New Delhi, 06 July (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the ideological foundation laid by Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee continues to guide modern India and that the vision of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh has evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), now the world's largest democratic political organisation dedicated to public service. He said his government fulfilled Dr Mookerjee's dream by abrogating Article 370 and is commemorating his 125th birth anniversary as a two-year national celebration.

Addressing a programme through video conferencing on the occasion of Dr Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary, the Prime Minister said that although he was away on an official visit due to prior commitments, technology had enabled him to participate in the historic event. Paying tribute to Dr Mookerjee, he described him as a visionary statesman and a great patriot who devoted his life to safeguarding India's unity and integrity.

PM Modi said that when a government is guided by the principle of Nation First, it not only honours national icons but also works to carry forward their vision. He said the Union Government is observing Dr Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary as a two-year national commemoration beginning on July 6 last year and continuing until July 6 next year. He also congratulated the West Bengal Government for organising the event on a grand scale, saying that the recently observed West Bengal Day and the current celebrations reflect respect for the state's rich heritage.

The Prime Minister said Dr Mookerjee's life represents an inspiring journey of transforming an idea into a mass movement. He noted that Dr Mookerjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh at a time when the Indian National Congress dominated the country's political landscape and there appeared to be little space for an alternative ideology. According to PM Modi, the establishment of the Jana Sangh was not merely the creation of a political party but an expression of Dr Mookerjee's unwavering faith in ideological diversity, national thought and democratic participation.

He said the dedication, sacrifice and perseverance of millions of workers kept the Jana Sangh's ideology alive, and that same ideology today serves the nation through the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has become the world's largest democratic political force. PM Modi expressed confidence that whenever the history of the BJP is written, Dr Mookerjee's ideas, courage and foresight will occupy a place of special significance.

Referring to Dr Mookerjee's speeches in Parliament, the Prime Minister said he firmly believed that only national unity could lay the foundation for India's bright future, a principle he followed throughout his public life.PM Modi recalled that during the Partition of India in 1947, Dr Mookerjee stood firmly against attempts to separate the whole of Bengal from India and played a decisive political role in ensuring that West Bengal remained an integral part of the country.

The Prime Minister said Dr Mookerjee's slogan, One Nation cannot have two Constitutions, two Prime Ministers and two Flags, was far more than a political slogan. He described it as a call for equal rights, one Constitution and one national consciousness.PM Modi said Dr Mookerjee fought steadfastly for these principles, endured imprisonment and ultimately made the supreme sacrifice for the cause of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that his government fulfilled that vision by ending the special constitutional provisions under Article 370.

PM Modi said the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat is an extension of Dr Mookerjee's national philosophy, where there is no divide between the North and South or the East and West, and the entire nation is united by one Constitution, one national spirit and a shared future. He added that the Constitution is now uniformly applicable across the country, reflecting the ideals that inspired Dr Mookerjee.

The Prime Minister also highlighted Dr Mookerjee's contributions to education, noting that he became the youngest Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta at the age of just 33. He said Dr Mookerjee regarded education as a vital instrument of nation-building and strongly advocated learning in the mother tongue while promoting Indian languages. PM Modi said the National Education Policy is advancing that vision by encouraging education in regional languages.

Recalling Dr Mookerjee's tenure as Independent India's first Industry Minister,PM Modi said he laid the foundation for the country's industrial development. He credited Dr Mookerjee with playing a pivotal role in establishing institutions such as Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, the Sindri Fertiliser Plant, the Damodar Valley Corporation and the Industrial Finance Corporation of India. According to the Prime Minister, Dr Mookerjee viewed industries, universities and research institutions not merely as organisations but as centres dedicated to national development.

Concluding his address, PM Modi urged young people to draw inspiration from Dr Mookerjee's life and dedicate themselves to building a Shreshtha Bharat and Viksit Bharat, just as Dr Mookerjee devoted his life to the cause of a united India. Calling upon citizens to contribute towards the goal of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Prime Minister recalled Dr Mookerjee's message that every task undertaken should be pursued with complete sincerity, commitment and dedication until its successful completion.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar