Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the historic Deepotsav celebrations on Diwali eve on Sunday, and said that the values that Lord Ram instilled in his words, thoughts, governance, and administration are the inspiration for ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, and the basis of ‘Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’.
The event also saw Ayodhya setting a new Guinness World Record for lighting the maximum number of earthen lamps — over 15 lakh — on the banks of the Saryu River.
Modi said that this Diwali has come at a time when India has completed 75 years of its Independence and the country is celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. “In this ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal’, it is the resolve like that of Bhagwan Shree Ram which will take the country to new heights,” he said.
Modi said that one can find the inspiration of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ and the principles of ‘Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’ in Lord Rama’s words and thoughts, in his rule and his administration.
“For every Indian the principles of Shree Ram are the aspirations of a developed India. It is like a lighthouse that provides inspiration to achieve the most difficult targets,” he said.
In an obvious dig at the opposition parties, the Prime Minister said, Rs Rs There was a time when the existence of Bhagwan Ram was questioned and it was taken as politically incorrect to speak about Ayodhya and Bhagwan Ram. The constant indifference towards the Centres of our ancient legacy resulted in the decline of important pilgrim centers like Ayodhya –the place which is a symbol of our existence. Today, not only Ayodhya’s glorious tradition has been revived but also the city is being developed with new infrastructure, roads, intersections, and redevelopment and beautification of the Ghats.
Rs Rs During the last 8 years, the country has broken the shackles of the colonial mindset. We have put forward a holistic policy of the development of India's pilgrimages. From Ram Mandir, Kashi Vishwanath Dham to Kedarnath, Mahakal-Mahalok, we have revived our pride, which has been the victim of utter neglect.”
Beginning his speech with ‘Jai Sia Ram’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a gathering on the occasion of historic Deepotsav in Ayodhya on Sunday in the presence of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor of UP Anandiben Patel, Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya and several other dignitaries.
Greeting people on the auspicious occasion of ‘Choti Deepavali’ and ‘Deepavali’, Modi said, “To fulfill the vision of a developed India in the centenary year of its Independence, we must look up to Bhagwan Ram’s whose entire life is a teaching in itself. Lord Ram is the living embodiment of true religion and duty, in every role, he emphasized the most on duties.”
Recalling his exhortation from the Red Fort this year about the ‘Panch Pran’, the Prime Minister said, “energy of the ‘Panch Pran’ is connected with the element of citizens’ sense of duty. He said that “today, in the sacred city of Ayodhya, on this auspicious occasion, we have to rededicate ourselves to our resolution and learn from Bhagwan Ram.”
Recalling the ‘Maryada Purushottam’ the Prime Minister said, that ‘maryada’, teaches us decorum and also teaches us to give respect and the sentiment on which ‘maryada’ insists is Kartavya i.e. duty.
Calling Bhagwan Ram the living embodiment of duties, the Prime Minister said that in all his roles, Shree Ram always gave foremost priority to his duties.
“Ram does not leave anyone behind, Ram never turns away from his duties. Thus Ram represents that Indian notion that holds that our rights get automatically realized through our duties”, the Prime Minister elaborated.
The Prime Minister pointed out that in the original copy of India’s Constitution there is an image of Lord Ram, Maa Sita and Lakshman. The same page of the Constitution talks about Fundamental Rights. It means while, on one hand, the Constitution guarantees fundamental rights, at the same time there is an eternal cultural understanding of duties in the form of Bhagwan Shree Ram, he said.
He went on to say that “Bhagwan Ram doesn't leave anyone behind, doesn't turn away from anyone. Development in the truest sense takes place only when every section develops. Through Ram-Leelas, Saryu Aarti, Grand Deepotsava, Lord Rama’s glory, and India’s rich tradition is reaching the world.”
He also announced that a giant statue of Lord Ram will be constructed in Shringverpur Dham. "Nishadraj Park is being established in Shringverpur Dham (Prayagraj), where a 51 feet tall statue of Lord Ram and Nishadraj will be built... It is the duty of all Indians to follow the ideals of Lord Ram," the PM said.
Prior to the address, PM Modi performed the Rajyabhishek (symbolic coronation) of Lord Ram. Ayodhya, which the Prime Minister calls a symbol of cultural heritage, has been glimmering with the lights of over 17 lakh earthen lamps for the celebration of Uttar Pradesh’s tradition of Deepotsav.
Earlier, Modi offered prayers to Ram Lalla at Ram Janmbhoomi in Ayodhya. This is Modi's first visit to Ayodhya after the "bhoomi pujan" for the construction of a Ram temple on August 5, 2020.
The PM also reiterated the ‘Panch Prann’ that he presented before the country and said, “We must learn from Lord Rama and give utmost importance to performing our duties just as he did as a son, as a warrior, as a prince, as a king and as a leader.”
Furthermore, the PM said that as India has entered the ‘Amrut Kaal’, people must take pride in their heritage and set themselves free from any kind of slavery. “As Lord Ram saw Lanka he did not feel any inferiority complex but took pride in his traditions, customs, countrymen and motherland. For Lord Ram, Ayodhya was his ‘Swarg’”
“The development of our religious places that once remained neglected is strengthening the base of our country and is ensuring that the country reaches heights,” said the PM adding, “In the last 8 years, the country has broken the shackles of inferiority complex. Our pilgrim sites are witnessing holistic development, while projects worth thousands of crores are underway in Ayodhya.”