Bihar, NFAPost: In a recent address at a convocation ceremony in Bihar’s Rohtas district, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his confidence in India’s rapid economic advancement, predicting that the country is poised to become a developed nation by its centenary Independence celebrations.
Singh highlighted the increasing recognition of India’s cultural roots, noting with delight that foreigners were increasingly referring to the country as Bharat instead of India. He underscored the significance of this shift, which he believes reflects a growing sense of pride in India’s cultural heritage among both the general public and the political class.
Recalling India’s economic transformation, Singh mentioned that in 2014, the country was ranked at the bottom among the top 10 global economies. However, since the Narendra Modi government assumed power, India has made remarkable progress and now stands among the top five economies in the world. Singh referred to a recent report by Morgan Stanley, which suggests that India is projected to be among the top three economies by 2027.
Singh further emphasized the importance of character and values, drawing from the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. He recounted an anecdote where Vivekananda stated that character, not appearance, defines a person. Singh received applause from the audience as he highlighted the role of ‘sanskara’ (values) in shaping individuals and society. He referenced an article by Thomas Friedman, which highlighted the influence of values on both successful Indian tech giant Infosys and the globally recognized terrorist organization Al Qaeda.
Asserting his agreement with India being a secular nation, Singh clarified that “dharma” refers not only to places of worship but to an entire way of life. He stated that Indian values teach the importance of respecting all forms of life, using the example of feeding even a poisonous snake with the milk of cows.
To engage the young audience, Singh incorporated examples from Algebra and Geometry throughout his speech, drawing on his background as a former Physics lecturer. He also shared a personal anecdote to highlight the enduring respect students hold for their teachers, irrespective of their own achievements. Singh recounted a moment when he recognized his childhood teacher, an old Moulvi, on the roadside and paid his respects, acknowledging the strict yet impactful education he had received.
Overall, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s address painted an optimistic picture of India’s economic progress and cultural identity, encouraging the nation to strive towards becoming a developed nation by the time it celebrates 100 years of Independence in 2047.
