PM Modi Hails RSS as ‘Banyan Tree’ of India’s Eternal Culture
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a gathering in Nagpur, described the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the ‘modern akshyavat’—an indestructible banyan tree—of India’s eternal culture. He stated that the RSS has grown from seeds planted nearly a century ago into a powerful force dedicated to national awakening and cultural preservation.
Modi lauded the RSS for its century-long contribution to instilling values rooted in Indian tradition and spirituality. According to him, the organization represents the deep roots of India’s civilizational ethos, having expanded far and wide like the banyan tree, sheltering and nurturing generations through cultural and social service.
Vision for ‘Viksit Bharat’ and the Path Ahead
The Prime Minister stressed that the next 25 years leading to the centenary of India’s independence in 2047 are crucial. He invoked the vision of RSS founders Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and M.S. Golwalkar, asserting that their guidance continues to shape the nation’s destiny. With this foundation, Modi expressed confidence that the nation would achieve the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’—a fully developed India.
He emphasized the role of such cultural and ideological institutions in building a strong and self-reliant nation, adding that India’s global leadership in values, peace, and resilience is rooted in these long-standing traditions.
RSS’s Grassroots Initiatives and Community Service
Modi commended the RSS for its extensive grassroots outreach and community-oriented programs. He highlighted efforts in tribal education through institutions like Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram and Ekal Vidyalaya, and welfare work for the underprivileged via Seva Bharati. He also appreciated the organization’s active participation in disaster relief and events like the recent Netra Kumbh, reflecting its role beyond ideology—in hands-on humanitarian service.
India’s Spiritual Resilience and Cultural Consciousness
Underscoring India’s resilience through centuries of turmoil, Modi credited the nation’s survival to its unwavering cultural consciousness. He pointed to the role of saints like Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar in holding society together, and mentioned Swami Vivekananda’s efforts to revive national pride during colonial rule. This spiritual strength, he said, is what continues to drive India forward.
Conclusion
Through his symbolic reference to the banyan tree, Prime Minister Modi underlined the RSS’s foundational role in sustaining and spreading India’s eternal cultural values. He portrayed the organization as a central force in shaping the nation’s moral, spiritual, and social framework, reinforcing the government’s vision of a culturally rooted and globally respected India.
