Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently ended his 45-hour meditation in Kanniyakumari and, in a heartfelt letter addressed to the people of India, expressed his reflections on the retreat and the current trajectory of the nation. Here is the full text of his letter:
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Dear Citizens of India,
As the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, our nation's grand festival of democracy, conclude today, I wish to share my thoughts with you. I have just ended my 45-hour meditation in Kanniyakumari and boarded the plane to Delhi. My mind is filled with countless experiences and emotions, especially as Kashi and many other constituencies are voting.
This retreat in Kanniyakumari has been a profoundly humbling experience. It allowed me to dissociate from the external world and reflect on the development trajectory of our nation, which fills us with pride and glory. As I ended my poll campaign and began my meditation, I felt a boundless flow of energy within me. The heated political debates, attacks, counterattacks, and accusations characteristic of an election disappeared into a void, replaced by a sense of detachment and peace.
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections mark the first in the Amrit Kaal. My campaign started from Meerut, the land of the First War of Independence of 1857, and traversed across our great nation, ending with a final rally in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. From there, I journeyed to Kanniyakumari, at the feet of Maa Bharti. The fervor of the elections echoed in my heart, and the multitude of faces from rallies and roadshows came before my eyes. The blessings from our Nari Shakti, the trust, and the affection of the people were very humbling. As I entered into a meditative state, all the political noise vanished into a void.
In Kanniyakumari, a sense of detachment grew within me, and my mind became completely detached from the external world. Meditation can be challenging amidst great responsibilities, but the land of Kanniyakumari and the inspiration of Swami Vivekananda made it effortless. As I meditated, I thought about what Swami Vivekananda must have experienced here. My mind was constantly envisioning the bright future of Bharat and the goals of our nation. The rising sun, the vast ocean, and the expanse of the horizon inspired thoughts of unity and oneness.
Kanniyakumari has always been close to my heart. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial was built under the leadership of Shri Eknath Ranade ji, with whom I had the opportunity to travel extensively. During the memorial's construction, I spent some time in Kanniyakumari. This land is not only a confluence of sacred rivers but also a confluence of national thought, with the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, the grand statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar, Gandhi Mandapam, and Kamarajar Mani Mandapam. This confluence gives rise to great inspiration for nation-building and unity.
Remembering Swami Vivekananda, who said, "Every nation has a message to deliver, a mission to fulfill, a destiny to reach," I am reminded that Bharat's welfare benefits our planet's progress. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Bharat's successful efforts provided courage and assistance to many nations. Today, Bharat's governance model and innovative practices inspire the world. Our efforts in empowering the poor and last-mile delivery have shown the world the power of pro-people governance.
As Bharat rises, it creates historic opportunities for all our partner countries. The success of the G20 and Bharat's strong voice for the Global South, including the African Union's inclusion in the G20, highlight our growing global influence.
Despite our development trajectory, we must remember our responsibilities and move forward toward greater duties and larger goals. We need to dream new dreams, convert them into reality, and see Bharat's development in a global context. Our youthful nation's strength is an opportunity we must seize. We must redefine our heritage in a modern way, embracing ancient values in a modern context.
To achieve a Viksit Bharat by 2047, we must reform, perform, and transform. Our reforms should align with the aspirations of a developed India. Reform cannot be unidimensional; it requires leadership, performance from our bureaucracy, and the people's participation. Excellence must be our fundamental principle.
We need to work in all four directions: speed, scale, scope, and standards. Alongside manufacturing, we must focus on quality and adhere to the mantra of 'zero defect-zero effect'. We should take pride in being born in Bharat and dedicate our efforts to the nation's journey towards excellence.
Our efforts will create a strong foundation for future generations and take Bharat to new heights. Let us come together and create a Viksit Bharat. I am filled with faith, devotion, and belief in the infinite and eternal power of Bharat. Over the past 10 years, I have witnessed Bharat's growing capabilities firsthand.
I wrote this letter during my flight back to Delhi from Kanniyakumari. During my visit to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, I also penned a message in the visitors' book, committing every moment of my life to the service of the nation.
Let us take swift steps and come together to build a Viksit Bharat.
With warm regards,
Narendra Modi
