Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that Arya Samaj has been an organization that fearlessly talks about Indianness and it is an organisation of staunch nationalists. He said, revolutionaries like Lala Lajpat Rai and Ram Prasad Bismil drew inspiration from the Arya Samaj. Addressing the International Arya Mahasammelan in Delhi, Mr Modi said, unfortunately, due to political reasons, Arya Samaj’s role in freedom struggle did not receive the honour it deserved. He said, 150 years of the Arya Samaj, this occasion is not just about one section of society or sect, it is about the Vedic identity of India.
The Prime Minister said, Swami Dayanand was a visionary and understood that for India to truly progress, it needed not only to break free from colonial rule but also to rid itself of the deep-rooted social injustices that plagued the society. He said, Swami Dayanand actively opposed discrimination and untouchability, urging the people to eradicate these evils and strive for a more inclusive and equitable society. The Prime Minister said, Bharat is special in many ways. He said, this land, its civilization, and its Vedic traditions are eternal, because in every era, whenever new challenges arise and time poses new questions, some great personality emerges with the answers.
Emphasizing that among the many contributions of Arya Samaj, one of the most vital is its role in preserving the Gurukul tradition of India, the Prime Minister recalled that India once stood at the pinnacle of knowledge and science due to the strength of its Gurukuls.
Mr Modi said, just two days ago, President Droupadi Murmu flew a Rafale fighter aircraft and her companion was Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh. He said, today, the daughters of the country are flying fighter aircraft and also promoting modern agriculture by becoming Drone Didis. The Prime Minister said, today, the countrymen can proudly say that India has the highest number of female STEM graduates in the world. He said, today, women are also playing leadership roles in the field of science and technology. Mr Modi said, today, India has emerged as a major global voice in the direction of sustainable development.
The Prime Minister highlighted that India is now advocating Vedic ideals and lifestyle on the global stage. He mentioned the launch of Mission LiFE, which has received global support. Mr Modi said, through the vision of “One Sun, One World, One Grid,” India is transforming clean energy into a global movement. He added that yoga, through International Yoga Day, has reached over 190 countries, promoting a yogic way of life and environmental consciousness.
Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also addressed the gathering.
The programme forms a key part of the Jyāna Jyoti Festival commemorating the 200th birth anniversary of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Ji and 150 years of Arya Samaj’s service to society. It has brought together representatives from Arya Samaj units across India and abroad, reflecting the universal relevance of Maharshi Dayanand’s reformist ideals and the organisation’s global outreach. It also features an exhibition titled – 150 Golden Years of Service, showcasing Arya Samaj’s transformative journey through its contributions in education, social reform, and spiritual upliftment.