PRIME Minister Narendra Modi will release a commemorative postage stamp and coin to mark the centenary year of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh this week. The RSS, founded on Vijayadashmi in 1925, will complete 100 years on Thursday. Sources said the Prime Minister will release the commemorative stamp and coin on Wednesday in the presence of RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on the eve of the organisation’s centenary year celebrations. Modi had on Sunday showered praise on the RSS for its selfless service and discipline, and said “nation first” is always supreme in every action of its volunteers.

 

In his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, the PM said the RSS was established by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar on Vijayadashmi in 1925 to free the country from intellectual slavery, and its journey since has been as remarkable and unprecedented as it is inspiring. A former RSS pracharak himself, Modi also praised Hedgewar’s successor, M S Golwalkar, and said his statement that “this is not mine, this belongs to the nation” inspires people to rise above self-interest and embrace dedication to the nation.