India most ancient living civilisation, asserts Modi
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday India is the most ancient living civilisation of the world due to the immortal ideas and philosophies of its saints and seers.
Speaking at the centenary celebrations of Jain spiritual figure Acharya Vidyanand Maharaj Ji's birth anniversary here, PM Modi paid rich tributes to his contribution in different fields and asserted that his ideas have inspired the government's welfare schemes. Be it providing house, drinking water or health insurance, the government is ensuring saturation coverage of its welfare measures so that no one is left behind, he said.
PM Modi also referred to the preceding speech of a Jain seer, noting that he was apparently blessing Operation Sindoor.
The prime minister's mere mention of "Jo humein chhedega" brought massive cheers from the audience but he did not dwell any further on the issue.
PM Modi asserted that India is a country where service and humanity is central to its ethos.
"When for ages, efforts were being made to quell violence with violence, then India introduced to the world the power of 'ahimsa' (non-violence)," he said.
"We have kept the sentiment of serving humanity supreme. Our ethos for serving is unconditional and beyond selfishness, and inspired by 'parmarth' (the Supreme Being)," the PM said.
In his address, he added that his government is working by taking inspiration from those ideals.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
13 minutes ago
- Mint
‘George Fernandes was shackled… we refused to compromise on democracy in emergency': PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address on Sunday, played clips of prominent voices who opposed the Emergency, using their remarks to criticise the then Congress government for its suppression of civil liberties. 1. PM Modi emphasised that these voices should be remembered as a reminder to remain vigilant in safeguarding the Constitution. Modi stated that those who imposed the Emergency not only violated the Constitution but also undermined the independence of the judiciary, turning it into a puppet. 2. His condemnation of the Congress for the Emergency-era excesses without naming the party of the then prime minister, Indira Gandhi, came amid an ongoing bitter war of words between the ruling BJP and opposition parties, which have claimed that an undeclared Emergency prevails under the Modi government. Modi said people were tortured on a large scale during the Emergency for the 21-month period between 1975 and 1977. There are many examples which cannot be forgotten, he added. 3. He played bits of speeches of former prime minister Morarji Desai and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and former deputy PM Jagjivan Ram related to the period. George Fernandes was shackled; he noted and recalled that anyone could be arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) at that time. Students were harassed and freedom of expression throttled, he added. 4. Thousands of people were arrested and subjected to inhuman treatment, but it is the strength of Indians that they did now bow and accept any compromise with democracy, he said. 'People finally won, the Emergency was lifted, and those who imposed it lost,' he said. 5. In his address to the nation through the 123rd edition of his monthly radio program 'Mann ki Baat' PM Modi said, "All of you must be filled with the energy of Yoga and memories of International Yoga Day. This year too, on June 21, crores of people took part in the International Day of Yoga celebrations. It began 10 years ago, over these years, every year this tradition has become even grander than before. This also indicates that more and more people are incorporating yoga in their daily lives." 6. Modi added, 'Eri Silk from Meghalaya was recently awarded GI tag... The tribes of Meghalaya, especially the Khasi community, have preserved it for generations and enriched it with their skills... The silkworms that produce this are not killed, which is why it is known as 'Ahinsa Silk'. It is a perfect product for the global market since there is an increased demand of products that don't harm the environment... This silk keeps you warm during winters and cool during summers... Women of Meghalaya are taking this to a larger scale via self-help groups.' 7. Modi stated an International Labour Organisation (ILO) report, which stated that more than 64 per cent of India's population is getting some form of social protection benefit. "Presently, most of the populace in India is taking advantage of one social protection benefit or the other and recently a very important report of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has come out. It has been mentioned in this report that more than 64% of the population of India is now definitely availing some sort of social protection benefit or the other," Modi said. 8. India has seen a remarkable 45 percentage point increase in social security coverage over the past decade, making it the second-highest globally in terms of social protection reach. Key government initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY), the e-Shram portal, and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) have been instrumental in this expansion. 9. This significant rise in coverage is also expected to bolster India's position in international forums and facilitate the finalisation of social security agreements with developed countries, enhancing global cooperation and worker welfare. People finally won, the Emergency was lifted, and those who imposed it lost. 10. PM Modi also mentioned the World Health Organisation report, which has declared India free from Trachoma disease and asserted that the credit behind the achievement goes to India's health workers and 'Jal Jeevan Mission'. 'WHO has declared Indian Trachoma-free country... This is the success of our health workers... 'Jal Jeevan' Mission has contributed to this', PM Modi said. (With inputs from agencies)
