Published By : Admin | February 26, 2019 | 11:14 IST
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PM Modi congratulates all those who have been conferred the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize
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महामहिम राष्ट्रपति जी, उपस्थित सभी वरिष्ठ महानुभव और आज जिनको सम्मान प्राप्त हुआ है, वे सभी समाज को समर्पित महानुभव। मैं सबसे पहले आपसे क्षमा चाहता हूं, क्योंकि कार्यक्रम थोड़ा विलंब से प्रारंभ हुआ, क्योंकि मैं किसी एक और काम में व्यस्त हो गया जिसके कारण मुझे ही आने में देरी हुई मैं इसलिए आप सब से क्षमा चाहता हूं। आज गांधी शांति पुरस्कार के लिए जिन व्यक्ति और संगठनों को सम्मानित किया गया है, एक प्रकार से यह वर्ष महत्वपूर्ण भी हैक्योंकि पूज्य बापू की 150वीं जयंती देश और दुनिया मना रही है और पूज्य बापू जीवनभर जिन बातों को लेकर जिए, जिसको उन्होंने अपने जीवन में उतारा और जिसे समाज जीवन में संस्कारित करने का जिन्होंने अविरत प्रयास किया। ऐसे ही कामों को ले करके, जो संगठन समर्पित है, जो लोग समर्पित है, वे इस सम्मान के लिए पसंद किए जाते हैं। कन्याकुमारी का विवेकानंद केंद्र हो, एकल विद्यालय हो, यह समाज जीवन के आखिरी छोर पर बैठे हुए लोगों को शिक्षा और संस्कार के लिए निरंतर प्रयास करते रहते हैं। समाज के लिए समर्पण भाव से काम करने वाले बहुत बड़ी श्रृंखला इन्होंने निर्माण की है। आज इस सम्मान के अवसर पर मैं उनका बहुत-बहुत अभिनंदन करता हूं।
जब गांधी जी से पूछा गया था तो एक बार उन्होंने कहा था कि स्वराज और स्वच्छता दोनों में से मुझे पहली कोई चीज पसंद करनी है, तो मैं स्वच्छता को पसंद करूंगा और पूज्य बापू का वो सपना पूरा करना हम सबका दायित्व है। देश के किसी भी कौने में जो भी स्वच्छता के लिए, शौचालय के लिए अपने आप को खपा देता है वो हम सबके लिए बहुत सम्मानीय है। और उसी बात को आगे बढ़ाने के लिए सुलभ शौचालय जिस प्रकार से कार्य कर रहा है, उनका भी आज अभिनंदन करने का अवसर मिला है। अक्षय पात्र के माध्यम से देश के बालकों को मध्याह्न भोजन मिले, सरकार की यह सभी राज्यों में चलने वाली गतिविधि है। उसको professionalism एक touch देने का प्रयास अक्षय पात्र ने किया है और मुझे कुछ ही समय पहले वृंदावन में जा करके तीन अरब की थाली परोसने का सौभाग्य मिला था। भारत सरकार भी कुपोषण के खिलाफ एक बहुत बड़ी व्यापक योजना के साथ एक मिशन के रूप में काम कर रही है, क्योंकि भारत का बचपन स्वस्थ हो, तो भारत स्वस्थ रहेगा और इसी भाव को ले करके इन प्रयासों में जन भागीदारी बहुत आवश्यक होती है। सरकार के प्रयासों में जब जन-भागीदारी जुड़ती है। तब उसकी शक्ति बढ़ जाती है।
महात्मा गांधी के जीवन की सफलता में सबसे बड़ी बात जो थी, आजादी के लिए मर-मिटने वाली परंपरा कभी इस देश में बंद नहीं हुई। जितने साल गुलामी रही, उतने साल क्रांतिवीर भी मिलते रहे। यह इस देश की विशेषता है, लेकिन गांधी जी ने आजादी को जन-आन्दोलन बना दिया था। समाज के लिए कोई भी काम करूंगा तो उससे आजादी आएगी, यह भाव पैदा किया था। जन-भागीदारी, जन-आन्दोलन आजादी के काल में, आजादी की लड़ाई के काल में जितना महात्मय था उतना ही समृद्ध-सुखी भारत के लिए उतना ही आवश्यक है। वो भी गांधी का ही दिखाया हुआ रास्ता है कि जन-भागीदारी और जन-आन्दोलन के साथ हम पूज्य बापू के सपनों को पूरा करते हुए गांधी की 150वीं जयंती और 2022 में आजादी के 75 साल उसके लिए हम संकल्प करके आगे बढ़े। पूज्य बापू एक विश्व मानव थे। आजादी के आंदोलन में इतनी व्यस्तता के बावजूद भी वे सप्ताह में एक दिन रक्तपितियों के लिए सेवा में लगाते थे। leprosyके लिए अपने आप को समय देते थे, खुद करते थे। क्योंकि समाज में जो मानसिकता बनी थी, उसको बदलने के लिए। सस्कावा जी करीब चार दशक में इस काम में जुड़े हुए हैं। leprosyके खिलाफ एक जन-जागरण पैदा हुआ है। समाज में अब उसकी स्वीकृति भी बनने लगी है। ऐसे अनेक लोग हैं, जिन्होंने रक्तपित के कारण समाज में जिनको वंचित कर दिया गया, उनकी वेदना को समझा और उनको मुख्य धारा में लाने का प्रयास किया तो इन सभी प्रयासों को सम्मानित करना, पूज्य बापू को एक सच्ची श्रद्धांजलि का प्रयास है। गांधी 150वीं जयंती जब मना रहे हैं तो यह विश्व मानव, यह रूप में दुनिया उनको जाने और खुशी की बात है कि इस बार पूज्य बापू का प्रिय भजन ‘वैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिए’, दुनिया के करीब-करीब 150 देशों के वहां के लोगों ने वहां के कलाकारों ने जो भारत की कोई भाषा नहीं जानते हैं, उन्होंने उसी ढंग से ‘वैष्णव जन तो तेने कहियो’यह भजन गाया और 150 देशों के गायक ‘वैष्णव जन’गाये हैं। यू-ट्यूब पर आप अगर जाएंगे तो इतना बड़ा... यानि भारत की पहचान कैसे बन रही है, कैसे बढ़ रही है, भारत की स्वीकृति कैसे बढ़ रही है और गांधी के आदर्श आज मानव कल्याण के लिए उपकारक कितने हैं। यह विश्व स्वीकार करने लगा है। इसके लिए अब हिन्दुस्तान के हर बच्चे के लिए, हर नागरिक के लिए इससे बड़ा गर्व क्या हो सकता है। फिर एक बार मैं सभी को बहुत-बहुत बधाई देता हूं। बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं देता हूं। पूज्य बापू के चरणों में नमन करते हुए, विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि देते हुए मेरी वाणी को विराम देता हूं। बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद।
