65th Republic Day Message of Sri Narendra Bhai Modi.

MODI TIMES MODI TIMES MODI TIMES MODI TIMES MODI TIMES MODI TIMES 

Looking towards the future and strengthening our Republic with the motto of India First: Narendra Modi on 65th Republic Day.

Dear Friends,

Today, we celebrate our 65th Republic Day. 64 years ago, on this very day; we formally became a Republic and adopted our Constitution. Today is a day of national strength and self confidence.

Republic Day fills each and every one of us with strong emotions. It brings to mind powerful images of India’s military, parading to the world its full might and grandeur. It makes us salute once again the selfless patriotism of our women and men in uniform. It inspires us with the moving accounts of the bravery and gallantry award winners.

Today is also a day to look back and cherish our glorious past! Remember the sacrifices of the great women and men of the freedom struggle. Remember the members of the Constituent Assembly, who gave us in our Constitution a rooting force we can be very proud of. Today we renew our faith and commitment in this sacred text that has made India what it is. We pay our tributes to the venerable Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, whose anchoring role can never be forgotten.

Importantly, today is also a day for introspection. What does the Republic of India stand for? What does it mean to us? What direction has it been headed in over the last seven decades? And what does it need to do in the coming years?

One phrase that has been gaining significant traction of-late is the ‘Idea of India’. Public and academic discourse around this has been hijacked by a select few, becoming a powerful tool in furthering their hegemony over the same. Many have asked me in lengthy op-eds, on social media and so on that “Modi ji everything else is alright but what is your Idea of India”? Others have not been so kind, preferring to debate my party’s very suitability with this ‘Idea of India’ itself.

However, one must understand that no single person or entity can appropriate the ‘Idea of India’. BJP’s National Council Meet last week gave me the opportunity to share some glimpses into what my ‘Idea of India’ was as well.

First and foremost, my understanding of the ‘Idea of India’ fundamentally rejects such a hegemonic conceptualization of an ‘Idea of India’. The Rig Veda teaches us: ‘आ नो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः’. That is ‘let noble thoughts flow from all sides’! This is not just a mantra, but a central tenet of our Constitution as well. Ours is a path of tolerance. Of the celebration of diversity. Where every Indian not just envisions, but works towards building the India of his or her dreams. My ‘Idea of India’ calls not just for tolerance, but a celebration of all points of view. Where the sensibilities of every individual are respected.

Truth, Peace and Non-violence form the central tenets of the ‘Idea of India’!Our scriptures teach ‘सत्यमेव जयते’, that Truth alone triumphs. I am committed to such an India where the wheels of justice move quickly and equally for every Indian irrespective of his class, caste or creed. An India where injustice has no legal nor moral validity. Read more here>>>

Let us have faith in our nation and our people. Let us walk the path shown by our great leaders, as a fitting tribute to their selfless sacrifice. Let us devote ourselves to the cause of nation building with the mantra of ‘India First’! Let us together build a nation that once again redefines the story of mankind!

Forever yours in this journey of development,

Narendra Modi

26-01-2014.

MODI TIMES MODI TIMES MODI TIMES MODI TIMES MODI TIMES MODI TIMES