NAGPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic visit to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur today, marking the first time a sitting Prime Minister has visited the Sangh’s central base. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, former Sangh general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari were present during Modi’s visit to the Smriti Mandir in Reshimbagh, the administrative headquarters of the RSS.

During his visit, PM Modi paid tribute to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and its second chief, M.S. Golwalkar, at the Dr. Hedgewar Smriti Mandir in Reshimbagh. In a post on X, he said, “Visiting Smriti Mandir in Nagpur is a very special experience. Making today’s visit even more special is the fact that it happened on Varsha Pratipada, which is also the Jayanti of Param Pujya Doctor Sahab. Countless people like me derive inspiration and strength from the thoughts of Param Pujya Doctor Sahab and Pujya Guruji. It was an honour to pay homage to these two greats, who envisioned a strong, prosperous, and culturally proud Bharat.”

The visit coincided with the Sangh’s Pratipada programme, celebrating Gudi Padwa, the Hindu New Year. Accompanied by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, a state-of-the-art eye hospital.

PM Modi also paid his respects to B.R. Ambedkar at Deekshabhoomi, where the architect of India’s Constitution converted to Buddhism with thousands of his followers in 1956. During his visit, PM Modi paid homage to Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy, emphasizing the importance of social harmony, equality, and justice. In his remarks, the Prime Minister highlighted Deekshabhoomi as a symbol of empowerment for the downtrodden and reiterated his government’s commitment to realizing Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of an inclusive and developed India.