Self-reliance has been an intrinsic part of India’s culture: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that the world today recognizes India as a military power to be reckoned with, due to the Indian government’s pitching in for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat‘ (Self-reliant India), which is based on “Prosperity through industry” preaching of the Sree Narayan Guru of Sivgiri Mutt, Kerala.
He was addressing the congregation of saints and learned elders gathered at the Sivagiri Mutt to celebrate the ‘Tirthdanam Mahotasav‘ on Friday.
“His preaching of “Prosperity through industry” is the basis of the Government of India’s resolution of “Self-reliant India“. Today India is one of the largest economies of the world because of its hard work and enterprise. Today India has become one the top five economies of the world,” Singh said and added, “It was the far-sightedness of Shri Narayana Guru that he ordered Sivagiri Mutt to spread consciousness among the common people on subjects like education, cleanliness, etc. And with the grace of Guruji and the blessings of revered saints, our government has also focused its special attention on these subjects.”
Invoking the ‘Soldier Saint’ concept, Singh said that as the Defence Minister he was securing the physical boundaries of the country on the strength of the bravery and valor of the soldiers, likewise, the saintly soldiers were protecting the culture of the country.
“If we are protecting the body of the country, then you are protecting the soul of this country. And a nation can survive till eternity only when both its body and soul are safe. I congratulate you on this.”
He added that self-reliance has been an intrinsic part of India’s culture.
“Narayan Guruji spread this message of self-reliance in the public through his teachings, and today Sivagiri Mutt is also working to take it forward continuously. Guruji was not only in favor of modernity but also maintaining a balance between India’s ancient culture and modernity, which is relevant even today. It has been corroborated by India becoming one of the largest economies of the world through hard work and enterprise,” Singh said.
Paying his tribute to the sacred land of Kerala that has produced great saints, philosophers, and poets, who not only ingrained high ideals and values in the heart of the common man but also united the entire nation, the Union Minister said that Acharya Shankara, born in a small village Kaladi, traveled all over India and culturally integrated the entire nation which was unprecedented in itself.
“The principle of the oneness of the whole world as postulated by his philosophy of Advaitvaad is still embedded in the soul of the country inspiring different sections of the society to remain united and equal. Narayana Guru ji is undoubtedly one such name in the chain of enriching cultural unity,” he added.
Discarding the criticism of Indian tradition, thinking, and philosophy not being concerned with equality, liberty, and fraternity, which is considered a Western concept, Singh said that the concept of human equality and fraternity had been prevalent in the ancient literature, tradition, and thinking of India. Rather It is more comprehensive and inclusive than the western one. Whereas the West talks about equality, liberty, and fraternity only among human beings, the Indian tradition, in the form of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam‘ i.e. ‘The whole world is one family‘ sees equality, fraternity, and unity between human beings and animals, between animate and non-animate beings and in fact entire world and universe.
“And this is the reason why India was recognized as a Vishwaguru in ancient times,” he added.
The Defence Minister also elaborated upon the equality and unity of the world by quoting various texts and tenets of the Vedas, Upanishad, Gita, and Ramayan. He apprised the gathering of the Adaitvaad’ of Acharya Shankara which is a synonym for universal equality. He mentioned that Narayan Guru gave the slogan of “freedom through education” during the freedom struggle.
“It is also found in our ancient commentaries that knowledge liberates a man. Education leads to enlightenment, which leads to freedom.”
Sivagiri Mutt is a famous tourist pilgrimage place in Varkala town of Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala. The Mutt is also the headquarters of Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham, an organization of Narayan Guru’s disciples and followers. The Sivagiri pilgrimage, known as Sivagiri Theerthadanam in Malayalam is another important festival celebrated in the Mutt.
[With Inputs from IANS]
PGurus is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with all the latest news and views
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
- Like Amethi, Congress’ ‘shehzada’ will lose Wayanad seat too: PM Modi’s dig at Rahul Gandhi - April 20, 2024
- Karnataka HM apologizes to Neha’s parents while the killer Fayaz’s mother expresses her desire to ‘punish her son’ - April 20, 2024
- US: Indian student’s death possibly linked to Blue Whale suicide game - April 20, 2024
