Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with Seva Yatris travelling from Varanasi to Vadnagar and highlighted the importance of social service, social reform and positive change.
PM Modi said the journey reflected the spirit of service, patriotism, values and resolve to contribute towards building a developed India.
Recalling the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi, the Prime Minister said Gandhi not only fought against British rule and led the freedom movement but was also a great social reformer who worked against social evils.
“Therefore, we too must continue working for constant social reform and positive change, rather than merely engaging in vote-bank politics. Those who serve society should be respected for their service,” PM Modi said.
Referring to sanitation workers in Prayagraj, he said their efforts had helped make the Kumbh renowned across the world for cleanliness and had enhanced India’s prestige. He recalled washing the feet of sanitation workers as a mark of respect and said their contribution had brought honour to the country.
The Prime Minister also said that over the past 12 years, the gap between India’s cities and villages had narrowed considerably. Infrastructure in rural areas has improved, he said, while women and girls have become increasingly self-reliant.
PM Modi said he had interacted with groups of Seva Yatris who had set out from Vadnagar and had also spoken with those travelling from Kashi to his village. The pilgrims are taking the blessings of Baba Vishwanath and the Ganga before travelling to Vadnagar for the darshan of the ancient Hatkeshwar Mahadev, while also undertaking various service activities along the route.
“Vadnagar gave me the values that shaped my life, while Kashi has added countless dimensions of service to those values,” he said.
The Prime Minister said he was pleased that young participants were enriching the journey with different forms of service. He described the colours of the journey as those of patriotism, service, values and resolve.
He said the Seva Sankalp Yatra reflected the determination to build a developed India.
PM Modi recalls Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s contribution
The Prime Minister also recalled Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya on his birth anniversary and referred to his message of keep moving forward.
PM Modi described Deendayal Upadhyaya as an “ever-moving traveller” and said that continuing to move forward as a Seva Yatri is an important goal, with his life providing significant inspiration.
He said Deendayal Upadhyaya was among the prominent figures in Indian politics who presented an indigenous vision of India rather than viewing the country through a foreign lens.
PM Modi said Deendayal Upadhyaya gave a new shape to the values of service through his philosophy of Integral Humanism, which continues to inspire BJP workers and governments.
The Prime Minister also recalled seven principles associated with fulfilling one’s responsibilities towards society: service, balance, restraint, coordination, positivity, sensitivity and dialogue.
Service journeys shaped PM Modi’s life
PM Modi said service journeys had played an important role in his own life and that he had had the opportunity to visit almost every district of the country.
“There are countless districts where I have had the opportunity to spend the night,” he said, adding that every journey and every experience gathered along the way continued to guide him like a teacher.
“These journeys have taught me a great deal,” he said.
The Prime Minister said India was also embarking on a new journey towards a major national goal.
“We have to build a developed India, we must live every moment with the dream of a developed India and work to make it a reality. We have to build a self-reliant India,” PM Modi said.
He added that challenges would arise, but the country had set out with the spirit of taking on those challenges.
