Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development projects worth Rs 4,155 crore at a function held in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district today.
The projects include laying the foundation stones of Sant Shiromani Gurudev Shri Ravidas ji Memorial to be constructed at a cost of more than Rs 100 crores and two road projects to be developed with an investment of Rs 1580 crores. He also inaugurated the doubling of the Kota-Bina railway route carried out at a cost of over Rs 2475 crores which will boost economic growth in the region.
Addressing a massive gathering at the event, the Prime Minister said the foundation stone of Sant Shiromani Gurudev Shri Ravidas ji Memorial has been laid today to further the shared prosperity of the nation. The Prime Minister recalled taking part in the ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ of the divine memorial earlier today and expressed confidence that he will come to inaugurate the temple on its completion in a few years.
The Prime Minister said Sant Shiromani Gurudev Shri Ravidas ji Memorial will have grandeur as well as divinity which will flow from his teachings. He informed that the memorial is steeped in the spirit of ‘Samrasta’ as the soil of more than 20000 villages and 300 rivers have been used in it. Families from Madhya Pradesh have sent grain for ‘Samrast Bhoj’ and five Yatras also concluded today at Sagar. “These yatras mark a new era of social harmony”, the Prime Minister added.
PM Modi said when inspiration and progress (Prerna aur Pragati) come together a new era is heralded. He said the two road projects and the doubling of Kota-Bina rail route will provide better facilities to the people of Sagar and nearby areas.
The Prime Minister observed that the foundation stone of Saint Ravidas Ji Memorial and Museum is taking place at a time when the nation has completed 75 years of independence and the next 25 years of Amrit Kaal lie ahead of us. He emphasized taking forward the heritage of the land while also taking lessons from our past.
Noting that the nation has completed a journey of a thousand years, the Prime Minister said that the emergence of evils in society is a natural occurrence. He underlined that it is the strength of Indian society that a saint or a Mahatama like Ravidas ji emerges time and again to ward off such evils. He informed that Saint Ravidas ji was born in an era when the Mughals ruled over the land and society was struggling with imbalance, oppression and tyranny. He mentioned that in such a time, it was Saint Ravidas ji who was creating awareness and preaching ways to ward off evils of society.
Highlighting the bravery and patriotism of Sant Ravidas ji during the Mughal rule, the Prime Minister quoted him saying “dependence is the biggest sin and that those who accept it and do not take a stand against it are not loved by anybody”. The Prime Minister emphasized that Sant Ravidas ji provided strength to society to fight oppression, and Chatrapati Shivaji used it as an inspiration to lay the foundations of Hindavi Swarajya.
“It was this feeling which found its way into the hearts of lakhs of freedom fighters during India’s struggle for independence. Today, the nation is moving forward with the same spirit of liberation and rejecting the mentality of slavery”, the Prime Minister explained.
Quoting Sant Ravidas on social equality and availability of amenities for all, the Prime Minister said that in the Amrit Kaal, we are trying to eradicate poverty and hunger from the country. He recalled his determination to provide food to the poor and deprived sections during the pandemic.
“I know the pain of hunger and self-respect of the poor. I am a member of your family and I don’t need to look into the books to understand your pain”, PM Modi said. Free ration was ensured for more than 80 crore people under Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, a feat that is being appreciated worldwide, he added.
Talking about the Garib Kalyan Schemes being run in the country, the Prime Minister said that unlike earlier, the nation is standing with the Dalits, poor, tribals and women at every stage of life.
Highlighting the benefits of the Ayushman health insurance card, the Prime Minister said “People say that they have got Modi Card. For treatment needs of up to Rs 5 lakh, your son (the Prime Minister) is there,” he remarked.
Emphasizing the importance of education in life, the Prime Minister mentioned the government setting up 700 Eklavya Schools in the tribal areas with books and scholarships and a robust mid-day meal system. He also listed measures like the Sukanya Samridhi Yojana for girls, scholarships for SC, ST and OBC students, loans to large numbers of SC, ST community members under the MUDRA loans. He also talked about cumulative financial help of 8 thousand crores to SC, ST youth under Standup India and the inclusion of 90 forest products under MSP along with Pradhan Mantri Awas with electricity, water and gas connections. “The people of SC-ST society are standing on their feet today. They are getting the right place in the society with equality”, he added.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is giving due respect and providing new opportunities for Dalits, the deprived, backwards and tribals of the country. “Neither the people of this society are weak, nor their history”, the Prime Minister remarked. He highlighted that great personalities have emerged from these sections of society one after the other who have played an extraordinary role in nation building. That’s why, the Prime Minister said, the country is proudly preserving their legacy.
He gave examples of the beautification of the temple at the birthplace of Sant Ravidas ji in Banaras, the Global Skill Park being built here at Govindpura in Bhopal named after Saint Ravidas, developing important places related to the life of Baba Saheb as Panch-Teerth and the development of museums in many states to immortalize the glorious history of the tribal society.
