Bengaluru: Dismissing the Opposition’s claim that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democartic Alliance government was trying to enforce uniformity in place of ‘unity in diversity’, which has been the bedrock of the nation’s unity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the slogan was easier said than done.
Speaking at the valedictory of the two day Soundarya Lahari on Vedantha verses written by Adi Shankaracharya, organised by Vedantha Bharathi here on Sunday, Mr Modi stressed on the need for oneness and said: “Often we fail to identify ourselves and live differently. We have to find oneness in these differences. That is what is called Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.
Stating that Adi Shankaracharya’s teachings of the Advaitha are still relevant, Mr Modi dwelt on the basis concept of Advaitha and said when there is no duality, there is no conflict. There have been efforts to weaken Indian culture, which is even respected in other countries. However, these efforts, spread across a thousand years, have gone in vain and Indian culture has remained intact. The teaching of Shankaracharya do not discriminate against anyone, he said adding that the essence of Soundarya Lahari is also present in the Union government’s policy, ‘Sab Ka Sath, Sab Ka Vikas.’
Soundarya Lahari speaks of nature- especially the Sun, water and wind which resonates in the Central government’s policies which have given a thrust to renewable energy like solar, hydel and wind power.
Only Rs 4,000 crore had been invested in these sectors, while the present government has invested over Rs 11,000 crore in the last three years, he said, adding that by 2022, India would be producing renewable energy to the tune of 175 GW. The country has the potential to generate 300 GW of renewable energy and was doing everything possible to tap this potential, the prime minister said. Seer of Yedathore Sri Yonganandeshwara Saraswathi Mutt Sri Shankarabharathi Swamiji said the government had taken up Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for a clean country, which is equally important for the cleanliness of the soul. When both go hand in hand, it would do good to India, he said.