News18
14 minutes ago
- News18
Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir Now Eyeing Navy? Decoding His Anti-India Speech
Last Updated: Asim Munir speech: 'He aims to expand his influence significantly, leveraging anti-India rhetoric to consolidate power. It is a wake-up call for Pakistani politicians," sources say Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir's recent speech in Karachi, which aimed to stir anti-India sentiment to gain popularity among other forces, shows his frustration, according to top intelligence sources. His remarks seemed to be an attempt to assert Pakistan's stance on continuing proxy warfare in Kashmir while trying to secure control over the Navy through anti-India rhetoric, they said. 'The context for Munir's speech stemmed from India's aborted Karachi strike, which showcased India's capability for strong diplomacy through maritime dominance. This display of power forced Pakistan to de-escalate," sources said. ' Munir's ambitions are much broader, posing a wake-up call for Pakistani politicians. He aims to expand his influence significantly, leveraging anti-India rhetoric to consolidate power," they said. ASIM MUNIR SPEECH SHOWS FRUSTRATION OVER INDIAN NAVY POSITIONING: SOURCES Sources say that the Indian Navy has positioned itself strategically, 260 miles off Karachi, targeting critical assets such as warships, dry docks, and port infrastructure vital to Pakistan's economy. This port handles 60% of Pakistan's trade, making it a significant economic hub. 'The inability of Pakistan's navy to counter India's strategic positioning forced Islamabad to urgently seek a ceasefire on May 10. This move underscored Pakistan's conventional weaknesses, as exposed by Operation Sindoor. The aborted Karachi strike serves as a stark reminder of India's enhanced military thresholds and capabilities," they said. Munir's speech at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington. His relative and defence minister Mohsin Naqvi stood by his side as India was issued repeated challenges by Munir. The field marshal called for a return to the Pakistan of 1979, a time when mosques and cinemas coexisted, and 'India's entire system of life was under Pakistani control". He criticised weak diplomacy, stating that India 'benefited from deceit" while Pakistan missed opportunities to engage with the world. He emphasised the unity of the political and military leadership, describing them as one body and soul. He noted growing impatience among Pakistani soldiers to confront India. While acknowledging significant support from China, he stressed that Pakistan has its own resources and highlighted efforts to strengthen the economy. First Published: June 29, 2025, 12:37 IST
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Uttarakhand Govt working to promote green energy: Chief Minister Dhami
Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the All India Oil Sector Meet program organised at ONGC Community Centre, Dehradun on Saturday. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is working to promote green energy with coordination in the economy, ecology and technology. "Clean and green energy is being promoted in the state through the Chief Minister Solar Self-Employment Scheme. Hydroelectric projects like Tehri, Koteshwar, Pipalkoti, Lakhwar, and Vishnugad in the state are playing an important role in establishing Uttarakhand as an energy hub. There are many possibilities in the field of geothermal in the state, on which the state government is continuously working," the Chief Minister said, according to a press release. The Chief Minister said that natural resources play an important role in taking any nation forward. Fuel, along with the development of the nation, also fulfills our daily needs. ONGC is playing an important role in India's energy security by contributing 70 per cent of the total production of crude oil and 84 per cent of the natural gas production in the country. The Chief Minister said that PM Modi has put the resolution of a self-reliant and developed India in front of people. The country is moving forward with the resolution of becoming a developed India by 2047. He said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, petroleum reserves have been established for the energy security of the country. "Solar energy is also being promoted along with green hydrogen. Work is being done on many alternative sources of energy. All these efforts have made India capable in the field of energy," he said. The Chief Minister said that many works have been done in the field of oil and natural gas. Gas pipelines are being expanded under One Nation, One Grid. The gas distribution system has been expanded and made more convenient than before. Bio CNG plants are being set up. Schemes like the Ujjwala have brought a revolution in society. Many policies have also been implemented for oil production. India has also increased investments in the oil and natural gas sector abroad, the Chief Minister said. He said ONGC has done many such works in Uttarakhand, which are benefiting the state. (ANI)
