Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reached Tamil Nadu as part of his 2-day South India visit. The prime minister was welcomed at Dindigul by the Governor of Tamil Nadu Thiru RN Ravi, Chief Minister of the state M K Stalin, and other dignitaries.
Speaking at the 36th Convocation Ceremony of Gandhigram Rural Institute in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, PM Modi said, “Gandhian values are becoming increasingly relevant. Whether it is about ending conflicts or the climate crisis. Mahatma Gandhi's ideas have the answers to many of today's challenges.”
“Gandhigram was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi himself. One can see the spirit of his ideas of rural development here,” PM said. He further said, “Gandhian values are becoming increasingly relevant. Whether it is about ending conflicts or the climate crisis. Mahatma Gandhi's ideas have the answers to many of today's challenges.”
Talking about Khadi the prime minister said, "Khadi had neglected and forgotten for a long time. But through the call of 'Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion', it has become very popular." PM Modi dedicated his inspiration to work towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat to Mahatma Gandhi. The PM said, "Mahatama Gandhi saw Khadi as a tool of self-reliance in villages. In the self-reliance of villages he saw the seed of self-reliant India. Inspired by him, we are working towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat."
"Even global fashion brands were taking to Khadi because it is an eco-friendly material," he added.
Prime Minister said, "Mahatma Gandhi wanted villages to progress. At the same time, he wanted the values of rural life to be conserved. For a long time, inequality between urban and rural areas remained. But today, the nation is correcting this."
"Mahatma Gandhi wanted villages to progress, and at the same time preferred the values of rural life to be conserved. Our vision is 'Atma Gaon Ki, Suvidha Shaher Ki' (soul of the village, facilities of the city)," he said.
Reiterating the slogan in Tamil, he said, "Gramathin Aanma, Nagarathin Vasathi"
Giving a message to students present at the convocation, PM said, "You are the builders of new India. You have the responsibility to take India in its Amrit Kaal, the next 25 years."
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport at Karnataka's Bengaluru, built at a cost of around Rs. 5000 crores. He also flagged off Vande Bharat Express and Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan Train at KSR railway station. This is the fifth Vande Bharat Express train in the country and the first such train in South India.
READ: PM Modi In Karnataka: Bengaluru Represents Startup Spirit Placing India In A Separate League
He paid tributes to Sri Kanaka Dasa and Maharshi Valmiki at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru and unveiled the 108 feet bronze ‘Statue of Prosperity’ in honour of Sri Nadaprabhu Kempegowda.
Addressing a gathering in Bengaluru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Bengaluru represents the 'Start-up' spirit of India which has placed the nation in a separate league altogether in the world.
"Bengaluru represents the 'Start-up' spirit, which has placed India in a separate league altogether in the world. Across the world, India is known for its start-ups. Karnataka is also getting benefitted from the investment happening in the country," PM Modi said while addressing a gathering in Bengaluru.