Rajnath Singh: Cultural Renaissance Essential for a Developed India; Defence Minister Pays Tribute to Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the importance of establishing a social and cultural foundation to achieve political and national objectives. He stated that to transform India into a developed nation, the country must once again foster an environment of cultural renaissance.

Singh made these remarks while addressing a program marking the 150th anniversary of Arya Samaj at Bharat Mandapam on Sunday. He noted that India is currently in the “Amrit Kaal” of its independence, coinciding with the 200th birth anniversary of Arya Samaj founder Swami Dayanand Saraswati. Drawing parallels between Swamiji’s vision of an enlightened cultural India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of a developed India, Singh highlighted the need for cultural awareness to achieve these objectives.

Recalling the historical context when Swamiji was born in Gujarat under British rule, Singh described how the British ridiculed India and its culture. Swami Dayanand Saraswati, he noted, played a crucial role in awakening the nation’s consciousness.

Singh also mentioned Swami Dayanand’s influence on prominent figures like Lala Lajpat Rai, Ram Prasad Bismil, and Swami Shraddhanand, who actively fought against British rule. He cited the writings of Veer Savarkar, who referred to Swamiji as the first warrior in India’s freedom struggle and the first to demand Swaraj.

The Defence Minister further stated that Swami Dayanand Saraswati was not only a sage who interpreted the Vedas, but also a guiding light for the nation’s cultural resurgence. He pointed out that the Vedas are the foundation of Indian knowledge and science, emphasizing that understanding their origins is essential to grasp the vastness of Indian intellectual heritage. Singh argued that the Vedas contain knowledge that can provide solutions to contemporary challenges, including issues like climate change.