12.9.17

PM Modi invokes Vivekananda

Calling upon the youth to “let our creativity also strengthen our nation and fulfil the aspirations of our people,“ PM Narendra Modi batted for innovation and promoting skills towards building a modern India. The PM was addressing a students' convention to mark the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's address at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago and BJP ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya's centenary celebrations on the theme“Young India, New India“.

Modi began by saying that the biggest takeaway from Swami Vivekananda's speech of September 11, 1893 was the message of love, harmony and universal brotherhood. He reminded the youth that public service is the highest service.“Swami Vivekananda said that only rituals will not connect an individual to divinity...,“ he said, adding “Jan Seva is Prabhu Seva“. “More than being in search of a Guru, Swami Vivekananda was in search of the truth,“ said the Prime Minister.

Promoting the Swachh Bharat“ cause, Modi criticised those who litter and said, “Sanitation and cleaning workers have the first right to say `Vande Mataram'. He said those who chant `Vande Mataram' are the first to go and throw garbage on the streets. “Those who clean the roads have the first right in our country ,“ the PM said. He went on to extol women who refused to marry unless a bathroom was constructed in the groom's house.

The PM asked colleges to hold cultural events to celebrate other states--like a Tamil Day in a Haryana college or a Kerala Day in a Punjab college --to promote national integration. In a lighter vein, Modi said he was not against celebrating days like “Rose Day“.

Modi said: “India is changing, India's standing at the global stage, and it is due to the power of its people.“ Referring to Vivekananda's address and the 9/11 terror attacks in the US, he said, “If we had not forgotten the significance of the message of love and brotherhood, the devastating strike might not have happened.“

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