"It is great fortune to be sitting next to such great saints and seers. Their words are 'prasad' and being in their presence is in itself a great honour: Shri Modi"
"Ramdev ji is a teacher who inspires millions every day to take up Yoga: Shri Modi"
"It is our misfortune that we do not talk about our inherent strengths: Shri Modi"
"Ever since I was young, I was pulled towards saints: Shri Modi"
"I don’t believe Baba Ramdev has an agenda. He started out wanting to spread message of health to people, but in the course of his journey, he noticed that the nation's health also needs fixing: Shri Modi"
"Whenever Indian society was being overrun by social evils, it was this society itself, which gave us reformers and champions: Shri Modi"
"My manifesto is the welfare of all -- "Sarve bhavantu sukhinah, sarve santu niramayah”: Shri Modi"
"After the 2002 elections, I had said, those who voted for me are mine, those who did not vote for me are also mine: Shri Modi"
"The work of nation building is being done by saints, we should at least see and acknowledge their work: Shri Modi"
"If 6 cr Gujaratis can lead Gujarat to such success, I am confident that 125 cr Indians can create a great impression in the World: Shri Modi"

 

On April 26th 2013, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Acharyakulam Shikshan Sansthanam at Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar. Prominent saints and seers from all over the country were present at the function and praised Shri Modi’s work and dedication. Among those present were Baba Ramdev ji, Shri Ramesh Bhai Ojha and Shri Morari Bapu.

During the ceremony, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated a book on Ayurveda.

Below are excerpts from Shri Modi’s speech:

 

It is great fortune to be sitting next to such great saints and seers. Their words are 'prasad' and being in their presence is in itself a great honour.

It is considered fortunate to sit at the feet of such saints. Crores come from far to hear them speak. These illustrious saints, have been blessed by Maa Saraswati, you can imagine what I must be feeling.

It is great fortune to be sitting next to such great saints and seers. Their words are 'prasad' and being in their presence is in itself a great honour.

Since I started understanding things, I have attended every single Kumbh Mela, sometimes I stayed for the entire duration. But I missed doing so this time. I felt bad about it. I feel that god has given the opportunity to compensate for that loss by attending today’s gathering.

In our country, it is easy to say anything about anyone. Saying without understanding the strength and value of words has become a habit.

I have been the CM of Gujarat for quite long now. There is not even one among the saints present here who has ever asked Gujarat Government for anything. These are the people who give. Because of this, the strength of their words multiplies.

 

Ramdev ji is a teacher who inspires millions every day to undertake Yoga. 

I have known Baba Ramdev for years, since he used to ride a bicycle. He is an embodiment of one man, one mission.

Ramdev ji is a teacher who inspires millions every day to undertake Yoga. If Baba Ramdev's movement had happened in any other country, he would have been the subject of several academic studies.

The Guinness Book should consider Baba Ramdev's record. I don’t think any other individual has met so many people.

 

It is our misfortune that we do not talk about our inherent strengths.

 

It is our misfortune that we do not talk about our inherent strengths. Someone spoke about the Kumbh mela. Organization of the Kumbh Mela is very difficult. The number of people who come there are equivalent to the population of a European country

They stay there without fights or troubles, these people come without invitation. Teachers of Management should learn.

We have lost self respect, it is important that every Indian showcase our strengths and provide inspiration to the world.

It was Sri Aurobindo, who dreamt that India will not only be independent, but it will also become a world leader.

Swami Vivekananda had said a long time back that India will one day be a Jagad-Guru. Is it not the responsibility of every Indian to fulfil his dreams?

 

Ever since I was young, I was pulled towards saints.

Navratri just got over. I long wanted to visit Maa Kali & the pious land of Bellur Math. I was fortunate that I got a chance to visit these places & the land of Shri Ramkrishna Paramhans  and refresh my memories. Later I got to visit Kerala, the place of Shree Narayan Guru.

Shree Narayan Guru had spent his life for the less fortunate, it is his work that today Kerala leads in education.

Ever since I was young, I was pulled towards saints.

Earlier people said, saints only sleep and talk but when they do work, people ask them is this your work? Today people ask Baba Ramdev ji is this your work? He shouldn’t answer these people.

Our saints have not kept their teachings limited to sermons, they have focussed on actions. I am confident that 'Kapal Bharti' will serve to abolish Kapal Bhrantis (mental delusions).

If anyone wishes to stay in Haridwar for a year without spending a rupee, he can. It is the saints of Haridwar who will selflessly serve as they serve anyone who is hungry.

 

I don’t believe Baba Ramdev has an agenda. He started out wanting to spread message of health to people, but in the course of his journey, he noticed that the nation's health also needs fixing.

I am pained by the adversities that Baba Ramdev has had to face. Is it a crime in modern India to hold views opposite to others?

I don’t believe Baba Ramdev has an agenda. He started out wanting to spread message of health and reduce prices of medicines to people, but in the course of his journey, he noticed that the nation's health also needs fixing.

 

Any society which lets go of its roots, that society cannot create history, that society which gains strength form history can create history

Those who think India was born on August 15, 1947, make a mistake. They ignore the thousands of years of historical heritage. A society that cuts itself off from its roots, never prospers.

Any society which lets go of its roots, that society cannot create history, that society which gains strength form history can create history

The work of saving our society was done by our family system, but today we are moving towards micro families.

 

Whenever Indian society was been overrun by social ills, it was this society itself, which has given us reformers and champions.

Whenever Indian society was been overrun by social ills, it was this society itself, which has given us reformers and champions.

