Mumbai: On the occasion of Gudi Padwa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur's Reshimbagh area on Sunday and pay tributes to its founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and second Sarsanghchalak MS Golwalkar at Smruti Mandir.
This will be his first visit to the RSS headquarters after assuming the PM's office in 2014. Also, this is the maiden visit by a sitting PM.
Earlier, on September 16, 2012, he had visited the Smriti Mandir as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He had come to pay his last respects to former RSS chief KS Sudarshan. At that time, senior BJP leader LK Advani, RSS chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat and several BJP-led state chief ministers and leaders were also present. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was then the BJP’s national president.
Modi’s visit is considered historic as it coincides with the RSS centenary celebrations. He will lay the foundation stone for the Madhav Netralaya building during his visit. After arriving in Nagpur, he will head directly to Reshimbagh. Before leaving for Delhi, he will visit Deekshabhoomi and inspect the solar explosives facility.
To mark both Gudi Padwa and the PM’s visit, the BJP has planned a grand welcome with decorated gudhis and sweet distribution. His 30-km route and 47 intersections across the city will be beautified. Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule recently discussed the preparations in a meeting with key BJP leaders and MLAs. Various BJP wings and alliances will welcome Modi at different spots in traditional attire, representing different states and communities.
SPG officials inspected the PM's event venues on Thursday and reviewed the security arrangements at the Police Commissionerate. They also examined the entire route he will take. For his visit, over 4,000 police personnel will be deployed across Nagpur. Additionally, five units of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and more than 1,500 home guards will be stationed for security. Around 150 officers from other districts have also been called in to strengthen the arrangements.
