Priyanka Tiwari
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the fundamental values he learned from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), emphasizing the importance of purposeful action. He stated,
"More than anything, the RSS provides you with a clear direction toward what can truly be called a purpose in life. Secondly, the nation is everything, and serving the people is akin to serving God."
PM Modi shared these insights during a podcast conversation with renowned US podcaster and MIT researcher, Lex Fridman, in New Delhi. The episode was aired on Sunday.
RSS: A Unique and Massive Volunteer Organization
Describing the scale of RSS, PM Modi called it an unparalleled volunteer-driven organization, now nearing its 100th anniversary.
"Such a massive volunteer organization likely doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. Millions of people are connected to it, but understanding RSS is not that simple."
The Prime Minister emphasized that RSS has played a transformative role in shaping his perspective and values.
PM Modi: RSS Gave Me a Life of Purpose
PM Modi reflected on his personal journey with RSS, stating that the organization helped him find a meaningful life path. He credited RSS, along with the teachings of Ramakrishna Mission and Swami Vivekananda, for instilling discipline and spiritual grounding in him.
"Then I was fortunate to spend some time among the saints, which gave me a strong spiritual foundation. I found discipline and a life of purpose. And through the guidance of saints, I gained spiritual grounding."
RSS’ Contribution to Tribal Welfare
PM Modi highlighted the dedicated efforts of RSS volunteers in serving tribal communities. He mentioned the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, an initiative where volunteers live among tribal people and work for their welfare.
"They have established over 70,000 one-teacher schools in remote tribal regions. There are also some people in America who show their support for this cause and contribute donations of about $10 or $15. And they say, ‘Skip a Coca-Cola this month. Don’t drink Coca-Cola and donate that money to a one-teacher school instead.’"
RSS and Its Influence on Labor Unions
PM Modi highlighted the significant role of RSS in labor unions, particularly the Indian Labor Union, which consists of around 50,000 unions with millions of members.
"Perhaps in terms of scale, there is no bigger labor union in the world."
He contrasted the RSS labor union approach with traditional leftist labor movements.
RSS vs. Leftist Ideologies in Labor Movements
Historically, leftist ideologies have driven global labor movements with slogans like “Workers of the world unite.” However, PM Modi pointed out the ideological shift introduced by RSS-trained volunteers.
"Others say, ‘Workers of the world unite.’ And we say, ‘Workers unite the world.’ It may seem like just a small shift in words, but it represents a huge ideological transformation."
He suggested that the RSS approach to labor movements emphasizes unity as a means to improve global harmony rather than just mobilizing workers for specific struggles.
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