“The statue
of Sardar Patel will not only strengthen our cultural values but will also
become a symbol of the relationship between the two countries”. “India is not
only a nation but also an idea and a culture”. “India does not dream of its own
upliftment at the cost of detriment of others”. File Photo
My remarks at a programme being organised by Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre in Canada. https://t.co/KcJiIfgW46
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2022
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre (SMCC), Markham, Ontario, Canada on the occasion of inauguration of Sardar Patel’s Statue there via a video message.
At the outset, the Prime Minister conveyed his
greetings on Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and Gujarat Day. He noted that he has felt
the positive impact of Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre during his visits to
Canada. He remembered the affection and love of Indian origin people during his
2015 visit, in particular. “This statue of Sardar Patel in Sanatan Mandir will
not only strengthen our cultural values but will also become a symbol of the
relationship between the two countries”, the Prime Minister said.
Elaborating on the depth of Indian ethos and
values in the diaspora, the Prime Minister said that Indians might live
anywhere in the world for any number of generations but their Indianness and
loyalty towards India never diminishes. Indians, the Prime Minister said, work
with full dedication and integrity for the county of their domicile and carry
their democratic values and sense of duty with them. This is because “India is
not only a nation but also an idea, it is also a culture. India is that higher
level thought- which talks of 'VasudhaivKutumbakam'. India does not dream of
its own upliftment at the cost of the detriment of others.”
The Prime Minister said that the Sanatan Mandir
in Canada or any other country enriches the values of that country also. When
Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is celebrated in Canada, that is a celebration of
shared democratic values. “I believe, this celebration of the Amrit Mahotsav of
India's independence will give an opportunity to the people of Canada to
understand India more closely”, he added.
Calling the location and statue of Sardar Patel
there a broad picture of New India, the Prime Minister said that the freedom
fighters dreamt of an India that would be modern and progressive and, also,
deeply connected with its thinking, philosophy and its roots. That is why, said
the Prime Minister, in newly Independent India, Sardar Patel restored the
Somnath temple to commemorate the legacy of thousands of years. “Today, during
the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, we are rededicating ourselves to the pledge of
creating a New India of Sardar Patel’s dream and ‘Statue of Unity’ is a major
inspiration in that”, the Prime Minister emphasized. Replica of ‘Statue of
Unity’ in Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre means that India’s Amrit pledges are
not confined to boundaries of India. This pledge is spreading globally
connecting the world, he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated global dimension
of the Amrit pledges and said when we talk of Aatmnirbhar Bharat, we talk of
opening new possibilities of progress of the world. Similarly, in Yoga’s
propagation, a feeling of everyone being disease-free is inherent. In issues
like sustainable development and climate change, India is representing entire
humanity. “Our hard work is not just for us. Welfare of entire humanity is
linked with India’s progress”, The Prime Minister emphasized and concluded by
calling for an enhanced role of Indian diaspora in taking this message forward.