Text of PM Modi's address to the Indian Community in Guyana
November 22, 2024
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Your Excellency President Irfan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Philips, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Former President Donald Ramotar, Members of the Guyanese Cabinet, Members of the Indo-Guyanese Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namaskar!
Seetaram !
I am delighted to be with all of you today.First of all, I want to thank President Irfan Ali for joining us.I am deeply touched by the love and affection given to me since my arrival.I thank President Ali for opening the doors of his home to me.
I thank his family for their warmth and kindness. The spirit of hospitality is at the heart of our culture. I could feel that, over the last two days. With President Ali and his grandmother, we also planted a tree. It is part of our initiative, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", that is, "a tree for mother”. It was an emotional moment that I will always remember.
Friends,
I was deeply honoured to receive the ‘Order of Excellence’, the highest national award of Guyana. I thank the people of Guyana for this gesture. This is an honour of 1.4 billion Indians. It is the recognition of the 3 lakh strong Indo-Guyanese community and their contributions to the development of Guyana.
Friends,
I have great memories of visiting your wonderful country over two decades ago. At that time, I held no official position. I came to Guyana as a traveller, full of curiosity. Now, I have returned to this land of many rivers as the Prime Minister of India. A lot of things have changed between then and now. But the love and affection of my Guyanese brothers and sisters remains the same! My experience has reaffirmed - you can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian.
Friends,
Today, I visited the India Arrival Monument. It brings to life, the long and difficult journey of your ancestors nearly two centuries ago. They came from different parts of India. They brought with them different cultures, languages and traditions. Over time, they made this new land their home. Today, these languages, stories and traditions are part of the rich culture of Guyana.
I salute the spirit of the Indo-Guyanese community. You fought for freedom and democracy. You have worked to make Guyana one of the fastest growing economies. From humble beginnings you have risen to the top. Shri Cheddi Jagan used to say: "It matters not what a person is born, but who they choose to be.”He also lived these words. The son of a family of labourers, he went on to become a leader of global stature.
President Irfan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, former President Donald Ramotar, they are all Ambassadors of the Indo Guyanese community. Joseph Ruhomon, one of the earliest Indo-Guyanese intellectuals, Ramcharitar Lalla, one of the first Indo-Guyanese poets, Shana Yardan, the renowned woman poet, Many such Indo-Guyanese made an impact on academics and arts, music and medicine.
Friends,
Our commonalities provide a strong foundation to our friendship. Three things, in particular, connect India and Guyana deeply. Culture, cuisine and cricket! Just a couple of weeks ago, I am sure you all celebrated Diwali. And in a few months, when India celebrates Holi, Guyana will celebrate Phagwa.
This year, the Diwali was special as Ram Lalla returned to Ayodhya after 500 years. People in India remember that the holy water and shilas from Guyana were also sent to build the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Despite being oceans apart, your cultural connection with Mother India is strong.
