Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the Dhwajarohan Utsav at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, in Ayodhya (ANI photo)
AYODHYA: PM Narendra Modi’s 31-minute speech at the Ram temple flag-hoisting ceremony focused on civilisational pride as the driving force behind what India now aspires to be. ‘Dharm dhwaj’ bears three symbols – Sun, Om and the sacred Kovidar tree. “This sacred flag proves that truth ultimately triumphs over falsehood,” he said. “The entire nation – and indeed the world – is filled with the spirit of Ram. Every devotee feels an unparalleled sense of satisfaction, boundless gratitude and immense spiritual joy.”Taking a dig at a section of “historians, secular political class and intelligentsia that went so far as to dismiss Ram as imaginary”, the PM said Ram was more than a deity. “Ram is a timeless value system, present in every corner of India…. He resides in every home, every heart and in every particle of our land.”Modi blamed 19th century British administrator Thomas Macaulay for what he described as “the colonial mentality” responsible for “India’s disconnection from its roots”.Although India achieved political independence, the lingering effects of that mindset remains, fostering the belief that everything foreign is superior, while our own legacy is inferior,” PM said. “The mentality of slavery has led to the mistaken view that India borrowed democracy and even its Constitution from abroad, when, in fact, India is birthplace of democratic ideals.”The PM said the recent redesign of Navy’s flag reflected the country’s eagerness to shed its colonial baggage. “The next 10 years should be dedicated to reversing this colonial mindset. After that, India will march forward with such determination nothing will be able to halt the realisation of the dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047.” The ceremony, held at noon to coincide with Abhijit Muhurat on Vivah Panchami-Ram and Sita’s wedding day-had 7,000-odd guests.
