RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday batted for calling the country ‘Bharat’, saying ‘Bharat’ was a proper noun and should not be translated.
Addressing an event in Kochi, he said: “It is true that India is Bharat, but Bharat is Bharat. That’s why while talking and writing we should keep Bharat as Bharat.”
“Bharat must remain Bharat. The identity of Bharat is respected because it is Bharat. If you lose your identity, whatever other meritorious qualities you may have, you will never be respected or remain secure in the world. That is the thumb rule,” he added.
Bhagwat further said that India no longer has to be the “golden bird” as it was time for it to become a “lion”. India must gain strength across all spectrums.
“It is necessary because the world understands power. So Bharat should become strong. It also has to become wealthy from an economic perspective,” he said.
However, he added that the country should not become strong to rule over others, but to help the world.
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