Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that “destructive forces” and people who follow the ideology of “creating empires through terror” can dominate for some time, but their existence is not permanent as they cannot suppress humanity forever.
The Prime Minister, whose remarks come in the wake of Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, said this while virtually inaugurating multiple projects at the famous Somnath temple in Gir-Somnath district of Gujarat.
“Somnath Temple has been destroyed several times over the centuries. And attempts have been made to destroy the sculptures as well. However, it won the test of time; it stood back up repeatedly,” PM Modi said, adding: “The destructive forces and the people who think of building an empire by spreading terror may dominate for some time but their existence is not permanent. It cannot suppress humanity for a long time.”
“We must learn from the past and make our future better and build a new India. For us, the core of history and faith is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas,” he said.
On the occasion, PM Modi emphasised the need to strengthen religious tourism as this would provide new employment opportunities and ensure that the future generations will remain connected with India’s traditions and heritage.
“I am fortunate that as the chairman of the Somnath Temple Trust, I got the opportunity to serve this holy place. Today, we all are witnessing the rejuvenation of this holy pilgrimage,” he said.
“We need to find new opportunities in religious tourism. The local economy has a deep connection with pilgrimage. With the rejuvenation of this holy pilgrimage, new job opportunities will be created and the divinity of the place will also increase.”
“The Somnath Exhibition Gallery has also been inaugurated. This will ensure the future generations will remain connected with our traditions and heritage,” PM Modi said.
The projects inaugurated include the Somnath Promenade, Somnath Exhibition Centre and the reconstructed temple precinct of Old (Juna) Somnath.
The Prime Minister lauded the tourism department and said that it has taken several steps to improve tourism across the nation with the help of which in 2019, India had jumped to 34th spot.
“Our Tourism department is developing tourist circuits based on 15 different themes under the Swadesh Darshan programme. These circuits will help the development of tourism and employment opportunities across regions. We have taken several steps to improve tourism across the nation. India was placed 65th on Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index. Till 2019, it has jumped to 34th spot.”
“India has opened up 120 mountain peaks for trekking. To ensure a hassle-free experience to tourists, programmes have been started to train guides. This has also generated a huge number of employment opportunities,” he said.
PM Modi, while laying the foundation stone of Parvati Temple, said that from now because of the development of the Samudra Darshan walkway, Ahalya Bai Old Somnath Temple, and Somnath Exhibition Gallery, the attractiveness of the old Somnath will be easily visible. He also said that chances of new opportunities and new employment will increase and the divinity of the place will also increase.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Tourism Shripad Naik, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and BJP’s veteran leader L.K. Advani were also present at the event.
Present on the occasion, CM Rupani said, “We are all committed to fulfilling the lofty goal set by the Prime Minister.”
WITH AGENCY INPUTS