Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed national poet and freedom fighter Subramanya Bharathi's vision of independent and empowered women and said his government was inspired by it to ensure woman-led development.
He was virtually addressing the International Bharathi Festival to mark the 138th birth anniversary of the famous Tamil poet, hailed as Mahakavi, organised by Vanavil Cultural Centre.
Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami also paid glowing tributes to Bharathi, reverentially addressed as Bharathiyar.
Heaping praise on Bharathi, Modi said it was very 'difficult' to describe him and that he "cannot be linked to any single profession or dimension." "He was a poet, writer, editor, journalist, social reformer, freedom fighter, humanist and much more. One can only marvel at his works, his poems, his philosophy and his life," the Prime Minister said.
Modi recalled Bharathi had a 'close' link with Varanasi, which he represents in the Lok Sabha. On Bharathi's vision on women empowerment, Modi said the poet's definition of progress had a central role for them.
"Mahakavi Bharathiyar's definition of progress had a central role for women. One of the most important visions was that of independent and empowered women," Modi said.
He "wrote that women should walk with their heads held high while looking people in the eye. We are inspired by this vision and we are working to ensure woman-led development," the Prime Minister added.
In every sphere of his government's working, there has been importance given to the dignity of women. "Today over 15 crore women entrepreneurs are funded by Mudra yojana. They are walking with their heads held high, looking us in the eye and telling us how they are becoming self-reliant," he said.
"Today, women are becoming part of our armed forces, with permanent commissioning. They are walking with their heads held high and looking us in the eye and filling us with confidence that the country is in safe hands," he said.