PM Modi highlights Christ's teachings of love and harmony at Christmas event
He stressed that only a human-centric approach, as adopted by India, could take a 21st-century world to new heights.
He stressed that only a human-centric approach, as adopted by India, could take a 21st-century world to new heights.
He stressed that only a human-centric approach, as adopted by India, could take a 21st-century world to new heights.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the teachings of Lord Christ and celebrated love, harmony, and brotherhood during the Christmas celebrations hosted by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) on Monday.
He urged everyone to work towards strengthening these values in society. Speaking at the celebrations, Modi asserted that it pains his heart when there are attempts to spread violence and cause disruption in society.
He stressed that only a human-centric approach, as adopted by India, could take a 21st-century world to new heights. Citing the Christmas market attack in Germany and the 2019 Easter bombings in Sri Lanka, Modi said it is important to come together and fight such challenges.
This is the first time that a prime minister has attended such a programme at the headquarters of the Catholic Church in India (CBCI). "It was a very satisfactory moment for me when we safely brought Father Alexis Prem Kumar from war-torn Afghanistan a decade back.
"He was stuck there for eight months and was in hostage... For us, all these missions are not mere diplomatic missions but an emotional commitment to bring back family members," Modi said.
No matter where they are or what crisis they face, today's India sees it as its duty to bring its citizens to safety, he said. Modi said that when the Covid pandemic struck, many countries that talked big about human rights backed down from helping poor countries.
He said India even moved beyond its capabilities to help poor countries during COVID-19 and provided medicines to over 150 nations. He also said India provided vaccines to several countries.
"Our youth have given us confidence that the dream of a Viksit Bharat will surely be fulfilled," he said. Modi said it is a moment of pride that Pope Francis has made His Eminence George Koovakad a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) was established in 1944 and is the body which works closest with all the Catholics across India.