On Friday 18th May 2012, Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated 100-bed BAPS Yogiji Maharaj Hospital in Ahmedabad.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Modi stated that he was extremely honored to be a part of such a distinguished programme with Raviji Maharaj. The Chief Minister lauded the distinguished efforts and contribution of seers and saints of India and believed that even if the hospital was not built, their contribution had still been immense after all, seers not only take care of our physical health but also our mental health. This hospital was just one form, he added. Shri Modi recalled the role of Pramukhswami Maharaj Yogiji in the de-addiction of 40- lakh people and expressed hope that this Hospital would work for society with the same spirit. He also added that the seers who worked towards this hospital would be extremely happy with this effort and that Swamiji has a Midas touch, making every penny into a valuable contribution for good of others.
Shri Modi listed a big challenge of the lack of adequate healthcare facilities today. He shared that not only doctors bur even number of nurses were lacking possibly due to an assumption by earlier rulers that no one would fall ill! But now, he was filling the gaps, Shri Modi pointed out and conveyed with confidence that they would successfully overcome this challenge. He also thanked Swamiji for helping the Government for sharing a part of the challenge with them.
On the occasion, Shri Modi said that there are canards and false impressions being spread about our Mutts, Temple and Seers and the same people who point these so called flaws ask people to look at Missionaries for inspiration. But, he confidently stated that not today but from centuries, the work seers have done have no parallel in the world. He cited the example of Kathiawar, where there is no place where in a 20 km radius one could not find a Seer or religious Centre where ‘rotla’ wont be served to passers by. The Chief Minister also gave the example of Badrinath and Kedarnath where it was seers who would help pilgrims if facilities were not adequate.
Shri Modi spoke about how India is a nation that has always believed in the ‘Daridra Nayaran’ philosophy and that we have always been a ‘Sevadhram Desh’. He added that when he saw this hospital, he felt immense pride and could show the world what our seers and sages have been doing. For seeking inspiration to serve society, we don’t need to look anywhere else but must learn from our seers only!
He lauded Swamiji for integrating the latest technology in the hospital and expressed happiness that he was moving with the times yet along with keeping the cultural core intact. The Chief Minister also talked about the Guru Bhakti and how if there were no Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Paramhansa would be incomplete. Similarly without Sardar Patel, Gandhiji would be incomplete and without Pramukh Swamiji, Yogiji Maharaj would be incomplete. Shri Modi further pointed that the Swamiji has imbibed the essence of Ayurveda and passed on the knowledge to his disciples, which could be seen in this hospital where the lower floor was kept for Ayurveda related treatment.
With overall life expectancy rate rising to almost 80 years as compared to 55- 60 in the earlier days, old age health problems would rise due to which more health facilities would be required. But Shri Modi expressed serious doubts as to whether the Central Government would tackle these problems and how they would do so but expressed with assured the people that Gujarat Government is making determined efforts in towards enhancing medical facilities. Shri Modi recalled the earlier days when there were few medical colleges but Governments spoke of giving one doctor to every village! Now, there are not only more medical colleges but also more medical seats, rising from 500 a decade ago to 6000! Every district has a nursing College, Institute for para-medical staff and all these institutes have all the latest technology and training facilities, said Shri Modi.
He concluded by seeking the blessings of the seers present and thanked Pujya Pramukh Swamiji for his efforts.
