'Biggest NGO of the world': PM Modi invokes RSS in I-Day speech, praises its role in nation-building

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday invoked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and lauded the role of the organization in nation-building during his speech from the ramparts of Red Fort on the occasion of India's 79th Independence Day of India. The RSS is set to mark 100 years of its formation this year.

"Today, I would like to proudly mention that 100 years ago, an organisation was born - Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). 100 years of service to the nation is a proud, golden chapter. With the resolve of 'vyakti nirman se rashtra nirman', with the aim of welfare of Maa Bharati, swayamsevaks dedicated their lives to the welfare of our motherland...In a way, RSS is the biggest NGO of the world. It has a history of 100 years of dedication," the Prime Minister said.

This is possibly the first time that any Prime Minister has made a mention of the RSS in his or her Independence Day speech. The ideological fountainhead of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the RSS is set to embark on a series of events from August 26 to mark 100 years of its foundation.

The flagship event to mark its 100 years, titled '100 Years of Sangh Yatra - New Horizons', will begin with a lecture series to be addressed by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat from August 26 to August 28 at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.

The lecture series, scheduled to be held in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai besides the capital, will see the Sangh undertake a larger outreach programme in its bid to reach out to “eminent personalities” and familiarise them with the organization.