PM Modi remembers Ranade, says no RSS member can match him in perfection

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that no one in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) can match the perfection of former leader and social activist Eknath Ranade.

"I doubt that anyone in the Sangh parivar can match Eknath in perfection," he said while speaking at an event organized here to mark the birth centenary of the great leader.

Prime Minister Modi, who was the Chief Guest at the event which was held at the Vigyan Bhawan here, said that it was an honour for him to get a chance to pay tribute to the great leader who has always been a source of inspiration.

"I am delighted to be here. Eknath Ranade has always been a source of inspiration for us. The basic principle of every work done by Eknath Ranade had an expression of 'uniting'. He believed in uniting people of contradictory ideologies and also in integrating things and people," he said.

"He was always into his work and kept himself away from promotion or publicity. He believed in 'one life one mission' and he lived on that principle. Eknath Ranade always did things keeping the future in mind and in a simple manner. He also believed that every work should be done with public participation," he added.

Prime Minister Modi further recalled Ranade's contribution in the construction of Vivekananda Rock memorial in Kanyakumari.

"Anyone above 40 years of age would certainly tell you that he also contributed in the construction of Vivekananda Rock memorial. He encouraged the youth and told them just being inspired by Swami Vivekananda is not enough, but living like him was more important. He established a memorial worth millions, but he himself lived in a small room," he said.

Ranade was a social activist and leader motivated by the spirits of nationalism and spiritualism. He was also a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Ranade was greatly influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, and had also compiled a book of writings. He played an instrumental role in the construction of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Vivekananda Kendra at Kanyakumari.