Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the Matua Dharma Maha Mela 2022 organized by the Matua Mahasangha at Shreedham Thakurnagar, Thakurbari, West Bengal on the occasion of the 211th birth anniversary of Shree Shree Harichand Thakur Ji, via video conferencing.
Speaking at the occasion, he said that the Matua Dharma Maha Mela reflects the vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister also recalled his happiness on being able to pay his obeisance at Orakandi Thakurbari in Bangladesh in March 2021 also February 2019 when he had the opportunity to visit Thakurnagar.
He emphasized that Matua Dharma Maha Mela is an occasion to bow to the Matua tradition, the foundation of which was laid by Shree Harichand Thakur Ji and further nurtured by Guruchand Thakur Ji and Boro Ma.
The Prime Minister also credited his Council of Minister colleague Shantanu Thakur for taking forward the great tradition.
The Prime Minister said that our culture and civilization are great due to their continuous flow and continuity and have a natural tendency to self-regenerate.
Noting the social work of the leaders of the Matua community, the Prime Minister talked about New India’s effort to provide cleanliness, health, and self-confidence to the daughters of the country.
“When we see our sisters and daughters in every sphere of society contributing to nation-building along with sons, then it feels like a true tribute to great personalities like Shree ShreeHarichand Thakur Ji”, the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister said, “When the government takes the government schemes to the people on the basis of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and when, Sabka Prayas drives the development of the nation, then we move towards building an inclusive society”.
Remembering Shree Shree Harichand Thakur Ji’s emphasis on duty alongside divine love, the Prime Minister stressed the role of duties in civic life.
“We have to make this sense of duty the basis for the development of the nation. Our constitution gives us many rights. We can protect those rights only when we perform our duties honestly”, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister called upon the Matua community to raise awareness to remove corruption at every level in society.
“If anyone is being harassed anywhere, then definitely raise your voice there. It is our duty towards the society and also towards the nation”, said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister said further that “it is our democratic right to participate in political activities. But because of political opposition, if someone intimidates someone with violence, then it is a violation of the rights of others.”
“Therefore, it is our duty that if the mentality of violence and anarchy exists anywhere in society, then it should be opposed”, he added.
The Prime Minister reiterated his call for cleanliness, vocal for local, and the mantra of Nation First.