Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PTI

On the occasion of Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s 200th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his greetings on Sunday, saying that the latter’s path is instilling hope in lakhs of Amritkal residents.

PM Modi addressed the crowd via video conference, saying that it is an honour for him to be a part of the programme commemorating Swami Dayanand’s 200th birth anniversary.

“It is my honour that I was born in Gujarat the birthplace of Swami Dayanand Saraswati. The country is celebrating the 200th birth anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati today. Today, I wanted to be present in the Tankara the birthplace of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, but due to some reasons this was not possible, however, I am among you all from my heart and mind,” the Prime Minister said.

“The path shown by Swami Dayanand Saraswati ji is infusing hope among crores of people in Amritkal. It is a privilege for me to be a part of the program related to his 200th birth anniversary,” he added.

Highlighting the Women’s Reservation Bill, PM Modi said that through new policies, the women of the country are progressing.

“Swami Dayanand Saraswati during his time talked about the role and importance of women. Through new policies, the women of this country are progressing. Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha and ensured women’s reservation. Connecting people of the country with these efforts will be a true tribute to Maharishi today,” he said.

PM Modi stressed the need for education based on Indian values.

“Today, Arya Samaj has more than 2500 schools in India and abroad. You are educating and skilling students in more than 400 Gurukuls. I would like Arya Samaj, with new vigour in this 21st century, to take responsibility for building the nation. DAV institutions are a living memory of Swami ji, and we will constantly strengthen them,” he said.

Requesting the students of DAV Educational Network to join My Bharat, PM Modi said, “For all the social works you also have the power of the newly formed youth organization of the Government of India. The name of this largest and youngest organization in the country is MYBHARAT. I request all the followers of Dayanand Saraswati Ji to encourage all the students of DAV Educational Network to join My Bharat.”

“Swami Dayanand Saraswati ji was not only a Vedic sage, he was also a sage with national consciousness. This milestone of 200 years of the birth of Swami Dayanand ji has come at a time when India is in the initial years of its Amritkal. Swami Dayanand ji was a saint who dreamed of a bright future for India. With the faith that Swami ji had in India, we will have to convert that faith into our confidence in Amritkal,” he added.

He said that when the British government tried to humiliate the people of the country, during that time, the arrival of Swami Dayanand Saraswati gave a deep blow to all these conspiracies.

“The British government tried to humiliate us by using our social evils as a pawn. The British rule was then justified by some people by citing social changes. In such a period, the arrival of Swami Dayanand Saraswati ji gave a deep blow to all these conspiracies,” PM Modi said.