Hyderabad: Drawing a parallel between Saradar Patel's Statue of Unity 11th-century Bhakti Saint Ramanujacharya's Statue of Equality Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday that the country's strength is not derived from power but from equality. He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 216-feet tall 'Statue of Equality in Hyderabad. The Prime Minister dedicated the statue to the nation.
"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 specialty of India as a nation...Our unity is not derived from power or might, but stands on the foundation of equality," said Modi.
Prime Minister said there is a general perception that change and improvement can only be ushered in by moving away from the roots, but when one looks at Ramanujacharya's words it becomes clear that there is no need to move away from one's roots for progress.
“In today's world, when it comes to social reforms, it is believed that reforms will take place away from the roots. But, when we see Ramanujacharya ji, we realize that there is no conflict between progressiveness and antiquity. It is not necessary to go far from your roots for reforms. Rather it is necessary that we connect with our real roots, become aware of our real power.” said Modi.
“Going along with the message of Sri Ramanujacharya, today the country is laying the foundation of its new future with the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas," he added.
Lauding Ramanujacharya's ability to connect apparently contradictory viewpoints, the Prime Minister said that in the history of philosophy, generally, an argument is either accepted or refuted. "But in India, the sages had gone beyond accepting and refuting it. From a common perspective, values that seem contradictory, Ramanujacharya connected them effortlessly. He dedicated his life to working. He penned Sanskrit books and gave equal importance to the Tamil language in the Bhakti tradition," he said.
He also said that for 1000 years the harbingers of social change fought against social evils with all their might. "Ramanujacharya gave hints of abolishing untouchability. Baba Saheb Ambedkar also praised Ramanujacharya. Whether it is Jan Dhan accounts or Swacch Bharat scheme, all have benefitted without any discrimination," said Modi.
