Dear Friends,

Today, we celebrate our 65th Republic Day. 64 years ago, on this very day; we formally became a Republic and adopted our Constitution. Today is a day of national strength and self confidence.

Republic Day fills each and every one of us with strong emotions. It brings to mind powerful images of India’s military, parading to the world its full might and grandeur. It makes us salute once again the selfless patriotism of our women and men in uniform. It inspires us with the moving accounts of the bravery and gallantry award winners.

Today is also a day to look back and cherish our glorious past! Remember the sacrifices of the great women and men of the freedom struggle. Remember the members of the Constituent Assembly, who gave us in our Constitution a rooting force we can be very proud of. Today we renew our faith and commitment in this sacred text that has made India what it is. We pay our tributes to the venerable Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, whose anchoring role can never be forgotten.

Importantly, today is also a day for introspection. What does the Republic of India stand for? What does it mean to us? What direction has it been headed in over the last seven decades? And what does it need to do in the coming years?

One phrase that has been gaining significant traction of-late is the ‘Idea of India’. Public and academic discourse around this has been hijacked by a select few, becoming a powerful tool in furthering their hegemony over the same. Many have asked me in lengthy op-eds, on social media and so on that “Modi ji everything else is alright but what is your Idea of India”? Others have not been so kind, preferring to debate my party’s very suitability with this ‘Idea of India’ itself.

However, one must understand that no single person or entity can appropriate the ‘Idea of India’. BJP’s National Council Meet last week gave me the opportunity to share some glimpses into what my ‘Idea of India’ was as well.

First and foremost, my understanding of the ‘Idea of India’ fundamentally rejects such a hegemonic conceptualization of an ‘Idea of India’. The Rig Veda teaches us: ‘आ नो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः’. That is ‘let noble thoughts flow from all sides’! This is not just a mantra, but a central tenet of our Constitution as well. Ours is a path of tolerance. Of the celebration of diversity. Where every Indian not just envisions, but works towards building the India of his or her dreams. My ‘Idea of India’ calls not just for tolerance, but a celebration of all points of view. Where the sensibilities of every individual are respected.

Truth, Peace and Non-violence form the central tenets of the ‘Idea of India’! Our scriptures teach ‘सत्यमेव जयते’, that Truth alone triumphs. I am committed to such an India where the wheels of justice move quickly and equally for every Indian irrespective of his class, caste or creed. An India where injustice has no legal nor moral validity.

Non-violence is another such principle that has blessed our nation from time immemorial. We are the land of Gautama Buddha, Mahavira and Mahatma Gandhi. ‘अहिंसा परमो धर्मः’ - that non-violence is the highest dharma - is ingrained in our scriptures. Violence, in any manner or form, thus has no space whatsoever in the ‘Idea of India’.

The ‘Idea of India’ in fact does not let this ethos of brotherhood and friendship be limited by India’s boundaries as well, espousing the principle of ‘वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्’ – or the whole world being one single family. The 21st century once again beckons India to its role of being the guiding light to the world. The ‘Idea of India’ demands the actualization of Swami Vivekananda’s dream of ‘जगद गुरु भारत’. Of a confident and sure India, engaging with the global community on its own terms and principles.

The ‘Idea of India’ is an India of opportunity and aspiration. An India where: ‘सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः, सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः’ - all are prosperous and happy, all are free from illness. Unfortunately however, poverty and despondency has been perpetuated for decades to enrich the ballot boxes of a selected few. The dreams and aspirations of our peoples have been brow-beaten into submissive helplessness. The incredulous story of India being a poor nation has been woven to suit this purpose.

But this bluff must be called! India is not a poor nation. It has been made poor. India is blessed with incredible natural resources as well as unimaginable human resources. Why else was every colonial power drawn to India centuries ago, then for her unimaginable wealth! All that is needed to release this trapped vibrancy is a change in approach. We need to harness dreams, rather than dependency. We Indians have a very strong sense of honour and dignity. We are a self made people. All we ask for is fair and equal opportunity. The ‘Idea of India’ thus requires every single Indian to be empowered with the opportunity to break free from the chains of poverty and build his own success story of progress and prosperity.

