NAGPUR:Renowned singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan praised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Tuesday for its services to the country, its customs, culture, and the upholding of the “Akhand Bharat” philosophy. 56-year-old Mahadevan, the main guest at the annual Vijayadashami programme of the RSS in the Reshimbagh region of Nagpur, opened his speech by performing a version of Saraswati Vandana, which is addressed to the goddess of knowledge. The Padma Shri-winning musician conveyed his gratitude to the RSS. “On it, what can I say? I simply applaud you.He declared, “The RSS has done more than anyone else to preserve our traditions, our culture, and our ideology of ‘Akhand Bharat.'” Mahadevan reported that he received numerous congratulations calls following his invitation to attend the RSS event as the primary guest, a gesture he found incredibly heartwarming. He related how his meeting with RSS chairman Mohan Bhagwat in Mumbai had been a rewarding experience, thanking him for the cordial invitation. “I’m in luck. He said, “The invitation was warmly and personally delivered.He also paid a visit to Hedgewar Smruti Mandir, the Nagpur memorial to RSS founder Dr. K B Hedgewar, and expressed his admiration for the Sangh’s well-coordinated Dussehra programme. “I am more proud of being a Bharatiya Nagrik (Indian citizen) today,” he stated. Mahadevan also exhorted people to make outstanding contributions to their disciplines in order to aid in the development of the nation.