Modi highlights India’s cultural resilience

From Our Reporter
Gandhinagar, Jan 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted India’s cultural resilience in the face of prolonged and repeated threats from different quarters.
Addressing the Somnath Swabhiman Parv at Prabhas Patan in Gujarat today, Narendra Modi stated that the lessons drawn from the last thousand years of India’s history would guide the Nation’s future.
Taking part in the Shaurya Yatra and Shaurya Sabha held to mark a millennium since repeated attacks on the Somnath temple, Modi described the shrine as a symbol of India’s faith, self-respect and cultural resilience.
Somnath’s history represents victory and reconstruction rather than destruction. Despite repeated invasions, India’s spiritual consciousness remained indestructible, the Prime Minister said.
“The Somnath Swabhiman Parv is not about remembering destruction, but about celebrating centuries of resilience and reconstruction,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister asserted that civilisations built on force ultimately fade into history.
Together with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Narendra offered prayers at the Somnath temple and participated in the Shaurya Yatra.
Floral tributes were paid to Veer Hamirji Gohil, who died defending the temple, and to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who spearheaded its reconstruction after independence.
Referring to historical invasions from Mahmud of Ghazni to Aurangzeb, Modi said invaders failed to understand the essence of Sanatan tradition.
Narendra Modi described Lord Somnath as ‘Mrityun-jaya’, symbolising creation, preservation and destruction, and said India’s faith could not be erased by force.
The Prime Minister also warned against contemporary divisive forces, urging citizens to remain united and vigilant to protect India’s cultural roots.
He said preserving heritage was essential for strengthening the Nation over the next thousand years.
Linking cultural revival with development, Modi highlighted initiatives such as the Somnath Sanskrit University, expansion of Keshod Airport, the Ahmedabad–Veraval Vande Bharat train, conservation of Gir lions and the development of pilgrimage circuits to boost spiritual tourism.
He reiterated the vision of “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi” and said India was moving steadily towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy.
Chief Minister Bhupen-dra Patel described the Somnath Swabhiman Parv as a celebration of National self-respect and unbroken faith, while Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the event reflected India’s resolve to honour its cultural heritage rather than glorify invaders.
Several Ministers, MPs, saints and devotees attended the event which concluded with chants of “Har Har Mahadev”.