Nagpur: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief (Sarsanghchalak) Mohan Bhagwat addressed authors and attendees at the Nagpur Book Fair on Saturday (November 29), emphasising human control over technology, authentic nationalism rooted in Indian ethos, and cultural preservation amid global flux.

Humans Must Remain Masters of AI

Mohan Bhagwat warned against becoming “machines ourselves” with the rise of artificial intelligence, stressing that technology cannot be halted but must serve humanity’s betterment. “We stay its owners, set its limits — use mobiles as tools, not let them use us,” he said, citing addiction where people fail to endure even a few hours without devices. True AI, he noted, challenges human emotions and requires preparation for a balanced life encompassing body, mind, intellect, and soul.

Knowledge: Information Versus True Wisdom

Defining knowledge as both raw information and profound understanding or bodh, Mohan Bhagwat urged greater use of Indian languages for precise emotional expression, which he said is often absent in English or foreign tongues. Globalisation, he cautioned, can dilute sentiments if ideas remain untranslated, risking cultural loss. Authors, he said, carry the responsibility of preserving native expressions and cultural depth.

Rejecting Western-Style Nationalism

Bhagwat clarified that the RSS concept of rashtravaad differs fundamentally from aggressive Western “nationalism,” which is rooted in ego and has led to world wars. India’s idea of rashtra, he said, emerged from the dissolution of ego, fostering unity without conflict. “We are brothers as sons of Bharat Mata — beyond religion, language, or customs,” he said, advocating coordination and harmony over strife.

Dispelling the Illusion of Globalisation

Calling present-day globalisation a myth, Bhagwat pointed to the Ukraine-Russia war, Hamas-Israel tensions, and the US-China cold war. He said even the originators of the idea had admitted by 2005 that globalisation could not fit all societies into one mould. True globalisation, he added, must align with cultural traditions and work for mutual welfare, urging preparedness through a swadeshi outlook.

Education Reforms and Guidance for Gen Z

Praising ongoing education reforms for improving accessibility and affordability, Mohan Bhagwat nevertheless called for continuous evaluation and improvement. Addressing the youth, he urged them to study the nation’s true history from original sources rather than relying on platforms like Wikipedia. Traditions, he said, must evolve through questioning and examination, not blind acceptance.