Ahmedabad, Saturday: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today exhorted historians to rediscover afresh contribution of poet-saints as social and spiritual reformers in the backdrop of India’s freedom struggle over 200 years ago – a lesser known aspect of India’s glorious past.
Mr. Modi who reached Bhojaldham Tirth to attend the 228th birth anniversary of Sant Kavi Bhoja Bhagat at Fatehpur in Amreli district, called for throwing fresh light on the role of poet-saints during the India’s Bhakti Yuga movement spreads over several centuries. The historians could dig into treasure hidden in the pages of the past and discover the role of such poet-saints to take Indians out of 1200 years of slavery. He said that India is equally indebted to the wisdom of great souls who showed path to India through the ages.
Mr. Modi described Bhojalram Bapa as a social reformer whose every word not only showed the righteous path to mankind but also simpler ways to come out of difficult situations. He said that Bhojalram’s words have significance in the modern context of greed and arrogance that led to economic crisis facing man.He said that it happened to be birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha and Gujarat’s ‘Bhakta Kavi’ Narsinh Mehta today.
The Chief Minister released a CD on the life of Bhojalram as a Ph.D. student Sonalben presented a book to him. A temple attached with guest house, dispensary and cattle shed to commemorate the Bapu is being constructed at a cost of Rs.11-crore.
Member of Parliament Purshottam Rupala was himself uneducated but his words were like pearls of wisdom. He has also produced great souls like Jalaram Bapa, another seer of Gujarat.
Others who were present at the function included Goseva Ayog Chairman Vallabh Kathiria, MP Naranbhai Kachhdia, MLAs V.V. Vaghasia and Nalinbhai Kotadia, ex-Minister Dilip Sanghani, prominent citizens, sants and mahants