October 2, 2025, 1:04 AM IST – On this sacred Vijayadashami, we mark the 100th anniversary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), founded a century ago by the revered Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. This occasion coincides with the birth celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, weaving a tapestry of national pride and service. I stand before you today to deliver a heartfelt address, honoring the RSS’s enduring legacy while unveiling a special postage stamp and commemorative coin to commemorate this milestone.
A Revival of Eternal Values
A hundred years ago, on this very day, the RSS emerged not as a novel invention but as a renewed expression of India’s timeless national spirit. This consciousness, which has surfaced across ages in diverse forms to meet the demands of each era, finds its current embodiment in the Sangh. It is a privilege for our generation of swayamsevaks to witness this centennial moment. I extend my warmest greetings to all dedicated volunteers committed to serving our motherland and its people, and I offer my deepest respect to Dr. Hedgewar Ji, whose vision continues to guide us.
A Lifeline for the Nation
Just as great civilizations flourished along mighty rivers, the RSS has been a vital force nurturing countless lives across India. Like a river that enriches every patch of land it touches, the Sangh has permeated every region and sector of our society. Its influence has branched out through numerous affiliated organizations, working in areas such as education, farming, social upliftment, tribal development, and women’s empowerment. Despite their varied endeavors, these groups share a singular purpose: placing the nation above all.
Transforming Individuals, Building the Nation
From its inception, the RSS has focused on national development through the cultivation of character. The philosophy of “shaping individuals to shape the nation” has been its guiding light, realized through the daily shakha—a unique and lasting framework. Within the shakha, every swayamsevak embarks on a journey from self-interest to collective good, undergoing profound personal growth. This approach has forged hundreds of thousands of volunteers who drive progress in every field.
The RSS’s roots lie in a noble mission, a transformative path, and the practical shakha system. Dr. Hedgewar Ji and many swayamsevaks played active roles in the freedom movement, with the founder facing multiple imprisonments. The Sangh also provided sanctuary to numerous freedom fighters. Post-independence, despite facing plots to undermine it—including the unjust detention of second Sarsanghchalak Param Pujya Guruji—the organization remained steadfast. Its belief that “we are an integral part of society” fostered resilience and sensitivity, even in the darkest times.
A Legacy of Service and Unity
The RSS has long stood for patriotism and selflessness. During the Partition, swayamsevaks supported displaced families, and in every crisis, they lead relief efforts with limited means, viewing it as a sacred duty to strengthen the nation’s spirit. Their willingness to endure hardship while alleviating others’ suffering defines their ethos. Over the decades, the Sangh has instilled confidence and pride among diverse communities, reaching the remotest corners to preserve tribal traditions. Organizations like Sewa Bharati, Vidya Bharati, Ekal Vidyalayas, and Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram stand as pillars of empowerment.
The Sangh has also confronted social injustices like casteism and untouchability. From Dr. Hedgewar Ji’s era to today, every leader has championed equality. Param Pujya Guruji’s mantra of “no Hindu is ever degraded,” Pujya Balasaheb Deoras Ji’s stance that untouchability is the ultimate sin, and current Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat Ji’s vision of shared spaces—one well, one temple, one crematorium—reflect this commitment.
Addressing Contemporary Challenges
A century ago, the Sangh addressed the struggles of its time; today, as India aims to become a developed nation by 2047, new obstacles arise—reliance on foreign entities, efforts to fracture our unity, and demographic shifts from infiltration. Our government is tackling these with measures like the High-Powered Demography Mission, and I am heartened that the RSS has crafted a robust strategy. The “Panch Parivartan” framework guides swayamsevaks:
- Self-Realization (Sva-Bodh): Shedding colonial influences with pride in our heritage and Swadeshi.
- Social Cohesion (Samajik Samrasta): Promoting justice for the underprivileged and countering demographic threats.
- Family Enrichment (Kutumb Prabodhan): Reinforcing family as the bedrock of our culture.
- Civic Duty (Nagrik Shishtachar): Awakening responsibility in every citizen.
- Environmental Care (Paryavaran): Protecting nature for future generations.
Stepping into a New Century
With these principles, the RSS embarks on its next hundred years, playing a vital role in building a prosperous India by 2047. I extend my best wishes to every swayamsevak, urging them to carry forward this legacy with unwavering dedication on this auspicious Vijayadashami.
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