India

Modi Urges Unity and Self‑Reliance Amid New Challenges

By TNN

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for collective action to unite society against divisive forces and promote self‑reliance, noting that new challenges have emerged that must be addressed. Speaking at the inauguration of the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan, he said Swami Chinmayananda had set his goals in line with the country’s issues at the time and that new challenges had arisen in recent decades. "We must unite society against divisive forces. We must inspire citizens toward self‑reliance, and we must connect every individual to the vision of a developed India by 2047. For these objectives, we must become more proactive," Modi said. His remarks came as the BJP criticised protests by Congress and some activist groups over the SIR of voter rolls, accusing them of spreading anarchy through street agitation. A highlight of the event was Modi’s interaction with a holographic model of Swami Chinmayananda, who died in 1993 and had a large worldwide following. The AI‑powered model praised Modi, saying India was with him as he worked for the country, whether in reviving religious places, strengthening the economy, or tackling challenges with courage. In his speech, Modi said he had spent 25 years serving the nation as head of government to the best of his ability while carrying forward the vision of Chinmayananda.