SHRAVANBELAGOLA: Taking advantage of a huge gathering of devotees and the presence of Jain munis and Matajis either side of the dais, Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned his speech towards religious matters here on Monday.
Inaugurating the newly carved third row of steps for Vindhyagiri where the 58ft monolith of Gomateshwar stands as well as the Bahubali Hospital here, he said that a great country like India has its own religious sanctity which the saints and religious heads are striving hard to protect and promote the concepts of religion. Lauding the efforts of Jain munis, saints and spiritual gurus for their dedication towards promoting spirituality, Modi said that need of the hour is to join hands for the welfare of the society.
The munis were also showing people the track on how to get Mukti and Moksha. Stressing the importance of education and health in the society, Modi said that people will be more active and show interest when the religious aspects are raised but the same will be helpless and show a lack of interest when matters of social responsibilities are raised. Narrating the Sanskrit poem on Gomateshwara “Tam Gomatesham Pranamami Niccham”, the poem lauding the beauty of Gomateshwara statue, the PM said that he regularly remembers Gomateshwar.
Modi also said that social and economic changes in the life are mandatory in the society. Lauding the centre's Ayushmanbhav health scheme introduced in the budget, Modi said that India was the only country in the world to have such a unique health scheme. He said that the union government had extended its support to provide basic amenities for the people coming to Mahamastakabhisheka.
In his blessing, Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji Pontiff of Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain mutt said that Modi became PM only with the blessings of his mother and he is a role model for every people and a noble personality in the country. Karnataka governor Vajubhai R Vala, Union ministers DV Sadananda Gowda, HN Anantakumar and Piyush Goel were present. District in-charge minister A Manju welcomed the gathering.