Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for the empowerment of the youth and the preservation of India’s cultural heritage, while urging spiritual and cultural organisations to contribute to India’s ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
He urged spiritual organisations to work towards national development and social unity, saying India must address emerging challenges and build public awareness around the goal of a developed nation. Recalling his association with the mission’s founder, Swami Chinmayananda, the prime minister described an emotional experience at the event, where technology recreated his interaction with his spiritual mentor. Modi said the mission’s centenary and India’s 100 years of independence should advance together.
“It felt as if I had gone back 33 years in time,” Modi said, recalling his guru’s affection and blessings.
The prime minister credited the mission’s educational institutions and cultural activities with introducing Indian values to younger generations. He said he met Chinmayananda in Chicago in February-March 1993 to invite him to the centenary celebrations of the World Parliament of Religions. The spiritual leader accepted the invitation and promoted the event in the US, but died in San Diego on August 3, weeks before the gathering in Chicago on September 11. He also highlighted an initiative in which young people travelled nearly 40,000 km over about 300 days, reaching more than 100,000 people, and congratulated those involved. More than 100 institutions run by the mission, he said, were combining modern education with Indian values. The prime minister said India had recovered more than 650 stolen ancient artefacts over the past 12 years, describing the recovery as part of efforts to restore the country’s cultural heritage.
Recalling their last meeting, Modi said youth empowerment and building a strong India were central to Chinmayananda’s vision.
