New Delhi- Prime Minister Narendra Modi bid farewell to the retiring members of the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. In his speech, he lauded former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s contribution towards the country. He later took a dig at the Congress which released a ‘black paper’ against the Narendra Modi-led government on Thursday. Here are 10 points that PM Modi said in the Rajya Sabha-
PM Modi reacted to the Congress’ ‘black paper’ against the NDA government, calling it a “kaala teeka” that will ward off the evil eye on the achievements of his government.
“Whenever a good thing happens, we apply the ‘kaala teeka’ (to ward off the evil eye), and I thank (Congress chief Mallikarjun) Kharge ji for doing this honour today,” the prime minister said in the Rajya Sabha.
PM Modi said, “When the country is touching new heights in the last ten years, we take it as ‘kala teeka’ to help ward off the evil eye”. He said Kharge being an elder has put this ‘kaala teeka’ for the good work being done by our government in the country’s progress.
Recalling some difficult times, PM Modi took another swipe at the Congress and the Opposition, saying “we saw fashion parades” in the Rajya Sabha at times. He was referring to opposition leaders wearing black attire in protest over several issues in Parliament.
At the beginning of his speech, PM Modi praised Manmohan Singh for his “huge contribution” as a political leader. He said, “I want to remember Dr Manmohan Singh today, his contribution has been immense. Ideological differences are very short-lived, but they have guided this House and the country for such a long time. They will definitely be discussed in future…the way he has guided this House & Country, Dr Manmohan Singh will always be remembered for it…”
Adding to the praise for Manmohan Singh, PM Modi said, “I remember in the other House, during the voting, it was known that the treasury bench would win but Dr Manmohan Singh came on his wheelchair and cast his vote. This is an example of a member being alert of his duties…” It doesn’t matter who he was given strength, but I believe he provided strength to democracy.
Our friends who are moving forward towards new responsibilities. Moving from limited expansion to unlimited expansion. Coming out of Rajya Sabha and going to public meetings. I think his experience in Rajya Sabha will prove to be a great asset for the country,” PM Modi said.
No Scope For Divisions In India: PM Modi
India’s mantra of unity in diversity is so comprehensive that there is no scope for divisions in it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday and asserted that development and heritage will continue to march together as the country moves forward.
Addressing a programme marking the 150th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, Modi said in today’s India, Vande Bharat trains will run along with the transformation of Ayodhya and Mathura-Vrindavan.
He lauded the younger generation for the change in their outlook and emphasised that they take along both knowledge and research together. “Our new generation now wears its culture proudly on its forehead,” Modi said.
When youngsters lead the country, they can land a rover on the moon and also nourish traditions by naming the landing spot “Shivshakti”, he said.
They understand the importance of both spirituality and start-ups, the prime minister said, noting that pilgrimage centres like Kashi and Ayodhya are witnessing a large number of young visitors.
Modi paid rich tributes to Srila Prabhupada and noted that the 150th birth anniversary of the spiritual guru is being celebrated at a time when just a few days ago, the centuries-old dream of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya was fulfilled.
Talking about the Ram temple and the consecration ceremony there on January 22, he said such a big “mahayagya” was completed only with the blessings of saints.
“We are celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada at a time when just a few days ago, the centuries-old dream of a grand Ram temple was fulfilled. The enthusiasm that is seen on your face is also reflective of the happiness for the Ram Lalla ‘virajman’,” the prime minister said.
“India’s mantra of unity in diversity is so simple and comprehensive that there is no scope for divisions in it,” he added.
Modi also said Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the 15th-century saint, was the epitome of love for Lord Krishna.
“He made spirituality and spiritual practice accessible to the common people,” he said.
The prime minister also released a commemorative stamp and a coin in honour of Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada was the founder of the Gaudiya Mission that played a pivotal role in preserving and spreading the fundamental tenets of the Vaishnava faith. Gaudiya Mission has played a significant role in propagating the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the rich spiritual heritage of Vaishnavism across the world, making it the centre of the Hare Krishna movement.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Modi said, showed the way of reaching god through joy. He recalled his personal experience when at one stage of his life, he felt that despite fully living the “bhakti”, there was a void, a distance, adding that it was the joy of “bhajan kirtan” that enabled his full immersion in the moment.
“I have personally felt the power of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s tradition. I was clapping today as a devotee and not as a prime minister when the kirtan was on,” he said.
The biggest manifestation of distance from one’s own roots is forgetting one’s capabilities and strengths, Modi said, ruing that this happened with the glorious tradition of “bhakti” too.
He said “bhakti”, rationality and modernity are considered contradictory to each other by many, adding that devotion is not despair, but hope and confidence. It involves securing victory over oneself and working for the humanity.
Due to this spirit, India never attacked other countries to expand its borders, the prime minister said.
“Today, in the Amrit Kaal of independence, the country is taking forward the resolve of the saints by taking the pledge of freedom from the mentality of slavery,” he added.
Saints propagating the “bhakti” tradition have played an invaluable role not only in the freedom movement but also in guiding the country through every challenging phase, Modi said. Throughout India’s tumultuous history, eminent saints and spiritual leaders have emerged to provide direction to the country in various capacities, he added.
Describing Srila Prabhupada’s life as an example of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”, Modi noted that he was born in Puri, took initiation in the tradition of Ramanujacharya, who was from south India, and carried on the tradition of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who had his monastery in Bengal.
“Bengal is a source of constant energy from spirituality and intellectuality,” the prime minister said, adding that it has given the country saints like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Rabindranath Tagore and Raja Rammohan Roy.
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