Published on October 1, 2025
Delhi, India
The air in Nagpur buzzed with reverence on October 2, 2025, as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) marked its 100th year with a grand Vijayadashami Utsav. Traditional Shastra Puja unfolded amid displays of symbolic arms, blending ancient rituals with modern resolve, setting the tone for a forward-looking address that resonated far beyond the headquarters.
- Illustrious Guests and Symbolism: Former President Ram Nath Kovind graced the event as chief guest, joined by political and cultural luminaries, underscoring the RSS’s enduring influence on India’s ethos.
- Post-Speech Spectacle: The gathering flowed into the iconic Path Sanchalan march, a sea of saffron uniforms marching in unison, embodying the spirit of collective strength and discipline.
- Prime Minister’s Echo: PM Narendra Modi lauded the speech as “inspiring,” highlighting its global resonance with RSS values of character-building and selfless service.
This wasn’t just a celebration; it was a clarion call, weaving personal discipline with national destiny in the RSS’s milestone year.
Self-Reliance Revolution: No Compulsion in Dependence, Embrace Swadeshi Now
At the heart of Bhagwat’s message pulsed a fierce advocacy for Atmanirbharta, urging India to shed import shackles amid rising global tariffs and pressures, especially from the US. He painted self-reliance not as isolation, but as empowerment through indigenous innovation.
- Economic Sovereignty Spotlight: “Dependence should not be allowed to become compulsion,” Bhagwat declared, pushing for Swadeshi production as the only antidote to exploitative global systems.
- Youth-Led Momentum: Praising the entrepreneurial fire in young Indians, he warned against consumerism’s pitfalls, calling for balanced growth that honors local makers over foreign giants.
- Practical Path Forward: From farm-to-factory chains to tech indigenization, the vision aligns with national campaigns, promising job creation and reduced vulnerabilities in a volatile world.
Imagine a Bharat where every rupee spent fuels homegrown dreams – Bhagwat’s blueprint makes it tantalizingly real.
Unity’s Urgent Alarm: Internal Divides as the Real Enemy Within
Bhagwat turned inward with a stern warning: India’s greatest threat isn’t external foes, but the creeping fractures of caste, creed, and community that erode our shared fabric. In a nation of diversity, he insisted, division is a luxury we can’t afford.
- Rejecting Fragmentation: Diversity is our tradition, he affirmed, but it must never fuel “us vs. them” mentalities or ideological rifts that weaken resolve.
- Harmony Over Hatred: Drawing from icons like Guru Teg Bahadur’s sacrifice and Gandhi’s non-violence, he urged embracing all faiths with respect, curbing disruptive forces that breed discord.
- Societal Safeguard: True strength blooms from empathy and equity, he noted, echoing calls to introspect on a century of nation-building while fostering inclusive growth.
This plea hits home in polarized times, reminding us that a house divided crumbles, but united, it stands unbreakable.
Security Sentinels: Pahalgam’s Shadow and Neighborhood Nightmares
Reflecting on the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 Hindu pilgrims, Bhagwat dissected external threats, revealing which global allies stand firm and which falter. He hailed the swift national response as proof of matured resilience.
- Naxalism’s Fade-Out: Celebrating near-eradication of the Maoist menace, he cautioned that injustice or neglect could revive it, stressing development as the ultimate disarmament.
- Neighborly Turmoil: Instability in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh – from violent upheavals to governance failures – demands peaceful, democratic interventions rooted in cultural bonds.
- Vigilance Imperative: As a border guardian, India must nurture stability abroad to shield its own flanks, blending diplomacy with unyielding security.
These insights aren’t abstract; they’re a roadmap for a safer subcontinent, where vigilance meets valor.
Environmental Ethos: Himalayas Under Siege, Act Before It’s Too Late
Bhagwat’s gaze lifted to the fragile Himalayas, decrying erratic rains, glacier melts, and landslides as harbingers of ecological doom. He framed the range not just as a water cradle for the subcontinent, but a sacred security bulwark demanding urgent stewardship.
- Nature’s Cry for Equity: Exploitation-driven degradation mirrors social ills, he linked, calling for sustainable practices that honor our planet as family.
- Grassroots Guardianship: From forest conservation to mindful consumption, every citizen’s role counts in reversing the tide of environmental inequity.
- Holistic Harmony: True progress integrates green ethics, ensuring material gains don’t poison the air, water, or soul of Bharat.
In an era of climate chaos, Bhagwat’s words ignite a green revolution – one where mountains teach us humility.
Societal Symphony: Bridging Inequalities for a Just Bharat
Wealth gaps and exploitative structures drew Bhagwat’s ire, as he critiqued systems that concentrate riches while leaving masses behind. Material success, he argued, must bow to values of relationships and empathy to avoid social eruptions.
- Equity Engine: Justice in distribution curbs unrest, preventing echoes of past movements like Naxalism through inclusive policies.
- Character at Core: Honoring Shastri’s simplicity, he pushed for moral education that builds resilient families and communities.
- Inclusive Ideal: Rooted in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Hindu society must lead by example, fostering unity without erasing unique threads.
This vision transforms inequality from a statistic to a solvable puzzle, one act of fairness at a time.
Panch Parivartan Blueprint: Five Transformations for Tomorrow’s India
Unveiling the RSS’s ambitious Panch Parivartan program, Bhagwat outlined a five-pronged strategy to reshape society, environment, and self through daily Shakha discipline.
- Parivarik (Family): Strengthen bonds with value-centric upbringing for ethical citizens.
- Samajik (Social): Promote harmony, curbing divisions via community service.
- Paryavaranik (Environmental): Champion sustainability in every locale.
- Swavalamban (Self-Reliance): Boost local economies with Swadeshi zeal.
- Nagrik (Civic): Foster responsible patriotism for a vibrant democracy.
Swayamsevaks as torchbearers, this initiative promises grassroots change, turning ideals into action.
