismantle India’s social fabric—yet, the flame of India’s consciousness was never extinguished. It continued to burn brightly," PM Modi said.
"How was this possible? Because even in the most difficult times, India witnessed the rise of new social movements that kept this consciousness alive. The Bhakti movement is one such example, well known to all of us.
During that challenging medieval period, our saints revitalized our national spirit through the ideals of devotion," he said.
The Prime Minister said that saints like Guru Nanak Dev, Kabirdas, Tulsidas, Surdas, and in Maharashtra, Sant Tukaram, Sant Eknath, Sant Namdev, Sant Gyaneshwar—so many of them breathed life into our national consciousness with their original and profound thoughts.
"Similarly, great saints like Swami Vivekananda emerged. He awakened a society sinking into despair, reminded it of its true identity, instilled self-confidence, and ensured that our national consciousness never dimmed," PM Modi said.
He added in the final decades of the British colonial rule, that spirit of national consciousness was carried forward and given renewed strength and energy by great personalities like Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, who founded RSS in 1925, and the organisation's second chief Guruji M S Golwalkar.
"Today, the seed of thought that was planted a century ago for the preservation and strengthening of India’s national consciousness has grown into a majestic banyan tree," PM Modi said, referring to RSS which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
"Its principles and ideals give this banyan tree its strength and stature, while millions of dedicated volunteers form its branches. This is no ordinary tree— The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is the modern, Akshay Vat of India’s immortal culture," he said.
"This immortal banyan continues to energize Indian culture and sustain our national consciousness", he added.
