On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated he was a light of knowledge and spirituality. On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a year-long commemoration of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati’s 200th birth anniversary at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the national capital. On this day, the Prime Minister did puja and yagna. G Kishan Reddy, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Meenakashi Lekhi, all Union Ministers, were also present.
Addressing the gathering at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, PM Modi said, “We bow to Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Ji on his 200th Jayanti. He was a beacon of knowledge and spirituality. Today in the 21st century, when the world is engulfed in many controversies, engulfed in violence and instability, then the path shown by Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati ji instills hope in crores of people.”
According to the Prime Minister, the country should be “proud of our heritage.”
Maharishi Dayanand, according to PM Modi, revitalised societal awareness of the Vedas. He claimed that when Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati was born, the country had lost confidence and deteriorated as a result of decades of enslavement. Dayanand Saraswati initiated an aggressive campaign against societal ills such as social inequality and untouchability.
PM Modi said, “Maharishi Dayanand ji also emerged as a logical and effective voice against the stereotypes that had flourished in society regarding women. He fought against discrimination against women and launched a campaign for women’s education. Efforts were made to make our history and traditions corrupt. At that very time, the efforts of Maharishi Dayanand ji appeared as Sanjeevani in the society and rejuvenated it.”
Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, born on February 12, 1824, was a social reformer who formed Arya Samaj in 1875 to combat widespread socioeconomic injustices, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Through its emphasis on social reforms and education, Arya Samaj has played an important part in the country’s cultural and social awakening.
The government has made a commitment to honouring social reformers and noteworthy persons, particularly those whose efforts have not yet been recognised on a pan-India scale. From proclaiming Bhagwan Birsa Muda’s birth day as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas to taking part in an event marking Sri Aurobindo’s 150th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Modi has been at the forefront of such activities.