Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday profusely praised Prime Narendra Modi for his incredible journey from an RSS swayamsevak to Gujarat Chief Minister and then to the Prime Minister of the country.
Bhagwat pointed out that it was Narendra Modi’s not-so-well-known stint with the RSS that made his journey first as Gujarat chief minister and then as the prime minister so successful.
"Many people want to know about this journey, and this is worth knowing. But if you think over it, you will realise that his unknown journey till becoming the Gujarat Chief Minister has actually made his journey as Chief Minister and later as Prime Minister so successful," Mohan Bhagwat said while releasing a book on PM Modi titled "The Making of a Legend".
“If we give it some thought, we will realise that it was his ‘aprasiddh’ (not famous) journey till he became the chief minister that led to such brightness (ujjwal) surrounding his journey as chief minister and prime minister,” he added.
The RSS chief also said that the Indian leadership should follow `dharma` as only then the nation can prosper.
"Bharat ke netritava me dharma aayega tabhi desh ka kalyan hoga," Bhagwat said and defined "dharma" as "truth, compassion and inner conscience which can be attained only through dedication".
The RSS chief further said that as a ‘karyakarta’ (worker) and ‘swayamsevak’ (volnteer), Narendra Modi remains the same person he was before becoming the Gujarat chief minister, and publicity and fame have not impacted him.
Heaping praise on Modi, he said the prime minister had attributes like hard work, courage, patience, wisdom, strength and valour but what is more is that he would consider no work impossible and do what was needed.
“Though it is natural to focus on Modi’s personality but people should go beyond it...They should also focus on the work that goes into making of successful people,” he said, asking them to know why Modi’s leadership became “a ray of hope” for the country.
“What should be done has been discussed in the country for the last 70 years. But it is happening now. Why? Because it is being done now,” Bhagwat said.
“Society has got a good and able ‘thekedar’ (contractor) in Narendra bhai for its welfare but the danger is that people will leave everything to him and go to sleep.It should not happen. Books (on him) should help people develop attributes like him,” Bhagwat said in a speech that was repeatedly cheered by the audience that included BJP President Amit Shah, Union Ministers Manoj Sinha, Arjun Meghwal, Vijay Sampla, BJP Vice President Om Mathur and Puducherry LG Kiran Bedi and some diplomats.
The RSS chief pointed out that Modi has become the Prime Minister and has been able to do a lot but a time may come when one who wants to do something may not become the Prime Minister.
"This can happen. What will we do then? Whether one becomes a Prime Minister or not, we will continue to work with dedication," Bhagwat said.
He said characters of charismatic leaders are written and it is natural that this inspires others.
"Such characters need to be studied thoroughly. Narendra bhai`s journey of becoming Chief Minister of Gujarat was for karyakartas and swayamsevaks. If his journey had continued only up to that stage, then we would not have known about it."
Bhagwat stressed that he usually doesn`t go for book releases but came to release "The Making of a Legend", written by Sulabh International founder Bindeshwar Pathak, because of Modi.
The RSS chief said that in the last 1,000-1,500 years, India has slid.
"We have to take it to past glory of 2,000 years back and even beyond it. But the government cannot do everything. Every person of the society has to prepare himself, “ Bhagwat said
"Thanks to the traits of his personality, actions and leadership that we are looking at Narendra bhai. It is thanks to the recognition given by you people,” he added.
(With agency inputs)
