PM Modi pays floral tribute to RSS founder, visits Deekshbhoomi, launches key projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Nagpur at around 9 AM, where he was welcomed by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and other state cabinet ministers at the Nagpur airport.

PM Modi's visit aligns with the Sangh's 'Pratipada' program, which commemorates Gudi Padwa, the start of the Hindu New Year.

Talking about the visit, BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan said, "PM Modi's visit to Smruti Mandir today is indeed significant because this is the centenary year of RSS' inception. Modi ji will be the first ever sitting PM to pay homage."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tribute to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at Smruti Mandir in Reshimbagh in Nagpur.

He was accompanied by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and other leaders.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also paid tribute to the RSS founder. (Photo credit: X)

PM Modi described the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the "vatvruksh", or banyan tree, of India's immortal culture and modernisation whose ideals and principles were to protect the national consciousness.

India today is surging ahead by discarding the "slave mentality" and symbols of slavery, Modi further said after laying the foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, a new extension building of Madhav Netralaya Eye Institute & Research Centre in Nagpur.

Sharing a post on X, the Prime Minister said, "Visiting Smruti Mandir in Nagpur is a very special experience. Making today’s visit even more special is the fact that it has happened on Varsha Pratipada, which is also the Jayanti of Param Pujya Doctor Sahab. "

Commending the service of the RSS volunteers, PM Modi said, "Hum Dev se desh aur Ram se rashtra ke jeevan mantra ko lekar ke chale hain, hum apna kartavya nibhaate chalte hain."

"That is why no matter how big or small the work is, no matter what the field is... the volunteers of the Sangh work selflessly. We have seen in Maha Kumbh how the swayamsevak helped the people."

"Jahan seva kaarya, wahan swayamsevak'. Where there are problems and difficulties, swayamsevak is there to help people," he added.

PM Modi visited Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur on Sunday, the historic site where Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with thousands of followers in 1956.

During his visit, PM Modi offered prayers at the Buddha statue, and the monks of Deekshabhoomi honored him with a flower bouquet and a shawl. (PTI)

Mentioning about his visit to Deekshbhoomi, PM Modi said, "This year only we had marked 75 years of our Constitution. Next month is also the birth anniversary Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar."

"Today I bowed down to Baba Saheb at Deekshabhoomi and also took his blessings. I bow down to these great personalities and extend my heartfelt greetings to the countrymen on Navratri and all the festivals," he added.

Foundation stone for Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre
At around 10 AM, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for the Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, an extension of the Madhav Netralaya Eye Institute & Research Centre, a premier super-speciality ophthalmic care facility established in 2014.
Launch of UAV Airstrip and Munition Testing Facility
At 12:30 PM, the Prime Minister will inaugurate a newly built 1,250-meter-long and 25-meter-wide airstrip for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and a live munition and warhead testing facility at Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited in Nagpur.
Visit to Chhattisgarh for development projects
After Nagpur, PM Modi will travel to Chhattisgarh to launch multiple development projects worth over Rs 33,700 crore in Bilaspur. These projects span power, oil and gas, rail, road, education, and housing sectors.