In a brilliant piece that appeared in several newspapers on Thursday, September 11 on Bhagwat’s 75th birthday, Modi said he was a living example of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and dedicated his entire life towards societal transformation and strengthening the spirit of harmony and brotherhood.
Noting that it is a pleasant coincidence that this year the 100-year journey of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Vijaya Dashami will fall on the same day as the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, he said that the Hindutva organization has a very energized and enduring head in Bhagwat.
It showed that when people cross boundaries and consider everyone as their own, it builds trust, brotherhood and equality in society, the Prime Minister said.
Evaluating his gentle nature, he said Bhagwat is blessed with an exceptional ability to listen, which gives him a deeper perspective and brings a sense of sensitivity and dignity to his personality and leadership.
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Being a Sarsanghchalak is more than an organizational responsibility, he said, adding that extraordinary individuals have defined this role through personal sacrifice, clarity of purpose and unwavering commitment to the country.
He said, “Mohan Ji, apart from doing justice to the enormity of the responsibility, also brought to it his own strength, intellectual depth and empathetic leadership, all of which are firstly inspired by the principle of the nation.” He added, “If I can think of two attributes that Mohan Ji held dear to his heart and imbibed in his style of working, they are continuity and adaptation.”
The Prime Minister said Bhagwat had led the organization through complex currents, never compromising its core ideology that everyone was proud of and, at the same time, responding to the evolving needs of the society. “He has a natural connect with the youth and hence has always focused on bringing more youth into the Sangh Parivar. He is often seen engaging in public discourse and interacting with people, which has been very beneficial in today’s dynamic and digital world,” Modi said.
He appreciated his keen interest in various programs of his government like Swachh Bharat Mission and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. Modi said, “He always urges the entire RSS family to add to these movements. In order to pursue social welfare, Mohan Ji gave the ‘Panch Parivartan’, which includes social harmony, family values, environmental awareness, national duties and civic duties. These can inspire Indians from all walks of life.”
Every RSS volunteer dreams of seeing a strong and prosperous nation and what is needed to realize this dream is a clear vision and decisive action, he said, adding that Bhagwat embodies both these qualities in abundance. He said, “Bhagwat ji has always been a strong voter of ‘ek bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, a strong believer in the diversity of India and the celebration of so many different cultures and traditions that are part of our land.”
Despite a busy life, he always found time to pursue passions like music and singing and not many people know that he is very versatile in various Indian musical instruments, Modi said. “His passion for reading can be seen in many of his speeches and interactions.” Recalling his recent speech at a program in Nagpur in which he had described the RSS as an everlasting banyan tree, energizing the national culture and collective consciousness of the nation, Modi said its roots are deep and strong because they are anchored in values. “The dedication with which Bhagwat Ji has committed himself to nurturing and advancing these values is truly an inspiration,” he said.
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A former RSS Pracharak, a full-time volunteer of the organization, himself, Modi recalled his association with Bhagwat’s family, including his father Madhukarrao Bhagwat, who also worked in the Hindutva organization.
By the way, Modi will also turn 75 on September 17.
The Prime Minister noted that he had written extensively about Senior Bhagwat in his book. He dedicated himself to nation building and played a pivotal role in strengthening the RSS across Gujarat. He said, “Such was Madhukarrao Ji’s passion for nation building that he prepared his son, Mohanrao, to work towards the regeneration of India. It is as if ‘Parasmani’ Madhukarrao was preparing another ‘parasmani’ in Mohanrao. “
Modi said Mohan Bhagwat’s early years in the RSS came during the draconian Emergency and he and countless RSS workers strengthened the movement against him. He worked extensively in the rural and backward areas of Maharashtra, particularly Vidarbha. This shaped his understanding of the challenges faced by the poor and oppressed, Modi said.
Over the years, he said, Bhagwat held various positions in the RSS and performed each of these tasks with great dexterity. From change of uniform to changes in Shiksha Vargs (training camps), several significant changes took place under his watch, Modi said, highlighting the transformative nature of his leadership.
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