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Bhagwat said the essence of India’s leadership lies not in power or wealth, but in empathy, compassion, and the ability to care for others
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said India can truly become a Vishwaguru only when it rekindles the spirit of humanity within itself and others.
Speaking at a private function in Bengaluru to mark the 25th anniversary of the Nele Foundation, Bhagwat said the essence of India’s leadership lies not in power or wealth, but in empathy, compassion, and the ability to care for others.
“We can become a Vishwaguru only when we light the lamp of humanity within ourselves and in others as well,” Bhagwat said. “If we want to become the world’s guru, we first need to understand and appreciate what they have, and then share with them what we possess that they may not have.”
Elaborating on the idea of human connection, the RSS chief said “intimacy comes from the soul” (aatma se aatmiyata aati hai), and that India’s ancient values of belonging and empathy must guide its conduct with the world.
Bhagwat reflected on the growing materialism and self-interest in global society, observing that the world today is driven by profit and loss, even in voluntary or charitable work.
“Today’s world only looks at profits and losses. If we start bookkeeping even voluntary work, such work will not happen,” he said. “People have become materialistic. They have lost connection with their families, society, and the earth.”
Calling empathy the defining trait of humanity, Bhagwat said that while animals act out of self-interest, humans are capable of rising above it. “Humans have feelings, and these feelings are for others, not just for themselves… When this empathy is channelled in the right direction, humans can transform themselves from ordinary beings to divine ones.”
The RSS chief also noted that it was “good that organisations are being formed” to help others, but stressed that a truly compassionate society would care for its members as a matter of duty, not obligation. “What’s happening is good, but we need to do more,” he added.
Bhagwat lauded ongoing social initiatives, saying that what sustains such efforts is not who joins them, but the purity of purpose behind them. “Twenty-five years ago, a good work started in this foundation, and it will continue. It’s not about who joins them. What’s important is that we’re doing good work, and that will sustain us.”
Concluding his remarks, Bhagwat reminded the audience that India’s path to becoming a Vishwaguru lies not in imitation of the material world, but in reviving its timeless ethos of empathy and selfless service—qualities that, he said, “make the living truly alive”.
Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously worked with t…Read More
Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously worked with t… Read More
November 07, 2025, 21:19 IST
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