English rendering of PM’s video message at the Ashwamedha Yagya organised by World Gayatri Pariwar

All devotees of the Gayatri Pariwar, social workers and seekers, ladies and gentlemen,

Any event organized by the Gayatri Pariwar is so deeply rooted with sanctity that participating in it is in itself a matter of great fortune. I am delighted to be a part of the Ashwamedha Yagya organized by the Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya today. When I got the invitation from the Gayatri Pariwar to participate in this Ashwamedha Yagya, I was faced with a dilemma due to lack of time. There was also a dilemma about connecting with this program through video. The problem was that a common man perceives the Ashwamedha Yagya as an extension of power. With elections round the corner, it is natural that Ashwamedha Yagya may be interpreted in a different manner. But then I found that this Ashwamedha Yagya is advancing the spirit of Acharya Shriram Sharma and is redefining Ashwamedha Yagya, so all my dilemmas disappeared.

Today, the Ashwamedha Yagya by the Gayatri Pariwar has become a grand campaign for social resolution. Millions of youth will be saved from the constraints of addiction and vice through this campaign and their boundless energy will contribute to nation-building. The youth are indeed the future of our nation. The development of youth is the development of the nation’s future. It is their responsibility to make Bharat developed during the ‘Amrit Kaal’. I extend heartfelt wishes to the Gayatri Pariwar for this Yagya. I personally know hundreds of members of the Gayatri Pariwar. You are all engaged in empowering society with devotion. The logic of Shriram Sharma ji, his facts, his courage to fight against evils, the purity of his personal life, have been inspiring to everyone. The way you are advancing the resolutions of Acharya Shriram Sharma ji and Mata Bhagwati ji is truly commendable.

Friends,

Addiction is such a habit that if not controlled, it can ruin a person’s entire life. This causes great harm to society and the country. Therefore, our government started the nationwide campaign for a Drug-Free Bharat 3-4 years ago. I have also been raising this issue in my program ‘Mann Ki Baat’. So far, more than 11 crore people have joined this campaign by the Indian government. Bike rallies have been organized, oath programs have been held and street plays have been performed to raise awareness among people. Social organizations and religious institutions have also been involved in this campaign by the government. The Gayatri Pariwar itself is actively participating in this campaign with the government. The effort is to spread the message against addiction to every corner of the country. We have seen that when a fire breaks out in a pile of dry grass, someone throws water on it, someone throws soil on it. A more intelligent person tries to remove the grass that is safe from the fire. In today’s times, this Ashwamedha Yagya of the Gayatri Pariwar is dedicated to this spirit. We need to protect our youth from addiction and also liberate those who are in the grip of addiction.

Friends,

The more we connect our country’s youth with big goals, the more they will avoid small mistakes. Today, the country is working towards the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed Bharat), today the country is working towards the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar’ (self-reliance). You have seen that the G-20 summit was organized with the theme ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ under the leadership of Bharat. Today, the world is ready to work on shared projects like ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid.’ Missions like ‘One World, One Health’ are becoming witnesses to our shared human sentiments and resolutions. The more we involve the youth of the country in such national and global campaigns, the more they will be saved from moving in the wrong direction. Today, the government is promoting sports so much…today the government is promoting science and research so much… You have seen how the success of Chandrayaan has created a new craze for technology among the youth… Every effort, every such campaign, inspires the youth of the country to channel their energy in the right direction. Whether it’s the Fit India Movement or the Khelo India competition… these efforts and campaigns motivate the youth of the country. And a motivated youth cannot turn towards addiction. To harness the full potential of the country’s youth, the government has also created a very big organization under the name ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’. In just three months, nearly 1.5 crore youth have joined this organization. This will ensure the right use of youth power in realizing the dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

Friends,

The role of the family and our family values is very important in liberating the country from this problem of addiction. We cannot see freedom from addiction in fragments. When a family weakens as an institution, when there is a decline in family values, its impact is evident everywhere. When there is a lack of collective emotions in the family… when family members do not meet each other for many days, do not sit together… when they do not share their joys and sorrows… then there are high chances of such risks. If every member of the family remains engrossed in their own mobile phones, then their own world will become very small. Therefore, it is equally important for the family to be strong as an institution for making the country addiction-free.

Friends,

During the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony, I had said that a new journey of a thousand years for Bharat is beginning. Today, we are witnessing the dawn of that new era in the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of independence. I have firm belief that we will definitely succeed in this mega campaign of nation-building through individual development. With this resolve, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Gayatri Pariwar once again.

Thank you all very much!

 

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of the PM’s speech. The original speech was delivered in Hindi.

 

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DS/VJ/VK/AK