Gandhiji helped us move away from untouchability, Swami Vivekananda told us to worship the poor and not idols. Individuals came from within to tackle ills like mistreatment of widows.

Political leaders and governments have not made this country, our saints and seers have made this country.

 

My manifesto is the welfare of all -- "Sarve bhavantu sukhinah, sarve santu niramayah”

I believe in hope. After the 2001 earthquake everyone predicted the end of Gujarat, even our well-wishers were sad, they said the State will never recover. But we recovered within 3 years. Today, even the World Bank agrees that it takes even developed countries 7 years to recover from devastating earthquakes.

Today, talk of development goes alongside any mention of Gujarat. I am not solely responsible for it. The Gujarati people themselves have brought themselves out of tragedy. If 6 crore Gujaratis can do this, then 100 cr indians can create an inspiration for the world.

My manifesto is the welfare of all -- "Sarve bhavantu sukhinah, sarve santu niramayah". No other tradition has defined the picture of human social welfare in two lines.

 

After the 2002 elections, I had said, those who voted for me are mine, those who did not vote for me are also mine.

When I won the elections in 2002, some people were unhappy, I had delivered a speech that day. I had said, elections are over, time for politics is over, the time has now come to move Gujarat forward.  I had said, those who voted for me are mine, those who did not vote for me are also mine.

There has been no communal riot in Gujarat for 12 years now. This is because my Government has worked for the benefit of all.

If 6 cr Gujaratis can lead Gujarat to such success, I am confident that 125 cr Indians can create a great impression in the World.

 

The work of nation building is being done by saints, we should at least see and acknowledge their work.

I would like to congratulate Patanjali Yogpeeth for resuscitating the Yogic tradition of India. Patanjali yogpeeth have believed in our inherent strength and made efforts to revive them.

I don’t feel I deserve all the praise that has been bestowed on me today. But the confidence that the saints have expressed in me will inspire me the way a mother's confidence inspires a child to walk on his own legs.

I request Baba Ramdev, that there should be a conference of all the educational works being done by saints. This is the work of nation building done by saints, we should at least see and acknowledge their work.

 

Shri Modi addresses  the inauguration of Patanjali Yogpeeth's Acharyakulam at Haridwar: Watch Full Program Video 

Explore More
Today, the entire country and entire world is filled with the spirit of Bhagwan Shri Ram: PM Modi at Dhwajarohan Utsav in Ayodhya

Popular Speeches

Today, the entire country and entire world is filled with the spirit of Bhagwan Shri Ram: PM Modi at Dhwajarohan Utsav in Ayodhya
How PLI schemes, design in India and manufacturing excellence are transforming the architectural lighting industry

Media Coverage

How PLI schemes, design in India and manufacturing excellence are transforming the architectural lighting industry
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Chairs Second High-Level Meeting with Secretaries of Government of India
July 28, 2026
Sectors discussed: Finance and Economy, Commerce and Industry, and Technology
PM emphasises the need to break both horizontal and vertical silos within the Government
PM emphasises the importance of technological self-reliance and building domestic capabilities in critical sectors
PM encourages greater participation of young innovators and entrepreneurs in cybersecurity ecosystem
PM Stresses Proactive Outreach on Strategic Sectors to Counter Misinformation
PM says Govt must always remain youthful, dynamic and forward-looking, continuously adapting to new challenges and opportunities with agility and innovation
Secretaries share experiences and perspectives on key initiatives, emerging opportunities and implementation challenges

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the second high-level meeting with Secretaries to the Government of India at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg earlier today. He reviewed the future action agenda of Ministries and Departments dealing with Finance and Economy, Commerce and Industry, and Technology sectors. The meeting focused on accelerating progress towards the goals of Viksit Bharat.

Prime Minister called for a strong focus on team building across Ministries and Departments, urging officers to work with a shared sense of purpose. He emphasised the need to break both horizontal and vertical silos within the Government so that departments function in close coordination and deliver integrated outcomes.

Highlighting the importance of citizen-centric governance, Prime Minister said that the people of India must remain at the centre of governance. He reminded that every decision and policy should be guided by the interests and aspirations of the common citizen.

Prime Minister stressed that while India is making significant investments in infrastructure, equal priority must be given to developing indigenous technologies. He underscored the importance of technological self-reliance and building domestic capabilities in critical sectors.

Prime Minister underlined that energy security is closely linked with national security, economic stability and citizens’ welfare. Prime Minister said India must achieve self-reliance in the energy sector through innovation, diversification and accelerated capacity creation.

Emphasising that reforms are not merely a fashionable term but a continuous necessity for effective governance, Prime Minister stressed the need to reform processes, improve work culture and strengthen institutional efficiency.

Prime Minister said that growing use of technology must be accompanied by a strong focus on cybersecurity to safeguard digital systems and infrastructure. He stressed the need for constant vigilance against emerging cyber threats. He called for encouraging greater participation of young innovators and entrepreneurs in the cybersecurity ecosystem and emphasised that it should evolve into a nationwide movement.

Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of proactive communication on strategic sectors where the country is undertaking major initiatives, to counter misinformation and unfounded fears surrounding such efforts.

Prime Minister says that new academic courses should be planned in partnership with industry to equip the workforce with skills required by emerging and future industries. He also observed that a government must always remain youthful, dynamic and forward-looking, continuously adapting to new challenges and opportunities with agility and innovation.

The meeting featured detailed discussions by Secretaries on the progress, priorities and implementation issues across their respective domains. The meeting was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, Secretaries of key Ministries and Departments, and senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office.