New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday 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, 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.
Recalling his meeting with Swami Chinmayananda in Vadodara in 1993, PM Modi said that he met the spiritual leader when he went to invite him to the centenary celebrations of the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago. The year 1993 marked 100 years since Swami Vivekananda’s historic address. The Prime Minister said their discussion centred on strengthening young people and harnessing their potential to build a strong and capable nation.
Swami Chinmayananda accepted the invitation and continuously raised awareness about the centenary celebrations and encouraged people to participate. But destiny had other plans, he passed away in San Diego on August 3, just weeks before the gathering.
The Prime Minister said interacting with digital/holographic projection of Swami Chinmayananda at the event brought back memories of their meeting, describing the experience as deeply moving.
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.
He said more than 650 stolen ancient idols had been brought back to India over the past 12 years. The International Day of Yoga, he added, was connecting people worldwide with India’s ancient traditions.
PM Modi said Chinmaya Mission’s journey towards its centenary would advance alongside India’s efforts to become a developed nation by 2047, and urged its members to carry that shared endeavour forward.