Page 61 - Mann ki Baat June 2022 - English
P. 61
nature, usually located in far
flung places and remote areas
and getting there requires a lot
of effort. It is for the reverence of
the place that makes devotees
traverse through such tough
terrains in order to reach there,
as it brings them closer to the
Almighty. Besides the spiritual
benefits, pilgrimages also bind
the county together. American
Scholar Diana Eck has written
wonderful lines about our country
that India was built “not by the
power of kings and governments,
but by the footsteps of pilgrims.”
Reiterating Prime Minister the main streets, it would also
Narendra Modi’s words in ‘Mann ki improve the overall infrastructure
Baat’ about importance of cultural of the city.
mobility, Amish said, India and
Indians have been bound together Talking about Government
over millennia through the gentle initiatives like PRASHAD Scheme,
yet enduring thread of Dharma. Swadesh Darshan Scheme, 'Ek
So, when you travel to another Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' etc., he
place there is something which said, apart from these initiatives,
binds you there. When I went to reforms are taking place in the
the Sri Vadakkunnathan Temple education policy as well that will
in Thrissur, Kerala, it is because help the younger generations
I am a Shiv Bhakt. Even though in connecting with their roots.
I barely know the Malayalam When we talk about the schemes
language, that did not stop me mentioned, everyone would love
from interacting with many other to go to places if all the facilities
devotees visiting the shrine. At
the temple, we were not divided are available and the journey
by the lack of a common language, is made less cumbersome.
but instead we were connected by Connectivity through airports and
our devotion to Lord Shiva and the railway station creates a positive
chanting of shlokas we all knew. It mind-set among people. And
is similar to binding a garland with when the infrastructure is good
different flowers. For the garland even foreigners can get there
that our country is, the string is with ease. This plays a key role in
Dharma. boosting the local economy.
These yatras like Jagannath yatra, Amish also affirms that cleanliness
Amarnath yatra, Sabarimala of pilgrimage sites is of utmost
Yatraare attended by people from importance, he added, if you find
all corners of India. Foreigners plastic on road while going to
too attend these yatras. The Kedarnath, you know it is not only
Jagannath Rath Yatra is an
ancient tradition that was carried environmentally dangerous but it
out in most cities of India in is also an insult to our Gods and
ancient times. The beauty of such Goddesses. When you go on a
yatras lies in the involvement of pilgrimage, you should go with a
the people who come together positive approach. My suggestion
as one to serve the deities. Since to pilgrims would be to not litter
these Rath Yatras are carried on and make use of garbage bins.
57
57
