At Simhasth Kumbh convention, we are seeing birth of a new effort: PM
We belong to a tradition where even a Bhikshuk says, may good happen to every person: PM
We should tell the entire world about the organising capacity of an event like the Kumbh: PM
Lets hold Vichar Kumbh every year with devotees...discuss why we need to plant trees, educate girl child: PM
हम लोगों का एक स्वभाव दोष रहा है, एक समाज के नाते कि हम अपने आपको हमेशा परिस्थितियों के परे समझते हैं। हम उस सिद्धांतों में पले-बढ़े हैं कि जहां शरीर तो आता और जाता है। आत्मा के अमरत्व के साथ जुड़े हुए हम लोग हैं और उसके कारण हमारी आत्मा की सोच न हमें काल से बंधने देती है, न हमें काल का गुलाम बनने देती है लेकिन उसके कारण एक ऐसी स्थिति पैदा हुई कि हमारी इस महान परंपरा, ये हजारों साल पुरानी संस्कृति, इसके कई पहलू, वो परंपराए किस सामाजिक संदर्भ में शुरू हुई, किस काल के गर्भ में पैदा हुई, किस विचार मंथन में से बीजारोपण हुआ, वो करीब-करीब अलब्य है और उसके कारण ये कुंभ मेले की परंपरा कैसे प्रारंभ हुई होगी उसके विषय में अनेक प्रकार के विभिन्न मत प्रचलित हैं, कालखंड भी बड़ा, बहुत बड़ा अंतराल वाला है।
कोई कहेगा हजार साल पहले, कोई कहेगा 2 हजार साल पहले लेकिन इतना निश्चित है कि ये परंपरा मानव जीवन की सांस्कृतिक यात्रा की पुरातन व्यवस्थाओं में से एक है। मैं अपने तरीक से जब सोचता हूं तो मुझे लगता है कि कुंभ का मेला, वैसे 12 साल में एक बार होता है और नासिक हो, उज्जैन हो, हरिद्वार हो वहां 3 साल में एक बार होता है प्रयागराज में 12 साल में एक बार होता है। उस कालखंड को हम देखें तो मुझे लगता है कि एक प्रकार से ये विशाल भारत को अपने में समेटने का ये प्रयास ये कुंभ मेले के द्वारा होता था। मैं तर्क से और अनुमान से कह सकता हूं कि समाज वेदता, संत-महंत, ऋषि, मुनि जो हर पल समाज के सुख-दुख की चर्चा और चिंता करते थे। समाज के भाग्य और भविष्य के लिए नई-नई विधाओं का अन्वेषण करते थे, Innovation करते थे। इन्हें वे हमारे ऋषि जहां भी थे वे बाह्य जगत का भी रिसर्च करते थे और अंतर यात्रा को भी खोजने का प्रयास करते थे तो ये प्रक्रिया निरंतर चलती रही, सदियों तक चलती रही, हर पीढ़ी दर पीढ़ी चलती रही लेकिन संस्कार संक्रमण का काम विचारों के संकलन का काम कालानुरूप विचारों को तराजू पर तौलने की परंपरा ये सारी बातें इस युग की परंपरा में समहित थी, समाहित थी।
एक बार प्रयागराज के कुंभ मेले में बैठते थे, एक Final decision लिया जाता था सबके द्वारा मिलकर के कि पिछले 12 साल में समाज यहां-यहां गया, यहां पहुंचा। अब अगले 12 साल के लिए समाज के लिए दिशा क्या होगी, समाज की कार्यशैली क्या होगी किन चीजों की प्राथमिकता होगी और जब कुंभ से जाते थे तो लोग उस एजेंडा को लेकर के अपने-अपने स्थान पर पहुंचते थे और हर तीन साल के बाद जबकि कभी नासिक में, कभी उज्जैन में, कभी हरिद्वार में कुंभ का मेला लगता था तो उसका mid-term appraisal होता था कि भई प्रयागराज में जो निर्णय हम करके गए थे तीन साल में क्या अनुभव आया और हिंदुस्तान के कोने-कोने से लोग आते थे।
30 दिन तक एक ही स्थान पर रहकर के समाज की गतिविधियों, समाज की आवश्यकताएं, बदलता हुआ युग, उसका चिंतन-मनन करके उसमें फिर एक बार 3 साल का करणीय एजेंडा तय होता था। In the light of main Mahakumbh प्रयागराज में होता था और फिर 3 साल के बाद दूसरा जब कुंभ लगता था तो फिर से Review होता था। एक अद्भुत सामाजिक रचना थी ये लेकिन धीरे-धीरे अनुभव ये आता है कि परंपरा तो रह जाती है, प्राण खो जाता है। हमारे यहां भी अनुभव ये आया कि परंपरा तो रह गई लेकिन समय का अभाव है, 30 दिन कौन रहेगा, 45 दिन कौन रहेगा। आओ भाई 15 मिनट जरा डुबकी लगा दें, पाप धुल जाए, पुण्य कमा ले और चले जाए।
ऐसे जैसे बदलाव आय उसमें से उज्जैन के इस कुंभ में संतों के आशीर्वाद से एक नया प्रयास प्रारंभ हुआ है और ये नया प्रयास एक प्रकार से उस सदियों पुरानी व्यवस्था का ही एक Modern edition है और जिसमें वर्तमान समझ में, वैश्विक संदर्भ में मानव जाति के लिए क्या चुनौतियां हैं, मानव कल्याण के मार्ग क्या हो सकते हैं। बदलते हुए युग में काल बाह्य चीजों को छोड़ने की हिम्मत कैसे आए, पुरानी चीजों को बोझ लेकर के चलकर के आदमी थक जाता है। उन पुरानी काल बाह्य चीजों को छोड़कर के एक नए विश्वास, नई ताजगी के साथ कैसे आगे बढ़ जाए, उसका एक छोटा सा प्रयास इस विचार महाकुंभ के अंदर हुआ है।
जो 51 बिंदु, अमृत बिंदु इसमें से फलित हुए हैं क्योंकि ये एक दिन का समारोह नहीं है। जैसे शिवराज जी ने बताया। देश औऱ दुनिया के इस विषय के जानकार लोगों ने 2 साल मंथन किया है, सालभर विचार-विमर्श किया है और पिछले 3 दिन से इसी पवित्र अवसर पर ऋषियों, मुनियों, संतों की परंपरा को निभाने वाले महान संतों के सानिध्य में इसका चिंतन-मनन हुआ है और उसमें से ये 51 अमृत बिंदु समाज के लिए प्रस्तुत किए गए हैं। मैं नहीं मानता हूं कि हम राजनेताओं के लिए इस बात को लोगों के गले उतारना हमारे बस की बात है। हम नहीं मानते हैं लेकिन हम इतना जरूर मानते हैं कि समाज के लिए निस्वार्थ भाव से काम करने वाले लोग चाहे वो गेरुए वस्त्र में हो या न हो लेकिन त्याग और तपस्था के अधिष्ठान पर जीवन जीते हैं। चाहे एक वैज्ञानिक अपनी laboratory में खपा हुआ हो, चाहे एक किसान अपने खेत में खपा हुआ हो, चाहे एक मजदूर अपना पसीना बहा रहा हे, चाहे एक संत समाज का मार्गदर्शन करता हो ये सारी शक्तियां, एक दिशा में चल पड़ सकती हैं तो कितना बड़ा परिवर्तन ला सकती हैं और उस दिशा में ये 51 अमृत बिंदु जो है आने वाले दिनों में भारत के जनमानस को और वैश्विक जनसमूह को भारत किस प्रकार से सोच सकता है और राजनीतिक मंच पर से किस प्रकार के विचार प्रभाग समयानुकूल हो सकते हैं इसकी चर्चा अगर आने वाले दिनों में चलेगी, तो मैं समझता हूं कि ये प्रयास सार्थक होगा।
हम वो लोग हैं, जहां हमारी छोटी-छोटी चीज बड़ी समझने जैसी है। हम उस संस्कार सरिता से निकले हुए लोग हैं। जहां एक भिक्षुक भी भिक्षा मांगने के लिए जाता है, तो भी उसके मिहिल मुंह से निकलता है ‘जो दे उसका भी भला जो न दे उसका भी भला’। ये छोटी बात नहीं है। ये एक वो संस्कार परम्परा का परिणाम है कि एक भिक्षुक मुंह से भी शब्द निकलता है ‘देगा उसका भी भला जो नहीं देगा उसका भी भला’। यानी मूल चिंतन तत्वभाव यह है कि सबका भला हो सबका कल्याण हो। ये हर प्रकार से हमारी रगों में भरा पड़ा है। हमी तो लोग हैं जिनको सिखाया गया है। तेन तत्तेन भूंजीथा। क्या तर के ही भोगेगा ये अप्रतीम आनन्द होता है। ये हमारी रगों में भरा पड़ा है। जो हमारी रगों में है, वो क्या हमारे जीवन आचरण से अछूता तो नहीं हो रहा है। इतनी महान परम्परा को कहीं हम खो तो नहीं दे रहे हैं। लेकिन कभी उसको जगजोड़ा किया जाए कि अनुभव आता है कि नहीं आज भी ये सामर्थ हमारे देश में पड़ा है।
