Modi links faith with future, Ram with country, unity with progress

The inauguration of the Ram Temple marks the beginning of a new era and the grand shrine will witness the rise of a developed and magnificent India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday as he urged the citizens to lay the foundation of the country for the next 1,000 years.

In a speech that blended faith with politics and transformed a holy religious event into a milestone for nation-building, Modi also spoke about the power and legacy of Lord Ram, sought forgiveness for the delay in building a temple, and complimented how the nation had delicately untied the knots of history.

"Today, I feel with a pure heart that the cycle of time is changing... We have to lay the foundation of India for the next 1,000 years. All of us countrymen have to take an oath to build a strong, capable, grand and divine India from this very moment," Modi said.

"This moment is sublime and sacred, the atmosphere, environment and energy signify the blessings of Lord Ram... 22nd January 2024 is not a mere date on the calendar, it is the origin of a new kal chakra (era)" he added, underlining that the nation which shatters the shackles of slavery and gains inspiration from the past is the one which scripts history.

The PM referred to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, and said once there were concerns that if the temple came up, it would lead to violence. "The construction of this temple of Ram Lalla is also a symbol of peace, patience, mutual harmony and coordination of Indian society.

We are seeing that this construction is not giving birth to any fire, but to energy," he said. "Ram is not fire, he is energy, he is not conflict but solution, Ram does not belong only to us but to all, Ram is not just present but is infinity."