New Delhi: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said development would have real meaning only when its benefits reach the last person in society, stressing the principles of ‘Antyodaya’ and ‘Ekatma Manava Darshan’ (Integral Humanism).
Speaking at an event organised by the Deendayal Seva Pratishthan to mark the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Bhagwat said economic growth should be accompanied by efforts to reduce the gap between the most and least developed sections of society.
He said every citizen should have access to essential needs such as food, clothing, housing, education and healthcare, besides the opportunity to live with social dignity. Economic models, he added, should focus on ensuring a minimum standard of living for all.
Bhagwat also called for a rethink of agricultural practices, saying farming should not be viewed only as a commercial activity but as a responsibility connected with social welfare and environmental sustainability.
Cautioning against excessive dependence on chemical-based farming, he advocated sustainable agricultural methods that preserve the balance of nature.
He said the country’s prosperity ultimately depended on empowering every citizen and ensuring that development translated into tangible benefits for people across social and economic groups.