किसी समय इस देश के प्रधानमंत्री लालबहादुर शास्त्री ने देश को आहवान किया था कि सप्ताह में एक दिन शाम का खाना छोड़ दीजिए। देश को अन्न की जरूरत है। और इस देश के कोटी-कोटी लोगों ने तेन त्यक्तेन भुंजीथा इसको अपने जीवन में चरितार्थ करके, करके दिखाया था। और कुछ पीढ़ी तो लोग अभी भी जिन्दा हैं। जो लालबहादुर शास्त्री ने कहा था। सप्ताह में एक दिन खाना नहीं खाते हैं। ऐसे लोग आज भी हैं। तेन त्यक्तेन भुंजीथा का मंत्र हमारी रगों में पला है। पिछले दिनों में ऐसे ही बातों-बातों में मैंने पिछले मार्च महीने में देश के लोगों के सामने एक विषय रखा था। ऐसे ही रखा था। रखते समय मैंने भी नहीं सोचा था कि मेरे देश के जनसामान्य का मन इतनी ऊंचाइयों से भरा पड़ा है। कभी-कभी लगता है कि हम उन ऊंचाईयों को पहुंचने में कम पड़ जाते हैं। मैंने इतना ही कहा था। अगर आप सम्पन्न हैं, आप समर्थ हैं, तो आप रसोई गैस की सब्सिडी क्या जरूरत है छोड़ दीजिये न। हजार-पंद्रह सौ रुपये में क्या रखा है। इतना ही मैंने कहा था। और आज मैं मेरे देश के एक करोड़ से ज्यादा परिवारों के सामने सर झुका कर कहना चाहता हूं और दुनिया के सामने कहना चाहता हूं। एक करोड़ से ज्यादा परिवारों ने अपनी गैस सब्सिडी छोड़ दी। तेन त्यक्तेन भुंजीथा । और उसका परिणाम क्या है। परिणाम शासन व्यवस्था पर भी सीधा होता है। हमारे मन में विचार आया कि एक करोड़ परिवार गैस सिलेंडर की सब्सिडी छोड़ रहे हैं तो इसका हक़ सरकार की तिजोरी में भरने के लिये नहीं बनता है।
ये फिर से गरीब के घर में जाना चाहिए। जो मां लकड़ी का चूल्हा जला कर के एक दिन में चार सौ सिगरेट जितना धुआं अपने शरीर में ले जाती है। उस मां को लकड़ी के चूल्हे से मुक्त करा के रसोई गैस देना चाहिए और उसी में से संकल्प निकला कि तीन साल में पांच करोड़ परिवारों को गैस सिलेंडर दे कर के उनको इस धुएं वाले चूल्हे से मुक्ति दिला देंगे।
यहाँ एक चर्चा में पर्यावरण का मुद्दा है। मैं समझता हूं पांच करोड़ परिवारों में लकड़ी का चूल्हा न जलना ये जंगलों को भी बचाएगा, ये कार्बन को भी कम करेगा और हमारी माताओं को गरीब माताओं के स्वास्थ्य में भी परिवर्तन लाएगा। यहां पर नारी की एम्पावरमेंट की बात हुई नारी की dignity की बात हुई है। ये गैस का चूल्हा उसकी dignity को कायम करता है। उसकी स्वास्थ्य की चिंता करता है और इस लिए मैं कहता हूं - तेन त्यक्तेन भुंजीथा । इस मंत्र में अगर हम भरोसा करें। सामान्य मानव को हम इसका विश्वास दिला दें तो हम किस प्रकार का परिवर्तन प्राप्त कर सकते हैं। ये अनुभव कर रहे हैं।
हमारा देश, मैं नहीं मानता हूं हमारे शास्त्रों में ऐसी कोई चीज है, जिसके कारण हम भटक जाएं। ये हमलोग हैं कि हमारी मतलब की चीजें उठाते रहते हैं और पूर्ण रूप से चीजों को देखने का स्वभाव छोड़ दिया है। हमारे यहां कहा गया है – नर करनी करे तो नारायण हो जाए - और ये हमारे ऋषियों ने मुनियों ने कहा है। क्या कभी उन्होंने ये कहा है कि नर भक्ति करे तो नारायण हो जाए। नहीं कहा है। क्या कभी उन्होंने ये कहा है कि नर कथा करे तो नारायण हो जाए। नहीं कहा। संतों ने भी कहा हैः नर करनी करे तो नारायण हो जाए और इसीलिए ये 51 अमृत बिन्दु हमारे सामने है। उसका एक संदेश यही है कि नर करनी करे तो नारायण हो जाए। और इसलिए हम करनी से बाध्य होने चाहिए और तभी तो अर्जुन को भी यही तो कहा था योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्। यही हमारा योग है, जिसमें कर्म की महानता को स्वीकार किया गया है और इसलिए इस पवित्र कार्य के अवसर पर हम उस विचार प्रवाह को फिर से एक बार पुनर्जीवित कर सकते हैं क्या तमसो मा ज्योतिरगमय। ये विचार छोटा नहीं है। और प्रकाश कौनसा वो कौनसी ज्योति ये ज्योति ज्ञान की है, ज्योति प्रकाश की है। और हमी तो लोग हैं जो कहते हैं कि ज्ञान को न पूरब होता है न पश्चिम होता है। ज्ञान को न बीती हुई कल होती है, ज्ञान को न आने वाली कल होती है। ज्ञान अजरा अमर होता है और हर काल में उपकारक होता है। ये हमारी परम्परा रही है और इसलिए विश्व में जो भी श्रेष्ठ है इसको लेना, पाना, पचाना internalize करना ये हमलोगों को सदियों से आदत रही है।
हम एक ऐसे समाज के लोग हैं। जहां विविधताएं भी हैं और कभी-कभी बाहर वाले व्यक्ति को conflict भी नजर आता है। लेकिन दुनिया जो conflict management को लेकर के इतनी सैमिनार कर रही है, लेकिन रास्ते नहीं मिल रहे। हमलोग हैं inherent conflict management का हमें सिखाया गया है। वरना दो extreme हम कभी भी नहीं सोच सकते थे। हम भगवान राम की पूजा करते हैं, जिन्होंने पिता की आज्ञा का पालन किया था। और हम वो लोग हैं, जो प्रहलाद की भी पूजा करते हैं, जिसने पिता की आज्ञा की अवमानना की थी। इतना बड़ा conflict, एक वो महापुरुष जिसने पिता की आज्ञा को माना वो भी हमारे पूजनीय और एक दूसरा महापुरुष जिसने पिता की आज्ञा क का अनादर किया वो भी हमारा महापुरुष।
हम वो लोग हैं जिन्होंने माता सीता को प्रणाम करते हैं। जिसने पति और ससुर के इच्छा के अनुसार अपना जीवन दे दिया। और उसी प्रकार से हम उस मीरा की भी भक्ति करते हैं जिसने पति की आज्ञा की अवज्ञा कर दी थी। यानी हम किस प्रकार के conflict management को जानने वाले लोग हैं। ये हमारी स्थिति का कारण क्या है और कारण ये है कि हम हठबाधिता से बंधे हुए लोग नहीं हैं। हम दर्शन के जुड़े हुए लोग हैं। और दर्शन, दर्शन तपी तपाई विचारों की प्रक्रिया और जीवन शैली में से निचोड़ के रूप में निकलता रहता है। जो समयानुकूल उसका विस्तार होता जाता है। उसका एक व्यापक रूप समय में आता है। और इसलिए हम उस दर्शन की परम्पराओं से निकले हुए लोग हैं जो दर्शन आज भी हमें इस जीवन को जीने के लिए प्रेरणा देता है।