Now is the time to give our people wings to fly. Empower them with the ability to dream; as well as the capability to actualize the same. Our youth are brimming with energy, ready to shape not just India but the World at large. It is our responsibility to enable the same by providing them with the necessary skills and opportunities. We must harness their talent through a focus on quality education, entrepreneurship, innovation, research and technology.

Whenever knowledge has been in primacy, India has shown the way to the World. As the 21st century evolves into an era of knowledge and information, the World once again beckons India. It is not the might of missiles but the sharpness of the human mind that will determine the coming century. Education thus is at the core of my ‘Idea of India’, charting the way from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge – ‘तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय’. I envision an India where the lamp of knowledge shines in every household. I envision an India where each child has access to a holistic education that builds character and personality.

A society’s development is incomplete without the empowerment of women. This dream of women empowerment cannot be achieved until we as a society are able to guarantee their safety and dignity. Few things are as shameful as committing a crime against women. If we see our beloved nation as our Mother India – ‘माँ भारती’, if the divine Goddess has been worshipped by our ancestors for centuries; why do we tolerate crime against women? Let us raise our voices and unite against these forces who cannot respect our ‘मातृ शक्ति’. Women have been considered as homemakers. Now however, we must see them as nation builders, fundamentally defining our future.

The development of India will not be possible with a weak Federation. The makers of our Constitution envisioned a strong federal structure where the States and the Centre are equal partners in the development journey. No one is big and no one is small.

We need to change the mindset where states have to survive at the mercy of Delhi. The money in our nation's’ coffers belongs to the people of India!

We dream of an India where development is the result of all Chief Ministers, the Prime Minister, state Ministers, Union Ministers working together with even Local Body Authorities as one team, a strong and united ‘Team India.’

Friends, we are a truly blessed people. Blessed with unimaginable wealth, both natural and human. Blessed with an illustrious heritage built by our ancestors over millennia. Ours is the sole culture that has stood the test of time. Civilisations came and civilisations went. Societies appeared and societies disappeared. But we stand tall, having overcome every challenge only to emerge stronger after each.

Yes, there have been setbacks. Yes, we are confronted by some very serious challenges. Yes, there is a lot that remains to be done. However the ‘Idea of India’ stands unblemished. I have always believed in the intrinsic strength and potential of India. I urge you to do the same.

Let us have faith in our nation and our people. Let us walk the path shown by our great leaders, as a fitting tribute to their selfless sacrifice. Let us devote ourselves to the cause of nation building with the mantra of ‘India First’! Let us together build a nation that once again redefines the story of mankind!

Forever yours in this journey of development,

Narendra Modi

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December 25, 2024

Today, 25th December is a very special day for all of us. Our nation marks the 100th Jayanti of our beloved former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. He stands tall as a statesman who continues to inspire countless people.

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Our nation will always be grateful to Atal Ji for being the architect of India’s transition into the 21st century. When he took oath as PM in 1998 our nation had passed through a period of political instability. In about 9 years we had seen 4 Lok Sabha elections. The people of India were getting impatient and also sceptical about governments being able to deliver. It was Atal Ji who turned this tide by providing stable and effective governance. Coming from humble roots, he realised the struggles of the common citizen and the transformative power of effective governance.

One can see the long-term impact of Atal Ji’s leadership in so many sectors around us. His era marked a gigantic leap in the world of Information Technology, telecom and communications. This was particularly important for a nation like ours, which is also blessed with a very dynamic Yuva Shakti. The NDA Government under Atal Ji made the first serious attempt to make technology accessible to the common citizens. At the same time, there was foresight in connecting India. Even today, most people recall the Golden Quadrilateral Project, which connected the length and breadth of India. Equally notable were the Vajpayee Government’s efforts to enhance local connectivity as well through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Similarly, his Government gave a push to metro connectivity by doing extensive work for the Delhi Metro, which stands out as a world-class infrastructure project. Thus, the Vajpayee Government not only boosted economic growth but also brought distant regions closer, fostering unity and integration.

