Page 13 - NIS - English, 01-15 January 2023

Development and Legacy Cover Story

approach. As a result, Kashi, Ujjain, Ayodhya,
and countless such centres of reverence are Whether it is national integration or
regaining their glory. Kedarnath, Badrinath, and a sense of civic duty, this cultural
Hemkund Saheb have been modernized while
maintaining reverence. A grand Ram temple is heritage of ours also acts as a
being built in Ayodhya. From the temple of Maa link. This is the strong link that
Kalika in Gujarat's Pavagadh to the corridor of
Devi Vindhyachal, India is invoking its cultural connects not only the country but
regeneration. It is now becoming easier for also the whole world with India.
every devotee to reach these centres of faith – Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
and the amenities that are being developed
are convenient for elderly pilgrims. They
are also becoming centres of reverence and
attraction for the new generation. Today the
whole country is filled with a sense of pride
for its spiritual centres. If we take the example
of Kedarnath Dham, where a maximum of 5
lakh devotees used to come in a season, this
number crossed 50 lakh in the last year. One
aspect of the development and reconstruction
of places related to spirituality is that the local
people get employment-business opportunities
and ease of living. When rail, road, and
ropeway reach the mountain, it makes life on
the mountain comfortable, easy, and splendid.
These amenities facilitate tourism as well as
transportation on the mountains.
Certainly, India is ready to welcome the
future with the pride of the past, because when
there is a determination for nation-building
and service to the country among the citizens,
then only the nation touches the true potential
of development. There was a time when
even talking about culture and civilization
was avoided. In this country, questions were
raised on the existence of Ram. What was
the result of that? Religious and cultural
places and cities lagged behind. The places
which we used to consider as symbols of our
identity, our existence when they were in bad
condition, then the morale to uplift the country
also used to break down. But in the last eight revived the glory of places of faith that were
years, the country has broken these shackles victims of blatant neglect. Today the country
of the inferiority complex. The government is a witness to how comprehensive efforts
led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put become a means of holistic development.
forward a holistic vision for the development Initiatives like Ramayana, Sufi, Tirthankar, and
of pilgrimage centers of all religions in India. Buddhist circuits are glorifying the cultural
From Ram Mandir and Kashi Vishwanath splendor as India's culture and rituals take the
Dham to Kedarnath and Mahakal Lok, has world by storm.
New India Samachar January 1-15, 2023 11