यहां पर विचार मंथन में एक विषय यह भी रहा – Values, Values कैसे बदलते हैं। आज दुनिया में अगर आप में से किसी को अध्ययन करने का स्वभाव हो तो अध्ययन करके देखिये। दुनिया के समृद्ध-समृद्ध देश जब वो चुनाव के मैदान में जाते हैं, तो वहां के राजनीतिक दल, वहां के राजनेता उनके चुनाव में एक बात बार-बार उल्लेख करते हैं। और वो कहते हैं – हम हमारे देश में families values को पुनःप्रस्थापित करेंगे। पूरा विश्व, परिवार संस्था, पारिवारिक जीवन के मूल्य उसका महत्व बहुत अच्छी तरह समझने लगा है। हम उसमें पले बड़े हैं। इसलिये कभी उसमें छोटी सी भी इधर-उधर हो जाता है तो पता नहीं चलता है कि कितना बड़ा नुकसान कर रहे हैं। लेकिन हमारे सामने चुनौती है कि values और values यानी वो विषय नहीं है कि आपकी मान्यता और मेरी मान्यता। जो समय की कसौटी पर कस कर के खरे उतरे हैं, वही तो वैल्यूज़ होते हैं। और इसलिए हर समाज के अपने वैल्यूज़ होते हैं। उन values के प्रति हम जागरूक कैसे हों। इन दिनों मैं देखता हूं। अज्ञान के कारण कहो, या तो inferiority complex के कारण कहो, जब कोई बड़ा संकट आ जाता है, बड़ा विवाद आ जाता है तो हम ज्यादा से ज्यादा ये कह कर भाग जाते हैं कि ये तो हमारी परम्परा है। आज दुनिया इस प्रकार की बातों को मानने के लिए नहीं है।
हमने वैज्ञानिक आधार पर अपनी बातों को दुनिया के सामने रखना पड़ेगा। और इसलिये यही तो कुम्भ के काल में ये विचार-विमर्श आवश्यकता है, जो हमारे मूल्यों की, हमारे विचारों की धार निकाल सके।
हम जानते हैं कभी-कभी जिनके मुंह से परम्परा की बात सुनते हैं। यही देश ये मान्यता से ग्रस्त था कि हमारे ऋषियों ने, मुनियों ने संतों ने समुद्र पार नहीं करना चाहिए। विदेश नहीं जाना चाहिए। ये हमलोग मानते थे। और एक समय था, जब समुद्र पार करना बुरा माना जाता था। वो भी एक परम्परा थी लेकिन काल बदल गया। वही संत अगर आज विश्व भ्रमण करते हैं, सातों समुद्र पार करके जाते हैं। परम्पराएं उनके लिए कोई रुकावट नहीं बनती हैं, तो और चीजों में परम्पराएं क्यों रुकावट बननी चाहिए। ये पुनर्विचार करने की आवश्यकता है और इसलिए परम्पराओं के नाम पर अवैज्ञानिक तरीके से बदले हुए युग को, बदले हुए समाज को मूल्य के स्थान पर जीवित रखते हुए उसको मोड़ना, बदलना दिशा देना ये हम सबका कर्तव्य बनता है, हम सबका दायित्व बनता है। और उस दायित्व को अगर हम निभाते हैं तो मुझे विश्वास है कि हम समस्याओं का समाधान खोज सकते हैं।
आज विश्व दो संकटों से गुजर रहा है। एक तरफ ग्लोबल वार्मिंग दूसरी तरफ आतंकवाद। क्या उपाय है इसका। आखिर इसके मूल पर कौन सी चीजें पड़ी हैं। holier than thou तेरे रास्ते से मेरा रास्ता ज्यादा सही है। यही तो भाव है जो conflict की ओर हमें घसीटता ले चला जा रहा है। विस्तारवाद यही तो है जो हमें conflict की ओर ले जा रहा है। युग बदल चुका है। विस्तारवाद समस्याओं का समाधान नहीं है। हम हॉरीजॉन्टल की तरह ही जाएं समस्याओं का समाधान नहीं है। हमें वर्टिकल जाने की आवश्यकता है अपने भीतर को ऊपर उठाने की आवश्यकता है, व्यवस्थाओं को आधुनिक करने की आवश्यकता है। नई ऊंचाइयों को पार करने के लिए उन मूल्यों को स्वीकार करने की आवश्यकता होती है और इसलिये समय रहते हुए मूलभूत चिंतन के प्रकाश में, समय के संदर्भ में आवश्यकताओं की उपज के रूप में नई विधाओं को जन्म देना होगा। वेद सब कुछ है लेकिन उसके बाद भी हमी लोग हैं जिन्होंने वेद के प्रकाश में उपनिषदों का निर्माण किया। उपनिषद में बहुत कुछ है। लेकिन समय रहते हमने भी वेद के प्रकाश में उपनिषद, उपनिषद के प्रकाश में समृति और स्रुति को जन्म दिया और समृति और स्रुतियां, जो उस कालखंड को दिशा देती है, उसके आधार पर हम चलें। आज हम में किसी को वेद के नाम भी मालूम नहीं होंगे। लेकिन वेद के प्रकाश में उपनिषद, उपनिषद के प्रकाश में श्रुति और समृति वो आज भी हमें दिशा देती हैं। समय की मांग है कि अगर 21वीं सदी में मानव जाति का कल्याण करना है तो चाहे वेद के प्रकाश में उपनिषद रही हो, उपनिषद के प्रकाश में समृति और श्रुति रही हो, तो समृति और श्रुति के प्रकाश में 21वीं सदी के मानव के कल्याण के लिए किन चीजों की जरूरत है ये 51 अमृत बिन्दु शायद पूर्णतयः न हो कुछ कमियां उसमें भी हो सकती हैं। क्या हम कुम्भ के मेले में ऐसे अमृत बिन्दु निकाल कर के आ सकते हैं।
मुझे विश्वास है कि हमारा इतना बड़ा समागम। कभी – कभी मुझे लगता है, दुनिया हमे कहती है कि हम बहुत ही unorganised लोग हैं। बड़े ही विचित्र प्रकार का जीवन जीने वाले बाहर वालों के नजर में हमें देखते हैं। लेकिन हमें अपनी बात दुनिया के सामने सही तरीके से रखनी आती नहीं है। और जिनको रखने की जिम्मेवारी है और जिन्होंने इस प्रकार के काम को अपना प्रोफेशन स्वीकार किया है। वे भी समाज का जैसा स्वभाव बना है शॉर्टकट पर चले जाते हैं। हमने देखा है कुम्भ मेला यानी एक ही पहचान बना दी गई है नागा साधु। उनकी फोटो निकालना, उनका प्रचार करना, उनका प्रदर्शन के लिए जाना इसीके आसपास उसको सीमित कर दिया गया है। क्या दुनिया को हम गर्व के साथ कह सकते हैं कि हमारे देश के लोगों की कितनी बड़ी organizing capacity है। क्या ये कुम्भ मेले का कोई सर्कुलर निकला था क्या। निमंत्रण कार्ड गया था क्या।
हिन्दुस्तान के हर कोने में दुनिया में रहते हुए भारतीय मूल के लोगों को कोई इनविटेशन कार्ड गया था क्या। कोई फाइवस्टार होटलों का बुकिंग था क्या। एक सिपरा मां नदी के किनारे पर उसकी गोद में हर दिन यूरोप के किसी छोटे देश की जनसंख्या जितने लोग आते हों, 30 दिन तक आते हों। जब प्रयागराज में कुंभ का मेला हो तब गंगा मैया के किनारे पर यूरोप का एकाध देश daily इकट्ठा होता हो, रोज नए लोग आते हों और कोई भी संकट न आता हो, ये management की दुनिया की सबसे बड़ी घटना है लेकिन हम भारत का branding करने के लिए इस ताकत का परिचय नहीं करवा रहे हैं।
मैं कभी-कभी कहता हूं हमारे हिंदुस्तान का चुनाव दुनिया के लिए अजूबा है कि इतना बड़ा देश दुनिया के कई देशों से ज्यादा वोटर और हमारा Election Commission आधुनिक Technology का उपयोग करते हुए सुचारु रूप से पूरा चुनाव प्रबंधन करता है। विश्व के लिए, प्रबंधन के लिए ये सबसे बड़ा case study है, सबसे बड़ा case study है। मैं तो दुनिया की बड़ी-बड़ी Universities को कहता हूं कि हमारे इस कुंभ मेले की management को भी एक case study के रूप में दुनिया की Universities को study करना चाहिए।
