New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday released a special Rs 100 coin and postage stamp in New Delhi as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh celebrates its centenary on Vijayadashami. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this is the first time that the image of Bharat Mata has been printed on an Indian coin. While the coin has the figure of Rs 100 on the front, the reverse has the image of Bharat Mata sitting on a lion in the 'Vara Mudra' and the image of the volunteers bowing before her with a sense of dedication. Along with it, it is written in Hindi and English, '100 years of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh'.
This is the first time that the image of Bharat Mata has been printed on a coin
Modi attended a program held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. Releasing a special postage stamp and coin to commemorate the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this is the first time in India's history that Mother India's image has been printed on a coin.
The specially designed coin and stamps highlight the RSS's contribution to the nation, the Prime Minister said. "... On one side of this Rs 100 coin, there is the national emblem, and on the other side, there is the image of Mother India sitting on a lion in the 'Varad Mudra' and the volunteers bowing before her in a gesture of dedication. This is the first time in the history of independent India that Mother India's image has been shown on our currency...", said Prime Minister Modi.
RSS participated in Republic Day parade
The Prime Minister recalled that in 1963, the RSS also proudly participated in the Republic Day parade. "This postage stamp has the image of that historic moment," he said.
"Unity in diversity has always been the soul of India, if this principle is broken, India becomes weak. Despite the challenges, RSS has stood strong and has been serving the nation tirelessly," he said. Prime Minister Modi asserted that the RSS has believed in 'One India, Great India' since Independence. He said that the organisation has never developed a bitter attitude despite facing attempts to register false cases or ban the organisation.
Founded in Nagpur in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the RSS was established as a volunteer-based organisation that aimed to instill cultural awareness, discipline, service and social responsibility among citizens. Prime Minister Modi himself was an RSS 'pracharak' and had distinguished himself as an able organiser before transferring to the BJP, which drew ideological inspiration from the Hindutva organisation.