Union Minister Anurag Thakur was in Hyderabad on Sunday where he inaugurated the Heartfulness International Sports Centre and also participated in a meditation session at the Kanha Shanti Vanam meditation centre.
Speaking to the media, the minister slammed BRS leaders over their statements against Prime Minister Narendra Modi but said statements by "corrupt leaders" don't mean anything. "PM Modi is loved by people. No matter how much they may abuse, he will emerge victorious. The nation knows the PM works for the country without fail. He has and will work to empower India," Anurag Thakur said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
On Saturday, Thakur had said the "mentality of western countries" had been imposed on India for 70 years but the way of thinking was changing now.
He also cautioned the youth to remain alert against the forces "trying to break up the country" using "a report, a billionaire and other means". Thakur was speaking at Yuva Samvaad India@2047 organised by the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan's Chhattisgarh unit at the Rawatpura Sarkar University in Dhaneli village.
"We should be proud of our heritage, history, art, culture and tradition. The mentality of western countries was imposed on our country for 70 years. The work of changing this thinking has been done in the last eight years," the BJP leader said.
"Today, we can say with pride that the magnificent Somnath Dham, Kashi Dham, Kedarnath Dham and Mahakal Dham were built, and next year the construction of Ayodhya Dham will be completed," he added.
The development of these religious places has increased tourist footfall, generating employment for the locals, the minister said.
Thakur warned the youth to remain alert against "forces trying to break up the country using a report, billionaire and other means." He, however, did not elaborate which "report" or "billionaire" he was referring to.
The BJP had recently slammed billionaire investor George Soros for his comments on democracy in India.
Before that, the opposition had targeted the Narendra Modi government over the Hindenburg report on the Adani group.
There is a need to remain alert against those who spread propaganda against the country and mislead people, Thakur further said.
Later, speaking at the Youth-20 consultation held at the Indian Institute of Management, Raipur, Thakur highlighted the importance of technology in bridging gaps, providing opportunities to showcase talent, and solving global problems.
He praised the youth of Chhattisgarh for leveraging disruptive technologies and possessing unmatched vigor, vitality and vibrancy.
India is now a hub of start-up ecosystem with 90,000 start-ups and 107 unicorn companies, he said. India is the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world with 107 unicorns, the minister added.
(With PTI inputs)