Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], March 30 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson CR Kesavan said on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tribute to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar highlights how the organisation has 'selflessly sacrificed and contributed to nation-building.'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first sitting PM to pay tribute at the RSS' Smruti Mandir, doing it during the centenary celebrations of the organisation.

PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre at Nagpur and addressed a public meeting

'The Prime Minister's visit today is indeed a true testimony and tribute to how the RSS has selflessly sacrificed and contributed to nation-building, how the RSS has staunchly instilled and promoted patriotism and how they have steadfastly preserved and protected Bharat's culture, tradition and ethos and how they continue to spirited inspire our youth to dedicate themselves to Bharat's progress,' Kesavan told ANI in Hyderabad.

Praising the PM's visit, the BJP leader said, 'PM Modi's visit to Smruti Mandir today is very significant because this is the centenary year of the RSS' inception, and Prime Minister Modi is the first ever sitting Prime Minister to pay homage at Smruti Mandir.'

The BJP spokesperson further claimed that for BJP and RSS, the nation comes first, with national unity being paramount, contrasting it with the 'dynastic Congress.' 'For the BJP and the RSS, the nation comes first, and national unity is paramount. This is in stark contrast to a dynastic Congress whose dangerous divisive agenda is to divide Barth on religious lines,' Kesavan told ANI.

Earlier today, PM Modi, accompanied by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, paid floral tributes at the memorials dedicated to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, and second sarsanghchalak (chief) M S Golwalkar at Smruti Mandir in Reshimbagh in Nagpur.

Union Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other leaders were also present.

PM Modi arrived Nagpur at around 9 am and was received by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other ministers of Maharashtra cabinet at Nagpur airport.

PM Modi also paid respects to Babasaheb Ambedkar at Deekshabhoomi, where the architect of the Indian constitution converted to Buddhism with thousands of his followers in 1956.

In a post on X, PM Modi 'Visiting Smruti Mandir in Nagpur is a very special experience. Making today's visit even more special is the fact that it has happened on Varsha Pratipada, which is also the Jayanti of Param Pujya Doctor Sahab.'

He further acknowledged the influence of Dr. Hedgewar and MS Golwalkar, saying, 'Countless people like me derive inspiration and strength from the thoughts of Param Pujya Doctor Sahab and Pujya Guruji. It was an honour to pay homage to these two greats, who envisioned a strong, prosperous and culturally proud Bharat.' (ANI)