India’s youth should be inspired by its freedom fighters to continue to strive for the country’s progress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.
“Today, there are new opportunities, avenues, thought processes and possibilities in new India, and our youth should take up the responsibility of realising these possibilities,” Modi said at an event to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district.
Sitarama Raju, popularly known as Manyam Veerudu (tribal warrior), challenged the British by saying “stop me if you can”, the Prime Minister reminded the audience. “With the same courage, 130 crore countrymen, with unity and strength, are facing every challenge with the same spirit,” he said.
Spiritualism gave Sitarama Raju a sense of compassion, kindness, and courage, Modi said. “Like Raju, many young men and women laid down their lives (in the freedom struggle). Their sacrifice is a source of energy and inspiration for the nation even today.”
It is the responsibility of all sections of people to fulfil the wishes of the freedom fighters, who dreamt of an India in which the poor, farmers, labourers, backwards and tribal people had equal opportunities, he said.
He called Sitarama Raju a symbol of India’s culture, tribal identity, valour, ideals and values, and said the freedom fighter represented the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Best India).
{{/usCountry}}He called Sitarama Raju a symbol of India’s culture, tribal identity, valour, ideals and values, and said the freedom fighter represented the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Best India).
{{/usCountry}}Recounting the work done by his government for the welfare of tribal communities over the past eight years, Modi said: “For the first time, tribal museums are being set up to showcase the tribal pride and heritage.”
The Alluri Sitarama Raju Memorial Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum is being built in Andhra Pradesh’s Lambasingi village, he said.
Old laws that prevented tribal people from using forest produce have been changed to give them rights over it, he said. “Tribal art and skills are getting a new identity through the Skill India Mission,” Modi said.
The 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Raju will be held throughout the year, said G Kishan Reddy, Union minister for tourism and culture. During this period, the Centre proposes the restoration of places associated with the freedom fighter, he said.