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Ram’s life teaches us to take everyone along: PM Modi in Ayodhya on Diwali eve

PM Modi’s visit to the temple town Ayodhya comes at a time when the ruling BJP is facing a stiff challenge from opposition parties due to incumbency in poll-bound states like Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Deepotsav celebrations, on the eve of the Diwali festival, in Ayodhya, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. (PTI Photo)Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Deepotsav celebrations, on the eve of the Diwali festival, in Ayodhya, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. (PTI Photo)

TAKING PART in the Deepotsav (Festival of Lights) in Ayodhya Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Lord Ram’s life teaches us to take everyone along and never turn away from one’s duties.

Addressing a gathering after initiating the commencement of the Deepotsav celebrations — where a new Guinness World Record was set by lighting 15.76 lakh diyas on the ghats of river Saryu, Modi said, “Our rishis had said that deep and jyoti are forms of Brahma. I am confident that the spiritual light will guide the development of India. In Ramcharit Manas, Goswami Tulsidasji said Lord Ram is the one who gives light to the whole world. This light is of compassion and mercy, of humanity and dignity, of equality, and of taking everyone along.”

After reciting slogans in praise of Lord Ram, the Prime Minister congratulated Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and others present at the venue for the organization of the Deepotsav. The two, along with Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya, had accompanied Modi at the programme.

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“When I was coming here, I felt a rush of emotions. I was wondering how Ayodhya must have been decorated and decked up when Lord Ram returned after 14 years of exile. We could not see Ayodhya then, but it is because of blessings of Lord Ram we are seeing Amar Ayodhya in Amrit Kaal today,” said Modi.

PM Modi’s visit to the temple town Ayodhya comes at a time when the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing a stiff challenge from Opposition parties due to incumbency in poll-bound states like Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

“Friends, we are part of the culture in which festivals are a natural part of it. In our culture, whenever society did something new, we started a festival. We have kept alive the message of victory of truth, and defeat of lies. No one can match India at it. Thousands of years ago, Lord Ram had ended the atrocities of Ravan, but today after thousands and thousands of years later, each and every message of that incident is highlighted in the form of each and every deepak. For us, the deepak of Diwali is not just an article. They are the reservoirs of ideals, and principles of India. The rays of light in the darkness are the announcement of India’s basic principle of Satyamev Jayate,” said Modi.

Festive offer

“Victory always belongs to the truth, not the untruth. The victory is always of Ram’s morals, and not of Ravan’s,” he said. Reciting some lines from a poem ‘Diya’ he wrote in Gujarati many years ago, and then explaining its meaning, he said, ‘The diya gives hope. The diya gives fire, and comfort too. Everyone prays to the rising sun, but the diya is your companion even in the dark evenings. The diya burns itself, and also burns the darkness. The diya brings a feeling of dedication to the mind. We ourselves burn, but when we burn, the light of success is lit, then we distribute it for the whole world. We dedicate it to the world,” he said.

PM Narendra Modi offering prayers to Ram Lalla at the temporary Ram temple in Ayodhya on Sunday. (Twitter/ @narendramodi)

“All of us know that till medieval and modern times, India has faced phases of darkness.

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In calamities, when the sun set on several civilizations, our deepak continued to give light. They rose again after silencing those storms. Because we never gave up on lighting the lamps. We never gave up hope. Not long ago during the difficulties of Covid, with this same feeling, each Indian stood with one deepak each, and today, the world is watching while India is fighting,” the Prime Minister said.

Earlier, Modi offered prayers to Ram Lalla at Ram Janmbhoomi in Ayodhya. This was

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 Pran 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.”

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The PM said that this Deepavali has come at a time when India has completed 75 years of independence and is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. “In this Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal, it is the resolve like that of Lord Shri 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 Ram’s words and thoughts, in his rule and his administration. “For every Indian,” the Prime Minister said, “the principles of Lord Shri Ram are the aspirations of a developed India. It is like a lighthouse that provides the inspiration to achieve the most difficult targets.”

Referring to the Panch Pran, regarding pride in our heritage and removal of slave mentality, the Prime Minister said that Shree Ram also guided us on this path by keeping mother and motherland above even heaven. Giving examples of Ram Mandir, Kashi Vishwanath, Kedarnath and Mahakaal Lok, the Prime Minister said that the government has rejuvenated the places of worship that make for a part of India’s pride. The Prime Minister recalled the time when people would question the existence of Lord Shri Ram and hesitated to talk about it.

“We have broken this shackling feeling of inferiority complex and put forward a holistic view of the development of India’s pilgrimages in the last eight years. The Prime Minister informed that projects worth thousands of crores of rupees are underway in Ayodhya. From the development of roads to the beautification of ghats and crossroads to infrastructural improvements like the new railway station and a world-class airport, the Prime Minister remarked that the entire region will reap immense benefits from the increased connectivity and international tourism. He also informed that work is underway for the development of Ramayan Circuit.

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The Prime Minister highlighted the societal and international dimensions of cultural rejuvenation and informed that Nishad Raj Park is being developed in Shringverpur Dham that will house a 51 feet high bronze statue of Lord Shri Ram and Nishad Raj. He added that the statue will propagate Ramayan’s message of all-inclusiveness that ties us to the resolve of equality and harmony.

Speaking about the development of Queen Heo Memorial Park in Ayodhya, the Prime Minister said that the park will act as a medium of emboldening the international relations of India and South Korea. The Prime Minister also stated that the Ramayana Express train is a step in the right direction when it comes to spiritual tourism. “Be it the Chardham Project, Buddha Circuit or the development projects under PRASAD Scheme, this cultural rejuvenation is the Shree Ganesh of the holistic development of new India,” he said.

First uploaded on: 23-10-2022 at 17:57 IST
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