New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the keynote address at the national launch ceremony of 'Azadi Ke Amrit Mahotsav se Swarnim Bharat Ke Ore' on Thursday via video conferencing.
PM Modi unveiled year-long initiatives dedicated to Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav by the Brahma Kumaris, which include more than 30 campaigns and over 15,000 programmes and events.
During the event, a song dedicated to Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, by Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej was also released.
Here are some important highlights of PM Modi's keynote address:
- PM Modi began his speech by appreciating the efforts of the people towards the development of the nation. PM Modi said, "Today crores of Indias are putting the foundation stone of Swarnim Bharat. Our progress lies in the progress of the nation. The nation exists from us, and we exist from the nation. This realization is becoming the biggest strength of Indians in the making of a new India."
- The Prime Minister further said that today we are creating a system in which there is no place for discrimination, We are building a society that stands firmly on the foundation of equality and social justice. We are witnessing the emergence of an India whose thinking and approach are innovative, and whose decisions are progressive.
- Hailing the culture of the Indian society, PM Modi said that when the world was in deep darkness, caught in the old thinking about women, then India used to worship 'Maa Shakti' in the form of Goddess. We have scholars like Gargi, Maitreyi, Anusuya, Arundhati and Madalasa giving knowledge to society. Even in the difficult medieval times, there were great women like Pannadhay and Mirabai in India. Today, during the Amrit Mahotsav, the country is remembering the history of freedom struggle and sacrifices by women and institutions like Brahma Kumari is keeping their work alive.
- Urging the Indians to get up and work towards the country's development, PM Modi said that we have to keep our culture, our civilization alive to preserve and promote our spirituality, our diversity. And at the same time, technology, infrastructure, education, health have to be continuously modernized.
- PM Modi further said that this time of Amrit Kaal is not for dreaming while sleeping, but for fulfilling resolutions by waking up. Coming 25 years is the culmination of hard work, sacrifice & austerity. This is a period of 25 years to get back what our society has lost in hundreds of years of slavery.
- PM Modi said that institutes like Brahma Kumari will have to light a lamp in the heart of every citizen of the country - the lamp of duty. Together, we will take the country forward on the path of duty, then the evils prevailing in the society will also be removed and the country will also reach new heights
The seven initiatives of Brahma Kumaris launched by PM Modi are 'My India Healthy India'; Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Self Reliant Farmers; Women: Flag Bearers of India; Power of Peace Bus Campaign; Andekha Bharat Cycle Rally; United India Motor Bike Campaign; and green initiatives under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
- In the 'My India Healthy India' initiative, multiple events and programmes will be held in medical colleges and hospitals with a focus on spirituality, well-being and nutrition, the statement said. These include organisation of medical camps, cancer screening, conferences for doctors and other health care workers, among others, it added.
- Under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat: Self Reliant Farmers', 75 farmer empowerment campaigns, 75 farmer conferences, 75 sustainable yogic farming training programmes and several other such initiatives for the welfare of farmers will be held.
- Under the 'Women: Flag Bearers of India', the initiatives will focus on social transformation through women empowerment and empowerment of girl child, the statement said.
- The 'Power of Peace Bus Campaign' will cover 75 cities and tehsils and will carry an exhibition on the positive transformation of today's youth, it said.
- The 'Andekha Bharat Cycle Rally' will be held to different heritage sites, drawing a connection between heritage and environment.
- The 'United India Motor Bike Campaign' will be held from Mount Abu to Delhi and will cover multiple cities.
- The initiatives under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan will include monthly cleanliness drives, community cleaning programmes and awareness campaigns, the statement said.