ANDALIB AKHTER / NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today stressed that ‘Unity in Diversity’ was not mere a slogan in India and the very strength of ‘One India-Strong India’ is inherent in this spirit.
In his 36th edition of Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio, Mr Modi said,
“Vividhta mei ekta, sirf nara nahi.
Hamari Apar shakti ka Bhandar hae.
Isko anbhav kijiye”.
हम लोग बहुत स्वाभाविक रूप से कहते हैं – विविधता में एकता, भारत की विशेषता । विविधता का हम गौरव करते हैं लेकिन क्या कभी आपने इस विविधता को अनुभव करने का प्रयास किया है क्या? मैं बार-बार हिंदुस्तान के मेरे देशवासियों से कहना चाहूँगा और ख़ास करके मेरी युवा-पीढ़ी को कहना चाहूँगा कि हम एक जागृत-अवस्था में हैं । इस भारत की विविधताओं का अनुभव करें, उसको स्पर्श करें, उसकी महक को अनुभव करें । आप देखिये, आपके भीतर के व्यक्तित्व के विकास के लिए भी हमारे देश की ये विविधतायें एक बहुत बड़ी पाठशाला का काम करती है
Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat ka Sapna ismey nihit hae (‘Unity in Diversity’ is not a mere slogan in India). Mr Modi said, unity in diversity is India’s specialty and citizens especially the youth should experience it for the development of their personality.
“The element of Unity in diversity being India’s speciality comes naturally to us. We feel proud of diversity but have you ever tried to feel this diversity? I would like to re-iterate to my countrymen, and specially to my young friends that we are alive & aware beings. We should feel India’s diversity, touch it, feel its fragrance” PM underlined.
“You may see for yourself, that for your inner development also, these diversities of our country work as a big teaching tool” he added.
There are vacations, Diwali is drawing near, all around in our country, there is an inclination to travel to some place or the other; people go as tourists and it is very natural. But, it is a matter of concern when we do not see our own country, we do not know about its diversities nor do we understand them.
Impressed by mere superficial glitter we have started enjoying touring foreign countries only. You travel around the world, I have no issues but have a look at your own country too. People of North India may not be knowing what all is there in the South! People of West India may not be knowing what all is there in the East! Our country is full of such myriad diversities.
He said, people generally don’t prefer moving around the country and travel around the world.
Saying that October is a month to remember, the Prime Minister recalled the great men of India – Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel who gave the country a new direction and led the nation. Mr Modi also remembered Lal Bahadur Shastri, Jaiprakash Narayan, Nanaji Deshmukh and Deen Dayal Upadhayay.
He said, Mahatma Gandhi, Jaiprakash Narayan, Deendayal Upadhayay were great personalities who remained far away from corridors of power but lived every moment for the people.
The Prime Minister said, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel on 31st October, Run for Unity will be held. He said, it should be organized in every city and town on a very large scale to promote the mantra of unity.
He said, Mahatma Gandhi, Lokmanya Tilak, Swami Vivekanand and former President APJ Abdul Kalam toured India and got inspired to do and die for the country.
The Prime Minister said, there will be a value addition in tourism only if people travel not only as visitors but also like a student making efforts to assimilate, understand and adapt. He gave his own example of visiting more than 500 districts of the country and said his experience is now coming very handy and proving very useful in shouldering the responsibility as Prime Minister.
Mr Modi urged people not to go out just for a change but to internalize diversities of millions of denizens of India to enrich their lives. He asked people to share their experiences, photographs on MyGov and Narendra Modi App using hashtag #Incredible India. The Prime Minister also urged people to enlist seven best tourist destinations of their states and if possible they must visit the places.