हमने अपने वैश्विक रूप में अपने आप को प्रस्तुत करने के लिए दुनिया को जो भाषा समझती है, उस भाषा में रखने की आदत भी समय की मांग है, हम अपनी ही बात को अपने ही तरीके से कहते रहेंगे तो दुनिया के गले नहीं उतरेगी। विश्व जिस बात को जिस भाषा में समझता है, जिस तर्क से समझता है, जिस आधारों के आधार पर समझ पाता है, वो समझाने का प्रयास इस चिंतन-मनन के द्वारा तय करना पड़ेगा। ये जब हम करते हैं तो मुझे विश्वास है, इस महान देश की ये सदियों पुरानी विरासत वो सामाजिक चेतना का कारण बन सकती है, युवा पीढ़ी के आकर्षण का कारण बन सकती है और मैं जो 51 बिंदु हैं उसके बाहर एक बात मैं सभी अखाड़े के अधिष्ठाओं को, सभी परंपराओं से संत-महात्माओं को मैं आज एक निवेदन करना चाहता हूं, प्रार्थना करना चाहता हूं। क्या यहां से जाने के बाद हम सभी अपनी परंपराओं के अंदर एक सप्ताह का विचार कुंभ हर वर्ष अपने भक्तों के बीच कर सकते हैं क्या।
मोक्ष की बातें करें, जरूर करें लेकिन एक सप्ताह ऐसा हो कि जहां धरती की सच्चाइयों के साथ पेड़ क्यों उगाना चाहिए, नदी को स्वच्छ क्यों रखना चाहिए, बेटी को क्यों पढ़ाना चाहिए, नारी का गौरव क्यों करना चाहिए वैज्ञानिक तरीके से और देश भर के विधिवत जनों बुलाकर के, जिनकी धर्म में आस्था न हो, जो परमात्मा में विश्वास न करता हो, उसको भी बुलाकर के जरा बताओ तो भाई और हमारा जो भक्त समुदाय है। उनके सामने विचार-विमर्श हर परंपरा में साल में एक बार 7 दिन अपने-अपने तरीके से अपने-अपने स्थान पर ज्ञानी-विज्ञानी को बुलाकर के विचार-विमर्श हो तो आप देखिए 3 साल के बाद अगला जब हमारा कुंभ का अवसर आएगा और 12 साल के बाद जो महाकुंभ आता है वो जब आएगा आप देखिए ये हमारी विचार-मंथन की प्रक्रिया इतनी sharpen हुई होगी, दुनिया हमारे विचारों को उठाने के लिए तैयार होगी।
जब अभी पेरिस में पुरा विश्व climate को लेकर के चिंतित था, भारत ने एक अहम भूमिका निभाई और भारत ने उन मूल्यों को प्रस्तावित करने का प्रयास किया। एक पुस्तक भी प्रसिद्ध हुई कि प्रकृति के प्रति प्रेम का धार्मिक जीवन में क्या-क्या महत्व रहा है और पेरिस के, दुनिया के सामने life style को बदलने पर बल दिया, ये पहली बार हुआ है।
हम वो लोग हैं जो पौधे में भी परमात्मा देखते हैं, हम वो लोग हैं जो जल में भी जीवन देखते हैं, हम वो लोग हैं जो चांद और सूरज में भी अपने परिवार का भाव देखते हैं, हम वो लोग हैं जिनको... आज शायद अंतरराष्ट्रीय Earth दिवस मनाया जाता होगा, पृथ्वी दिवास मनाया जाता होगा लेकिन देखिए हम तो वो लोग हैं जहां बालक सुबह उठकर के जमीन पर पैर रखता था तो मां कहती थी कि बेटा बिस्तर पर से जमीन पर जब पैर रखते हो तो पहले ये धरती मां को प्रणाम करो, माफी मांगों, कहीं तेरे से इस धरती मां को पीढ़ा न हो हो जाए। आज हम धरती दिवस मनाते हैं, हम तो सदियों से इस परंपरा को निभाते आए हैं।
हम ही तो लोग हैं जहां मां, बालक को बचपन में कहती है कि देखो ये पूरा ब्रहमांड तुम्हारा परिवार है, ये चाँद जो है न ये चाँद तेरा मामा है। ये सूरज तेरा दादा है। ये प्रकृति को अपना बनाना, ये हमारी विशेषता रही है।
सहज रूप से हमारे जीवन में प्रकृति का प्रेम, प्रकृति के साथ संघर्ष नहीं, सहजीवन के संस्कार हमें मिले हैं और इसलिए जिन बिंदुओं को लेकर के आज हम चलना चाहते हैं। उन बिंदुओं पर विश्वास रखते हुए और जो काल बाह्य है उसको छोड़ना पड़ेगा। हम काल बाह्य चीजों के बोझ के बीच जी नहीं सकते हैं और बदलाव कोई बड़ा संकट है, ये डर भी मैं नहीं मानता हूं कि हमारी ताकत का परिचय देता है। अरे बदलाव आने दो, बदलाव ही तो जीवन होता है। मरी पड़ी जिंदगी में बदलाव नहीं होता है, जिंदा दिल जीवन में ही तो बदलाव होता है, बदलाव को स्वीकार करना चाहिए। हम सर्वसमावेशक लोग हैं, हम सबको जोड़ने वाले लोग हैं। ये सबको जोड़ने का हमारा सामर्थ्य है, ये कहीं कमजोर तो नहीं हो रहा अगर हम कमजोर हो गए तो हम जोड़ने का दायित्व नहीं निभा पाएंगे और शायद हमारे सिवा कोई जोड़ पाएगा कि नहीं पाएगा ये कहना कठिन है इसलिए हमारा वैश्विक दायित्व बनता है कि जोड़ने के लिए भी हमारे भीतर जो विशिष्ट गुणों की आवश्यकता है उन गुणों को हमें विकसित करना होगा क्योंकि संकट से भरे जन-जीवन को सुलभ बनाना हम लोगों ने दायित्व लिया हुआ है और हमारी इस ऋषियों-मुनियों की परंपरा ज्ञान के भंडार हैं, अनुभव की एक महान परंपरा रही है, उसके आधार पर हम इसको लेकर के चलेंगे तो मुझे पूरा विश्वास है कि जो अपेक्षाएं हैं, वो पूरी होंगी। आज ये समारोह संपन्न हो रहा है।
मैं शिवराज जी को और उनकी पूरी टीम को हृदय से बहुत-बहुत बधाई देता हूं इतने उत्तम योजना के लिए, बीच में प्रकृति ने कसौटी कर दी। अचानक आंधी आई, तूफान सा बारिश आई, कई भक्त जनों को जीवन अपना खोना पड़ा लेकिन कुछ ही घंटों में व्यवस्थाओं को फिर से ठीक कर दी। मैं उन सभी 40 हजार के करीब मध्य प्रदेश सरकार के छोटे-मोटे साथी सेवारत हैं, मैं विशेष रूप से उनको बधाई देना चाहता हूं कि आपके इस प्रयासों के कारण सिर्फ मेला संपन्न हुआ है, ऐसा नहीं है। आपके इन उत्तम प्रयासों के कारण विश्व में भारत की एक छवि भी बनी है। भारत के सामान्य मानव के मन में हमारा अपने ऊपर एक विश्वास बढ़ता है इस प्रकार के चीजों से और इसलिए जिन 40 हजार के करीब लोगों ने 30 दिन, दिन-रात मेहनत की है उनको भी मैं बधाई देना चाहता हूं, मैं उज्जैनवासियों का भी हृदय से अभिनंदन करना चाहता हूं, उन्होंने पूरे विश्व का यहां स्वागत किया, सम्मान किया, अपने मेहमान की तरह सम्मान किया और इसलिए उज्जैन के मध्य प्रदेश के नागरिक बंधु भी अभिनंदन के बहुत-बहुत अधिकारी हैं, उनको भी हृदय से बहुत-बहुत अभिनंदन करता हूं और अगले कुंभ के मेले तक हम फिर एक बार अपनी विचार यात्रा को आगे बढ़ाएं इसी शुभकामनाओं के साथ आपका बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद, फिर एक बार सभी संतों को प्रणाम और उनका आशीर्वाद, उनका सामर्थ्य, उनकी व्यवस्थाएं इस चीज को आगे चलाएगी, इसी अपेक्षा के साथ सबको प्रणाम।
Today's India is an aspirational society: PM Modi on Independence Day
August 15, 2022
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Best wishes to my dear countrymen on the momentous occasion of completion of 75 years of Independence. Many congratulations to all! It is heartening to see our tricolor being unfurled with pride, honor and glory, not only in all the corners of India, but also worldwide by Indians who love their country immensely. I extend my heartiest congratulations to all the people spread across the globe who love India. My heartfelt greetings to all my dear Indians on this Amrit Mahotsav festival of celebrating our freedom. This is a day of historic importance. This is an auspicious occasion to step forward on a new path, with a new resolution and a new strength.
