Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation as the holy month of Ramzan began on Sunday. May this holy month enhance the spirit of togetherness, peace & harmony across the world, he tweeted.
PM Modi greeted the nation through Twitter in the morning and later in the day through his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'. He said he was proud of the fact that people from all communities and faiths — believers, atheists as well as "those believing in idol worship" and "those opposing the idol worship" — coexist peacefully in India. He said all religions, faiths, ideologies and traditions spread the message of peace, unity and goodwill.
Greetings on the start of Ramzan. May this holy month enhance the spirit of togetherness, peace & harmony across the world.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 28, 2017
"I convey my hearty greetings to everyone in India and elsewhere in the world, especially the Muslim brethren at the advent of the auspicious month of Ramzan. We Indians are very lucky that our ancestors have created such a tradition that today India and its 1.25 billion people can take pride in the fact that people from all communities and faith are available here," PM Modi said on 'Mann Ki Baat'. He added: "We have adapted ourselves to the myriad kinds of ideologies, different ways of worshipping and all types of traditions and imbibed the art of co-existential living." The prime minister also said that prayers, spirituality and charity are given top priority during Ramzan. PM Modi also paid tribute to warrior Maharana Pratap through Twitter: "On his Jayanti, we remember the brave Maharana Pratap. He lives in the hearts & minds of every Indian due to his great courage."
On his Jayanti, we remember the brave Maharana Pratap. He lives in the hearts & minds of every Indian due to his great courage. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 28, 2017
He also paid tribute to freedom fighter Veer Savarkar on his birth anniversary. "Today is also the birth anniversary of Veer Savarkar ji. His contribution to the nation is invaluable... Veer Savarkar ji spent time at the 'Kaala Pani' and there he wrote a lot. People from all over India were imprisoned in the Cellular Jail. Veer Savarkar ji's role in India's freedom movement cannot be forgotten. His book 'Mazi Janmathep' gives insights about his struggle from freedom when he was imprisoned in the cellular jail," PM Modi said.
Swachh Bharat
PM Modi lauded the efforts of Afroz Shah and his team of volunteers who cleaned oodles of garbage off Mumbai's Versova Beach. The cleanliness drive has entered its 86th week with local residents and other travellers lending a helping hand to the movement.
"Afroz (Shah) and his team helped clean thousands of kilograms of garbage off Mumbai's Versova Beach. Residents of Mumbai and travellers from across the country will thank him and his team for their valuable contribution. I am very happy people are evaluating our work in great detail. I welcome this," PM Modi said on 'Mann Ki Baat'.
He also stressed the importance of garbage segregation and waste management.
"One thing that we all must focus on, is waste management. The first thing we must do is not to think of garbage as waste. Garbage segregation must start at home. We all must dispose it on the basis of dry, wet, plastic, paper or metal, tin, re-usable- like cloth, etc. I request you all to take this step," the prime minister said.