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When it comes to the social sector, an initiative like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan highlights how Atal Ji dreamt of building an India where modern education is accessible to people across the nation, particularly for the poor and marginalised sections. At the same time, his government presided over many economic reforms which set the stage for India’s economic surge after several decades of following an economic philosophy which encouraged cronyism and stagnation.

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A wonderful example of Vajpayee Ji’s leadership can be seen in the summer of 1998. His Government had just assumed office and on 11th May, India conducted the Pokhran tests, known as Operation Shakti. These tests exemplified the prowess of India’s scientific community. The world was stunned that India had done the tests and expressed their anger in no uncertain terms. Any ordinary leader would have buckled, but Atal Ji was made differently. And what happened? India stood firm and resolute with the government calling for another set of tests two days later, on 13th May! If the tests of the 11th showed scientific skill, the ones on 13th showed true leadership. It was a message to the world that gone were the days when India would buckle under threats or pressure. Despite facing international sanctions, the then NDA government of Vajpayee Ji stood firm, articulating India’s right to safeguard its sovereignty while simultaneously being the strongest proponent of world peace.

Atal Ji understood Indian democracy and also the need to make it stronger. Atal Ji presided over the creation of the NDA, which redefined coalitions in Indian politics. He brought people together and made NDA a force for development, national progress and regional ambitions. His Parliamentary brilliance was seen throughout his political journey. He belonged to a party with a handful of MPs but his words were enough to rattle the might of the all-powerful Congress Party that time. As Prime Minister, he blunted the criticisms of the Opposition with style and substance. His was a career spent largely in the Opposition benches but never carried any trace of bitterness against anyone, even though the Congress stooped to new lows by going to the extent of calling him a traitor!

He was also not one to cling on to power through opportunistic means. He preferred to resign in 1996 instead of following the path of horse-trading and dirty politics. In 1999, his Government was defeated by 1 vote. A lot of people told him to challenge the immoral politics happening then but he preferred to go by the rules. Eventually, he came back with another resounding mandate from the people.

When it comes to commitment to protecting our Constitution too, Atal Ji stands tall. He was deeply impacted by the martyrdom of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Years later, he was a pillar of the anti-Emergency movement. In the run-up to the 1977 elections after the Emergency, he agreed to merger of his own Party (Jan Sangh) into the Janata Party. I am sure it would have been a painful decision but for him, and the others, but safeguarding the Constitution was all that mattered.

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It is also noteworthy how deeply rooted Atal Ji was in Indian culture. Upon becoming India’s External Affairs Minister, he became the first Indian leader to speak in Hindi at the United Nations. This one gesture showcased his immense pride in India's heritage and identity, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.

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Atal Ji’s persona was magnetic and his life was enriched by his love for literature and expression. A prolific writer and poet, he used words to inspire, provoke thought, and even offer solace. His poetry, often reflective of his inner struggles and hopes for the nation, continues to resonate with people across age groups.

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For so many Bharatiya Janata Party Karyakartas like me, it is our privilege that we were able to learn and interact with a person like Atal Ji. His contribution to the BJP was foundational. In those days to spearhead an alternative narrative to the dominant Congress showed his greatness. Alongside stalwarts like Shri L.K. Advani Ji and Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi Ji he nurtured the party from its formative years, guiding it through challenges, setbacks and triumphs. Whenever the choice came between ideology and power, he always chose the former. He was able to convince the nation that an alternative world view from the Congress was possible and such a world view could deliver.

On his 100th Jayanti, let us rededicate ourselves to realising his ideals and fulfilling his vision for India. Let us strive to build an India that embodies his principles of good governance, unity, and progress. Atal Ji's unwavering belief in the potential of our nation continues to inspire us to aim higher and work harder.