Bhubaneswar, Aug 15 (NationPress) On the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat raised the national flag at the Utkal Bipanna Sahayata Samiti in Bhubaneswar, amidst a vibrant assembly of Sangh supporters and volunteers. In his remarks, Bhagwat urged Indians to emulate the commitment and sacrifices made by the freedom fighters to create a more robust and empathetic nation.

In his speech, Bhagwat recounted India’s lengthy and challenging struggle for freedom. He reminisced about the significant uprising in 1857 and the tireless efforts sustained over three generations through both armed struggle and peaceful protests.

“Our forebears made extraordinary sacrifices, enduring imprisonment and suffering, all for the vision of an independent India,” he stated.

Bhagwat underscored the necessity of remembering and paying tribute to those who fought for the nation’s independence.

He explored the concept of ‘Swaraj’, breaking it down into ‘Swa’ (self) and ‘Raj’ or ‘Tantra’ (system), asserting that a genuinely free India must operate with systems anchored in self-identity and self-awareness.

“To nurture and fortify this spirit, ongoing collective action is vital,” he mentioned.

Characterizing India as a nation with a distinct global mission, Bhagwat expressed that the country exists to foster peace, harmony, and dharma. He pointed out the Dharma Chakra at the center of the national flag as a representation of this universal aim.

“While we attained political independence in 1947, the journey to make India genuinely self-sufficient and equitable continues,” he remarked.

True freedom, Bhagwat asserted, resides in guaranteeing happiness, security, and dignity for every citizen, while also guiding a troubled world towards tranquility through the vision of dharma. He called on individuals to match the dedication and sacrifice of the freedom fighters in fortifying a stronger, more compassionate nation.

“India must emerge as a ‘Vishwaguru’ — a global leader providing solutions for contemporary challenges and shaping a better, happier world,” he declared.

Earlier that day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheaded the national celebrations by hoisting the Tricolour at the Red Fort in New Delhi. In his address, PM Modi proclaimed Independence Day as a festival of 140 crore resolutions, celebrating collective achievements and the enduring spirit of unity.

He reflected on the limitless possibilities that arose in 1947, and the visionary contributions of the Constituent Assembly, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, which granted the nation its Constitution.

“For the past 75 years, the Constitution of India has been our guiding light,” he concluded.