In the pursuit of Independence, the entire period of slavery was spent in struggle. No part of India or any time period remained untouched by the freedom struggle against several centuries of slavery and marked by people sacrificing themselves facing torutre and making supreme sacrifice. Today is an opportunity for all of us countrymen to bow down and salute all such brave hearts, the legends of every sacrifice made by every great soul. This is an opportunity to also solemnly acknowledge their debt and pledge to fulfil their dreams at the earliest with deep resolve. All the countrymen are deeply indebted to Pujya Bapu, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Veer Savarkar, who devoted all their life on the path of duty towards the nation.The path of obligation has been their sole life path. This country is grateful to Mangal Pandey, Tatya Tope, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil and countless such revolutionaries of ours who shook the foundations of British rule. This nation is grateful to those brave women, be it Rani Lakshmibai, Jhalkari Bai, Durga Bhabhi, Rani Gaidinliu, Rani Chennamma, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Velu Nachiyar, who showed the mettle of women power of India. What is the resolve of India's ‘Nari Shakti’? Every Indian is filled with pride while remembering the countless brave women who achieved the pinnacle of sacrifice.
Today is an opportunity to pay homage to countless such great men like Dr. Rajendra Prasad ji, Nehru ji, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Deendayal Upadhyay, Jai Prakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Nanaji Deshmukh, Subramania Bharati who fought the war of independence and built the country after independence.
When we talk about the freedom struggle, we cannot forget to acknowledge our tribal society living in forests. There are countless names like Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sidhu-Kanhu, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Govind Guru, who became the voice of freedom movement and inspired my tribal brothers and sisters, mothers and youth in the remotest jungles to live and die for the motherland. It has been the good fortune of the country that there have been many aspects of the freedom struggle. And one such aspect was when many such great men like Narayana Guru, Swami Vivekananda, Maharishi Aurobindo, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore kept awakening the consciousness of India in every corner and every village of India, and kept this consciousness alive.
For the last year, we are witnessing how the country (is celebrating) the ‘Amrit Mahotsav’. It all began with Dandi Yatra in 2021. The people held programs in every district, every corner, of India to enlarge the scope of goals of the ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ of Independence. This was perhaps for the first time in history that such a huge and comprehensive festival for a single purpose was celebrated. An attempt was made in every corner of India to remember all those great men who did not find mention in history for some reasons or who were forgotten. Today, the nation sought out all such heroes and great men, selfless, brave men from every corner of the country and paid tributes to them. It was an opportunity to pay tributes to all these great men during the ‘Amrit Mahotsav’.
Yesterday on 14th August, India also remembered the deep wounds of Partition on ‘Partition Vibhishika Memorial Day’ with a heavy heart. Crores of such people had endured a lot for the glory of the tricolour. They had endured so much due to their love for the motherland and they did not lose patience. Their determination to start a new life with their love for India is inspirational and worth saluting.
Today, as we are celebrating the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', it is an opportunity to recall the contributions made by those who lived and died for the country, dedicated their lives for the country during the last 75 years, those who protected the country and fulfilled the country's resolutions; be it the army personnel, police personnel, bureaucrats, public representatives, administrators of the local self-government, state administration or central administration. Today we must also recall the contributions made by the crores of citizens of the country who have done everything possible to take the country forward despite various challenges in 75 years.
My dear countrymen,
This journey of 75 years has been full of ups and downs. Amidst the shadow of good and bad times our countrymen have accomplished various achievements; they have made efforts and have not given up. They didn't let the resolutions fade away. It is true that the hundreds of years of colonial rule had inflicted deep wounds on India and the sentiments of the Indians, but the people were resilient and passionate. And that's why, Indians managed to revive the nation despite scarcity and denigration. When the freedom struggle was in its final stages, all measures were taken to frighten, disappoint and frustrate the country. There were apprehensions that after independence when the British would leave, the country would be scattered and in shambles; people would die fighting internal wars; India would plunge into a dark age.
But they were not aware that this is the soil of India. This country has the unlimited potential to survive across centuries and influence even beyond the powerful rulers. It is as a result of such immense capabilities and resilience that our nation has emerged strong despite facing innumerable adversities be it food crisis or war. We have aborted challenges hurled at us by terrorist activities which killed our innocent countrymen. We endured proxy war, natural calamities, successes and failures, hopes and despair yet remained undaunted at all such junctures. But even in the midst of these abysmal stages, India has been relentlessly progressing. India's diversity, which others once thought was a burden to India, is proven to be the priceless power of India. A strong testimony of its power.
The world was not cognizant that India has an inherent potential of strong culture and values, a bond of thoughts deeply embedded in mind and soul; and that is - India is Mother of democracy. And when those who have democracy pulsating in their minds walk with determination and resolve, it augurs doom for the most powerful sultanates of the world. This Mother of Democracy, our India has proven to all that we have this invaluable strength.
My dear countrymen,
In the journey of 75 years, in the midst of hopes, aspirations, ups and downs, it is with everyone's effort that we could reach this far. And when in 2014, my countrymen gave me this responsibility, I was the first Indian born in free India, who got the privilege to sing praises of glory to my dear countrymen from the ramparts of the Red Fort. But whatever I have learned today is from all of you. I have been able to understand your happiness and sorrows. I could sense your soul calling about the hopes and aspirations you have for your country. With whatever I could embrace of your dreams, I immersed myself fully in empowering those countrymen during my tenure who were left behind and deprived from being a part of the mainstream. Be they the marginalised, outcast, exploited, victimized, deprived, tribals, women, youth, farmers, or the divyang people. From the farthest of India’s east or west, north or south, ocean beds or Himalayan peaks, I have dedicated myself to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of inclusion. I have committed myself to his vision of empowering and uplifting the person sitting at the last mile. I can see the fruition of this mission in the past eight years because of the experience gained over several decades of independence. We are embarking on the glorious years of 75 years today on Amrit Mahotsav. On the first morning of this Amrit Kaal I am filled with pride to see such an immensely endowed nation.
Dear countrymen,
I am witnessing the biggest fortune today that Indians have emerged as an Aspirational Society. Being an aspirational society is the biggest asset for any nation. And we are proud that today every corner of India, every section and strata of our society is brimming with aspirations.
Every citizen of the country wants to change things, wants to see things change, but is not ready to wait. He wants these things to happen in front of his eyes and wants to do it as part of his duty. He wants speed, he wants progress. He is eager and excited to fulfill all the dreams cherished in 75 years before his eyes. It may cause problems to some people. Because when there is an aspirational society, then even the governments have to walk on the edge of the sword and also have to charge with the times. And I believe whether it is the central government, state governments, institutions of local self-government, no matter what kind of governance system, everyone has to address this aspirational society and we cannot wait longer for their aspirations. Our aspirational society has waited for a long time. But now they are not ready to force their future generations to live in wait and hence the first dawn of this ‘Amrit Kaal’ has brought a huge golden opportunity for us to fulfill the aspirations of that aspirational society.
My dear countrymen,
Recently, we have seen and experienced one such force and that is the renaissance of the collective consciousness in India. The renaissance of such collective consciousness, a nectar of so many struggles for freedom, is now being preserved and compiled. It is turning into a resolution, the culmination of effort is reckoned and the path of accomplishment is visible. I think that this awakening of consciousness, this renaissance, is our greatest asset.
Look at this renaissance. Until 10th August, people would not even be aware of the power within the country. But for the last three days, the way the country has set about celebrating the journey of the Tricolour, even the leading experts of social science can't imagine the power within my country which has been shown by the Tricolor. This is the moment of re-consciousness and renaissance. People are still to understand this. One can experience this consciousness when every corner of India comes out to observe ‘Janata Curfew’. There is a feeling of consciousness when the country stands shoulder to shoulder with the corona warriors by clapping and clanging utensils. This consciousness is felt when the country goes out to greet the corona warriors by lighting a lamp. During Corona, the world was grappling with the confusion whether to take vaccines or not or whether the vaccines are useful or not. At that time, even the poor people of my country's villages surprised the world with the administration of 200 crore vaccine doses. This is consciousness; this is potential, which has given new strength to the country today.
My dear brothers and sisters,
I can see an important potential. Like an aspirational society, like renaissance the attitude of the whole world towards India has changed in the same way after so many decades of independence. The world is looking at India with pride and with anticipation. The world has started looking for solutions to the problems on the soil of India, friends. This change in the world, this change in the thinking of the world is the result of our experience and journey of the last 75 years.
