 "Crowd listening to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Red Fort on the occasion of 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2025")
Addressing the nation on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day from the ramparts of the red Fort on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as it marks its centenary.
Click here for Independence Day 2025 LIVE“A hundred years ago, an organisation was born — the RSS. A century of service, dedicated to nation-building through individual development, with the welfare of society as its goal. Thousands of volunteers — a service organisation built on discipline. A hundred-year history of commitment. A tribute to the RSS. The nation takes pride. RSS — an inspiration,” Prime Minister Modi said.
Describing the RSS as the world’s biggest NGO, he lauded its “illustrious journey” over the past century, emphasising its role in fostering unity, discipline, and social service across the country.
Meanwhile, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat reflected on India’s global role and spiritual responsibility:
“India is a unique country. It strives to bring peace and happiness to the world and to share its Dharma with others. The reason we became independent was to ensure that everyone in our country could attain happiness, courage, security, peace, and respect. Today, the world is faltering. Despite many experiments over 2000 years, solutions to its problems have not yet been found. It is our duty to provide the world with a solution and create a new world filled with happiness and peace based on our vision, rooted in religious principles.”
Founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, the RSS began as a grassroots volunteer organisation aimed at promoting cultural unity and national pride. Over the decades, it has expanded into the world’s largest voluntary socio-cultural movement, with millions of members and thousands of branches (“shakhas”) across India and abroad. The RSS is known for its disciplined cadre, community service activities, and its influence on several affiliated organisations engaged in education, rural development, disaster relief and social reform.