‘Centuries-old wounds healing’, PM Modi says in Ayodhya

Prime Minister PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that ldquothe wounds and pain of centuries are healingrdquo as India marked the formal completion of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and used the occasion to present a broader national roadmap aimed at achieving a developed India by 2047 news agency PTI reportedAddressing a gathering after hoisting a saffron flag atop the Ram temple to mark the ceremonial completion of its construction PM Modi said the moment symbolised a cultural resurgence for the nationldquoToday the entire nation and the world are immersed in Ram Centuriesold wounds are healing centurieslong pain is finding closure as the resolve that burned for 500 years finally reached its fulfilmentrdquo Modi saidCalling the flaghoisting ldquoa unique and divine momentrdquo PM Modi noted that the sacred flag atop the Ram temple would stand as a testimony to the fact that ldquotruth ultimately triumphs over falsehoodrdquoCongratulating all Ram devotees and those involved in the templersquos construction Modi said Ayodhya had always been the land where ideals become conductRecalling the journey of Lord Ram he said ldquoRam left as a prince but returned as lsquoMaryada Purushottamrsquo The wisdom of sages the guidance of mentors the friendship of Nishad Raj the devotion of Shabari and the commitment of countless others shaped him A developed India will need this same collective strength toordquoAccording to PTI Modi stressed that India must think beyond the present and plan for future generationsldquoThose who think only of today are unfair to the coming generations The country existed when we were not here and it will still remain when we wonrsquot be hererdquo he saidPM Modi added that the journey towards a developed India by 2047 required awakening the Ram ldquowithin usrdquoldquoRam is not a person but a value a discipline and a directionrdquo he notedReiterating his call to free the country from the ldquomentality of slaveryrdquo Modi said India must take pride in its civilisational identityldquoMacaulay sowed the seeds of uprooting India from its roots 190 years ago We gained Independence but not freedom from inferiorityrdquo he said urging that the next 10 years be dedicated to reversing this mindsetHe added that colonialera distortions had led to the belief that India borrowed democracy from abroad PTI reportedldquoIndia is the mother of democracy It is in our DNArdquo he said citing a thousandyearold inscription in Tamil Nadu that documents democratic practicesModi said this mindset had influenced even national symbols pointing to the recent redesign of the Navyrsquos flag ldquoIt was not just a design change it was a change in thinkingrdquo he saidSpeaking on Ayodhyarsquos transformation Modi said the city was once again emerging as a model blend of antiquity and modernityldquoThe Ayodhya of the Treta Yuga gave humanity its moral code The Ayodhya of the 21st century is giving the world a new model of developmentrdquo he said highlighting the new airport upgraded railway station and enhanced connectivityHe said nearly 45 crore devotees had visited the temple since its consecration bringing ldquosignificant economic transformationrdquo to the regionPointing to Indiarsquos economic rise Modi said ldquoAfter 70 years of Independence India became the worldrsquos 11th largest economy But in the last 11 years we have become the fifth largest The day is not far when we will become the third largestrdquoInvoking the metaphor of Ramrsquos chariot in the battle against Ravan he said Indiarsquos development journey too required patience truth good conduct strength and compassionldquoWe need a similar chariot to accelerate the journey of a developed Indiardquo he saidPM Modi concluded that the vision of Ram Rajya must guide Indiarsquos future adding ldquoThis is possible only when national interest comes before self interest and remains supremerdquoWith PTI inputs