The world is observing the way we have started moving ahead with the resolution, and ultimately the world too is living with a new hope. The world has started realising where the power to fulfil the expectations actually lies. I see it as triple power or 'tri-shakti' i.e. aspiration, re-awakening and the world's expectations. We are fully cognisant of this, today, my countrymen have a major role in awakening. 130 crore countrymen after several decades of experience have shown the world the importance of a stable government, the power of political stability, policies and how trust develops in the policies. The world too is now realising it. And now when there is political stability, dynamism in policies, speed in decision making, ubiquity and universal trust, then everyone becomes a partner in development.
We started our journey with the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, but gradually the countrymen have added more colours to it with ‘Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’. So, we have seen our collective power and collective potential. 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ is being celebrated with the campaign to build 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district today. People from every village are joining the campaign and offering their services. With their own efforts, the people are running a massive campaign for water conservation in their respective villages. Therefore brothers and sisters, whether it is a campaign for cleanliness or the work for the welfare of the poor, the country is moving ahead with full force today.
But brothers and sisters, if we continue to glorify our 75-years of journey in the 'Azadi Ka AmritKaal' and keep patting our own backs, then our dreams might be pushed far away. So, even if the past 75 years have been wonderful, full of various challenges and certain unfulfilled dreams, yet today when we are entering the 'Azadi Ka AmritKaal', the next 25 years are very significant for our country. And that's why today as I am talking about the strength of 130 crore countrymen, witnessing their dreams and feeling their resolutions from the ramparts of Red Fort, I believe we must focus our attention on the 'Panch Pran' for the coming 25 years. You have to concentrate on your resolve and strength. And we must take up the responsibility of fulfilling all the dreams of the freedom fighters by embracing those 'Panch Pran' by 2047 when the country celebrates 100 years of independence.
Speaking of 'Panch Pran', the first vow is for the country to move ahead with a big resolve. And that big resolution is of a developed India; and now we should not settle for anything less than that. Big resolution! The second Pran is that in no part of our existence, not even in the deepest corners of our mind or habits should there be any ounce of slavery. It should be nipped there itself. Now, 100 per cent this slavery of hundreds of years has kept us bound, has forced us to keep our emotions tied up, have developed distorted thinking in us. We have to liberate ourselves from the slavery mind set which is visible in innumerable things within and around us. This is our second Pran Shakti.
The third Pran is that we should feel proud of our heritage and legacy. Since it is this same legacy which had given India its golden period in the past. And it is this legacy that has an innate capability of transforming itself with time. It is this rich heritage that transcends tests of tide and times. It embraces the new. And hence we should be proud of this heritage.
Fourth Pran which is equally important is unity and solidarity. Amongst 130 million countrymen when there is harmony and bonhomie, unity becomes its strongest virtue. "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" – is one of the unifying initiatives to actuate the dream of the fourth Pran.
Fifth Pran is the duty of the citizens, in which even the Prime Minister, Chief Minister cannot be an exclusion as they are also responsible citizens and have a duty towards the nation. This virtue is going to be the vital life force if we want to achieve the dreams we have for the next 25 years.
My dear countrymen
When your dreams are big, your resolve is big, and therefore endeavours should also be bigger. Strength also adds up to a great extent. Recall the period of 40-42, it is difficult to imagine now how the country emerged from the shackles of the treacherous British rule. Some hands picked up brooms, while some chose spindles, while several chose the path towards satyagrah, some chose to struggle while many treaded the path of bravery of revolution. But the resolve of each was big- that of Freedom. Just see the power of their big goal– they achieved freedom for us. We became independent. Had their resolution would have been small and limited, we would have prolonged our days of struggle and slavery, but kudos to their indomitable spirit and big dreams, we could finally attained our freedom.
My dear countrymen,
As we wake up to this auspicious morning of 76th Independence, we must resolve to make India a developed nation in the next 25 years. The youth of today, all of 20-22-25 years, who I can see here shall be a witness to the glorious centennial celebrations of Independence. You will be 50-55 years old then, that means this golden period of your life, these 25-30 years of your age is the time to fulfill the dreams of India. Take a pledge and walk with me, friends, take the oath of the Tricolor and let us all join with full strength. This should be our great resolve that my country will be a developed country, we will develop a people-centric system in every parameter of development and we will have every human being and his hopes and aspirations at our center. We know that when India makes great resolutions, it also implements them.
When I first spoke about cleanliness during my first speech, the entire country embraced it. Everyone moved towards cleanliness as per his capacity and there is now antipathy towards filthiness. This is the country which has done it, is doing it and will continue to do so in future also. When the world was in a dilemma, this is the country which crossed the target of 200 crore vaccinations in a time-bound manner and broke all the previous records. We are dependent on the fuel from the Gulf. We had decided how to move towards bio-oil. The 10 percent ethanol blending seemed like a very big dream. Old experiences showed that it was not possible, but the country has realized this dream of 10 percent ethanol blending before time.
Brothers and sisters,
Providing electricity connection to 2.5 crore people in such a short time was not a small task, but the country has done it. Today the country is rapidly providing 'water from tap' to the homes of lakhs of families. Freedom from open defecation has become possible in India today.
My dear countrymen,
Experience tells us that we can achieve our goals once we are determined. Be it the goal of renewable energy, the intention of building new medical colleges in the country or creating a workforce of doctors, the pace has increased a lot in every field. And that's why I say that the coming 25 years should be of huge resolutions, this should be our life and this should be our pledge.
The second thing that I have mentioned is the mentality of slavery and the attitude of the country. Brothers, how long will the world continue to give certificates to us? How long will we live on the certificates of the world? Shall we not set our own standards? Can a country of 130 crores not make an effort to exceed its standards? Under no circumstances should we try to look like others. It should be our temperament to grow with our own potential. We want freedom from slavery. The element of slavery should not remain in our mind even under the distant seven seas, friends. And I look with hope the way the new National Education Policy has been formulated with a lot of brainstorming, with the exchange of ideas from various people and is at the root of the country’s education policy. The skill that we have emphasized is such a power, which will give us the strength to be free from slavery.
We have seen that sometimes our talent gets tied in the shackles of language. This is the result of slave mentality. We should be proud of every language of our country. We may or may not know the language, but we should be proud that it is the language of my country and it is the language given to the world by our ancestors.
Friends,
Today we are witnessing the structure of Digital India. We are looking at start-ups. Who are these people? This is that pool of talent who lives in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, or in villages and belongs to poor families. These are our youngsters who are coming before the world today with new discoveries. We have to give up the colonial-era mentality. Instead, we must rely on our capabilities.
Secondly, we must feel proud of our heritage. Only when we connect with our land, we will be able to fly high, and when we fly high, we will be able to provide solutions to the world too. We have seen the impact when we take pride in our heritage and culture. Today the world is talking about holistic health care. But when it talks about holistic health care, it looks towards India's yoga, India's Ayurveda and India's holistic lifestyle. This is our legacy that we are providing the world with. The world is being influenced by it today. Now look at our strength. We are the people who know how to live with nature. We know how to love nature. Today the world is facing environment related problems. We have that legacy and the solutions to the problems of global warming. Our ancestors have given us the same. When we talk about an environment-friendly lifestyle and LIFE mission, we attract the attention of the world. We have this power. Coarse paddy and millets are household items. This is our heritage. Due to the hard work of our small farmers paddy flourished on small pieces of land. Today the world is moving ahead to celebrate the millet year at the international level. That means our heritage is being appreciated around the world today. Let us learn to be proud of it. We have a lot to offer to the world.
When it comes to social stress, people talk of our family values; whenever it comes to personal stress, people talk of yoga. When it comes to collective tension, the people talk of the family system of India. The joint family system is an asset. Due to the sacrifices made by our mothers and sisters over the centuries, the 'joint family system' has evolved as a legacy. This is our legacy. How can we not be proud of this heritage? We are those people who see Shiva in every living being. We are those people who see Lord Narayana in every man. We are people who call women 'Narayani'. We are people who see the divine in the plants. We are the people who consider the rivers as mother. We are those people who see Shankar in every stone. This is our power. It is our potential to see every river as a form of mother. Such enormity of the environment is our pride! When we are proud of such heritage, the world too will feel proud of it.
Brothers and sisters,
We are the people who have given the world the mantra of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam". We are the people who believe in "Ekam Sadvipra Bahudha Vadanti".
