In his first visit to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur after becoming the prime minister 11 years ago, Narendra Modi on Sunday described the Sangh as the ‘banyan tree’ of India’s immortal culture.Modi became the second sitting PM to visit the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited it in 2000 during his third term as PM, an RSS official said. This is also Modi’s third term in the top post.
Modi visited the Dr Hedgewar Smruti Mandir at RSS headquarters and paid homage to the founding fathers of the Sangh. He also went to Deekshabhoomi, where Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in 1956.
Modi laid the foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, a new extension building of Madhav Netralaya Eye Institute & Research Centre, named after late RSS chief Madhavrao Golwalkar.
Modi also visited the Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited’s ammunition facility in Nagpur and inaugurated an airstrip for Unarmed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and a facility for testing loitering munition.
Speaking at the Madhav Netralaya event, Modi said RSS volunteers are working selflessly in various spheres and parts of the country.
The seed of thought sown 100 years ago for the preservation and promotion of national consciousness, has now grown into a great tree, Modi said.
He highlighted that the principles and ideals give height to this great tree, with lakhs of volunteers as its branches.
“The RSS is the modern Akshay Vat (banyan tree) of the immortal culture of India and is continuously energizing Indian culture and the consciousness of our nation”, he said.