NEW DELHI: In his 126th edition of his monthly radio talk ‘Mann Ki Baat’ Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed RSS for an “unprecedented and inspiring” journey. “This Vijayadashami is special for another reason,” he said. “This day marks 100 years of the foundation of RSS. This journey of a century is as amazing and unprecedented as it is inspiring. When RSS was founded 100 years ago, the country had been bound by the chains of slavery for centuries.”In his I-Day address, Modi had said for the past 100 years, RSS swayamsevaks (volunteers) have dedicated their lives to fulfilling the resolve of “vyakti nirman” (character development) and “rashtra nirman” (nation building) for the welfare of “matrubhoomi” (motherland).Centuries-long slavery had deeply hurt the country’s self-respect and self-confidence, and the world’s oldest civilisation was facing an identity crisis. “Our countrymen were becoming victims of an inferiority complex,” Modi said. “Therefore, along with the country’s independence, it was also important that the country be freed from intellectual slavery. In this context, the most revered Dr Hedgewar began to ponder over this issue. For this herculean task, he founded RSS on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami in 1925.”The PM further said, “After Dr Saheb’s passing, Param Poojya Guruji carried forward this great yagya of service to the nation. Param Poojya Guruji used to say, ‘Rashtraya Swaha, Idam Rashtraya Idam Na Mam’, meaning, ‘This is not mine; this belongs to the nation’.”Modi noted that the resolve of RSS founders had inspired countrymen to rise above self-interest and embrace dedication to the nation. “This statement by Guruji Golwalkar has shown millions of volunteers the path of sacrifice and service.” The PM said the spirit of sacrifice, service, and the discipline it inculcates among its members are the true strengths of Sangh. “Today, RSS has been relentlessly and tirelessly engaged in national service for over a hundred years.”He explained this is why RSS volunteers are the first to reach the area whenever a natural disaster strikes anywhere in the country. “This spirit of ‘nation first’ always remains paramount in every action and every endeavour of millions of volunteers,” Modi said and extended his wishes to RSS volunteers.Referring to the coming month, the PM highlighted that Oct 7 marks Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti. “We all know how great a foundation Maharishi Valmiki laid for Indian culture. It was indeed Maharishi Valmiki who introduced us extensively to the Avatar Kathas of Bhagwan Ram. He presented humanity with the marvellous epic of the Ramayan.”Modi added that the influence of the Ramayan stems from the ideals and values of Bhagwan Ram enshrined in it. “Bhagwan Ram embraced everyone with a spirit of service, harmony and compassion,” the PM said.”That is why we feel that the Ram of Maharishi Valmiki’s Ramayan is complete only with Mata Shabari and Nishadraj,” he said, highlighting the significance of the two Ramayan characters, who hailed from marginalised communities.”That is why, friends, when the Ram temple was erected in Ayodhya, a temple dedicated to Nishadraj and Maharishi Valmiki was also built alongside it,” Modi said and urged those visiting Ayodhya to see Ram Lalla, and the Maharishi Valmiki and Nishadraj temples.
