The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the event at Ramakrishna Math in Gujarat via video conferencing today. Addressing the gathering, Shri Modi extended his greetings to the revered Shrimat Swami Gautamananda Ji Maharaj, revered saints of Ramakrishna Math and Mission from India and abroad, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries. Shri Modi paid his respects to Goddess Sharada, Gurudev Ramakrishna Paramhans and Swami Vivekananda. He added that today's program was organized on the birth anniversary of Shrimat Swami Premananda Maharaj and paid respects to him.

“The energy of great personalities continues in building and creating positive work in the world for centuries”, remarked the Prime Minister. He added that on the birth anniversary of Swami Premanand Maharaj, the construction of the newly built prayer hall and a Sadhu Nivas in Lekhamba would nourish the saint tradition of India. Shri Modi remarked that a journey of service and education was starting, which would benefit many generations to come. He added that the noble works like Shri Ramakrishna Dev temple, hostel for poor students, vocational training center, hospital and traveler's residence would serve as a medium for spreading spirituality and serving humanity. Expressing that he cherished the company of saints and a spiritual environment, the Prime Minister congratulated and extended his best wishes.

Reminiscing the memories associated with Sanand, Shri Modi remarked that the region was now witnessing the much needed economic development after years of neglect. He remarked that the blessings of the saints and the Government’s efforts and policies had led to this development. Noting the changes in needs of the society with time, Shri Modi expressed his wish that Sanand should become a center of spiritual development along with economic development. He added that for a balanced life, spirituality along with money was equally important. Shri Modi was pleased that under the guidance of our saints and sages, Sanand and Gujarat were moving ahead in this direction.

Remarking that the the potential of a fruit from a tree is identified by its seed, the Prime Minister said Ramakrishna Math was such a tree, whose seed contains the infinite energy of a great ascetic like Swami Vivekananda. He added that this was the reason behind its continuous expansion and the impact it has on humanity was infinite and limitless. The Prime Minister underlined that to understand the idea that lies at the core of Ramakrishna Math, one needs to understand Swami Vivekananda and live his ideas. He added that he experienced the guiding light himself when learnt to live those ideas. He further added that the saints of math were aware of how Ramakrishna Mission and its saints along with the thoughts of Swami Vivekananda had given direction to his life. Shri Modi underlined that with the blessings of the saints, he had also been instrumental in many works related to the Mission. Recollecting the memories of handing over Dilaram Bungalow of Vadodara to Ramakrishna Mission, under Pujya Swami Atmasthanand ji Maharaj’s leadership, in 2005, Shri Modi said that Swami Vivekananda had also spent his time there.

Acknowledging the privilege of being a part of the programs and events of the Mission over time, Shri Modi noted that today, the Ramakrishna Mission has more than 280 branches across the world and about 1200 ashram centers associated with the Ramakrishna philosophy in India. He added that these ashrams were working as the foundation of the resolve to serve humanity and Gujarat had been a witness to the service works of the Ramakrishna Mission since a long time. He recounted events when people associated with the Ramakrishna Mission have come forward and held the hands of the victims like floods in Surat decades ago, after the dam accident in Morbi, after the devastation caused by the earthquake in Bhuj and whenever disaster has struck Gujarat. The Prime Minister recollected the significant contribution by Ramakrishna Mission in rebuilding more than 80 schools destroyed during the earthquake and added that the people of Gujarat still remember the service and also draw inspiration from it.

Noting Swami Vivekanda’s spiritual relationship with Gujarat, the Prime Minister said that Gujarat played a major role in his life journey. He added that Swami Vivekananda had visited many places in Gujarat and it was in Gujarat that Swami ji first came to know about the Chicago World Religion Conference. He further added that it was in Gujarat that he studied many scriptures in depth and prepared himself for the propagation of Vedanta. Shri Modi remarked that during 1891, Swami ji stayed for several months in Bhojeshwar Bhavan in Porbandar and the then Gujarat government had given this building to the Ramakrishna Mission to build a memorial temple. Shri Modi also recounted that the Gujarat government celebrated Swami Vivekanand's 150th birth anniversary from 2012 to 2014 and the closing ceremony was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar which witnessed participation of thousands of disciples from India and abroad. Shri Modi expressed satisfaction that the Gujarat government was now preparing a blueprint for the construction of Swami Vivekanand Tourist Circuit, in memory of Swami ji's relationship with Gujarat.

Highlighting that Swami Vivekananda was a great supporter of modern science, the Prime Minister said Swami Vivekanada believed that the importance of science was not limited to the description of things or events, but the importance of science was in inspiring and taking us forward. Emphasizing India’s growing dominance in the field of modern technology today, Shri modi remarked that India’s identity was being recognized by many achievements like world's third largest startup ecosystem, steps towards becoming the world's third largest economy, modern construction in the field of infrastructure and providing solutions to global challenges being given by India. He added that today's India was moving forward based on its knowledge, tradition and centuries-old teachings. “Swami Vivekananda believed that youth power is the backbone of the nation”, said Shri Modi. Reciting a quote by Swami Vivekananda about the power of the youth, the Prime Minister said that now was the time and we must take up that responsibility. He added that India had started a new journey of Amrit Kaal today and had taken an infallible resolution of developed India. Stressing that we need to achieve the goal within a stipulated time frame, Shri Modi highlighted “India is the youngest nation in the world”. He added that today the youth of India had proved its capability and capacity in the world and it was the youth power of India that was leading the world's biggest companies and had taken charge of India's development. Underscoring that today the country has time as well as the opportunity, Shri Modi stressed the need to prepare the youth for leadership in every field of nation building. He added that there was a need for our youth to lead the country in politics just like technology and other fields. In this direction, the Prime Minister announced that on 12 January 2025, on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, celebrated as Youth Day, the Government was organising the Young Leaders Dialogue in Delhi. He added that two thousand selected youth from the country would be invited while crores of youth will join from across India. He further added that the resolution of a developed India from the perspective of the youth would be discussed and a roadmap to connect the youth with politics would be prepared. Shri Modi highlighted the Government’s resolution to bring 1 lakh talented and energetic youth into politics in the coming times. He added that these youth would become the new face of 21st century Indian politics and the future of the country.

Stressing on Spirituality and sustainable development, the two important ideas to be remembered to make the earth better, the Prime Minister remarked that by harmonizing these two ideas, we could build a better future. He added that Swami Vivekananda used to emphasize on the practical side of spirituality and  wanted such spirituality which  could fulfill the needs of the society. He further added that along with purity of thoughts, Swami Vivekananda also used to emphasize on keeping the surroundings clean. Shri Modi emphasised that the goal of sustainable development can be achieved by maintaining a balance between economic development, social welfare and environmental protection. He stressed that Swami Vivekananda's thoughts would guide us in reaching this goal. Acknowledging that balance is important in both spirituality and sustainability, Shri Modi said that one creates balance within the mind, while the other teaches us to maintain balance with nature. Shri Modi expressed belief that institutions like Ramakrishna Mission can play an important role in accelerating our campaigns like Mission Life, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam which can be further expanded with their support.

“Swami Vivekananda wanted to see India as a strong and self-reliant country”, said Shri Modi and added that the country has now moved forward in the direction of realizing his dream. Concluding his speech, he stressed that this dream should be fulfilled as soon as possible and a strong and capable India should once again give direction to humanity. He added that for this, every citizen of the country would have to imbibe the thoughts of Gurudev Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Swami Vivekananda. 

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MJPS/SR