I could feel this when I visited the Arya Samaj Monument and Saraswati Vidya Niketan School earlier today. Both India and Guyana are proud of our rich and diverse culture. We see diversity as something to be celebrated, not just accommodated. Our countries are showing how cultural diversity is our strength.
Friends,
Wherever people of India go, they take one important thing along with them. The food! The Indo-Guyanese community also has a unique food tradition which has both Indian and Guyanese elements. I am aware that Dhal Puri is popular here! The seven-curry meal that I had at President Ali’s home was delicious. It will remain a fond memory for me.
Friends,
The love for cricket also binds our nations strongly. It is not just a sport. It is a way of life, deeply embedded in our national identity. The Providence National Cricket Stadium in Guyana stands as a symbol of our friendship.
Kanhai, Kalicharan, Chanderpaul are all well-known names in India. Clive Lloyd and his team have been a favourite of many generations. Young players from this region also have a huge fan base in India. Some of these great cricketers are here with us today. Many of our cricket fans enjoyed the T-20 World Cup that you hosted this year.
Your cheers for the ‘Team in Blue’ at their match in Guyana could be heard even back home in India!
Friends,
This morning, I had the honour of addressing the Guyanese Parliament. Coming from the Mother of Democracy, I felt the spiritual connect with one of the most vibrant democracies in the Caribbean region. We have a shared history that binds us together. Common struggle against colonial rule, love for democratic values, And, respect for diversity.
We have a shared future that we want to create. Aspirations for growth and development, Commitment towards economy and ecology, And, belief in a just and inclusive world order.
Friends,
I know the people of Guyana are well-wishers of India. You would be closely watching the progress being made in India. India’s journey over the past decade has been one of scale, speed and sustainability.
In just 10 years, India has grown from the tenth largest economy to the fifth largest. And, soon, we will become the third-largest. Our youth have made us the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world. India is a global hub for e-commerce, AI, fintech, agriculture, technology and more.
We have reached Mars and the Moon. From highways to i-ways, airways to railways, we are building state of art infrastructure. We have a strong service sector. Now, we are also becoming stronger in manufacturing. India has become the second largest mobile manufacturer in the world.
Friends,
India’s growth has not only been inspirational but also inclusive. Our digital public infrastructure is empowering the poor. We opened over 500 million bank accounts for the people. We connected these bank accounts with digital identity and mobiles. Due to this, people receive assistance directly in their bank accounts. Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest free health insurance scheme. It is benefiting over 500 million people.
We have built over 30 million homes for those in need. In just one decade, we have lifted 250 million people out of poverty. Even among the poor, our initiatives have benefited women the most. Millions of women are becoming grassroots entrepreneurs, generating jobs and opportunities.
Friends,
While all this massive growth was happening, we also focused on sustainability. In just a decade, our solar energy capacity grew 30-fold ! Can you imagine ?We have moved towards green mobility, with 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol.
At the international level too, we have played a central role in many initiatives to combat climate change. The International Solar Alliance, The Global Biofuels Alliance, The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Many of these initiatives have a special focus on empowering the Global South.
We have also championed the International Big Cat Alliance. Guyana, with its majestic Jaguars, also stands to benefit from this.
Friends,
Last year, we had hosted President Irfaan Ali as the Chief Guest of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. We also received Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in India. Together, we have worked to strengthen bilateral cooperation in many areas.
Today, we have agreed to widen the scope of our collaboration -from energy to enterprise,Ayurveda to agriculture, infrastructure to innovation, healthcare to human resources, anddata to development. Our partnership also holds significant value for the wider region. The second India-CARICOM summit held yesterday is testament to the same.
As members of the United Nations, we both believe in reformed multilateralism. As developing countries, we understand the power of the Global South. We seek strategic autonomy and support inclusive development. We prioritize sustainable development and climate justice. And, we continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy to address global crises.
Friends,
I always call our diaspora the Rashtradoots. An Ambassador is a Rajdoot, but for me you are all Rashtradoots. They are Ambassadors of Indian culture and values. It is said that no worldly pleasure can compare to the comfort of a mother’s lap.
You, the Indo-Guyanese community, are doubly blessed. You have Guyana as your motherland and Bharat Mata as your ancestral land. Today, when India is a land of opportunities, each one of you can play a bigger role in connecting our two countries.
Friends,
Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz has been launched. I call upon you to participate. Also encourage your friends from Guyana. It will be a good opportunity to understand India, its values, culture and diversity.
Friends,
Next year, from 13 January to 26 February, Maha Kumbh will be held at Prayagraj. I invite you to attend this gathering with families and friends. You can travel to Basti or Gonda, from where many of you came. You can also visit the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. There is another invite.
It is for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas that will be held in Bhubaneshwar in January. If you come, you can also take the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath in Puri. Now with so many events and invitations, I hope to see many of you in India soon. Once again, thank you all for the love and affection you have shown me.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
And special thanks to my friend Ali. Thanks a lot.
