Unveiling 77-foot statue of Lord Ram in Goa, PM Modi says India is witnessing cultural reawakening

The Prime Minister was speaking on the occasion of the 550th-year celebration of Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math in south Goa’s Canacona, where he unveiled a 77-foot-tall bronze statue of Lord Ram. He also inaugurated a theme park based on Ramayana.

Hailing the legacy of Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math, the PM said in its 550-year history, the math faced many upheavals, with changing eras, times and transformations in the country and society. “But even amidst changing times and challenges, it never lost its direction. Instead, it emerged as a guiding centre, providing direction to the people and this is its biggest identity.”

Emphasising the spirit of service of the math, PM Modi said, “Centuries ago, when adverse circumstances struck this region and people had to leave their homes and families and seek refuge in new states [places], it was this math that gave support to the community… organised them and established temples, maths and shelters in new locations.”

PM Modi also inaugurated a theme park based on Ramayana.

He said there were times when temples and traditions in Goa faced challenges. “When its language and cultural identity came under attack, but those circumstances did not weaken the soul of society, rather they strengthened its resolve. This is the unique characteristic of Goa… that its culture has preserved its original essence through every change and has also rejuvenated itself with time, with institutions like the Partagali Math playing a significant role,” he said.

Modi said India is passing through a decisive phase, “where the strength of the youth, the nation’s growing confidence and its inclination towards cultural roots are together shaping a new India”.

The Prime Minister appealed to the people to adopt nine resolutions. “The dream of a Viksit Bharat will be fulfilled only when we consider protecting the environment as our duty [dharma]. Our first resolution should be that we have to conserve water and save rivers. The second resolution should be to plant trees. ‘Ek ped maa ke naam’ campaign is gaining momentum across the country. The third resolution should be ‘Swachhta Mission’, ensuring that every street, neighbourhood and city remains clean. We have to adopt ‘Swadeshi’ as the fourth resolution. The nation today is saying ‘vocal for local’. The fifth resolution should be ‘Desh Darshan’. We have to make an attempt to learn and understand different parts of the country.”

“We have to make natural farming a part of our life as the sixth resolution. Our seventh resolution should be to adopt a healthy lifestyle… use millets and reduce oil consumption in food by 10%. We have to adopt yoga and sports as the eighth resolution. The ninth resolution should be to help the poor in some form,” he said.