Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on 20 October delivered his annual Vijayadashami address in Nagpur, Maharashtra, calling for deeper self-awareness, Swadeshi adoption, social harmony, family values, and national unity. The address also served as the formal conclusion of the organisation's year-long centenary celebrations.

Centenary Outreach: Scale and Numbers

Bhagwat shared preliminary figures from the RSS centenary outreach campaign, describing it as an extensive effort spanning villages, urban settlements, and households. According to the data he presented, the campaign reached 4,61,527 villages and 41,076 urban settlements, touching 10,19,88,511 households and families across the country.

A total of 1,117 district-level discussions and symposia were held for prominent and intellectual citizens, with 4,26,497 men and women participating, according to preliminary figures. Bhagwat clarified that the final official count would be presented at the organisation's executive committee meeting and that numbers could rise further.

Spiritual Milestones and Cultural Anchors

A significant portion of the address paid tribute to historical and spiritual figures. Bhagwat highlighted the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas Maharaj, popularly known as Sant Shiromani, noting that programmes were being organised across the country and at RSS branches to spread awareness of his life and teachings.

He also recalled Swami Shraddhanand — an Arya Samaj ascetic, educationist, leader of the Shuddhi movement, and freedom fighter — marking 100 years since his martyrdom. Bhagwat additionally observed the birth centenary of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, who dedicated his life to serving tribal communities in Odisha. He argued that remembering such figures was directly relevant to the RSS's century-long mission of awakening self-awareness and strengthening India's cultural identity.

Panch Parivartan: A Way of Life, Not a Campaign

Bhagwat stressed that Panch Parivartan — a five-fold social transformation framework — must not be treated as a short-term programme. 'Panch Parivartan is accepted everywhere, because the circumstances for which it serves as a solution are being experienced by everyone,' he said. He specifically cited family awakening, civic discipline, and environmental responsibility as elements that resonate globally.

He urged RSS volunteers and citizens to translate its principles into daily habits rather than confining them to discussions or temporary drives. 'As a way of life intended to bring transformation in our conduct, it must become a habit through direct action,' he said.

India's Global Role, Technology, and Social Concerns

Bhagwat addressed India's growing international standing, arguing that challenges born of materialism, individualism, and excessive consumption — including difficulties managing diversity, balancing development with environmental protection, and the erosion of family values — created an opening for India to offer alternative perspectives.

On technology, he acknowledged that progress was inevitable but cautioned: 'Technology is merely a tool,' stressing that it must serve society's well-being rather than undermine it. He also referenced ongoing debates in India about regulating OTT platforms, calling on the government and administration to 'consider the issue and take appropriate action.'

Addressing substance addiction, Bhagwat described it as a serious national concern, placing responsibility on parents to guide children and on the younger generation to develop the discipline to avoid harmful habits.

Disasters, Environment, and a Warning on the Himalayas

Towards the close of his address, Bhagwat expressed grief over recent tragedies in Nepal and Kolkata. On the Nepal disaster, he pointed to ecological imbalance across the Himalayan region as an underlying cause. 'Across the entire Himalayan region, spanning countries such as India, Tibet, Bhutan, and China on modern maps, unbalanced, one-sided development practices have created ecological instability throughout the Himalayas... We must relearn the science of pursuing such development,' he said.

The Kolkata incident, he noted, was linked to overcrowding and negligence rather than natural forces, while expressing solidarity with relief efforts underway in both cases. The address sets the RSS's programmatic and ideological agenda as it enters its second century of existence.