‘I get the rites of life from the Sangh …’, PM Modi said in the podcast of Lex Freedman – PM Modi EXCLUSIVE Interview with American Podcaster Lex Fridman Ntc

The podcast of conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and famous American Podcaster Lex Freedman has been released on Sunday. In this conversation, PM Modi discussed many issues in detail. In this, PM Modi discussed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in detail in his life, its contribution in society and his personal experiences in detail. Lex asked him the question that when you were eight years old, they joined the RSS, which supports the idea of ​​Hindu nationalism. Can you tell me about RSS? What was their impact on you and your political ideas?

In response to this, PM Modi said that since childhood, I always had a habit of staying in some work. I remember that there was a man named Makoshi, I do not remember his full name properly, I think he was part of the service group. He used to keep with him like a poor. He used to sing patriotic songs in his deep, powerful voice. Whenever he used to come to our village, he used to do programs at different places. I used to run crazy behind them, just to listen to their songs. I used to listen to his patriotic songs all night. I used to enjoy it, I don’t know why, but just enjoyed it.

‘Understanding the Sangh is not so easy’

He said that there was a branch of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in our village, where patriotic songs used to run. Some things of those songs touched me very much. And thus I became part of the RSS. One of the basic values ​​given to us in the RSS was to do whatever it does, do it with the purpose. Do it for the contribution of the nation. For example, if I study, I should do so much that the country is useful. When I exercise, I should do so much that my body is also useful for the country. These people of these unions keep teaching. The Sangh is a very big organization. It is now close to its 100th anniversary. Such a big voluntary organization probably does not exist anywhere else in the world. Crores of people are associated with it. But understanding the Sangh is not so easy. Efforts should be made to understand the nature of its work in the true sense. More than anything, the Sangh gives you a clear direction that can actually be called a purpose in life.

PM Modi said that second thing, the country is everything and public service is the service of God. This has been said since the Vedic period. This is what our sages have said, this is what Vivekananda has said and the people of the Sangh do these things. So the volunteers are told that you should do something for the society with the inspiration from the Sangh. Today, many initiatives are going on by being inspired by that feeling. For example, some volunteers established an organization called Seva Bharati. This organization serves the slums and settlements where the poorest people live, which they call the service community. According to my information, they run about 1 lakh 25 thousand service projects only with community cooperation without any government assistance. They spend time there, teach children, take care of their health, give good values ​​and work towards improving cleanliness in these communities. This is not a small achievement.

‘Union opened 70 thousand schools in tribal areas’

He said that similarly, some volunteers nominated by the Sangh are dedicated to the service of tribal communities through the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. They live among the tribals, work for their welfare. He has opened schools with more than 70,000 teachers in remote tribal areas. There are some people in America who donate about 10 or 15 dollars for them. And they say, ‘Do not drink a Coca-Cola this month and donate that money to a school with a teacher.’ Now imagine, 70,000 dedicated to educating tribal children, a teacher school. Some volunteers have established Vidya Bharati to bring revolution in education. Today, they run around 25,000 schools, educate about 3 million students, and I believe this initiative has benefited millions of students, who are incorrectly getting quality education at low cost. Along with education, values ​​are given priority, and students are connected to the land, learn skills so that they do not become a burden on society. That is, in every aspect of life, whether it is women, youth or laborers, RSS has played a role.

‘I get the rites of life from the Sangh’

PM Modi said that in the context of the size of membership, if I say so, we have the Indian labor union. It has about 50,000 unions, which have millions of members across the country. Perhaps, in the context of the scale, there is no labor union greater in the world. But the interesting thing is what kind of attitude they adopt. Historically, leftist ideologies have promoted labor movements around the world. And what is their slogan? ‘The laborers of the world, be united’, the message was clear, first get united, then we will handle everything else. What do Labor Unions run by RSS trained volunteers believe in? He says, ‘Workers have united the world.’ The other says, ‘The workers of the world get united.’ And we say, ‘Workers have united the world.’ This can cause a small change in words, but it is a very big ideological change. Volunteers coming from RSS follow their own interests, nature and tendency and by doing so they strengthen and promote such activities. When you look at these initiatives, you will see that in the last 100 years, the RSS has worked with a dedicated spirit like a seeker by staying away from the dazzling of India. It was my good fortune that I got the rites of life from such a holy organization.