PM: Op Sindoor Boosted Self-confidence Of India

Gangaikonda Cholapuram: Hailing the democratic practices and military achievements of the Chola dynasty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that the Union government will install statues of Chola emperors Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola I across Tamil Nadu.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the valedictory function of the five-day programme organised at the historic Gangaikonda Cholapuram near Ariyalur to commemorate the birth anniversary of Rajaraja Chola, 1,000 years of Rajendra Chola's legendary maritime expedition to South East Asia and the commencement of the construction of the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple.

Modi said the Cholas ushered in the democratic practice of ‘Kudavolai Murai’, where the representatives for village councils were selected by drawing of lots kept in a pot, much earlier than the signing of the Magna Carta, the 13th century document on constitutional law and human rights.

The economic and military heights India reached during the Chola era continue to inspire us even today, Modi said. “Rajaraja Chola built a powerful navy, which Rajendra Chola further strengthened.”

The Chola emperors had woven India into a thread of cultural unity. “Today, our government is carrying forward the same vision of the Chola era. Through initiatives like the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam and the Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamam, we are strengthening these centuries-old bonds of unity,” The Prime Minister said.

“The heart of Tamil Nadu beats with memory and pride this week as it marks 1,000 years since one of the greatest military expeditions in Indian history — when the legendary Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I marched triumphantly to the Gangetic plains, carrying Tamil valour across northern India and into the annals of world history,” Mr Modi said. Rajendra Chola brought Ganges water and erected a water body in the name of Ponneri in Ariyalur district which is even today utlised for farming operations, he said, adding that the water management and environment protection systems instituted by our forefathers including Chola kings are well appreciated even today.

Modi said he was happy to bring the Ganges water from Kasi, which he represents in the Lok Sabha, once again to Gangaikonda Cholapuram and perform abhishekam on Lord Gangaikonda Choleswarar, popularly known as Brahatheeswarar.

Modi released a commemorative coin in honour of the king. “Both Rjaraja Chola and his son are India's identity,” Mr Modi said. “Their achievements are the example of our strength and their regime was the golden period of India.”

Modi said his government has retrieved more than 600 cultural and heritage monuments from different countries since 2014.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, Modi said India has demonstrated that there is no safe place for terrorists and India’s enemies anywhere in the world. “Operation Sindoor has ignited a new spirit across the country and instilled new self-confidence,” he said. “The Shaivite philosophy has shown us the path of solutions when the world is struggling with several issues.”

He said former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's used to speak on the need of lakhs of youths to come together and develop India further and called upon the youths to come forward to establish ‘Ore Bharatham-Unnatha Bharatham’ (one India-exalted India)

The Prime Minister arrived here from Tiruchy by a helicopter and was received by Governor R.N. Ravi, ministers Thangam Thennarasu, S.S. Sivasankar, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran and Chidambaram MP and V.C.K. president Thol. Thirumavalavan. Modi conducted a 2-km road show from the helipad to the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and greeted people.

Modi later offered a special abhishekam to lord Siva with the Ganges water which he had brought from Kasi and offered a special deeparadhana.

The Prime Minister also attended a cultural show featuring the Thirumurai songs and a music programme conducted by legendary composer Ilayaraja.