PM inaugurates Centenary Celebrations of Gaudiya Mission and Math

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today inaugurated the Centenary Celebrations of the Gaudiya Mission and Math in Kolkata.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said India's spiritual consciousness is the reason for its long-standing civilizational ethos. He said this spiritual consciousness had remained intact through the ages.

The Prime Minister said this consciousness transcended even language. The bhajan“Vaishnav Jan To Tene Re Kahiye Re” is a prime example of this, he said.

He added the words “Vaishnav Jan” could easily be replaced with “Jan Pratinidhi” (Public Representatives) in the modern context.

The Prime Minister said that reform in the Indian society always came from within, and Raja Rammohan Roy, and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar were prime examples of this.

The Prime Minister later offered prayers at the Gaudiya Math.

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PM launches National Rurban Mission

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today launched the National Rurban Mission from Kurubhat, in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister described the Rurban Mission as one which would enable cluster based development – with a “rural soul and urban amenities.” He said this scheme would complement the Smart Cities initiative by creating Smart Villages. The Prime Minister described Rurban clusters as centres of economic activity, which would spur growth, and improve the quality of life in nearby villages.

The Prime Minister said the country is taking a new direction of development. He said one example of this was that the important Rurban mission was being launched not from New Delhi, but from Kurubhat, in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh. He said that Government was now being brought to the doorstep of the villages and the tribal communities.