Recalling many great personalities who not only contributed to the freedom struggle but also gave fresh life to the soul of the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that three personalities, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi had many great events in their lives at the same point in time.
Addressing a programme celebrating Sri Aurobindo’s 150th birth anniversary via video conferencing today in Kamban Kalai Sangam, Puducherry under the aegis of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, he said that these events not only changed the lives of these personalities but also brought far-reaching changes in national life. He also released a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Sri Aurobindo.
He explained that in 1893 Sri Aurobindo returned to India and in the same year Swami Vivekananda went to America to deliver his iconic speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions. Gandhi ji went to South Africa in the same year, which marked the beginning of his transformation into Mahatma Gandhi.
He noted the similar confluence of events in the present time when the country is celebrating 75 years of Independence and starting its journey of Amrit Kaal as we are witnessing the 150th anniversary of Sri Aurobindo and the 125th Anniversary of Netaji Subhas.
“When motivation and action meet, even the seemingly impossible goal is inevitably accomplished. Nation’s successes in the Amrit Kaal today and resolution of ‘Sabka Prayas’ are proof of this ”, he added.
The Prime Minister said that when a number of great events take place simultaneously, often there is ‘Yoga-Shakti’ i.e. a collective and uniting power behind them. He said that the life of Sri Aurobindo is a reflection of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ as he was born in Bengal and knew many languages including Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi, Hindi and Sanskrit. He spent most of his life in Gujarat and Puducherry and left a deep imprint wherever he went.
Throwing light on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo, the Prime Minister remarked that when we become aware of our traditions and culture and begin to live through them, it is at that moment when our diversity becomes a natural celebration of our lives.
“It is a source of great inspiration for Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal. There is no better way to explain Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat other than this”, he said.
