Nagpur, Aug 15 : Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief, Mohan Bhagwat, on Saturday asserted that many people and internal/external forces are actively working against India's goal of becoming a global leader and are creating hurdles.

He urged citizens to confront these challenges head-on and gave a call to strengthen India's independence by making the nation happy, prosperous, and secure.

Addressing a gathering at the Sangh headquarters in Nagpur after hoisting the Tricolour on the occasion of the country's 80th Independence Day, Bhagwat said that India has attained independence and will remain independent, but the ongoing task is to make the nation happy, prosperous, and secure. He noted that India must work towards becoming a global teacher (Vishwaguru) that contributes meaningfully to humanity without deviating from its core principles.

He highlighted the freedom struggle since 1857 and paid homage to ancestors who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the nation. He reminded citizens that preserving freedom requires continuous dedication. He invoked Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar to remind citizens that it is their fundamental duty to preserve this hard-won freedom and integrate its progressive values into society.

He explained that saffron colour in the National Flag represents action, knowledge, dutifulness, and the necessity of sacrifice to keep the nation secure and prosperous, white denotes purity of mind, peace, and living a life driven by duty and sacrifice and green the nation's overall prosperity.

He remarked that while individuals naturally hold different viewpoints and thoughts, this diversity is the true expression of national unity. He urged all citizens to confront modern challenges directly without compromising on foundational principles, ensuring India serves as a guiding light to the world.

/IANS