While inaugurating Patanjali Herbal Garden and Research Institute in Haridwar on Wednesday, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to do everything to promote the rich heritage of Yogic Science and Ayurveda bequeathed to the ancient nation by the sages and seers. “It is regrettable that this luminous legacy handed out by the peerless wisdom of this hoary land has remained ignored for years,” he said in an oblique criticism of the Congress regime that remained saddled in the seat of power for long. He also stressed on preventive healthcare with stress on utmost hygiene as a means to keep the diseases at bay. The PM also visited Patanjali Yog Bhawan where he was bestowed with ‘Rashtra Rishi Samman’ by the Yoga Guru Ramdev. The citation that was in Sanskrit was read by the students of Acharyakulum and later Acharya Balkrishna translated it.
Addressing the gathering of volunteers who came from Haryana, Punjab and even some parts of southern India and Uttar Pradesh, including members of Yuva Bharat and Patanjali Kisan Samiti, Modi said that he was surprised by the lengthy citation extolling him.
“But I can hardly forget even for a moment the enormous expectations that the people of India have from me. The citation is a reminder to me of the huge task lying ahead of me. I am nothing save for the strength that the blessing of 125 crore people of the country endows me with,” he said. The citation mentioned his achievements as the PM, including surgical strikes, observance of International Yoga Day at the behest of UNO, Swach Bharat, oneness of Bharat campaign and initiatives to help India carve a prominent place for herself on the global platform of development.
Speaking volumes of the dizzying heights the Indian civilization in myriad arenas touched after civilization dawned on this ancient land, the PM said that the previous regimes that ruled most parts of independent India’s history remained indifferent to the best that India produced. “But the time has come when we must surge forward while basing our onward march on the great works done by our ancestors,” he said. He further said that Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna have played exemplary roles in resurrecting the ancient science and yoga meant for the benefit of the whole of humanity transcending the national borders. “This is nothing short of revolution in the country,” he said. Modi mentioned that although this was his first visit to Patanjali Yog Peeth after assuming charge as the PM he had visited many times in the past.
While sharing his feelings, Baba Ramdev said that the PM was baffled with his abrupt exit from the domain of active politics following the 2014 regime change in the country. “I told him that my activities in politics were no longer required after the reins of the country were handed over to the competent hands,” the yoga guru said.