New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, released a special commemorative postage stamp and a coin to mark the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The organisation will celebrate its centenary on Vijayadashami that falls on Thursday.
The RSS was founded on Vijayadashami in 1925 by K B Hedgewar, a revolutionary who used to be a member of the Anushilan Samity while studying medicine in Kolkata (then Calcutta).
The specially designed coin and stamp highlight the contribution of the RSS to the nation, the PM said.
“This is for the first time in the history of India that Bharat Mata’s image has been carved onto a coin,” he added.
The coin also has the RSS’ moto “Rashtray Swaha, Idam Rashtraya, Idam Na Mama” inscribed on it. This translates to “Everything is dedicated to the nation, Everything is the nation’s, Nothing is mine”.
“Tomorrow is Vijayadashmi, a festival which symbolises the victory of good over evil, victory of justice over injustice, victory of truth over falsehoods, and victory of light over darkness… The establishment of RSS on Dussehra 100 years ago was not just a coincidence. This was resurrection of a tradition which was continuing since thousands of years. We are lucky to be witnessing centenary of the Sangh,” Modi said.
He went on to say how organisations associated with the RSS cater to the needs of various sections of society. He said despite there being different wings of the RSS, there have been no clashes. This is because the organisation believes and strives for one objective: “Nation first”.
“The RSS has been striving to build the nation since its inception,” Modi said.
