Bharat combines ancient with modern, says PM Modi in Ayodhya address

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Bharat aspires not just to protect its heritage and tradition, but also to make impressive strides in development, be it digital technology or reaching the moon.

While laying foundation stones and inaugurating projects worth ₹15,000 crore at Ayodhya, he emphasised that his government has not just restored the glory of pilgrimage centres across the country, but also striven to provide pucca houses and basic facilities such as tap water to every home.

With the consecration of Lord Ram's idols in Ayodhya just three weeks away, the prime minister visited the town fast emerging as a pilgrimage and tourist destination. He inaugurated the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport and a railway station that can serve as many as 60,000 passengers in the near future.


"Today the whole world is waiting with curiosity for the forthcoming January 22 historic event... I am as excited about it as you all," said Modi.

He maintained that the inauguration of projects is happening on a historic day related to independence and drew a similarity between the two.

Visit to Ujjwala beneficiary
"This date of December 30 has been very important in the history of this country," Modi said. "On this day in 1943, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had hoisted the flag at Andamans to declare independence. We are taking forward our pledge of Azadi ka Amrit Kaal on this holy day related to our freedom struggle. The movement for making India a developed nation is getting a fresh boost from Ayodhya... These infrastructure projects will once again establish the glory of Ayodhya on the map of India."

The prime minister said his government is giving as much significance to development as to the restoration of ancient holy places.

"If any country has to reach new heights of development, it will have to protect its heritage," Modi said. "Our heritage inspires us and shows us the right path. Hence, today's Bharat takes along both the ancient and the modern. There was a time when Ram Lalla was placed in a tent here at Ayodhya. Today, not just Ram Lalla, but 4 crore poor people are also getting a pucca home."

Earlier in the day, the PM also visited the home of a woman who became the 100 millionth beneficiary of the Ujjwala LPG scheme.

"Today, Bharat is beautifying its pilgrimage centres and, at the same time, it is making waves in the digital technology space," he said. "Along with renovation of Kashi temple, Bharat is also building more than 30,000 panchayat bhawans. Today, not only has the Kedarnath Dham been developed, but more than 315 new medical colleges have also been constructed. Along with the refurbishing of the Mahakaal temple town, 2 lakh tanks have also been made to provide tap water to every home. While reaching the sun, the moon and the depths of the oceans, we are also bringing back to Bharat our antique statues in record numbers from abroad."

He said Ayodhya was a metaphor for the nation.

"The mood of today's Bharat is clearly visible at Ayodhya," Modi said. "If today there is a festival of progress here, after some days, there will be a festival of tradition here as well. Today, the grandeur of progress can be seen here. After some days, the grandeur and divinity of heritage will be seen here. This is Bharat, which combines the strength of progress and heritage that will take us ahead of everybody in the 21st century."

He listed the various projects being undertaken to make Ayodhya 'smart.' This includes new roads, footpaths, flyovers, bridges, the airport with a capacity of 1 million and the railway station. "I am happy that the airport has been named after Maharishi Valmiki," Modi said, reiterating the words of Lord Ram in praise of the saint.

The Prime Minister said locals will benefit from these projects and tourism will get a big boost, creating employment and profits for the people.