In the period of ‘holier than thou’ mentality, today the world is facing a severe crisis due to conflicts caused by the attitude of one upmanship- the reason for all tensions. We have the wisdom to resolve this. Our scholars have said “Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti” meaning that absolute Truth is one but it is manifested differently. This is our glory. We are the ones who say "yat pinde tat brahmande”, such a wise thought that Whatever is in the universe is in every living being. We were the proponents of such human values.
We are the people who have seen the welfare of the world; we have been on the path of collective good and individual good, not only for our people but the whole world by believing in “sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ, sarve santu nirāmayāḥ”. It is ingrained in our values that we will pray that may all be prosperous and happy, may all be free from illness, may all see what is auspicious, and may no one suffer. It is our heritage to care for the happiness and good health of all. Hence, we should learn to honour and feel proud of our heritage and value system. It is the strength of our resolve that will be crucial in achieving the dreams in the next 25 years.
In the same way, my dear countrymen,
Another very important issue is Unity and solidarity. We need to celebrate the diversity of our huge country. The peaceful co-existence of innumerable traditions and creeds are our pride. For us all are equal. No one is inferior or superior; all are our own. This feeling of oneness is important for unity. The foundations of unity can be laid in every home only if son and daughter enjoy equality. If the family seeds gender discrimination across its generations then the spirit of Unity can never be woven in society. Gender equality is our first stipulation. When we talk of Unity, why not have only one parameter or standard-that of India First. All my endeavours, everything that I am thinking, saying, envisioning or visualising is in accordance with India First. This way the path to Unity can be opened for all of us my friend. This is the mantra we need to embrace to bind all of us in oneness. I have full faith that we can thus diminish the discrimination prevalent in our society. We endorse the value of Shramev Jayate which means that it should be in our nature to respect the labourer.
But my brothers and sisters
From the ramparts of Red Fort, I also want to share one of my enduring pains. I cannot hold myself from expressing my pain. I am mindful that it may not befit the podium of the Red Fort. But I will still express my deepest feelings of agony to my countrymen. If I do not open up in front of the countrymen, then where will I say it after all? What I wish to share is that it hurts me to say that we have witnessed a perversion in our day-to-day speaking, behavior. We have been casually using language and words that are insulting to women. Can we not pledge to get rid of everything in our behavior, culture and everyday life that humiliates and demeans women? Women's pride is going to be a huge asset in fulfilling the dreams of the nation. I see this power and therefore I am insistent on it.
Dear countrymen,
I will now talk about the fifth life force – pran which is the duties of citizens. While trying to understand all the countries in the world that have made progress; every country that has achieved something, even in personal life, few things emerged. One is disciplined life, and the other is devotion to duty. There should be success in the life of the individual, of the society, of the family, of the nation. This is the fundamental path and the fundamental vital force.
It is the job of the government to make efforts to provide 24 hours electricity but it is the duty of the citizen to save as many units as he can. It is the responsibility and efforts of the government to supply water to every field, but a voice should come from each of my fields that we will move forward by saving water by focusing on 'per drop more crop'. It is our duty to do chemical free farming, organic farming and natural farming. Friends, whether it is police or people, ruler or administrator, no one can be untouched by this civic duty. If everyone performs the duties of a citizen, I am sure that we can achieve the desired goals ahead of time.
My dear countrymen,
Today is also the birth anniversary of Maharishi Aurobindo. I bow at the feet of that great man. But we need to remember the great man who gave a call for ‘Swadeshi to Swaraj’ and ‘Swaraj to Suraj’. This is his mantra. We all need to think how long we will be dependent on other people of the world. Can we outsource when our country needs food grains? When the country decided that we will meet our food requirements, did the country demonstrate it or not? Once we take a resolution, it is possible. And, therefore, ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ becomes the responsibility of every citizen, every government and every unit of society. ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ is not a government agenda or a government programme. This is a mass movement of society, which we have to take forward.
My friends, today we heard this sound after 75 years of independence for which our ears were yearning to hear. For the first time after 75 years, the Made in India cannon has saluted the Tricolour from the Red Fort. Will there be any Indian who will not be inspired by this sound? My dear brothers and sisters, today I want to congratulate the soldiers of the army of my country from my heart. I salute the way the army jawans have shouldered this responsibility of self-reliance in an organized way and with courage. The soldier of the army carries death in his hands. He stands firmly in the middle when there is no gap between death and life. The resolution of our country is not small when the armed forces make a list and decide not to import 300 defence products.
In this resolution, I can see the seed of a bright future of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' that will convert this dream into a banyan tree. Salute! Salute! Salute to my army officers!
I also want to salute the little children between 5 and 7 years of age. The nation's consciousness has been awakened. I have heard from countless families that 5-7 year old children tell their parents that they do not want to play with foreign toys. When a 5-year-old child makes such a resolution, it reflects the spirit of self-reliant India in him.
Speaking of the PLI scheme, one lakh crore rupees, people from around the world are coming to India to try their luck. They are bringing new technology along with them. They are generating new employment opportunities. India is becoming a manufacturing hub. It is building a foundation for a Self-reliant India. Be it manufacturing of electronic goods or mobile phones, today the country is progressing at a very fast pace. Which Indian wouldn't be proud when our Brahmos is exported to the world? Today the Vande Bharat train and our metro coaches are becoming objects of attraction for the world.
My dear countrymen,
We have to become self-reliant in the energy sector. How long will we be dependent on others in the field of energy? We should be self-reliant in the fields of solar energy, wind energy, and various other renewable energy sources like Mission Hydrogen, bio fuel and electric vehicles.
My dear countrymen,
Today natural farming is also a way of becoming self-reliant. Today the factories of Nano Fertilizer have brought a new hope in the country. But natural farming and chemical-free farming can give a boost to self-reliance. Today, new employment opportunities in the form of green jobs are opening up very fast in the country. India has opened up 'space' through its policies. India has come up with the most progressive policy regarding drones in the world. We have opened up new doors of opportunities for the youth of the country.
My dear brothers and sisters,
I also call upon the private sector to come forward. We have to dominate the world. One of the dreams of a self-reliant India is to ensure that India does not lag behind in fulfilling the needs of the world. Even if it is the MSMEs we have to take our products to the world with 'Zero Defect - Zero Effect'. We have to be proud of Swadeshi.
My dear Countrymen,
Till today we always remember our revered Lal Bahadur Shastri ji for his inspirational clarion call of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan meaning “Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer". Later Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji added a new link of Jai Vigyan which meant “hail science” and we gave it utmost importance. But in this new phase Amrit Kaal now it is imperative to add jai anusandhaan that is “hail innovation”.
Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan Jai Anusandhaan.
I repose my utmost faith in our youth of the nation. Witness the power of indegenious innovations. Today we have many success stories to show to the world - UPI-BHIM, our digital payment, our compelling position in the domain of Fintech. Today in the world, 40 percent of real time digital financial transactions are happening in my country. India has shown innovation prowess to the world.
My dear Countrymen,
Today we are all set to enter the 5G era. You don't have to wait too long before we match the global steps. We are ensuring that optical fiber reaches each and every village until the last mile. I am fully informed that the dream of Digital India will be attained through rural India. Today I am happy that four lakh Common Service Centers of India are being developed in villages which are being managed by the youth of that village. Nation can take pride in the fact that four lakh Digital Entrepreneurs are being nurtured in the villages, and the rural population is becoming accustomed to benefit from all the services. Such is the power of India to become a technology hub in itself.
My dear countrymen,
This Digital India movement of developing semiconductors, entering the 5G era, spreading the network of optical fibres is not just to establish ourselves as modern and developed, but it is possible because of three intrinsic missions. The complete transformation of the education ecosystem, revolution in health infrastructure and improvement in the quality of agricultural life will be possible only through digitalisation.
Friends,
I can foresee that India will march ahead phenomenally in this decade which is hailed as the techade for humanity. It is a decade of technology. In the field of IT india has become a force to reckon with globally. We have the competencies to contribute in this techade.
Our Atal Innovation Mission, our incubation centres, our startups are developing a whole new sector, opening up new opportunities for the younger generation. Whether it is a matter of space mission, whether it is about our Deep Ocean Mission, whether we want to go deep into the ocean or we have to touch the sky, these are new areas, by which we are moving forward.
My dear countrymen,
Let us not forget this and India has seen this for centuries, while some model works are needed in the country, some great heights must be achieved, but at the same time we should remain rooted and grounded while accomplishing heights as a nation.
