Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for nurturing and empowering the country’s youth to build a strong and capable India. He was speaking after inaugurating the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav conference in New Delhi, being held from October 23 to October 25.
Recalling his interactions with Swami Chinmayananda, Modi said their discussions focused on the need for youth participation and empowerment for national development. He said he had met the spiritual leader to invite him to attend the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1993, and that the invitation was accepted.
However, Modi noted that Swami Chinmayananda passed away on August 3, and that those who attended the Chicago event felt his absence. He said their last meeting had underscored the importance of strengthening youth power for the nation’s progress.
The Prime Minister also said he later got the opportunity to serve as Chief Minister of Gujarat, an opportunity he said was given by the people. He described “Chinmaya” as more than a movement, calling it a philosophy with vision, and said India is the birthplace of culture and that the nation is the foundation of life.
