[ad_1]
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said today, Sunday, that India stands before the world as an economic, cultural and political power, calling for joint efforts from everyone to realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of making it a developed country by 2047.
Addressing a gathering at an event organized by the All India Malayali Association (AIMA) here, he also paid tribute to Kerala’s contribution to India’s growth story.
An official statement from his office quoted Singh as saying, “India today stands before the world as an economic, cultural and political power, and Kerala has played a huge part in achieving this feat.”
He asserted that thanks to the efforts of the government led by Prime Minister Modi, India is now among the “top five economies” in the world in terms of GDP.
Citing reports from experts and institutions that India will be among the three largest economies in the world by 2027, Singh expressed confidence that when the country celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2047, it will “become the largest economy in the world”.
He called for collaborative efforts from all countries, non-governmental organizations and institutions to realize the prime minister’s dream of making India a developed country by 2047.
The defense secretary also said that today Indian culture is “recognised and accepted all over the world”.
He added that from saluting with folded hands during the COVID-19 pandemic to International Day of Yoga, people’s interest in Indian culture has “increased” all over the world.
India’s respect has increased globally, Singh said, because of its “broad cultural heritage and political unity enshrined in the constitution”.
This cultural heritage and political unity was made possible by two great figures of Kerala – the famous 8th century scholar and philosopher Adi Shankaracharya and a senior bureaucrat who served under Indian iron man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel after independence, he said.
“Adi Shankaracharya ji united India religiously, culturally and spiritually. VP Menon worked with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and integrated the nation politically, to which present and future generations will forever be indebted. While Adi Shankaracharya ji created the soul of India, Vice President Menon played a major role in developing the body of the country” said the union minister.
He also spoke about the cultural diversity of India, defining it as the meeting place of many religions, castes and castes.
“India is an ocean where different cultures meet like rivers. A very important stream flows from this cultural confluence from Kerala. The state has a distinct identity on the cultural map of India. Sanatan culture emerged from Kerala through Adi Shankaracharya ji,” Singh said.
Christianity and Islam also emerged from the state. It is said that one of the twelve principal disciples of Jesus Christ, Saint Thomas, came to India and built seven churches in Kerala. The first mosque, ‘Cheraman Juma’, was built in Thrissur. He was quoted as saying in the statement that this is the reason why it (Kerala) has been given the title “God’s Homeland”.
Singh also highlighted the important role played by Kerala in India’s modern history, especially during the freedom struggle.
From the Non-Cooperation movement to the Quit India movement, K Kalapan, the Gandhi of Kerala, played a crucial role during the struggle for freedom. He was also a social reformer, who fought for the rights of the underprivileged not only in the state, but in the entire country.
“There are many revolutionary freedom fighters from Kerala who have contributed greatly in ensuring freedom of India. Another Akama Cherian was known as Jhansi Rani of Kerala.”
The defense minister also remembered Kerala social reformers Sadananda Swamiji and Padmanabhan Balbo, saying they had dedicated their lives to ensuring equality and women’s rights.
He paid tribute to the glowing intelligence of Narayan Guru who worked towards empowering the lower strata of society by connecting them with education, philosophy, science and technology.
Singh particularly mentioned the active role played by NGOs, especially AIMA, during the floods in Kerala in 2018, describing their work as exceptional.
He praised the contribution of NGOs and civil society organizations to social advancement, describing them as “a bridge between the government and the people.”
He added that these organizations play a key role in providing the government with deeper access to the people to ensure their well-being.
(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
[ad_2]
