“Here in Nagpur, there already existed a deep spirit of sacrifice and social service,” he said.
Bhagwat noted that the RSS recently completed 100 years on Dussehra, having been founded in 1925 in Nagpur by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. The organisation’s goal, he said, has always been to instil discipline, service, cultural awareness, and a sense of social responsibility in society.
‘Learn from History’
Quoting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Bhagwat said:
“Shivaji Maharaj established Swaraj not for himself but for God, religion, and the nation. He united people for a greater cause, and his ideals strengthened society. As long as those ideals remained alive, society continued to progress and develop. His thoughts later inspired the freedom struggle of 1857.”
The RSS chief added that during British rule, there was a deliberate effort to erase the symbols and traditions that bound Indians together.
“We must learn from history and remember those who worked selflessly for the good of society and the nation,” he said.
Bhagwat’s Earlier Remarks
On October 2, during the Vijayadashami event marking the RSS’s centenary celebrations, Bhagwat referred to the Pahalgam terror attack, where terrorists targeted Hindus after confirming their religion.
“Our government and army responded appropriately,” he said. “This incident revealed who our friends are and who our enemies are.”
Bhagwat stressed the importance of maintaining awareness in global relations, saying that while India seeks friendship with all nations, it must remain vigilant and capable in matters of security.
During his 41-minute address, Bhagwat also discussed changes in society, shifts in governance, public unrest, instability in neighboring countries, and U.S. trade tariffs.
RSS Centenary Celebrations: Year-Long Programmes Across the Country
The Sangh will hold a series of events from this Dussehra to the next to mark 100 years of its founding:
1. Vijayadashami Festival: Participation of uniformed volunteers and their families at the mandal and basti levels. The celebrations began on October 2 across the country, starting with Mahalaya in Bengal.
2. Home Contact Campaign: Volunteers will visit households to share information about the RSS for 15 minutes. The campaign will continue for three weeks.
3. Public Dialogues: Engagements with labour unions, auto drivers, and intellectual groups.
4. Hindu Conferences: City and block-level gatherings connecting social groups — similar events were held earlier in 1989 and 2006.
5. Goodwill Meetings: Month-long interactions with prominent social workers, institutions, and saints.
6. Youth Conference: A gathering for young people aged 15 to 40 years, featuring sports and interactive sessions.
7. Branch Expansion: A week-long drive to expand morning and evening branches (shakhas) across India.
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