Narendrabhai Modiji : Let’s embrace Khadi…Let’s live the ideals of two great sons of Bharat Mata- Mahatma Gandhi & Lal Bahadur Shastri

Dear Friends,

Today we pay our tributes to two very distinguished sons of Bharat Mata. On this day, back in 1869 Mahatma Gandhi was born in Porbandar. With the sheer power of his thoughts and his ideals of Satya (truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence), Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi challenged the entire might of the British Empire and prevailed. It is a matter of great pride Gujarat is both a Janmabhoomi and Karmabhoomi for Mahatma Gandhi! And, it makes me even more proud that in the last decade, Gujarat has shown the world how it is possible to scale newer heights of progress in the 21^st century following the path and ideals laid by Bapu.

We pay our deepest tributes to Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, who was born on this day. Shastri ji followed Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and became an inspiration of morals and values in public life. His clarion call of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ still reverberates in the hearts and minds of every proud Indian.
Friends, I have always believed that the best way to understand Gandhi is not by merely reading heaps of books on this Great Soul but to live him and follow his beliefs. That is why on this day I always motivate people to embrace Khadi as a part of their lives.
Khadi is not merely a piece of cloth but an entire stream of thought.  The Khadi along with the Charkha are the very symbols that unified the entire freedom struggle! It was this Khadi that gave a fitting answer to the foreign Sultanate that ruled the roost in our country before 1947, becoming the symbol of our fight against the might of foreign imperialism. It became a wonderful tool in the awakening Jan Shakti.
I am sure that Khadi fashion can be a great influence as well a rage around the world. ‘Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion’ can be a great way forward. Further, the Gujarat Government has come up with its New Textile Policy that will bring in renewed joy and prosperity in the lives of our weavers. It is, thus an appropriate medium to bring an ocean of change in the life of the Daridra Narayan.
Friends, we attained Swaraj in 1947 but Gandhi ji’s dream of Surajya is yet to be achieved. It is onto us to fulfill these dreams of Mahatma Gandhi and strive towards attaining Surajya and a society that works in the service of the Daridra Narayan. This is what Gandhi ji taught us and this is how we can pay a perfect tribute to him.
I will conclude by sharing some powerful words spoken by noted scientist Albert Einstein on Mahatma Gandhi, “Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood!”
Once again my greetings on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti! On this day, let us affirm to make Khadi an integral part of our lives. We may not be able to fill our entire wardrobe with Khadi but do go and buy atleast something that is Khadi made. That way you are not only living the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi but also lighting the proverbial lamp of joy and prosperity in the lives of Daridra Nayaran, who always had a special place in Gandhi ji’s heart.

Yours,

Narendra Modi


Courtesy : narendramodi.in

Narendrabhai Modiji : My deepest gratitude for your support and generous wishes

Dear Friends,
Today, 17^th September is my birth anniversary. Very often I am asked this question- “Modi ji how do you celebrate your birthday? What do you do on this special day?” etc. The fact is that throughout my life journey this day has been no different from any other day and has been as special to me as everyday day of my life.
Out of affection, many young friends and well-wishers have used this day to do some very touching acts of service as well as other forms of social work. I am thankful to them from the bottom of my heart for these wonderful acts of service held on this day.
17^th September this year will be different in the way that on the very next day on 18^th September, I will be completing a journey of 4000 days in service of the people of Gujarat as the Chief Minister. Never since the inception of Gujarat, has the state seen political stability for such a long span of time. If one desires to see how a progressive government with political stability and an atmosphere of vibrancy can deliver some fantastic results in the span of a decade, you can take Gujarat as a living example.
The success of Gujarat’s development journey is not the handiwork of one person, family or a select few. It is the feeling of ‘Mai Nahi Hum’ (Not ‘I’ but ‘we’) and a solid team spirit that has been the force behind Gujarat’s success in the last 4000 days. 
‘Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas’ (All together, growth for all)- this Mantra of Gujarat has emerged as the life force of a new political culture.
In the solid determination to steer Gujarat to new heights, the support and contribution of my 6 crore Gujaratis has been foundational and extremely important. On this day, I humbly bow to this spirit of the people.
At the same time, I salute the spirit of service and dedication of the more than 6 lakh Karma Yogis of Gujarat Government whose tireless efforts have ensured that our state scaled new heights of progress and infused immense pride in our hearts and optimism in our minds while marking its place on the map of the world.
During this journey of 4000 days, I have also been the target of several lies, exaggerations and half-truths from some sections with vested interests. It further ruffles their feathers when these very elements fail to secure any response from me. As I have always believed- more the stones that are hurled at me, the longer the flight of stairs I plan to build towards the progress of Gujarat and its people.
Yet, in contrast to these canards spread by those with a destructive mindset, I have also received several very touching pearls of wisdom, appreciation and ideas that have enriched me immensely. Today, I am sharing some self-explanatory letters in front of you. In the midst of these mistruths, it will be very easy to figure out what the truth is.
Two of the letters are penned by the noted former judge of the Honorable Supreme Court and a stalwart in public life- Justice VR Krishna Iyer, who is 98 years old. The letters have been written with great warmth and affection and they remain one of those treasures that I will cherish for life.

Narendrabhai Modiji (A Gujarati Lion of BJP)