HYDERABAD: Prime Mnister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India was collectively working for the development of all without discrimination so that those who have been oppressed for centuries become partners in the country's development.
The Prime Minister said schemes like housing for all, Ujjwala connections, Ayushman Bharat, free electricity connections, Jan Dhan accounts and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have strengthened Dalits and other backward groups.
Modi dedicated the 216-feet tall Statue of Equality of Sri Ramanujacharya to the nation at Sri Ramanagaram, Muchintal in Hyderabad on Saturday to commemorate the 11th century Bhakti movement saint, who promoted equality in all aspects of living including faith, caste and creed.
Speaking after unveiling the statue, Modi said India was giving concrete shape to nation's human energy through the grand statue of Ramanujacharya. This statue is a symbol of his wisdom, detachment and ideals, the Prime Minister said.
"Going along with this message, the country is laying the foundation of a new future with the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas'," Modi said. He described the saint as a ‘shining inspiration for the unity and integrity of India'. "Ramanujacharya was born in the South, but his influence is on the whole of India."
Clad in yellow silk robes and sporting tirunamam on his forehead, the PM said India's freedom struggle was not just a fight for power and rights. "In this struggle, there was a colonial mindset on one side, and the idea of ‘live and let live' on the other. Indian freedom struggle was blessed with the energy of equality, humanity and spiritualism that it received from the saints," he said.
On liberation of Hyderabad from Nizam, the PM said "if Sardar Sahib's ‘Statue of Unity' is repeating the oath of unity in the country, then Ramanujacharya's ‘Statue of Equality' is giving the message of equality. This is the speciality of India as a nation."
Modi spoke of the richness of Telugu culture and how it enriched India's diversity. He talked about 13th century Kakatiya Rudreshwara Ramappa temple which was declared as a Unesco World Heritage Site and Pochampally recognized as India's best tourism village.
He also spoke about the glorious contribution of the Telugu film industry which was making its presence felt globally and beyond Telugu states. "This creativity is reigning on silver screen and OTT platforms. It is being praised even outside India. This dedication of the Telugu-speaking people towards their art and culture is an inspiration for all," the PM said.
