Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s centenary celebrations as the Chief Guest in New Delhi.
The event commenced at 10.30 am at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, during which the Prime Minister released a specially designed postage stamp and commemorative coin to honour the RSS’s contributions to the nation. At the event, he called Sangha Sakhas ‘Yagna Vedi’ and said that its establishment on Dussehra was not a coincidence.
Speaking at the RSS centenary celebrations event, PM Modi shared the details of the Rs 100 coin, stating, “This Rs 100 coin has the National Emblem on one side, and on the other side, there is an image of Bharat Mata, seated on a lion in ‘varad mudra’, and swayamsevaks bowing down before her with dedication. This is the first time in the history of independent India that an image of Bharat Mata has been shown on our currency… The special postal stamp launched today also has its importance…”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister recounted the historic year 1963 when RSS Swayamsevaks proudly participated in the Republic Day Parade. “This postal stamp has an image of that historic moment,” he said.
At the RSS centenary event, PM Modi remembered the Sangh’s contributions and its journey of dedication to the nation. “It’s not as if RSS has not been targeted, or been conspired against. Even after Independence, efforts were made to crush the RSS. There were infinite conspiracies to prevent RSS from coming into the mainstream… There are times when we accidentally bite or crush our tongue with our teeth, but that doesn’t mean we break our teeth…”
The Prime Minister added that despite all the bans and conspiracies against the organisation, RSS swayamsewaks have an unwavering faith in the constitutional institutions of the country. The Sangh works on the principle of nation first in different sections of society.
“Establishment of RSS on Dussehra 100 years ago was not just a coincidence. This was the resurrection of a tradition that had continued for thousands of years. We are lucky to be witnessing the centenary of the Sangh,” PM said.