Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for uniting society against divisive forces, promoting self-reliance and involving every citizen in the goal of building a developed India by 2047.
Addressing the inauguration of the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on October 23, PM Modi said spiritual, cultural and social organisations had an important role in addressing emerging challenges and advancing national development.
“We must unite society against forces that seek to divide us. We must raise awareness among our fellow citizens about self-reliance. We must connect every citizen with the resolve to build a developed India by 2047,” he said.
PM Modi said that while institutions had different objectives, the nation’s development and pride provided a common purpose. He expressed confidence that Chinmaya Mission’s network of teachers, spiritual seekers and volunteers would contribute to building a developed India.
PM Modi said young people had remained at the centre of his efforts and policies throughout his 25 years as the head of a government. He praised the young volunteers associated with the celebrations for travelling nearly 40,000 km over about 300 days and reaching out to more than one lakh young people.
Paying tribute to Swami Chinmayananda’s legacy, PM Modi said he had linked spiritual advancement with personal development and national progress. Through the Gita Jnana Yajna and his efforts to bring the teachings of the Upanishads and Vedanta to ordinary people, he had helped strengthen pride in Indian culture, the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi described the Mission’s young followers as cultural ambassadors who were carrying Indian values to the next generation. He also recalled releasing a commemorative coin in Swami Chinmayananda’s memory in 2015 and described his life as a confluence of knowledge, action and devotion.
Highlighting the Mission’s educational work, PM Modi said its more than 100 institutions were shaping the futures of lakhs of children and young people by combining modern education with Indian values.
He said the National Education Policy similarly emphasised Indian knowledge traditions, mother-tongue education, modern science and new technology to meet the needs of a changing India.
On heritage conservation, PM Modi recalled Swami Chinmayananda’s support for Eknath Ranade’s effort to build the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari, including making the first financial contribution to the project.
The Prime Minister also cited developments at Kashi Vishwanath Dham, the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Mahakal Mahalok in Ujjain, Kedarnath and Badrinath as examples of a revival of cultural centres across the country.
