New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi quoted an inspiring line from national poet and freedom fighter Subramania Bharati to drive home the message on the 72nd Independence Day that India will not only emerge as a great nation, but also inspire others.
Quoting a line in Tamil Ellorum amara nilai eythum nanmuraiyai India ulakirku alikkum, Mr. Modi who on Wednesday unfurled the national flag at the Red Fort, said the great Tamil poet had once said that India will emerge not only as a great nation but also as a major inspiration to others. "Free from all barriers, India will be a guiding light to all nations in the path of salvation," the PM said quoting the great Tamil poet. Chinnaswami Subramania Bharati, also known as 'Bharathiyar' was a Tamil writer, poet, journalist, Indian independence activist and a social reformer from Tamil Nadu.
In 2015, Mr. Modi had mentioned "Silappadhikaaram Kannagi" and Subramania Bharati in his address to Sri Lankan Parliament. He also recited a few lines from 'Sindu Nadiyin Misai' composed by the great nationalist poet in the early 20th century.
The PM's speech lasted for a little over 80 minutes, during which he touched on a variety of issues, including his government's initiatives, the state of economy, women empowerment and India’s stature globally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi quoted a few lines from the works of the revered poet. He read out the lines in Tamil and also the translation in Hindi.
"Several years before our independence, Bharati had dreamt of a vision for India. He had said that India would show the whole world a way to get rid of all kinds of bondage," he said.
Mr Modi also tweeted referring to the same lines from Bharati’s works to reach out to people, especially the youth on the social media.
Mr Modi, incidentally ended his speech with a poetic flourish, with the closing lines in Hindi being "...Have to scale heights beyond the skies, create a new India".
Subramania Bharati was born in December 1882 in Ettayapuram. He died in 1921.
