- While he was born in West Bengal, he also lived in Gujarat and Puducherry and left his impressions wherever he went: Modi
- 1893 was an important year in the lives of Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi: PM
- When motivation and action meet, even the seemingly impossible goal is inevitably accomplished: Modi
NE NEWS SERVICE
PUDUCHERRY, DEC 13
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid rich tributes to freedom fighter and philosopher, Sri Aurobindo on his 150th birth anniversary, saying his life symbolised the “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” concept. Virtually addressing the philosopher’s anniversary celebrations held in Kamban Kalai Sangam, Puducherry under the aegis of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Modi also released a commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark the occasion.
I bow to Sri Aurobindo. He was a prominent freedom fighter and a philosopher whose ideals have inspired generations. https://t.co/AiSAhPUYzk
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 13, 2022
Sri Aurobindo’s ideals have inspired generations, he said. While he was born in West Bengal, he also lived in Gujarat and Puducherry and left his impressions wherever he went, the PM said about Sri Aurobindo. “Sri Aurobindo’s life is a reflection of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat,” he added.
During my address spoke on the life and the journey of Aurobindo and his participation in the India’s freedom struggle.
Details: https://t.co/kc23TM8STj pic.twitter.com/ev9nBvxYLG
— G Kishan Reddy (Modi Ka Parivar) (@kishanreddybjp) December 13, 2022
The Prime Minister said that when a number of great events take place simultaneously, often there is ‘Yoga-Shakti’ i.e. a collective and uniting power behind them. The Prime Minister recalled many great personalities who not only contributed to the freedom struggle but also gave fresh life to the soul of the nation. Among them, three personalities, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi had many great events in their lives at the same point in time. These events not only changed the lives of these personalities but also brought far-reaching changes in national life. The Prime Minister explained that in 1893 Sri Aurobindo returned to India and in the same year Swami Vivekananda went to America to deliver his iconic speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions. Gandhi ji went to South Africa in the same year, which marked the beginning of his transformation into Mahatma Gandhi, the Prime Minister added. He noted the similar confluence of events in the present time when the country is celebrating 75 years of Independence and starting its journey of Amrit Kaal as we are witnessing the 150th anniversary of Sri Aurobindo and the 125th Anniversary of Netaji Subhas. “When motivation and action meet, even the seemingly impossible goal is inevitably accomplished. Nation’s successes in the Amrit Kaal today and resolution of ‘Sabka Prayas’ are proof of this ”, he said.
The Prime Minister recalled the opportunity to take part in the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and remarked that the wonderful event is a great example of how India binds the country together through its culture and traditions. Kashi Tamil Sangamam showed that today’s youth is leaving behind the politics that differentiates on the basis of language and dress and is embracing the politics of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Today in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and the Amrit Kaal, we have to expand the spirit of Kashi Tamil Sangamam, he said.
The Prime Minister pointed out that Sri Aurobindo was such a personality whose life had a modern scientific temper, political rebelliousness and a sense of the divine as well. The Prime Minister recalled his ‘no compromise’ slogan during the division of Bengal. His ideological clarity, cultural strength and patriotism made him a role model for the freedom fighters of that time. Shri Modi also dwelled on the sage-like aspects of Shri Aurobindo who used to hold forth on deep philosophical and spiritual issues. He added the element of social service to the Upanishads. The Prime Minister pointed out that we are embracing all views in our journey of developed India without any feeling of inferiority. We are working with the Mantra of ‘India First’ and placing our heritage with pride before the entire world.
The Prime Minister further added that it is the life of Sri Aurobindo that embodies another strength that India possesses which is also one of the five pledges -“Freedom from the mentality of slavery”. He further added despite heavy western influence, when on his return to India, Sri Aurobindo came in contact with the Gita during his time in prison and he emerged as the loudest voice of Indian culture. Shri Modi further recalled that he studied the scriptures and translated texts ranging from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Upanishads to Kalidas, Bhavabhuti and Bharathari. “People witnessed India in Sri Aurobindo’s thoughts, the same Aurobindo who was once kept away from Indianness in his youth. This is the real strength of India and Indianness”, the Prime Minister remarked.
