“Since 2014, India has begun discussing its culture with pride”
Team L&M
On the occasion of World Heritage Day (April 18), a compilation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches and thoughts on culture, titled Sanskriti ka Panchva Adhyay, was released at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). The book was released by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Pujya Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, the head of the Juna Akhara. The event was chaired by Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh, with IGNCA Chairman Shri Ram Bahadur Rai present as the Guest of Honour. IGNCA Member Secretary Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi also graced the occasion.
The book Sanskriti ka Panchva Adhyay compiles Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s addresses on Indian culture, traditions, spiritual values, and cultural heritage delivered on various occasions. The foreword has been penned by Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, and the compilation has been curated by Dr. Prabhat Ojha. Published by Prabhat Prakashan, the book represents Prime Minister Modi’s vision of cultural resurgence as a central objective of his government.
On the occasion, Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj remarked that since 2014, innovation has been witnessed in every direction across the country and that a transformation in the atmosphere is evident. He lauded Prime Minister Modi’s cultural contributions, saying, “Since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, a definite change has occurred. People now discuss cultural subjects with greater depth and pride.” Citing an example, he said, “In 2008, an Indian guru residing in Europe made great efforts to establish an International Yoga Day and sought help from the Indian government. In 2016, Narendra Modi made it a reality. Today, 21st June is celebrated worldwide as International Yoga Day-a proof to his commitment to India’s cultural heritage.”
Shri Harivansh referred to Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s seminal work Sanskriti ke Chaar Adhyay, whose foreword was written by Jawaharlal Nehru. He said that had Dinkar been alive today, he would have revisited and revised parts of his work to enrich it further. Shri Harivansh added that after 1952, discussions around culture faded, but since 2014, they have re-emerged. “Post-2014, India has begun to speak about its culture and ancient heritage with pride, and this credit goes to the Prime Minister.” He concluded his speech by quoting the famous lines from Shri Raghubeer Narayan’s Batojhiya song: Sundar su bhoomi bhaiya Bharat ke deshwa mein, mor praan base him khoh re Batojhiya.
Shri Ram Bahadur Rai highlighted two dimensions of Narendra Modi’s persona – that of a statesman and an administrator, and that of a spiritually inclined leader. Light-heartedly addressing the Prime Minister’s critics, he said, “Narendra Modi’s personality evokes chemical reactions in people -those with a positive outlook see his virtues, while the negative-minded remain entangled in criticism.” He added that various narratives are woven around Modi, but this book presents a distinct portrayal- that of a saint-hearted Prime Minister. “Among the vast repository of books written on the Prime Minister, this one stands out. It contains that brilliant Kohinoor which a saint offers to King Vikramaditya in the Vetal Pachisi. That Kohinoor is India’s culture.”
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi highlighted the significance of the Prime Minister’s motto Virasat bhi, Vikas bhi (Heritage as well as Development). He noted the special importance of launching this book on World Heritage Day, stating that it presents the vision of a new India. Dr. Prabhat Ojha, the compiler of the book, introduced it, stating that it features 34 of the Prime Minister’s speeches, along with an appendix containing the reflections of two spiritual leaders, both of whom appear to endorse the Prime Minister’s cultural perspective. The programme was anchored by Shri Prabhat Kumar of Prabhat Prakashan, who also delivered the vote of thanks.
