NEW DELHI, Mar 26:
Terrorism has thrown a big challenge to humanity and people should draw inspiration from ancient scriptures to take on the menace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today.
“Terrorism has gripped the entire world. It has thrown a challenge to humanity. If we try to analyse incidents mentioned in ancient scriptures and set those in the present context, I would say that Jatayu was the first to fight against terrorism. He gave the message of fearlessness,” he said.
In epic Ramayana, Jatayu, a vulture, had valiantly tried to rescue Sita when she was being kidnapped by Ravana, sacrificing his life in the process.
The Prime Minister said Jatayu sacrificed his life taking on a strong man to defend the dignity of a woman. “Jatayu’s fight gives us the inspiration to take on terrorism. It also gives the message to live for humanity,” he said.
Modi was addressing a gathering at the residence of Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu here to celebrate Ugadi, the Telugu and Kannada new year day.
Referring to different languages and cultures in the country, Modi said various States should ensure cultural exchanges between people. Haryana and Telangana have already signed an agreement in this regard.
He said cultural exchanges and quiz competitions can be organised to spread culture and language of one State in the other.
Modi said diversity of India was both its identity and strength.
The Prime Minister, while greeting the nation on Ugadi, said the festivals are a reflection of changing facets of nature and are linked to culture and traditions.
Citing the ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat’ initiative of his Government, Modi said it would enable the coming generations to understand the cultural diversity of different States.
This would strengthen the feeling of oneness and unity amongst all Indians, Modi said, as he called upon States to collaborate with each other in promoting the uniqueness of their respective cultures and traditions.
Greeting people on the occasion, Naidu said the day heralds the beginning of the new year and good days will turn into even better days under Modi. He also said that unity of the country is in its diversity.
“Achche din have come and aur bhi achche din aane wale hain desh mein (good days have come and even better days will come) under Narendra Modi’s leadership,” he said.
Naidu said Ugadi would bring prosperity and growth to the country under the leadership of Modi.
The function was attended by lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal, Minister of Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad and a host of Union Ministers.
Artists from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh gave cultural performances.
Meanwhile, asking the people to take the fight against black money and graft to the “next level”, Modi today urged them to use less cash in their daily lives and continue to support the movement towards digital payments started after the note ban.
In his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme, he also spoke of building a ‘New India’, which he said can be achieved when 125 crore Indians take a pledge and unitedly work towards it.
“My dear countrymen, we must take our fight against black money and corruption to the next level. …. We should contribute towards ensuring reducing the use of cash, of currency notes,” the Prime Minister said.
Asking the people to pay school fees, buy medicines or items from fair price shops or purchase air and train tickets digitally, he said “we can do this in our day to day lives. You can’t imagine how you can serve the country in this way and become a brave soldier in the fight against black money and corruption.”
Observing that the budget had announced that there would be 2500 crore digital transactions this year, he said if 125 crore countrymen can resolve, “they need not wait for a year; they can do it in six months.”
Expressing gratitude to the people, Modi said over the last few months the country has witnessed an atmosphere in which people in large numbers have participated in the digital payment, ‘Digidhan’ movement.
“There has also been an increase in curiosity about cashless transactions. The poorest of the poor are making attempts to learn, and people are gradually moving towards doing business without cash. There has been a surge in various modes of digital payment after demonetisation,” he said, adding that the BHIM App, launched about two and a half months ago, has already been downloaded by one and half crore people.
In his address, the Prime Minister also touched upon subjects ranging from building a “New India” to ‘Swaccha Bharat’, besides greeting the people of Bangladesh on their independence day saying India will always stand with them in the struggle for peace, security and development in the region.
“I hope that Bangladesh marches ahead on the path of progress. I also assure the citizens of Bangladesh that India is a strong partner, and a good friend, and we will continue to work together shoulder to shoulder to contribute towards the peace, security and development of this entire region,” the Prime Minister said.
He said it was a matter of pride that Rabindra Nath Tagore, who has authored the national anthem of Bangladesh and India, had given up his Knighthood in protest against the 1919 massacre of people in Jallianwala Bagh by the British.
This had also provided an “inspiration and a mission in life” to a young teenager, who until then had spent his days playing merrily in the fields. This youngster was none other than Bhagat Singh, then 12-years old, to evolve as a martyr.
Modi also referred to the Champaran Satyagraha launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917, saying “through his demeanour and deeds, he could inspire the poorest of the poor, the most illiterate, to unite and come together out into the open for the struggle against the British Rule.
“This was a manifestation of an incredible inner strength, through which we can experience the vastness of Mahatma Gandhi’s great persona,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the Government of India has taken “a very important decision” to give working women maternity leave of 26 weeks, instead of the earlier 12 weeks, for their pregnancy and delivery.
“There are now only two or three countries in the world that are ahead of us in this matter. India has taken a very important decision for these working women sisters of ours. The basic aim is to ensure proper care of the newborn, the future citizen of India, from the time of birth. The newborn should get the complete love and attention of the mother.”
Talking about “New India”, he said it is “not a Government scheme or political party’s programme. “In essence, every citizen must discharge his civic duties and responsibilities. This in itself would be a good beginning to the New India.”
The Prime Minister said if 125 crore Indians take a pledge and work unitedly towards making a “New India”, then it is possible to realise this dream of countrymen.
He also talked about his favourite “Swachch Bharat” drive and said people of the country are getting angry as far as dirt is concerned and this will lead to more efforts towards cleanliness. Modi also talked about wastage of food saying it is unfortunate and an injustice to the poor.
He also spoke at length about depression and how it can be overcome by expressing one’s feeling to the near and dear ones and urged the people to help those suffering from it to overcome it.
Talking about the importance of Yoga, he called upon Indians to make the 3rd International Day of Yoga memorable by involving more and more people. (PTI)
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