By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, Dec 26, 2023: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the nation “proudly acknowledges the contribution of the Christian Community.”
The prime minister said this while interacting with leaders of Christian community on the occasion of Christmas on December 25 at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi, the official residence of the Prime Minister of India.
The prime minister praised Christian contributions to the freedom movement and highlighted the various intellectual thinkers and leaders. He underlined that Gandhiji himself had said that the Non-Cooperation Movement was conceived under the patronage of Sushil Kumar Rudra, principal of St. Stephen’s College.
Modi, who is completing 10 years as the Indian prime minister, highlighted the crucial role played by the Christian community in giving direction to society and mentioned active participation in social service towards the poor and the deprived.
He also noted their contributions in important areas of education and healthcare.
Wishing everyone, especially people of the Christian community a Merry Christmas, the prime minister thanked everyone present for joining him on this very special and sacred occasion. He expressed delight in accepting the Indian Minority Foundation’s proposal to celebrate Christmas together and thanked them for the initiative, says a press release from the Press Information Bureau of the government of India.
Throwing light on his relations with the Christian community for a long time, the prime minister recalled holding frequent meetings with the Christian community and their leaders when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. He also recalled his interaction with Pope Francis Pope on October 30, 2021, as a memorable moment.
He said the two leaders discussed issues such as social harmony, global brotherhood, climate change and inclusive development to make earth a better place.
Noting that Christmas is not just the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but also to remember his life, message and values, the 73-year-old Indian leader underlined the values of compassion and service that Jesus lived by.
He said Jesus worked to create an inclusive society where justice prevails for all and it is these values that are illuminating the way like a guiding light in the development journey of India.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the similarity of values between different streams of social life, which unite people as he gave the example of the Bible which emphasizes the service of others.
“Service as the supreme religion. In The Holy Bible, truth has been given great importance and it is said that only truth will show us the path to salvation,” the prime minister said. He also pointed out that sacred Upanishads focus on knowing the ultimate truth to liberate oneself.
He also stressed the need for moving forward by focusing on shared values and heritage. “For the modern India of the 21st century, this cooperation, harmony, and spirit of Sabka Prayas will take India to new heights.
Reiterating India’s resolution to be a developed nation by 2047 and the importance of the youth in the journey, the prime minister emphasized the need for physical, mental and emotional fitness of the youth. He requested the community leaders to make people aware of the movements for popularizing fitness, millets, nutrition and the campaign against drugs.
Noting the tradition of giving gifts on Christmas, the prime minister stressed gifting a better planet to the coming generations. “Sustainability is the need of today’s time,” he said underlining that living a sustainable lifestyle is the central message of Mission LiFE, an international movement being led by India.
He reiterated that the campaign inspires pro-planet people to adopt a pro-planet lifestyle. He mentioned reusing and recycling, using biodegradable materials, adopting millets, and buying products with minimal carbon footprint. He expressed belief that the socially conscious Christian community can play a major role in this mission.
Among the Christian leaders present were Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay who serves as a member of the Pope’s Council of the Cardinal Advisers, Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi, Bishop Paul Swarup of Church of North India’s Delhi diocese, St. Stephen’s College principal John Varghese, Father Kevin J. Kimtis, second secretary of the Vatican Embassy, and Bishop Thomas Mar Antonios of Gurgaon Syro-Malankara Church.
PM Modi’s fooling game of the Christians and their gullible and blind hierarchy.
Sorry for the autocorrect. Should read Kovind!
Earlier carol singing at Rashtrapati Bhawan was an annual Christmas feature. I think it was discontinued by the previous President Ram Nath Kevin’s.
We know what the Prime Minister said. What did our so-called Christian leaders have to say?