Potential of the economic advancement of India is dependent on the strength of the grassroot. Hence, we must acknowledge and strengthen the potential of our small farmers, entrepreneurs, small and medium sized enterprises, cottage industries, micro industries, street vendors, domestic labourers, daily wagers, auto rickshaw drivers, bus service providers etc. These form the largest population who need to be empowered. Being able to do so shall guarantee India's potential and therefore our efforts are going in the direction of giving maximum emphasis to this strata which is the fundamental grass root force of our economic development.
My dear Countrymen
We have 75 years of experience, and we have also achieved many accomplishments in these 75 years. We have cherished new dreams and taken new resolutions in 75 years of experience. But, what should be the optimum outcome of our human resources for the ‘Amrit Kaal? How to get the optimum outcome of our natural wealth? We have to move forward with this goal. I want to say something from the experience of the last few years. You must have seen the power of ‘Nari Shakti’ in courts who are working in the field of Law. Look at the public representatives in the rural area. Our ‘Nari Shakti’ is devotedly engaged in solving the problems of our villages. Look at the field of knowledge or science, the ‘Nari Shakti’ of our country is visible right at the top. Even in the police force, our ‘Nari Shakti’ is taking the responsibility of protecting the people. In every walk of life, whether it is the playground or the battlefield, the ‘Nari Shakti’ of India is coming forward with a new strength and a new belief. I can see the manifold contribution of ‘Nari Shakti’, my mothers, sisters and daughters, in the next 25 years compared to the contribution in the last 75 years of India's journey. And hence, it is beyond assessment. Everything is beyond your parameters. The more we pay attention to this aspect, the more opportunities and facilities we provide to our daughters, they will return us much more than that. They will take the country to a new height. If the considerable efforts of our ‘Nari Shakti’ are added to the hard work that is required to fulfill the dreams in this ‘Amrit Kaal’, then it will take less hard work and our time limit will also be reduced. Our dreams will be more intense, vivacious and resplendent.
Therefore, friends, let's move ahead with our responsibilities. Today I also want to thank the framers of the Constitution of India for giving us the federal structure. Our dreams are bound to be realized if we walk shoulder to shoulder by maintaining this spirit and respecting its sentiments in this ‘Amrit Kaal’. Programs may differ, working styles may differ, but resolutions can’t differ, dreams for a nation cannot be different.
Let us move towards such an era. I remember the government at the Centre did not belong to our ideology when I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. But I used to follow the same mantra that the progress of Gujarat is for the progress of India. India’s progress should be at the core of our heart wherever we are. There are many states of our country, which have played a great role in taking the country forward, have led and worked as examples in many fields. This gives strength to our federalism. But today the need of the hour is that we need cooperative federalism as well as cooperative competitive federalism. We need competition for development.
Every state should feel that it is moving ahead, that it will race ahead by toiling hard. If a particular state has done 10 good tasks, others shall do 15 good tasks. If a state has completed a job in three years, others should complete the same job in two years. There should be an atmosphere of competition between the states and all the units of the government which should strive to take us to new peaks of development.
My dear countrymen,
When we talk of the 25 years of Amrit Kaal, I know that there would be many challenges, limitations and problems. We do not underestimate these. We keep on looking for ways and are constantly striving but I wish to discuss two things here. There may be many issues to discuss but considering the time constraint, I would like to talk about two things right now. And I believe that because of all these challenges and problems if we do not take corrective steps while there is still time during 25 years of 'Amrit Kaal', then it could take a turn for the worse. So, I do not want to discuss everything but would definitely want to focus on two issues. One is corruption and the other is nepotism and the dynasty system. In a democracy like India where people are struggling with poverty and do not have a place to live, there are people who do not have a place to keep their ill-gotten money. This is not an ideal situation. So we have to fight against corruption with all our might. In the last eight years, we have been successful in working for the betterment of the country by saving two lakh crore rupees which used to go into the wrong hands, using all the modern systems like Direct Benefit Transfer, Aadhaar and Mobile. Those who fled the country after looting banks during the tenure of the previous government, we have seized their property and are trying to get them back. Some have been forced to go behind the bars. We are trying to ensure that those who looted the country are compelled to return.
Brothers and sisters,
I can clearly see that we are entering a crucial period against corruption. Even the big ones will not be able to escape. With this spirit, India is now stepping into a decisive period against corruption. And I am saying this with a great responsibility from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Brothers and sisters, the corrupt are eating away the country like termites. I have to fight against it, intensify the fight and have to take it to a decisive point. So, my 130 crore countrymen, please bless me and support me! Today I have come to seek your support and cooperation so that I can fight this battle. I hope the country becomes victorious in this war. The lives of the ordinary citizens have been ruined by corruption. So, I want to make sure that the ordinary citizens are once again able to live with dignity. My dear countrymen, it is a matter of great concern that although abhorrence of corruption in the country is visible and expressed, sometimes the generosity towards the corrupt is shown which is not acceptable in any country.
And many people have gone so shameless that despite being convicted in court, having been proved corrupt, having been sentenced for imprisonment, while still serving in jail, they continue to glorify, take pride and continue to elevate their status. Unless there is hatred towards filth in the society, the consciousness for cleanliness does not arise, unless we develop hatred towards the corrupt and corruption, until we relegate these people to social shaming, such mentality will not change. And that's why we need to be very aware of corruption and corrupt people.
Another point to highlight is rampant nepotism. And whenever I talk about nepotism or dynasty, people think I am talking only in the context of politics. Not at all. Unfortunately, it is being nourished in other Indian institutions as well. Family bias Nepotism has gripped many of our institutions today. This is sadly harming the immense talent pool of our country. The future potential of my country is suffering. Those who are legitimate contenders of these opportunities and are genuinely eligible get sidelined due to nepotism. This is a good reason for corruption. Since they feel that they stand no chance to avail opportunities as per norms, these potential and deserving candidates resort to paying bribes to get a job. All of us have to work hard on fighting Nepotism by becoming more aware and creating an antipathy for this. Only such efforts can save our institutions and ingrain ethical behaviour in our future generations. This is mandatory to ensure a bright future of our institutions. Similarly, in politics too, family bias or dynasty has done the most injustice to the country's strength. It becomes a way to benefit only the family and has no connection towards the national good.
And therefore, while remembering the Constitution of India, standing under the tricolor from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I want to say with an open heart to all the countrymen- let us all join hands for the purification and cleansing of Indian politics and for the cleansing of all the institutions of India, we have to liberate the country from this family mentality and move towards taking the country forward on the basis of merit. It is more imperative now than ever. Otherwise, everyone will carry heavy resentment that s/he was deserving but could not succeed as there was no family member vouching for them in the ecosystem. Such a mentality is not good for any country.
Dear youth of my country, for your bright future, for your dreams, I seek your support in the fight against nepotism. I want your support in the fight against dynastic politics. I consider this as my constitutional responsibility. The responsibility of a democracy. I believe in the power of words spoken from the ramparts of this Red Fort. And hence I request you to support this opportunity. We have noticed this in the accolades we received at the sports world in the last few days. It’s not that we did not have such great talent in the past. It is not that our sons and daughters, the youth of India, are not achieving anything in the world of sports. But sadly they have been pushed out due to the nepotism channel. The ones that qualified to reach the competition in other countries were least bothered about winning medals for the country. But when transparency was reinstated, selection was on the merit of the sportsperson and the talent was honoured on the playgrounds. It is a moment of pride today to see the tricolor flying high and the national anthem reverberating at the stadiums globally.
One feels proud when there is freedom from dynasty and nepotism, and such results come along. My dear countrymen, there are many challenges no doubt. But if there are crores of problems before this country, then there are also crores of solutions and I have faith in 130 crore countrymen. When 130 crore countrymen take one step ahead with a set goal and the commitment to resolve, India moves 130 steps forward. We have to move forward with this capability. This is the first dawn of the ‘Amrit Kaal’ and we should not forget a single moment for the next 25 years. To live for the motherland each day, every moment of time and every particle of life will be our true tribute to the freedom fighters. Only then, the virtuous remembrance of all those who contributed in taking the country to this point in the last 75 years will be of use.
I urge the countrymen to start the ‘Amrit Kaal’ today by nurturing new possibilities, realizing new resolutions and moving ahead with confidence. The ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ of freedom has turned in the direction of ‘Amrit Kaal’ and, therefore, ‘Sabka Prayas’ is necessary in this ‘Amrit Kaal’. ‘Sabka Prayas’ is going to yield this result. The spirit of Team India is going to take the country forward. This Team India of 130 crore countrymen will realize all the dreams by moving forward as a team. With this belief, speak with me,
