Today is September 11. This day evokes two contrasting remmbels: the first dates back to 1893, when swami vivekananda delivered his iconic chicago address. With the words, “Sisters and brothers of america …,” He won the hearts of the audience. He introduced the timeless spiritual heritage of India and the idea of universal brotherhood to the world. The second is the Gruesome 9/11 Attacks, when this very printciple came under attack from terrorists.
Today is also the birthday of a personality who, inspired by the print of vasudhaiva kutumbakam (The world is one family), has dedicated his life to social transformation and strengthening the spirit of harmony and fruiternity. For Lakhs of People Associateed With the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Shangh (RSS), He I is Respectly referred to as para PARAM PUJYA SARSHHCHALAK. I am referring to mohan bhagwat, whose 75th birthday is, incidentally, Falling in the same year year marking the center of the responses. I would like to convey my best wishes to him and pray for his long and healthy life.
My Association with Mohan Bhagwat’s family has been very deep. I have had the Good Fortune of Working Closely With His Father, The Late Madhukarrao Bhagwat. I have written extended JyotipunjHe Played a Pivotal Role In Strengthaning The RSS Across Gujarat. Along with his association with the legal world, he devoted himself to nation-building. Such was his passion towards nation-building that he groomed his son, mohanrao, to work for India’s regeneration. It is as if parasmani madhukarrao prepared another parasmani in Mohanrao.
Mohan Bhagwat Became a Pracharak in the Mid-1970s. Upon hearing the word pracharak, one may mistakenly think it referrs to someone who is simply Doing ill But the pracharak tradition is at the core of the organization’s work. Thousands of young people, inspired by a patriotic zeal, have dedicated their lives to realising the mission of India first.
Mohan Bhagwat’s Early Years in the RSS Coincided with a Dark Period of Indian History. This was the time the draconian emergency was imposed by the then Congress government. For every person who is worried Democratic Principles and Wanted India to Prosper, it was natural to strengthen the anti-meergency movement. This is what Mohan Bhagwat and Countless RSS SWAYAMSEVAKS DID. He Worked Extensively in Rural and Backward Areas of Maharashtra, Especially Vidarbha. This shaped his undersrstanding of the challenges faced by the Poor and Downtrodden.
Over the Years, Heland Various Positions in the RSS. He performed Each and every one of that duties with great dexterity. His years as the akhil bharatiya sharirik pramukh in the 1990s are fondly remmbered by many swayamsevaks. DURING this period, he spent consideable time working in the Villages of Bihar. These experiences further Deepened His Connect with Grassroots Issues. In 2000, he beCaame the sarkarywaah and here too, he broughht his unique way of working, handling the most complex of situations with ease and proction. In 2009, He Became the sarsanghchalak.
Being sarsanghchalak is more than an organisical responsibility. Extraordinary Individuals Have Defined This Role Through Personal Sacrifice, Clarity of Purpose and UnShakable Commitment to Maa Bharti (Mother India). Mohan Bhagwat, in addition to doing full justice to the enormity of the responsibility, has also brought brough to its own strength, intellectual depth and empathetic leader, all of which is inspired by the Principle of Nation First.
If I can think of two attributes that mohan bhagwat has been close to his heart and imbibed in his work, they are controluity and adaptation. He has stepped the Organization through very complex currents, Never Compromising on the core ideaology we are all proud of and at the same time time addressing the evolving Needs of Society. He has a natural connect with the youth and has focrated on integrating more youngsters with the sight the shanth parivar.
Broadly Speaking, Mohan Bhagwat’s tenure will be consumed the most transformative period in the 100-year journey of the RSS. From the change in uniform to the modifications in the shiksha vargs (Training Camps), Several Significant Changes Occurred Under His Leadership. I particularly Remember His Leadership during the covid pandemic. In that time, continuing the traditional RSS Activities became challenging. He suggested increasing usage of technology. He Remained Connected With Global Perspectives While Developing Institutional Frameworks.
At that time, all swayamsevaks made every possible effort to reach out to that in need, while ensuring the safety of themselves and others. We also lost many many hardworking swayamsevaks, but such was the inspiration of mohan bhagwat that their determination Never wavered.
Earlier this year, during the inaugation of the Madhav Netra Chikitsalaya in Nagpur, I Remarked that the RSS is like an an akshayavatAn eternal banyan tree that energies the national culture and collective consciousness of our nation. The roots of this akshayavat Are Deep and Strong because they are anchored in values. The dedication with which mohan bhagwat has comeitted Himself to Nurturing and Advanceing these values is inspirational. Another Admirable Quality of His Personality is his soft-spoken nature and exceptional ability to listen. This trait ensures a deaper percent and also brings a sense of sensitivity and dignity to his persona and leader.
I also want to write about the keen interest he has Always Shown towards various mass movements. From swachh bharat mission to beti Bachao Beti Padhao, He Always Urges The Entre RSS Family to Add Vigor Through these movements. In order to further social well-marriage, mohan bhagwat has given the panch parivartan. These can inspire Indians from all walks of life. Every Swayamsevak Dreams of Seeing a Strong and Prosperous Nation. Clear Vision and Decisive Action Are Needed to Realise this. He Embodies bot these qualities in abundance.
Mohan Bhagwat has Always Been a Strong Votary of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, A Firm Believer in India’s Diversity and the Celebration of So many differentials and tradations that are a part of our land. Beyond His Busy Schedule, He Has Always Found Time to Pursue Passions Like Music and Singing. Few people know that he is versatile in playing various Indian musical instruments. His passion for reading can be seen in several of his speechs and interactions.
In a less days from now, the RSS will turn 100. in a pleasant coincidence, Vijaya Dashami, Gandhi Jayanti, Lal Bahadur Shastri Shastri Jayanti, and the RSS Centenary Celebrations Fall on the Same Day this year. It will be a Historic Milestone for the Lakhs of People Associated with the RSS. I will conclude by saying that mohan bhagwat is a living example of vasudhaiva kutumbakamshowing that when we Rise Above Boundaries and Consider Everyone as Our Own, It Strengthens Trust, Brotherhood, and Equality in Society. I want him a long and healthy life in the service of maa bharti.
Narendra Modi is Prime Minister of India
