Nagpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday credited the Bhakti movement and ideals of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for protection of Indian culture despite many foreign invasions.
Speaking after performing the 'bhoomi poojan' of the Madhav Netralaya of the Sangh Parivar here, he said that India was under foreign invasion for hundreds of years, many cruel invaders tried to shake the civilisation and culture of the country, but no one could shake the basic sense of Indianness.
Many movements worked in the country to protect the Indian culture and keep its flame alive, he pointed.
In this, the Bhakti movement played a big role, with the Bhakti Andolan working to keep people's sentiments alive forever, he said.
The Prime Minister further said after the foreign invasions, Swami Vivekananda awakened the youth to a sense of nationalism.
Dr Keshav Hedgewar founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in the country when the Indian freedom movement was gaining momentum, he recalled and said that the seed planted by Dr Hedgewar and Guruji a hundred years ago has turned into a banyan tree today.
While highlighting the works of RSS, Modi pointed out how the Sangh has worked to protect the country and society as well as in preserving Indian culture since its inception.
The Sangh's principles and ideals work to strengthen the original spirit of our country, he said, adding that the Sangh is not only a banyan tree but also an evergreen tree of Indian culture.