Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Tuesday that the Amrit Mahotsav has paved the way for India to enter a “Golden Era,” likening the atmosphere it created among citizens to that of India’s independence.
Speaking at the inauguration of the renovated Kochrab Ashram, PM Modi emphasized the Sabarmati Ashram’s role as a vibrant center of energy, echoing the inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi.
He remarked, “Sabarmati Ashram has kept alive Bapu’s values of truth and nonviolence, nation service, and seeing God’s service in the service of the deprived. Amrit Mahotsav created a gateway for India to enter into Amrit Kaal.”
Highlighting the significance of the date, March 12, as the day Mahatma Gandhi initiated the Dandi March, PM Modi described it as a historic moment witnessing the beginning of a new era in independent India.
He praised the influence of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and the scope of the Amrit Mahotsav, noting that over 30 million people took the oath of Panch Pran during the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal program.
PM Modi also mentioned the development of more than 200,000 Amrit Vatikas where over 20 million saplings were planted, the creation of over 70,000 Amrit Sarovars for water conservation, and campaigns like Har Ghar Tiranga and Meri Mati Mera Desh, which paid tribute to freedom fighters.
Addressing the neglect of the Sabarmati Ashram, PM Modi highlighted its shrinking from 120 acres to 5 acres and the reduction of buildings from 63 to 36, with only 3 open to visitors. He stressed the responsibility of all 1.4 billion Indians to preserve such heritage sites.
PM Modi praised the cooperation of the Ashram dwellers in reclaiming 55 acres of land and expressed the intention to preserve all Ashram buildings in their original form.
He attributed the long neglect of such monuments to lack of willpower, colonial mindset, and appeasement policies.
Drawing parallels with Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Shri Ram Janambhoomi in Ayodhya, where cooperation led to significant developments, PM Modi highlighted the importance of community involvement in preserving cultural heritage.
Earlier, PM Modi inaugurated the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram and launched the Master Plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial at Mahatma Gandhi Ashram in Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.