Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) Smruti Mandir at Reshimbag. This was his first visit to Smruti Mandir after becoming Prime Minister. There was a lot of curiosity about this event. It was reflected in his speech at a function at Madhav Netralaya when he said he was overwhelmed to pay respects to Dr Hedgewar and Golwalkar Guruji. Modi became the second sitting Prime Minister to visit the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. Atal Behari Vajpayee had visited it in 2000 during his third term as Prime Minister. Coincidentally, Modi too visited RSS Smruti Mandir in his third term. Modi was accompanied by Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, former Sarkaryawah Suresh alias Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Smruti Mandir office head Vikas Telang. Modi also met with RSS officer-bearers in the Smruti Bhavan and took group pictures with them.

 

The memorials are dedicated to the values of Indian culture, nationalism and the organisation, Modi wrote a message in the visitor’s diary at the venue. In a visitor’s diary at Reshimbag, Modi wrote, ‘I am overwhelmed to visit the Smruti Mandir which cherishes the memories of Param Pujaniya Dr Hedgewar and Pujya Guruji.

 

The memorial of the two strong pillars of RSS is an inspiration to lakhs of swayamsevaks who have dedicated themselves to the service of the nation. This place is dedicated to values of Indian culture, nationalism and organisational power which inspires us to move ahead. I pay respects to the memories of pujya Dr Hedgewar and pujya Golwalkar Guruji.’ Modi’s visit coincided with the Sangh's Pratipada programme, marking Gudhi Padwa, the beginning of the Hindu New Year; the birthday of Dr Hedgewar, the founder of RSS and also the centenary year of RSS.