India unshakeable… culture of harmony, inclusivity, says PM

In an address via virtual mode after unveiling a 108-feet statue of Lord Hanuman in Morbi in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region, the Prime Minister said the project of establishing four such statues in four corners of the country is a reflection of the resolve of Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat (one India, best India). The life of Lord Ram, he said, was an ideal example of Sabka Saath, Sabka Prayas (taking everyone along with everyone’s effort).

“For me, 130 crore people of this country take the form of Lord Ram. It is through their resolve, their work that the country is moving forward,” he said. “Hanumanji is that power and support who gave the right of honour and respect to all forest species and forest dwellers. He is an important formula for Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat,” he said.

Inaugurating a 108 feet statue of Hanuman ji in Morbi, Gujarat. https://t.co/6M0VOXXPmk

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 16, 2022

He said Ram kathas are organised in different parts of the country. “Be it in whatever language or dialect, the spirit of Ram katha binds, unites one in the devotion to the Lord. This is the strength of the Indian faith, our spirituality, our culture, our traditions. This is what, even in the troubled period of slavery, unified different sections, different classes to come together to resolve for the freedom of the nation… strengthened efforts”.

“In spite of the changing circumstances over thousands of years, India has remained unshakeable and resolute. The flow of our faith and culture is of sadbhav (harmony), of sambhav (equality), of samavesh (inclusivity). Thus, when the time came for good to conquer evil, Lord Ram, in spite of being capable and able, took everyone along, unified everyone, people of all composition, small and large beings, took their help. And after bringing together all, he finished this task — this is Sabka Saath, Sabka Prayas. His life is the best evidence of this, of which Hanumanji is an important part… We have to come together with this spirit, to achieve our resolve for the nation and to make it shine brighter,” he said.

He said a “mini-Japan” was taking shape in the Saurashtra cities of Jamnagar, Rajkot and Morbi with specialised industrial hubs creating jobs. He praised the Kathiawad region for emerging as a power centre, with its tourism and pilgrimage centres.

Recalling his long association with Morbi, Modi said the Machchhu dam failure in August 1979 had led to flooding and deaths.  “When the earthquake came in Bhuj, Kutch (2001), the lessons learnt from the Morbi incident, the experience, came to use. The way Kutch has flourished after the earthquake goes to show how Gujarat has the strength to turn disasters into opportunities, as learnt from Morbi. Today, be it ceramics manufacturing, or clocks, Morbi has become an industrial hub for these. Before the Machchhu dam, all one could see in all four directions in Morbi were brick kilns and big chimneys. Today, it is said that on one side there is Morbi, on the other side Rajkot and on the third side Jamnagar.”

“Jamnagar’s brass industry, Rajkot’s engineering industry and Morbi’s clock and ceramic industries have become like a triumvirate… seems like a new mini-Japan has been established,” he said.