Sardar Patel restored the Somnath temple to commemorate the legacy of thousands of years: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, addressed the Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre (SMCC), Markham, Ontario, Canada, on the occasion of the inauguration of Sardar Patel’s Statue via a video message.

At the outset, the Prime Minister conveyed his greetings on Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and Gujarat Day. He noted that he felt the positive impact of the Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre during his visits to Canada. He remembered the affection and love of Indian origin people during his 2015 visit, in particular. “This statue of Sardar Patel in Sanatan Mandir will not only strengthen our cultural values but will also become a symbol of the relationship between the two countries”, the Prime Minister said.

Elaborating on the depth of Indian ethos and values in the diaspora, the Prime Minister said Indians might live anywhere in the world for many generations, but their Indianness and loyalty towards India never diminishes. Indians, the Prime Minister said, work with full dedication and integrity for the county of their domicile and carry their democratic values and sense of duty with them. This is because “India is not only a nation but also an idea, it is also a culture. India is that higher-level thought- that talks of ‘VasudhaivKutumbakam’. India does not dream of its own upliftment at the cost of the detriment of others.”

The Prime Minister said that the Sanatan Mandir in Canada or any other country enriches the values of that country as well. When Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is celebrated in Canada, that is a celebration of shared democratic values. “I believe this celebration of the Amrit Mahotsav of India’s independence will give an opportunity to the people of Canada to understand India more closely”, he added.

Calling the location and statue of Sardar Patel there a broad picture of New India, the Prime Minister said that the freedom fighters dreamt of an India that would be modern and progressive and deeply connected with its thinking, philosophy, and roots. That is why, the Prime Minister said, in newly independent India, Sardar Patel restored the Somnath temple to commemorate the legacy of thousands of years. “Today, during the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, we are rededicating ourselves to the pledge of creating a New India of Sardar Patel’s dream and ‘Statue of Unity’ is a major inspiration in that”, the Prime Minister emphasized. Replica of ‘Statue of Unity’ in Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre means that India’s Amrit pledges are not confined to the boundaries of India. This pledge is spreading globally, connecting the world, he said.

The Prime Minister reiterated the global dimension of the Amrit pledges and said that when we talk of Aatmnirbhar Bharat, we talk of opening new possibilities for the world’s progress. Similarly, in Yoga’s propagation, a feeling of everyone being disease-free is inherent. In issues like sustainable development and climate change, India represents entire humanity. “Our hard work is not just for us. Welfare of entire humanity is linked with India’s progress”, The Prime Minister emphasized and concluded by calling for an enhanced role of the Indian diaspora in taking this message forward. (PIB)