New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the ‘Navkar Mahamantra Divas’ on Wednesday in Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi. Talking about the role of Jainism, PM Modi said that the religion has played a significant role in building India’s identity. He added that its values can help in dealing with the global issues of terrorism, war and the protection of the environment.
Addressing the event, Modi ensured that the government is bound to preserve the heritage and teachings of the ancient religion. He highlighted that the teachings of Jainism are there in the buildings of parliament including the idols of tirthankaras.
PM also mentioned Anekantavada, a significant doctrine of Jainism which advocates non-absolutism and recognises that there are different ways of viewing the ultimate truth. He said that Jainism gives importance to the interdependence of life and is therefore against violence of every form. He added that the religion promotes peace, harmony and environmental protection.
Modi asserted that the Jain literature is the backbone of India’s spiritual magnificence. He announced that his government has been taking multiple steps to protect its literature one of which is digitising its ancient texts and declaring Prakrit and Pali as classical languages.
PM Modi also urged people to take nine pledges which teach saving water, planting a tree in the memory of one’s mother, maintaining cleanliness, going vocal for local, prioritising local tourism, employing natural methods of farming, leading a healthy lifestyle by consuming more millets and 10 per cent reduction in edible oil usage, helping the needy and incorporating yoga and sports.
He encouraged the audience to propagate the message of unity and inclusiveness across the country and embrace any individual who chants “Bharat Mata ki Jay”.
