'Unity in Diversity' an effective stimulant to achieve 'One India-Strong India': PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that ‘Unity in Diversity’ is not mere a slogan in India and the very strength of ‘One India-Strong India’ is inherent in this spirit. “Vividhta mei ekta, sirf nara nahi. Hamari Apar shakti ka Bhandar hae. Isko anbhav kijiye. Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat ka Sapna ismey nihit hae (‘Unity in Diversity’ is not a mere slogan in India.....It’s in effect a depository of immense strength. Every Indian should understand the spirit. Therefore, the very strength of ‘One India-Strong India’ is inherent in this spirit),” PM Modi said in his monthly radio broadcast Mann-Ki-Baat.

Sunday's edition marked 36th episode of the popular radio programme and it marked the completion of three years of the programme. Mr Modi said the completion of three years of his monthly radio broadcast 'Mann-Ki-Baat' has made government become more sensitive to people's problems. “...The result of this whole exercise is that the government has started realizing the sensitivities and powerful ideas of the people of far off places. And, this is why the three-year journey of Mann Ki Baat is in fact a journey of our countrymen, their emotions and their feelings,” he said.

"This Mann-Ki-Baat has not been my thoughts alone. This ensured common people in overwhelming numbers share their views about nation building. I wanted to keep people as focus of 'Mann ki Baat'. I tried to keep it apolitical," Prime Minister said. Prime Minister said the countrymen and especially the younger generations should develop the habit of travelling across India and this would help them understand India better. “We should feel India’s diversity, touch it, feel its fragrance. You may see for yourself, that for your inner development also, these diversities of our country work as a big teaching tool,” he said and in this context he referred to past masters like Mahatma Gandhi, Lokmanya Tilak, Swami Vivekananda, and former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam have all traveled widely. “Can we make an effort as a student to learn, understand and try to live as per the traditions, culture, attire, eating habits and beliefs of different states, different societies, different groups of our country?,” he said. Mr Modi also mentioned about tourism potentials in India and said, “There will be a value addition in tourism only when we travel not only as a visitor but also like a student and make efforts to assimilate, understand and adapt”.

“This is my personal experience,” he said and maintained that his visiting to more than 500 districts of India has certainly enriched him. PM Modi also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Nanaji Deshmukh, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Deen Dayal Upadhyay and said these great people had "led the people not by mere sermons but by their actions". He also mentioned the success of the launch of the 'Swachhatha Hi Seva' movement and said many people have taken this as a mission. For this, he also thanked media and said, "the role of media in furthering the cause of Swacchta has been vital". The efforts of the fourth estate on this have brought about a positive change, he said.