Dear Friends,

Today we pay our tributes to two very distinguished sons of Bharat Mata. On this day, back in 1869 Mahatma Gandhi was born in Porbandar. With the sheer power of his thoughts and his ideals of Satya (truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence), Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi challenged the entire might of the British Empire and prevailed. It is a matter of great pride Gujarat is both a Janmabhoomi and Karmabhoomi for Mahatma Gandhi! And, it makes me even more proud that in the last decade, Gujarat has shown the world how it is possible to scale newer heights of progress in the 21st century following the path and ideals laid by Bapu.

We pay our deepest tributes to Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, who was born on this day. Shastri ji followed Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and became an inspiration of morals and values in public life. His clarion call of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ still reverberates in the hearts and minds of every proud Indian.

Friends, I have always believed that the best way to understand Gandhi is not by merely reading heaps of books on this Great Soul but to live him and follow his beliefs. That is why on this day I always motivate people to embrace Khadi as a part of their lives.

Khadi is not merely a piece of cloth but an entire stream of thought.  The Khadi along with the Charkha are the very symbols that unified the entire freedom struggle! It was this Khadi that gave a fitting answer to the foreign Sultanate that ruled the roost in our country before 1947, becoming the symbol of our fight against the might of foreign imperialism. It became a wonderful tool in the awakening Jan Shakti.

I am sure that Khadi fashion can be a great influence as well a rage around the world. ‘Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion’ can be a great way forward. Further, the Gujarat Government has come up with its New Textile Policy that will bring in renewed joy and prosperity in the lives of our weavers. It is, thus an appropriate medium to bring an ocean of change in the life of the Daridra Narayan.

Friends, we attained Swaraj in 1947 but Gandhi ji’s dream of Surajya is yet to be achieved. It is onto us to fulfill these dreams of Mahatma Gandhi and strive towards attaining Surajya and a society that works in the service of the Daridra Narayan. This is what Gandhi ji taught us and this is how we can pay a perfect tribute to him.

I will conclude by sharing some powerful words spoken by noted scientist Albert Einstein on Mahatma Gandhi, "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood!”

Once again my greetings on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti! On this day, let us affirm to make Khadi an integral part of our lives. We may not be able to fill our entire wardrobe with Khadi but do go and buy atleast something that is Khadi made. That way you are not only living the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi but also lighting the proverbial lamp of joy and prosperity in the lives of Daridra Nayaran, who always had a special place in Gandhi ji’s heart.

 

Yours,

Narendra Modi

 

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Tribute to Shri Ratan Tata
November 09, 2024

It has been a month since Shri Ratan Tata Ji left us. From bustling cities and towns to villages, his absence is deeply felt across every segment of society. Seasoned industrialists, budding entrepreneurs and hardworking professionals mourn his loss. Those passionate about the environment and devoted to philanthropy are equally saddened. His absence has been deeply felt not only across the nation but also around the world.

For the youth, Shri Ratan Tata was an inspiration, a reminder that dreams are worth pursuing and that success can coexist with compassion as well as humility. For others, he represented the finest traditions of Indian enterprise and a steadfast commitment to the values of integrity, excellence and service. Under his leadership, the Tata Group ascended to new heights, embodying respect, honesty and credibility worldwide. Despite this, he wore his achievements lightly, with humility and kindness.

Shri Ratan Tata’s unwavering support for the dreams of others was one of his most defining qualities. In recent years, he became known for mentoring India’s StartUp ecosystem, investing in many promising ventures. He understood the hopes and aspirations of young entrepreneurs and recognised the potential they had to shape India’s future. By backing their efforts, he empowered a generation of dreamers to take bold risks and push boundaries. This has gone a long way in creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, which I am confident will continue to positively impact India for decades to come.

He constantly championed excellence, urging Indian enterprises to set global benchmarks. This vision, I hope, will inspire our future leaders to make India synonymous with world-class quality.

His greatness was not restricted to the boardroom or helping fellow humans. His compassion extended to all living beings. His deep love for animals was well-known and he supported every possible effort focused on animal welfare. He often shared photos of his dogs, who were as much a part of his life as any business venture. His life was a reminder to us all that true leadership is measured not just by one’s achievements, but by one’s ability to care for the most vulnerable.

For crores of Indians, Shri Ratan Tata’s patriotism shone brightest in times of crisis. His swift reopening of the iconic Taj Hotel in Mumbai after the 26/11 terror attacks was a rallying call to the nation—India stands united, refusing to yield to terrorism.

On a personal note, I had the privilege of knowing him very closely over the years. We worked closely in Gujarat, where he invested extensively, including in many of the projects he was very passionate about. Just a few weeks ago, I was in Vadodara with the President of the Government of Spain, Mr. Pedro Sánchez and we jointly inaugurated an aircraft complex where C-295 aircrafts would be made in India. It was Shri Ratan Tata who started working on this. Needless to say, Shri Ratan Tata’s presence was greatly missed.

I remember Shri Ratan Tata Ji as a man of letters—he would frequently write to me on various issues, be it matters of governance, expressing appreciation for government support, or sending congratulatory wishes after electoral victories.

Our close interactions continued when I moved to the Centre and he remained a committed partner in our nation-building efforts. Shri Ratan Tata’s support for the Swachh Bharat Mission was particularly close to my heart. He was a vocal advocate of this mass movement, understanding that cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation are vital for India’s progress. I still remember his heartfelt video message for the Swachh Bharat Mission’s tenth anniversary at the start of October. It was among his final public appearances.

Another cause close to his heart was healthcare and especially the fight against cancer. I recall the programme in Assam two years ago, where we had jointly inaugurated various cancer hospitals in the state. In his remarks that time, he had categorically stated that he wishes to dedicate his final years to healthcare. His efforts to make health and cancer care accessible and affordable were rooted in a profound empathy for those battling diseases, believing that a just society was one that stood by its most vulnerable.

As we remember him today, we are reminded of the society he envisioned—where business can serve as a force for good, where every individual’s potential is valued and where progress is measured in the well-being and happiness of all. He remains alive in the lives he touched and the dreams he nurtured. Generations will be grateful to him for making India a better, kinder and more hopeful place.