Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a note penned on his return flight from Kanniyakumari, reflected on India’s global role and the country’s future after a 45-hour meditation retreat. The note, titled “New Sankalp from Sadhana” (New Resolutions from Reflections), emphasized the need for India to dedicate the next 25 years to building a strong foundation for future generations.
During his meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, the same place where Swami Vivekananda had envisioned the form of “Bharat Mata” or Mother India, Prime Minister Modi drew inspiration from the spiritual leader. He wrote, “Swami Vivekananda had said in 1897 that we must dedicate the next 50 years solely for the nation. Exactly 50 years after this call, Bharat gained independence in 1947. Today, we have the same golden opportunity. Let’s dedicate the next 25 years solely for the nation. Our efforts will create a strong foundation for the coming generations and the coming centuries, taking Bharat to new heights.”
The Prime Minister also shared his experience of meditating in Kanniyakumari, where he felt a spirit of detachment and thoughts about the country and its future bubbled forth.
Kanniyakumari, according to Prime Minister Modi, symbolises the country’s unity as various rivers meet with the sea and the seas meet at Kanniyakumari. He referenced the giant statue of Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar at the spot, praising his work, the Thirukkural, as “one of the crown jewels of the beautiful Tamil language.”
Prime Minister Modi spoke at length about the lessons the country, as a cradle of ideas from ancient times, held for the world, guided by the spirit of “Idam-na-mama” or “this is not mine”. He noted that just as other countries that gained independence after India looked to its freedom movement as an inspiration, India was able to come to the aid of developed countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. This reinforces the global context of India’s development and its role in the world.
With these reflections, Prime Minister Modi has set a vision for the country’s future, emphasizing the need for dedication and unity in building a strong foundation for the coming generations.
