Modi says dreams of freedom fighters still remain unfulfilled

Pune, Aug 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expounded his vision of a "new India" and urged the people to set a goal for themselves for 2022, the 75th anniversary of India's Independence, and work towards accomplishing it. He said there are dreams of freedom fighters, which still remain incomplete, and it's everyone's duty to work towards fulfilling them.

The PM was addressing the 99th birthday celebrations of spiritual leader Dada J P Vaswani through a video link. Dada Vaswani, as he is popularly known, is the head of Pune-based Sadhu Vaswani Mission, a non-profit organisation. Wishing Dada Vaswani on his birthday, Modi, in his 17- minute speech, said his blessings will help in accomplishing the goals for a new India.

"We will celebrate 75 years of Independence in 2022. There are dreams of our freedom fighters, which are still incomplete, and it's our duty to fulfil them. "Today, when we are celebrating the 99th birthday of Dada, who himself was a witness to the freedom struggle, we should set a goal for 2022, which should be quantifiable," Modi said. "Set a goal - such as I will associate these many number of people with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, or these many number of people with solar energy or waste to energy programmes.

Decide I will educate these many number of people from rural areas and make efforts to achieve these goals," he told the gathering. The PM said when individuals or institutions set their goals and make sincere efforts to achieve them, the nation will be able to accomplish the desired objectives. This will also help in fulfilling the dream of building a "new India".

Modi highlighted the role being played by Dada Vaswani and the Sadhu Vaswani Mission for the welfare of the society. "Dada's blessings and the Mission's will power will help us accomplish the goals of New India by 2022." Modi spoke about 'Swacchagraha', an initiative for cleanliness on the lines of Mahatma Gandhi's 'Satyagraha' movement.

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has become a mass movement, he said. "There is a healthy competition to make villages, districts, states open-defecation free. Till date 2.17 lakh villages have declared themselves ODF." He said cleanliness is not only a system, it is actually a tendency and cleanliness should become our character. "We have to consider cleanliness as a tendency, and with interest, this tendency will gradually turn into habit.

Lauding Dada Vaswani's contribution to the society, the PM said he has carried forward the rich tradition of saints in the country. "He has dedicated his life in bringing happiness in the lives of the people from the suppressed and under privileged class. His life is an inspiration for today's youth.

"There are social evils such as corruption, casteism, crime, society, drug addiction. We can fight these out only if we choose the right option," said Modi. Speaking on the occasion, Dada Vaswani appreciated Modi's leadership and his government's work in a host of sectors in the last three years.

PTI