Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], August 9 (ANI): Stressing the need to develop religion and spirituality, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said that India must progress in every field, but it will be considered a 'Vishwaguru' when it develops in these two fields.

Addressing an event during a temple visit in Maharashtra's Nagpur city on Friday, Bhagwat said that even if the country were to be better economically, it would be nothing new in the world.

'Even if our nation becomes a 3 trillion dollar economy, it would be nothing new in the world, as there are several other such countries. America and China are also rich. There are multiple rich countries. There are so many things that other nations have done; we will do the same. However, the world lacks the spirituality and religion that we possess. The world comes to us for it. When we become bigger in it (religion and spirituality), then the world bows down in front of us and considers us as the Vishwaguru,' he said.

Emphasising on religion and spirituality, Mohan Bhagwat said, 'We must progress in every field, but our nation will be considered a Vishwaguru in its true sense when we grow in this field (religion and spirituality)... We must become like Lord Shiva, who is brave and looks at everyone equally... He becomes happy in little and solves the problems of the world.'

Recently, Mohan Bhagwat said that Bharat is not just a name, it is the nation's 'identity' that must not be altered or translated.

According to Bhagwat, the global respect India commands today is rooted in its 'Bharatiyata', its original identity as Bharat.

'Bharat is a proper noun. It should not be translated. 'India that is Bharat,' is true. But Bharat is Bharat, and that is why, while writing and speaking, 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 secure in this world. That is the rule of thumb...,' Bhagwat said.

Addressing the gathering at 'Gyan Sabha', a national education conclave organised by the RSS-linked 'Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas', the RSS Chief also highlighted Bharat's long-standing values of peace, non-violence, and spiritual leadership, saying the nation has never pursued expansionism or exploitation, unlike other powers in history.

'Viksit Bharat, Vishwa Guru Bharat, will not be the cause of war ... and will never exploit. We have gone from Mexico to Siberia; we walked on foot, and we went in small boats. We did not invade anyone's territory and ruin it. We did not usurp anyone's kingdom. We taught everyone civilisation. You see the tradition of Indian knowledge. The root of the tradition is in that truth... the truth of the unity of the whole world...' he stated. (ANI)