SHILLONG: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday the Centre wishes to see the North East as the gateway to South East Asia.
Addressing the centenary celebrations of Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Shillong through video conference from Delhi, Modi stressed on the government’s resolve to develop the North East.
“Focus on connectivity and infrastructure could help develop the North East to become a gateway to South East Asia,” he said.
He pointed out that connectivity is being improved in the roads sector of the region with an investment of Rs 40,000 crore, besides 19 major railway projects were also taken up in the region.
He said technology has eliminated the distance between New Delhi and Shillong as he is addressing people in the northeastern city from New Delhi through video conferencing.
The Prime Minister urged Bharat Sevashram Sangha to work towards ‘Swachhagrah’ – or cleanliness, especially in northeastern India.
The Prime Minister said the work of the organisation in the North East, and during the time of disasters, has been praiseworthy.
He recalled the time that he had worked with Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Gujarat. He conveyed his best wishes on the occasion to the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, which he said, combined the virtues of service (seva) and labour (shram).
The Prime Minister explained the significance of serving the poor and the needy as described in the scriptures.
He said Swami Pranabananda, the founder of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, had spoken of social justice a century ago, and established the Sangh for this purpose.
The Prime Minister said a myth has been sought to be created in recent times that “service” and “spirituality” are two different things. He said Bharat Sevashram Sangha has been able to dispel this myth through its work.
He said societal development through ‘Bhakti’, ‘Shakti’ and ‘Jan Shakti’ was achieved by Swami Pranabananda.
Earlier, welcoming the Prime Minister on the occasion, the General Secretary of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Sreemat Swami Biswatmanandaji Maharaj, spoke of the glorious spiritual and service traditions of India.
Sreemant Swami Ambareeshanandaji Maharaj, who had worked with the Prime Minister in Gujarat, and who was mentioned by the Prime Minister during his address, also spoke on the occasion.
